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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Young Love, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Two Update
Erik’s heart sang all the way up the hill to Cantrell House. The next day was Night on the Town. Erik paced and wondered just when he should ask her out. Realizing it was just too early in the day, he decided to direct his focus on his career. He did another photoshoot, this time for a different magazine from the night before, Image, which included a nice Interview.
This was followed by a concert and then he hit the recording studios to lay down fifteen more tracks to make a third album. As busy as he was, she dominated his thoughts. He couldn't get over just how much he and Kayleigh had in common. Already he felt a tight bond with her. Steady, steady there, Captain, she's just a girl, don't let her lure you onto the rocks. Mom is right, I've never fully gotten over the little girl who gave me a verbal chewing out, that day in the park. I'm forever smitten.
As busy as he was, she dominated his thoughts. He couldn’t get over just how much he and Kayleigh had in common. Already he felt a tight bond with her. Steady, steady there, Captain, she’s just a girl, don’t let her lure you onto the rocks. Mom is right, I’ve never fully gotten over the little girl who gave me a verbal chewing out that one day at the park. Smitten. I’m forever smitten.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Whether they wanted to or not, Joseph insisted his children attend University. “I met your mother there. After my stint in the Marines concluded, I took my G.I. benefits and put myself through school. Got my degree which led to my becoming a teacher.”
“But I already have a lucrative career in the works,” Erik argued. “My songs are topping the charts. Sold out concerts . . .”
“And, that’s fine, for now. But life’s path isn’t always so straightforward. You can hit bumps along the way. Trust me, there may be a time when you’re glad you’ve got a degree to fall back on,” Joseph said. “It happens.”
“But,” Erik started to add, then merely thought it, instead. How can I do both?
“As you each finish high school, I want you to research possible scholarships.”
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Aaron finally pulled his grades up, before the others and graduated early, although by then it was several months into the school year, nearly a year. The baby was born. Shortly after, Aaron turned seventeen. Followed by Joey and then Brianna, who also graduated early. Studiously, they each put in for scholarships.
Erik, who was really enjoying his free time all but dragged his feet getting around to it. He put out a second and that third album, and then realized just how he could do ‘both’. He took the time his siblings unwittingly afforded him and laid down forty-five more tracks, turned them into three additional albums, that were ready to go. All he need do, is find a spare moment each term, to release an album. This would keep him relevant.
Pleased with himself, he got back, having worked on the third album in this additional group, just as the afternoon was coming to a close. Immediately, he called Kayleigh and asked her out on a date, so long as her father approved. “Daddy, please,” Erik heard her say. “Daddy says I can go, so long as you have me back by eleven.”
“Will do. I’ll pick you up in an hour.”
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Kayleigh met him outside of her house which surprised Erik. He fully intended to meet her parents and introduce himself, properly. He grew a tad suspicious when she insisted, they go. “Are you sneaking out?” he asked. Altogether uncomfortable with that notion. “If you are, I don’t wish to be an accomplice,” he told her. Glancing up at him, she shook her head.
“I have permission to go out.” To Erik’s raised eyebrow she furthered, “I just don’t want my sisters to tackle you — and they will. They are a mini mob all on their own. So, come on, if you please.”
Hesitating for a moment more, uncertainty plaguing him, Erik hit the button on his fob to open the passenger side of the Hovercraft. He assisted her inside the vehicle. He took her to Pietro’s Bistro, happy to learn it was a franchise and was also in Oasis Springs, not too far from Del Sol Valley. He requested a table, and the two were shown to a nice table-for-two.
“I hope this is to your satisfaction, Mr. Cantrell,” the Server said. They know my name?
“This is very nice, thank you.”
Kayleigh smiled as she leaned over the table toward Erik. “You come here often enough that they know you by name?”
“No, I’ve been to the one on Vulcan, but I hardly think my name was noted.”
“Oh, I get it. I completely forgot you’re a Proper Celebrity, now, according to Image Magazine.”
“Just. I think winning the Karaoke Contest gave me a boost.”
“I hope that doesn’t bother you,” Erik was quick to add, with a smile.
“No,” she said, “I’ve been keeping up with your upward progress, thanks to Sim Beat.”
“Yeah, I guess they are a bit of a tell-all publication.”
“Just be careful to not give them too much information. Sim Image, either. But I would like to ask, what’s it like having strangers know your name?”
“To be quite honest, strange. If feels strange. But since this whole planet is rather strange to me, I just take it in stride. Or at least I try to. Besides, it makes me feel more like I belong here. In some small way. I think I miss home.” The Server came forward and Erik ordered for them. Kayleigh watched and waited. Once the Server left, she said, "My Dad says I have to go to university, right after Christmas, at the start of the term,” she suddenly blurted.
“Oh? I thought you were Joe’s age and had a couple of years left of high school.”
“I graduated early just this past week. See? I’m just not allowed to have any friends. I really like you, Erik. Really like you. To the point my heart is already breaking at the thought of not seeing you.”
“Well, now, have you chosen a school, yet? I recommend, Britechester-U. That’s my parents’ Alma Mater. All four of us, my brothers and sister, are going there come the next term, since they finally managed to graduate early. We’ll be in Wyvern Hall.”
“Are you asking me to dorm with you and your siblings?”
“I think it could be fun, don’t you?”
Before they could finish their conversation, they both looked up at a sudden commotion going on just a short distance from their table. Thorne Bailey was busy jumping up and down, hooting and hollering, doing whatever he could to draw attention. Both Kayleigh and Erik got out of their chairs to see just what was going on. Unfortunately, Thorne drew closer to the young couple until he was almost standing between them. He certainly was making them both uncomfortable. Just when Erik was cranking up his courage to kiss the girl. Figures, you overgrown **bleep**.
Erik caught Kayleigh’s eye. “Let’s blow this place. How would you like to go dancing?” Giving up their table, Erik grabbed her hand and the two took his father’s Hovercraft to Windenburg to the Pan Europa Discotheque. The two eagerly took to the dance floor.
What was that all about?” she asked him, meaning Thorne’s strange behavior.
“My guess,” Erik said, standing beside her doing the Cowpoke dance, “is he’s a bit of an attention seeker. A publicity hound. And I don’t like the way he looks at me, as if I’m the very reason he’s still a Proper Celebrity. So am I, big deal.”
T
The time whizzed by, and while the dance floor became packed, at least it wasn’t stolen by one Thorne Bailey. All too soon, the night for them was over. “So, did you decide on a university, yet?” Erik asked, as they drove back to Del Sol Valley.
“It depends on if I can qualify for enough of the right scholarships, I suppose...”
“The term is coming up, after Christmas, come the spring. I do hope we find ourselves on the same campus, at least.”
“Me, too. I had a great time tonight.”
Erik smiled broadly, “Yeah, it was a good night. Thanks for joining me. Wait, I don’t suppose you would consider . . . being my girlfriend or anything?”
“Why Erik Cantrell, you are just full of surprises now, aren’t you. Be careful, I might just take you up on your offer.”
“Is that a yes?”
Kayleigh squealed, “Yes. Daddy will have my head, but yes.”
All for now, Thanks for reading!
