Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Five
Dark Secrets, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Five Update
Shortly after Leave was granted, Spock and Brianna moved in together in his Manor, recently built in Henford-on-Bagley. Two of her older brothers, Joey and Aaron, lived in the same neighborhood, just two lots from Keldeen II, a smaller replica of Spock’s property on Vulcan. She was delighted and surprised to learn that the newly built manor on top of the hill, belonged to Erik.
“So, how long has Erik been back from his second World Tour?” Brianna asked.
“Not long,” Aaron said. “He’s busy putting together another album, and I’m told he’ll be off again.”
“And what’s going on with him and Kayleigh?”
Joey shrugged. “Not a lot. He’s really not talking about it. She drops by to say hello to Aaron and me, sometimes. She’s not exactly happy, either. She seems lost, if you ask me. And big surprise, she’s not talking much, either. Guess she’s afraid word will get out to the Paparazzi. Can’t blame her for that.”
“I don’t suppose either of you have a clue as to his schedule. I need to talk to the man.”
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Having no other choice, Brianna relied upon her sense of telepathy. She got up, gave Spock a kiss and climbed the hill. The day was a fine one, the sun shining after several days of relentless rain. Barely arriving in front of the ‘cottage’ she didn’t have long to wait when Erik suddenly materialized from wherever he had been.
“Bree,” he laughed and hugged her lovingly. “It’s so good to see you. My but you’re quite the young woman now, aren’t you. I’ve missed you so.”
“So, you spent another eighteen months in Europe and were a smashing hit, or so I’ve read. What’s going on with you and Kayleigh then. Any plans?”
“Wow, you haven’t lost your punch. Straight for the juggler. I haven’t seen her in awhile. My letters come back, return to sender. Apparently she wants nothing more to do with me.”
“What? That’s crazy. I know how much she loves you, Erik. None of this makes any sense. Except your withdrawal. Mistake brother, mine.”
“It does when you know I asked her father for her hand, or at least his blessing and he refused both. I wasted no time. Went to talk with him the day after I arrived, after World Tour II. I foolishly thought since we’re both young adults, I had a chance. No. He flat out told me to stay away and leave his daughter alone. I’ve never felt such a sucker punch to the gut before. I don’t know what to do.”
“That’s so harsh. Does Kayleigh know this?” She gazed into his face.
“I don’t know for sure. She must be fed up, though. All my letters come back unopened. I can only surmise it’s over,” he said, a tear escaping, tickling down his cheek, absorbed by his new beard. “And I don’t know why.”
Brianna hung her head, hearing the pain in his voice, the raspy sound it took on. “I didn’t mean to pick your scab open, you know that, right?”
“I know. It’s okay, it’s actually good to get it out. I try to sing on stage, and find myself nearly breaking up, depending on the song. I’m certain the audience knows something’s wrong. I get lots of posts on my Simstagram. Supportive messages. “‘It’s going to be okay, Erik, no matter what it is. Stay strong.’” I’ve got some great fans,” he half laughed. “They’re almost like friends in their own way.”
“Wait, did you say the letters were unopened?”
“All but the first one.”
‘Do you still have them?”
Erik shrugged, “Sure, why? Oh, you want to hold them and do your Psychometry thing. I get it. Come on inside.”
“Wow, this place turned out nice,” she said, gazing about as she followed him inside.
“Kayleigh has a gift,” he said. “I commissioned her to see to the finishing of it, while I was on World Tour I. I thought it would help her pass the time while I was abroad. We even had scheduled rendezvouses in between many of the concerts, too. Here, they are,” he said, pulling them from a locked desk drawer. He dumped them randomly on the coffee table.
Brianna took a stack of letters. Held them in both hands, closed her eyes and then nodded her head slowly. She did the same with each group of letters until she had held all of them. “Just as I suspected.”
“What? What is it you see? Sense,” he corrected.
“She never held even one of these letters. There is nothing, not even a hint of her on these. You have been torpedoed, I’m afraid.”
“My God, so she thinks I bailed on her,” Erik’s eyes filled to the point he could barely see. “I knew he didn’t like me, but he’s being completely unfair. I’m not even close to the stereotype of a Rock Star. Apparently, I’ve been tried and convicted without a piece of evidence, circumstantial or otherwise. Well, I’ve got news for him. If she’ll still have me, I’m going to marry her despite him.”
“Wait, I think you should go to him and ask for his blessing again. This is a game he’s playing.”
“What the heck? What do you mean by that?”
“Don’t be obtuse. He’s testing your meddle and through that, your love for his daughter. It is entirely possible both of them are waiting on you to make the next move.”
“How does that even make any sense, then? I wrote to her every week, sometimes more than once a week.”
“Actions speak louder than words.”
“Writing isn’t a form of action? Are you suggesting my letters are just words? I bared my soul to her—”
“I know you think so, and for the average person, as well. This man isn’t the average person, though. He’s overbearing and demanding. Controlling. Just give it one more try. How long have you been home, this time?”
“Counting the unfortunate conversation with the captain, maybe four days.”
“Good, you still have enough time to rectify things. Trust the timing, Erik.I need to get back home. I love you, Big Brother. Hang in there.”
“Thanks for stopping by. Bring your Betrothed next time I would love to meet him.”
“We’ll do dinner, I promise. Bye for now,” she said.
“Should I walk you home?”
“It’s just down the hill. But thanks.”
All for now, thanks for reading!
