Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Two
The Shaking of Foundations, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Two Update The call came in the dead of night. Joseph grabbed his cellphone. “This is Joseph Cantrell,” he said. The voice on the ot...
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Nominated, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Two Update
Erik checked the mailbox, sorted the junk from the actual mail, and to his surprise, a curious, gray-tinted envelope addressed to him was inside the box. With shaky hands he slit open the envelope and tugged at the heavy cardstock until it cleared its outer wrapping.
You’re presence is cordially requested
at the Tile Placement Ceremony on the Avenue of the Stars,
Del Sol Valley, Earth,
You are encouraged to select any empty space of your choosing.
The Ceremony will begin at Five o’clock PM. On the fifth Day of Winter
We offer our Congratulations to
Global Superstar Erik Cantrell.
You have ascended to the top of the heap.
Cordially,
The Committee of the Starlight Academy
“Mom! Mom!” he shouted as he pounded up the stone steps of the Cantrell House.
“Erik, simmer down, what’s wrong?” Still shaking, he handed over the gray tinted cardstock. Louise smiled, as she saw it.
“You’re a Global Superstar, aren’t you. Well, I’m not surprised. You released that second album and it’s soaring up the charts, too. I always knew you would make it. There is all kinds of talk about your first-published song, too. Didn’t I see a notice it’s been nominated for Best Song?” Unable to speak, Erik just nodded his head. “It’s a beautiful song,” she continued, “I just can’t get over the fact you wrote it when you were twelve.”
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
They went down to the Avenue of the Stars as directed. Due to the season, the sun set much quicker than the family expected. Happily, Louise was there to help Erik pick his place. The newborn tethered to her chest, she did her best to see beyond little Adrian. “How about that one to the left of yours?” Erik said, pointing at the empty space.
“Why how nice of you. Most teens can’t get away from their parents fast enough. Oh, I’m just so touched. Are you sure? I mean, really sure?”
“Seems good to me.” The family settled down as soon as the director called for the ceremony to commence.
At one point Erik noticed that Kayleigh was there, the two stood and chatted while waiting for the actual ceremony to begin.
“Oh, I have to go,” Erik said as he walked away from her when the director called the ceremony to begin
. Singularly focused on his job, before he could get back to her, he was surrounded by adoring fans. One asked for a Selfie with him, for which he complied, with a smile.
Then a small fan jumping all over the place in her excitement, asked him for his autograph. Erik smiled brightly at her, and said, “Why certainly, I’m always happy to meet a fan.” He signed the picture and handed it back.
“Thanks so much. I never met a Superstar before, let alone a Global one. What does that mean?”
“I think it means I have fans all over the planet.”
“All over the planet?”
Erik smiled widely, and said, “Something like that."
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
By the time he looked up again, Kayleigh was nowhere to be seen. Joseph decided to take the family over to NewCrest, to dine at the Star Club. It was a rather chic place. The building was stunning. Certainly, an achievement of Architectural design. The family was seated right away, Joseph ordered dinner for them.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Erik’s Starlight Accolade Meet & Greet trophy sat on the coffee table in the corner of the shared bedroom. He lay in the middle bed flanked by Aaron on his left and Joey on his right, closest to the bedroom door. Poor kid, you still think this place is haunted. For the longest time, Erik watched out the window as a light wind gently shook the branches of the trees on the cul-de-sac that was the top of the hill. Unable to sleep he lay there for what felt like hours.
Next thing he knew he opened his eyes to the brightness of the morning. Getting up, he decided it was high time he applied for the scholarships his father advised them each to do. The only thing that drove him was the faint possibility that Kayleigh would attend Britechester-U. Having mentioned it, far be it for him to not attend because he failed to register.
“Done, and done,” he said as he sent the last application of scholarship off into the ether.
All for now. Thanks for reading.
