Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Three
Term Limits, a Cantrell: The Early Years Part Three Update When Erik crawled out of bed early Friday morning, he was immediately aware his case of nerves had set in. Yes, this was the last day of...
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The Never-ending Weekend, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Three Update
Erik consulted his suddenly overloaded schedule. Sneaking off campus after his last class, he gave a concert, then headed over to Taygeta Studios to release his fifth album. The guys were all quick to clap him on the back over his latest nomination. Album of the Year. Grabbing a few hours of shut eye, he was quick to rise and conquer this last day of the second term. He was fast aware he had stepped outside of the time-continuum, as his life was on a full-tilt schedule, screaming along the rails of existence. Even their terms at university were accelerated. Five days per term, who does that to themselves?
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
After the last class of the day, the kids kept up the newly developed tradition of dining out. They went over to Willow Creek to Val’s Bar & Grille. There they got a table before the crowd followed.
Once again, just as their food was arriving, phones went off. Aaron, Erik, Kayleigh and Brianna all got A+s again. Joey, who managed to be late to class, came in with three A+s and one B, giving him a GPA of A. Not bad, but he fully regretted not checking in with the professor for that one class to make it up. Quickly, they signed up for a third term.
Saturday, they all turned their energy toward the pre-term work, seeking to get as much done as was humanly possible. Not forgetting the prom that evening. They danced, they ate, they voted, they chatted and had fun.
The evening was a long one. Erik was near exhaustion but rallied and got all of his work done. Slipping into bed, his mind raced. Tomorrow was make or break, for him. Church and then the Award Show. The competitive side of him wanted that fourth award, while the other side of him feared this would end his career. What would he do then? That’s when his father’s words came back to haunt him, about having a degree to fall back upon. . . and with that he slipped off to a fitful sleep. His ‘demons’ torturing him most of the night.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Come the morning, they all scurried off to church. Kayleigh stood with her family. Erik noticed she played with the chain around her neck, the ring safely tucked inside of her blouse. Back at the dorm, afterwards Erik, Kayleigh and Brianna sat in the TV room, watching a movie, hoping this would quell Erik’s anxiety, at least for the length of the movie. At last the time came. Erik got himself ready. Remarkably calm, Kayleigh worried for him. “Wow, look at you. I like your choice of suit. Gives you a dapper look,” she said. Then gazing deeply into his eyes, said, “Hey, are you okay? You almost seem too calm.” To which Erik shrugged.
“Win or lose, either way it matters little. If I win, I could very well lose. If I lose, I will have one less trophy to polish, right? The upside is I still have you. That’s all that matters. You and me. Thank you for accepting my ring,” he whispered
“Erik,” she said, “You will always have me. I keep telling you, you’re stuck with me.” This got him to smile.
“Thank God for Superglue,” he said and then laughed, as he hugged her tight.
“You better shuffle off to Buffalo, lest you be late,” Brianna said. “It’s already 5:57.”
“Gads, I gotta go,” he said, giving Kayleigh a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Break-a-leg, Babe.”
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Louise was in the audience, Erik noticed upon arriving on the top floor. In the back corner was a Christmas tree. Here and there a few scattered wreaths and boughs, as well. As he settled into a seat near the front, he did his best to appear serene, while his stomach suddenly did flip-flops.Gavin Driver took the microphone. “Tonight, we hand out the fourth of the General Category Awards. The Big Award, as it’s called. Much like Record of the Year, Album of the Year honors artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales, chart position, or critical reception.”
“The following have received this most prestigious of all nominations, Thorne Bailey, for his Dreams of Dreams; Erik Cantrell for his Notecards From the Edge; Sally Laurence for her A Bridesmaid Too Many; Manny Charles for his Nightworks; and finally, Catherine Gracie for her Rose Petals In My Tea.”
Tearing open the envelope, he read the card, then began to clap his hands, and said, “Tonight, we make history! Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s a Clean Sweep. The youngest ever recipient, at seventeen, to do so is Erik Cantrell, for his Notecards From the Edge! Congratulations, young man.”
“I am overwhelmed and grateful for this outstanding and unbelievable recognition. Again, I want to say thank you to my team over at Taygeta Studios. Ryan Ricks, my Record Producer; Toby Gleason, my Recording Engineer; Michael Perry and Richard Foreman, two of the very best Music Mixers that ever lived.”
“Please forgive me, I have to run. My Third term begins tomorrow. Good night, All.”
All for now. Thanks for reading.
Kay looks so beautiful in gala💖 Love her hair! (im not fan of alpha hair in ts4) . Congrats for being the prom queen🥂
Congrats for the win to Erik too!!! 🤩
Thank you.
Congratulations to Erik winning the award and also to them all for their great A + study grades 🙂The prom pictures are lovely and it is great that Kayleigh was prom queen.
The Prom royalty is so random. I'm just happy they both won. Made it fun.
Congrats Eric and hang in there. It’s important to enjoy the moments of your life and not to rush through them!
Erik says thank you. He'll keep your advice in mind. 🙂
Congrats on them both winning Prom Queen and Jester 😃 They both looked great in their matching outfits too.
Congrats on the win Erik, but it's important for him to know should he not win one day it doesn't mean the end. Winning constantly can make some comfortable and it provides a way to work harder. There are more awards to winHe was actually fearful that this win would end his career, not the loss. He's got a lot of teenage emotions going on right now. Nearly losing Kayleigh did a number on him.
Ooo I see I read that very incorrectly 😆 My bad. Hope he is able to relax and enjoy the moment 😁
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