The Grim Reaper's scythe barely missed his head. He wished it hadn't. Stephen Ingalls has quite enough on his plate. Starting his freshman year at Clarkstowne High School-a tough enough challenge for any young man-he finds that he and his friend Doug have been given the unprecedented opportunity to become the first student conductors of the high school orchestra. Dr. Donaldson, their teacher and mentor, will help them push the limits of their talents while weathering the storm of controversy and opposition to this innovative program. When Stephen meets Jason Anderson, he seems to know instinctively that the young man will also be important to him this new school year. It isn't that Jason is using a wheelchair, nor even that the boy is still grieving the loss of his best friend, Tony-killed in the same accident that caused Jason to lose the use of his legs. Jason has lost something else: The connection to a musical ability that Stephen is certain still burns inside. Jason is convinced that his music died with Tony, with the violin-a twin to his own-damaged in the accident. Doctors are certain that Jason's paralysis is psychological, that he could walk if only they could find and treat the dark blockage in his mind. Stephen, determined not to let either talent or hope disappear, must find the way to mend the pieces of the broken heart-and the broken violin-to help Jason overcome the past and live beyond the day the music died.

The Broken Violin

Musica Con Fuoco Op. 2By M. Bradley Davis

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2009 M. Bradley Davis
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-2164-1

Contents

Prologue Shadows in the Night.................................3Monday, August 13 1. Challenge................................11Monday, August 20 2. Judith...................................27Monday, August 27 3. Resistance to Change.....................414. Anticipation................................................595. Jason.......................................................716. Concert.....................................................777. Kerris......................................................838. Concert Finale..............................................879. Memory......................................................9510. Agenda.....................................................10311. Introduction...............................................11512. Judith and Ann.............................................11913. Lunch......................................................12314. Question and Answer........................................13715. Discouraged................................................14116. Brothers...................................................15117. Only Child.................................................15718. Jealousy...................................................16319. Success....................................................16720. Insights...................................................17321. Grudging Acceptance........................................17922. Musica Con Fuoco...........................................18723. Ruby.......................................................20324. A Friendly Celebration.....................................21725. Preparations...............................................23726. A. Lincoln Elementary......................................24927. Progress Report............................................25728. Explosion..................................................26529. Tiger by the Tail..........................................27330. Running Interference.......................................27931. Consolation................................................28532. Encouragement..............................................29333. Judith's Concern...........................................29934. Kerris' Dilemma............................................30735. Michael's Melancholy.......................................31536. Jason's Decision...........................................32337. Moody......................................................33338. Release....................................................34139. The Broken Violin..........................................35940. Past and Present...........................................36941. Self-Esteem................................................38142. Professional Advice........................................38543. Collaboration..............................................39344. Grudge.....................................................40745. Changes....................................................41546. Musical Understanding......................................42747. School Concert.............................................43748. Christmas Presents.........................................44149. Christmas Concert..........................................457Reception......................................................481Afterword......................................................489

Chapter One

Monday, August 13

1. Challenge

Why did I agree to go to school two weeks early?

Stephen Ingalls, his amber-flecked brown eyes flashing in quiet amusement, immediately answered his own question. Dr. Donaldson sounds the trumpet and the first thing I do is charge into action as if this was some ancient battle. After all, he warned us he would call us back before the start of school-the bands and orchestra have preparations to do for start of school functions! And, of course, UIL rules don't allow us much additional practice time outside school hours ...

Erich Ryan Donaldson, Doctor of Music and Director of Music Studies for Clarkstowne High School in Clarkstowne, West Virginia, called the Ingalls' home the previous evening-in addition to the letter sent out last week. Summer practice for those in the marching band started this Monday-today. It was also the beginning of a week-long training class for his orchestra, of which Stephen was a member. Stephen didn't need those reminders, though; Donaldson called to order Doug Nicholas and him in an hour and a half earlier. Apparently, "Dr. D." had something else on his mind-but wouldn't reveal it during the call.

So, Stephen thought, here I am, at seven AM on a Monday morning, on my way to discover what he wants.

Stephen rounded the corner and saw Doug waiting a block ahead of him. Doug was a sophomore this year, while Stephen entered the High School as a freshman. Even so, the high school was familiar territory. Until this summer, the campus was a combined Junior-Senior High School. With the opening of a new campus, Canyon Middle School, the sixth through eighth graders moved away. Stephen and his brother Michael were in the last class promoted out of Clarkstowne Junior High's eighth grade.

Stephen watched Doug closely as he strode toward the older boy. He noted changes in his friend that hadn't registered over the summer. Doug's sandy blond hair, green eyes, and handsome face attracted girls' attention even though Doug wasn't actively pursuing a girlfriend. He was taller, even tall for his age, his frame gangly because of a growth spurt. He wasn't skin and bones, but he definitely needed to put on a bit of weight to avoid the 'spare' look.

"Morning, Doug," Stephen called when he was within speaking distance.

Doug's head turned. "Hi, Stephen. You ready for this?"

"No, but do we have a choice?"

"Not that I know of," Doug admitted. "I wasn't asked. I was told."

"Me, too."

Doug quickly scanned Stephen. His younger friend was losing the stocky edge to his build that had been there since he joined the Ingalls family a year ago. At fourteen, Stephen had grown taller, too. His wavy, chestnut-brown hair had strands of red scattered throughout that were only visible under bright light. The early morning sunshine striking them now was strong enough to nicely highlight the red, giving Stephen the glow of a well-contained inner fire. Stephen's face was losing its square lines, elongating slightly as he, too, grew upward.

"Let's see what he wants with us, then," Doug suggested as they resumed the twenty minute walk to the school.

"There's no telling," Stephen admitted as they continued on their way.

"I'm sure we'll find it surprising, though!" Doug quipped, making Stephen smile.

The boys saw that Donaldson's office hadn't changed. They entered and took seats across from their teacher's desk. Erich Donaldson reclined in his chair, examining their appearance, his face expressionless. Donaldson had brown hair lightly touched with a wayward wave and an occasional strand of gray barely visible.

"Morning, fellows," he greeted them.

"Morning, Dr. D," the boys chorused.

"Glad you could make it," Donaldson added dryly.

Stephen appreciated his teacher's voice anew. Erich Donaldson's voice was one Stephen considered mellifluous-full, round, and resonant; he couldn't recall ever hearing a...