Cantrell: The Early Years, Part SIX

An Odd Sunday in Spring, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Six Update

Melodie was growing by leaps and bounds. Between her needs and Andrew’s continued spate of destruction, Kayleigh wondered how on Earth she had time to finish her latest manuscript. This was her life’s work, as far as she was concerned. This was her very first non-fiction venture. And while she was happy with it, she had her reservations all the same. Even Erik, who insisted upon reading it, told her it was the best thing she had ever written, urging her to send it off. “No, Honey, you have to. It’s that good. Being selfish and not sharing your work is what’s unacceptable.”

Taking a deep breath, she sent off her inquiry letter to the publishing house. “Okay, now I wait.” She closed the door on the box and pulled up the metal flag to indicate outgoing mail.  She knew the entire manuscript would be sent online to save paper. But the inquiry letter, containing the first chapter of the work to be considered, was a time-tested relic leftover from yesteryear. She didn’t mind. This would allow her to go over the book one more time, doing her best to fix the typos, etc.

As she spent time with Moonshine, her horse, and gave Speckles some attention, too, besides doing her best to make sure Melodie got her fair share of Tummy-time, despite Andrew’s desperate bids for more and more attention. No matter how much time spent with him, he was never once sated. The minute she turned to one of the other children, his bottom lip would curve downward. It tore at her heart. Kayleigh was beyond herself. There’s only one of me and three of you.

Thankfully, Erik was very good at being her tag-teammate. He was excellent at filling in her gaps. “I told you early on you weren’t in this alone.” he would remind her with a smile, as he gathered up Andrew into his arms. Reaching down, he would take Jamison by the hand and the three of them would head out back to play.

Before she knew it, she got a phone call from Nadine Preston-Giles from Giles Publishing House. “We are absolutely enthralled with your work. Please send the entire manuscript to this email address. If the rest holds up, we’re talking publication.” she said. Kayleigh’s hands were shaking by the time she got off of the phone. Luckily, she was able to read her own shaky scribbling to make out the address.  Before she got tangled up with childcare and some house cleaning, she sat down in the small office off of their dining room.  With a quick prayer, she attached This Is Erik to the email. Hesitating for only a moment’s breath, she hit the send button. “Off you go. Oh, my what have I done?” 

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

Her manuscript went through the normal process. One person was assigned to read it cover to cover, if it passed it went on to the room of readers for their opinions. If it passed, then a contract would be proffered, and upon signing the deal, the book was put to press, while the author was consulted on the cover. The day Kayleigh received that phone call, she nearly fainted. “Mamma, otay? Andrew said, tugging on the hem of her shirt. Gazing down at him, he had his head leaning to one side, his blue eyes as large as saucers. “Yes, Mamma is just fine. A tad wobbly is all. Come on, it’s time for lunch.”

After the meal, and Melodie had emptied her bottle, she cleaned them all up and found the email awaiting her. Taking a moment to print out the possible cover ideas, and she was assured she could reject them all, if they weren’t up to her liking. She had the twins sit near her feet as she showed them the prints. “Will you help Mamma choose a cover for her story? They’re going to publish Mamma’s book.”

“What do you think of this one?” she asked, holding up the print so the boys could see.

“Daddy,” Jamison said, with a smile.
“Yes, it’s Daddy. Let me show you the next one, point to the one you like best of the two,” she said. Both chose a different one. Kayleigh sighed.

“Okay, this is the last one to choose from.”

Jamison clapped his hands and Andrew glancing at him, did the same. Disappointed that they weren’t going to be as big a help to her as she hoped, she then held up all three. Which one do you like the very best? Point to it.”

“Dat one,” Jamison said, nodding his head and clapping.
“Andrew, what do you think? This one?”
He pointed and then clapped. “Pretty pictures. Sparkles.”
“Oh, you’re right, the gold records do sparkle. I agree this is the one. Thank you so much for your help, boys. You just made Mamma very happy.”

They all agreed on the third image taken by the professional photographer from Image Magazine. In fact, it was a cover for the Spring 2275 Image Magazine, after Erik won his very first Clean Sweep.

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

Kayleigh made certain to collect the mail shortly after it was delivered. With the thievery the couple had been experiencing lately, she was loath to let the mail sit in the box for too long. Seemed Erik’s fans were so eager to have a piece of him, junk mail would suffice. They would never know if anything of importance had been taken.  As she filtered the junk from the mail worth perusing, again her hands began to shake.  A light denim-blue envelope addressed to her slipped out from among the other letters of worth. She almost missed it.  

She had barely torn it open, trying to read its contents when Erik beamed back home.  “Erik, you’re back. What is this?” she said, handing him the cardstock from inside the mysterious envelope.
Flipping it over after reading the front side, he said, “What do you think it is? Who’s it from?” She handed him the now tattered envelope.
“The National Academy of Fine Arts & Literature. Did you publish something?”

“You know I did. I showed you my copies.  Well, then, I’d say your work has been nominated.”
“For what?”
“Book of the Year.”
“No. You’re joking. You’re such a kidder.”
“I’m not kidding, that’s what this is. See?” He pointed to the date and other information on the card. “I would be honored to escort you to the Award Show this coming Sunday.”

Come the third Sunday of Spring, the two came home from church, fed their three children. Melodie even decided to sit up, finally.  After all three had been bathed, fed and dressed for bed, the sitters arrived so that Erik and Kayleigh, both looking stunning in light blue headed out for the Starlight Academy Award Show. “I had no idea they handled book awards too,” Kayleigh said. Chattering like a Magpie, she was understandably nervous.  They parked the Hovercraft in the underground lot, took the turbo-lift to the second floor and made the final flight of stairs to the third floor.

“I think I may be sick,” Kayleigh said, placing a hand on Erik’s arm.
“Take some deep breaths,” Erik instructed. “Nice and easy. Slow. Slow down or you’ll hyperventilate, then you’ll faint. That’s it, in and . . .out. In . . . and out. Feel better?”

Erik helped her to a chair, and they sat, holding hands.  A moment later, he handed her his handkerchief so she could blot off her palms. “You don’t want to drop that thing.”
“You sound as if you know I’ll win.”
“Well, there is always a chance, and yes. I do think your work has won.”

“And now, for the Literary category. We start with Non-fiction.  In order for works to be considered the Publishing House must submit an application for the manuscript anywhere between the first of December in the preceding year all the way up to the thirtieth of November in the current year. The list starts off with ten entries, that are narrowed down to five. From this final five, a winner is selected by the permanent five-member judging committee. This year’s winner in the Non-Fiction category is This Is Erik, Written by Kayleigh A. Golden

Erik jumped to his feet. Honey, that’s you. You just won! Go on. If you get scared, just look at me. I’ll pull a face or something.”

“I forgot I used my maiden name,” Kayleigh said tentatively. “And this thing is heavier than it looks.”

“Oh, please forgive me, this is a tad overwhelming.

“I’ve always wanted to write. I began in the first grade. My first venture was a mystery. A classic who-done-it.  Then I met my husband. I knew his story had to be told. He gave me permission to do it, in fact he kept saying to me, “Just write it.” Now, that’s a true partner in life. So, here I am, the work complete, and I still can hardly get over holding the published hardback in my hands, let alone this?"

“I would like to thank my sweet husband, Erik, for his unending faith in me, and encouragement, bordering on nagging.” Glancing at him she said in a whisper, “Thank you so much.” Then she continued. “I’d like to thank my parents who did their best to foster my hobby.  My sisters, of which I have four, for putting up with my grousing. To Giles Publishing House for taking a chance on This Is Erik and for submitting my work for consideration. To the Committee, I am grateful. Thank you so much.”

“Thank you, and good night. We have two toddlers and infant to get back to.”

All for now, thanks for reading!