general-gingerbowie:

Young Man With a Horn

Music was a constant in the Hux household, whether it was symphonies on the radio or Brendol playing the piano for get-togethers. And as of his ninth birthday, the sound of young Armitage practicing his saxophone.

Brendol resented Armitage’s constant playing, especially when his son got older. Whenever there was a get together at the home, Brendol would go to the piano and play songs for people to sing along to. Armitage would escape for a little while to his room, and come back with that horrid thing dangling from a strap on his neck, as well as some sheet music that usually had the word “blues” or “swing” written on it.

Although Brendol was against the idea of his son playing in front of the dignitaries, they would be on the boy’s side, saying things like “let the boy play!” Armitage would smile lightly, place the music on a stand, take a breath, close his eyes and play. Most of the time they were soft pieces or parlor melodies, but once he played some loud and vulgar music called “jazz” for the amusement of the guests. Brendol was furious.