"Tay?" Rita asked softly.
Taylor turned and looked, smiled, and nodded his head towards the drum set onstage.
"Do you know what they're doing?"
Rita looked.
"Adam's teaching Kyle to play drums."
"I thought that was what it looked like - but how can Kyle play any instrument? He's deaf!"
When Kyle was born, Taylor had a hard time really accepting him as his son, remembering too well the circumstances under which he had been conceived. Rita had a mildly easier time, always having a soft spot for babies. However, finding out he was deaf had caused an almost instant acceptance. Rita had wondered over the years why that had been, but refused to let herself dwell on the subject.
"You remember that joke?"
"What joke?"
"What do they call the guy who hangs out with musicians?"
"Ooh… I've heard this one, I've heard this one… no, I've forgotten, what?
"The drummer."
"Oh yeah, that's right. Ike and I used to tease Zac about that one. What's it got to do with Kyle though?"
"Of all the instruments in the world, the drums are the best and easiest instrument for him to learn because of vibration. He might never know what it sounds like, but he'll know how it feels."
Taylor smiled.
"Yeah, I suppose. And he'll never need to use ear plugs either."
Rita giggled.
"Do you know how well Adam's succeeding then? I've seen them at it a couple of times before," Taylor asked.
"I'm not sure. Why don't you ask them tonight?"
"I think I'll do that."
There was quiet for a moment.
"Who was it that said it was a crime any Hanson should be born deaf?"
"I don't remember."
"Hmm. Well, I… I hope this is… Not being able to hear music is a huge loss. But at least, if he's able to do this, it's something right? It's better then being excluded from the musical world altogether, right?"
Rita gave him a hug.
"Honey, in this family no one could be completely excluded from the musical world. The fact that he wants to learn, and that he's making an effort to learn an instrument proves that. He might never know a good chord from a bad one, or on key from off, but he'll know rhythm. And he'll know lyrics."
Taylor winced slightly.
"Lyrics maybe, but he can't sing. I've heard him try."
"But he does try. That's my point. And for someone who has never heard the sound of his own voice, I'd say he does really well. The fact that they can even teach deaf people to talk astounds me as it is."
"I understand completely."
"Oh, Char wanted me to show you this," Rita said, pulling out a picture.
"Her dream guy?" Taylor asked, then shuddered. "We're going to have to come up with a different phrase. That one scares me - she's only nine for goodness sake!"
"Mmm. It's a good drawing though, isn't it? Must have gotten that off you, I can't draw."
Taylor stared hard at the picture.
"Yes it is a good drawing. Man… I wonder how he's going to turn out. I hope he's not - oh darn it, she's only nine and I'm worried about who she might date. It's Morgan I worry about dating. Speaking of which, is she still dating that model?"
"Yeah," Rita smiled. "Hon, don't worry. You know how Zac's like. If Zac thought Paul was trouble, he'd never let her date him. Remember how he acted when Jess dated all those guys up until Austin? And I know he tends to bug Avie and Sarah about who they date - or dated in Sarah's case, seeing as she's married now. I'd hate to think what he's going to do when Hope wants to start dating, if she hasn't already."
"Yeah… I know what you mean," Taylor replied. "Okay, I am mildly relieved. For now."
Rita giggled.