Episode 71 - Surprise

"That's wonderful, Xiao Li."

Since arriving at the Li's home, Yangyang's mother had been distant, saying barely two words to her son, but with Amari, she was more caring. The whole situation made his stomach churn, bordering on queasy, and he was starting to sweat from the stress.

"Xiao Yang said you had things to take care of, but all of this in such a short time. It's very impressive."

"Uh, xièxie āyí." Amari rubbed the back of his neck and flashed her an awkward but thankful smile. "It isn't much, actually. It's just because the bar was set so low to start." He giggled nervously, trying to cut some of the tension.

She chuckled and took the empty mug from his hand. "Nonsense. That's what makes it so special. To figure out what you want and go for it, without worrying about any obstacles."

Under the table, Amari felt the foot touching his twitch, and he just hoped Yangyang was controlling his expression. He hoped he was controlling his own expression as well. It was clear Yangyang's mother was taking this opportunity to indirectly scold her son, and he didn't enjoy being used.

"So, you want to go to college to be a teacher? Elementary school?"

"Yeah, I think." He hadn't planned everything out that far, but he didn't want her to keep pushing, so he tried to give an answer. "Right now, I've just gotta get my GED, but I know I wanna teach children with visual impairments. I like younger kids best, but there're a lot of older kids like me who struggle too. Even just giving them an outlet through music, something they can enjoy and be successful at... Little things like that help. I also like the idea of working with parents or coworkers or teachers, so they can understand what these kids feel and experience..."

Amari scratched his head, having rambled so much he was confusing himself. "I dunno. There're too many things I wanna do. I haven't decided yet."

"You sound very passionate." There was nothing teasing or amused in her tone, only sweet and encouraging. Exactly the way he imagined a mother should sound, except that of everyone at this table, he wasn't her child. "I've never heard you talk this much about anything. You don't need an exact destination. Just follow your path, and you'll get there."

He nodded and secretly grabbed Yangyang's hand, giving it a quick squeeze. There was a small sigh in return and he felt awful to have her complimenting him while she was barely on speaking terms with her son. It was incredibly awkward, and he wished he could find a way out of the conversation for both of them.

"Well," Yinyi cut in, the first word out of her mouth since Amari had walked in the door. "I suppose I'll think of forgiving you for leaving. At least you accomplished a few things while you were gone."

Amari pouted and leaned in Yinyi's direction, taking advantage of her to shift attention. "Aww, c'mon jie..." He used the sweetest tone he could make, another talent he never used to have. Or at least could never force himself to do.

She faked a gag and he grinned. "Wǒ de mā... No. Please, don't ever do that again."

Yangyang laughed, his first genuine laugh since they had come home, and Amari felt a tug on his sleeve.

"Li gēge, you teach blind kids? Like you teach me?"

Amari put his hand on Taitai's head, smoothing his long hair. "Kinda. We teach them lots of things. It's just like when you go to school, except these children can't see, so they learn a little differently. But the things they learn're the same." He lifted Taitai onto his lap. "We're on a break now, like you, but I'll bring you to visit someday, okay?"

"Yeah!" Taitai sucked in a little breath and Amari felt him lean over toward his dad. "Ba. Can we show Li gēge our surprise now?"

Amari was sure the question was supposed to be secretive, but it was still quite clear and he smiled.

"You've got a surprise for me? Didn't your ba tell you I don't like surprises?"

"Really?" The word was thick with disappointment and Yangyang chuckled, pulling his son up off Amari's lap.

"He's kidding, Taitai. Li gēge loves surprises." Amari sighed, but continued to smile. "And yeah, we can show him now."

Taitai went stomping down the hallway, coming back with a large object. He sat on his dad's lap, on a chair he had pulled out from the table, then began tuning, and Amari knew it was his Little Martin in his hands.

"Oh? Are you gonna play me a song?"

"Shh!" Taitai scolded, pausing his tuning. "It's a surprise!"

"Oh, okay." Amari giggled, throwing his hands up in defeat. He leaned back and folded his arms, listening proudly as Taitai tuned his guitar.

"Ready?" Yangyang received a nervous "Ēn" from his son. "Alright, I'm going to the piano. Try your chords first, remember?"

Taitai played an A, E, and D chord. They were a little messy, but still rang out well and were recognizable, and Amari smiled at his progress.

"Alright. Don't forget about your thumb."

"I got it ba, tsé?" Taitai was clearly still nervous, but stubborn enough not to want his father's help.

Amari couldn't stop himself from giggling at the combination of English, Mandarin, and Quebecois, the last one especially.

"Alright, alright." Yangyang sat down at the piano and played a few bars of A and D. Amari sat up a little straighter, his eyebrows raised.

::A reggae beat?::

Then Taitai followed him, strings muted on the one, playing each short note on the offbeat. Amari let out a little breath - a silent laugh at the absurdity of it. Yangyang started singing the chorus, and the corners of Amari's lips lifted high.

''Cause every little thing gonna be alright'

After the chorus, Amari picked up on the verse and sang softly, not wanting to drown out the music or confuse Taitai. He couldn't see his face, but he imagined he was concentrating hard. Yinyi came in later for the repeat of the verse and he smiled toward her, glad she wasn't so angry with him anymore.

They repeated the chorus a few times, then Yangyang and Taitai stopped playing together, the father most likely giving his son a signal. Amari clapped enthusiastically, joined by Yinyi and Yangyang. Their mother had long since moved into the kitchen and made no noise.

"Taitai!" Amari leaned forward in genuine excitement. The kid really did have amazing rhythm. "That was so good! I can't believe you learned a reggae beat. It's hard for beginners."

"Yeah?" asked Taitai, sounding particularly proud of himself. He giggled with a high-pitched glee and Amari waved him over, patting his lap and taking the guitar while he climbed up.

Holding the instrument in front of both of them, Amari set it down on Taitai's lap. "Think you can do that same strumming again, and I'll play the chords this time? I'll show you how to play another song."

"Yeah..." Taitai sounded a little nervous, but Amari smiled and ruffled his hair.

"Just concentrate on strumming, and do it the same way you did before." He held down an E and let him practice a little. "Just like that."

He switched chords and nodded for Taitai to start strumming, playing a few bars before he began to whistle the intro to Don't Worry Be Happy.

At the chorus, Yangyang and Yinyi came in with the backup vocals, and Amari grinned wide, keeping the beat for Taitai with his leg. Whenever the rhythm became muddled or shifted off beat, he gently took Taitai's hand and helped him strum, letting go when he was back on track.

"Don't worry. Don't worry. Don't do it. Be happy."

Taitai giggled when Amari said the speaking lines, exaggerating each one to amuse him, and by the end he was laughing like crazy, finding the spoken lyrics more entertaining than he should. Amari only smiled, that pure joy echoing in his ears one of his favorite sounds, and pulled the guitar away, tickling the already delighted child.

"I'm glad I left this with you. Look how talented you are." He lifted Taitai off his lap and set the guitar on the floor. "There's a different strum pattern for that song. I'll teach it to you later, okay?" He reached out and placed a hand on Taitai's head to feel him nod. "Good. Now I've got a surprise for you."