Cantrell: The Early Years, Part SIX

Quadrennial, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Six Update

After the burglary, that really wasn’t, since Erik and Kayleigh could find nothing missing. The only hint anyone had been in their home was the foul smell of urine and the plates of Ambrosia, left lying around, which as it turned out Andrew was quite fond of.  “Andrew, don’t eat that. Daddy doesn’t know where it came from, other than one of my Obsessed Fans. God only knows what they put in it. Next time, just find it and let Daddy take care of it, okay there, Buddy?”

“Why? It good.”

“Please don’t argue with me.  Daddy has a big night tonight, on very little sleep. You and your brother and sister will be babysat by your Aunties tonight, Hayleigh and Regina.” Erik was busy tying his tie into a Windsor knot as he spoke. Wrapping the long gold end around itself and stuffing it up through the hole and down again, he grabbed the knot and slid it up to his neck.

“Daddy pretty,” Andrew said, as he clapped.

“You think so? Well, thank you very much kind sir.”  Right on time, Erik’s sisters-in-law arrived. They came upstairs. “Ladies, so glad to see you. The boys have been fed. They can stay up for the Show so long as they don’t horse around,” with this admonition Erik gave the twins a stern look. “You run around and misbehave, and your Aunties will put you straight to bed, do you hear me?”

“O-tay,” Andrew said, sulking.
“I be good boy,” Jamison said. “Daddy gets a new shiny tonight? I clap real hard.”

“Well, I’m up for one. We’ll see just see who the Academy gives it to.” With that Erik lifted the boy into his arms and kissed his little cheek. Setting him back down again, Erik picked up Andrew and gave him a kiss on the cheek, as well. “What? No well wishes? Oh, I see, I basically told you not to have fun. I love you anyway.”

Kayleigh popped out of the primary bathroom, tucking a hairpin in the back of her hair. “Honey, we’ve got to go, or we’ll be late. Be good, boys,” she said, giving each of them a kiss on their chubby cheeks. “There’s a bottle made up in the fridge for when Melodie wakes up. Thanks for taking care of the kids for us.”

“Certainly,” Regina said. “You two could use a break.”
“Yes, do take some time for yourselves afterwards, too.” Hayleigh smiled. “You look great, Kayleigh. And so do you Mister Charmer,” she said. “Take her somewhere posh.”

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

There was a certain air of expectation in the atmosphere. The couple beamed into the parking lot after parking the hovercraft in the underground garage. People were joyful, excited. They chattered endlessly, and a when the couple arrived, they shouted and clapped.  Erik smiled, then glanced around him as if they weren’t clapping for him, which caused many of them to break out into laughter.

Finally, the crowd dispersed as they all made their way inside and on up to the third floor. “Well, this is it. Tonight will tell.” Arm around Kayleigh the two found seats. 

 “Oh, Erik, look what they’ve done. They’ve totally changed out the set.”
“It is one of the big nights for the music industry, after all.”

“No, this is different. Not at all like before. I like the whimsical flow of the music stanzas.”
“I did read somewhere they had changed out their artistic director. I like it, “Erik said.
“Certainly, it makes you know just what night it is.”

“Good evening, ladies and Gentlemen, so good to see the turnout. The audience is full. Welcome, welcome. I’m Faiz Jaleel, your host. And believe me, it’s my honor to be here. Tonight is brought to you by the Intergalactic Academy of Arts and Sciences, A.K.A. the Starlight Accolades Awards. This is the first of the Big Four, the Quadrennial, the most prestigious Music Awards handed out each year, in which we recognize excellence. 

“We start things off with Song of the Year 2285.  I get shivers just thinking about it. Will this be the first step in a Clean Sweep? Or will we have four different artists, this year? I guess, in order to answer at least one of these questions, it’s time to reveal the five nominees. In no particular order, Raymond Bradley, for his Sunday Morning Kisses; Jessica Pine for her, Wisdom in Wisteria; Nadine Creswick for her, Newcomer’s Corner; Joel Garret for his Shots From the Hip; And last but never least, Erik Cantrell for his When the Sun Sets. Please give these artists the acclaim they are due.”

The audience was at once on their feet, applauding. Erik, nearly jumped out of his seat, clapping just as hard as the others. His smile just as bright. Part of him hoped someone else would take tonight’s prize, despite how confident he was feeling. That recent brush with unabashed clairvoyance may have gone to his head. He took his seat along with the others. They must have shown their appreciation for a good five minutes. Erik just knew his hands were complaining at him.

“Not only are you a big audience, you’re also a generous one. Let’s get on with it, shall we? As you well know, by now, Song of the Year is in honor of artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to sales or chart position . . . and it’s for the songwriter, only. With that said, ‘For bringing such aural beauty to the ears of Sims around the world’ . . .tonight’s recipient of the first of the Big Four, Song of the Year, goes to . . . “

“The envelope, please.” Faiz took the envelope and then pretended to have a hard time with it. Smiling all the while. “Do I have you going, yet?” he said with an impish grin. “And the award goes to . . . Erik Cantrell for his, When the Sun Sets. Congratulations. I am awestruck. Come on up here and collect your trophy. I’m a huge fan,” he told Erik who smiled and shook hands with the host.

“Thank you so much, Faiz,” Erik said. Then he stood there quietly, as if taking in the moment.  

Then he raised the heavy glass trophy high over his head, in silent reverence to his God.  To Thee O Lord.

“Thank you, thank you. I feel guilty receiving this. I do. I am doing what I have always done my entire life actually. My older brother used to deride me by saying I write a song about anything. He’s right, you know.  I take my view of what happened put my own spin on it and out pops a song. What can I do? I was always taught to just be myself.”

“I thank my fans, my family, my beloved wife, my priest and all those who have supported me for this moment of validation. Trust me, success is nice but one still falls prey to one’s own demons. And I certainly have my share of them. So thank you for this. And goodnight. Hm, I feel a song coming on. . .."

After they left the Show, Erik took Kayleigh out to dine at a really nice French restaurant in Willow Creek.

After great night and a really fine meal, Erik slept better than he’d had in ages.

All for now, thanks for reading.