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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Overwhelmed, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Two, Update
Once again Erik was the one collecting the mail. He was, in fact, looking for confirmations on the scholarships all four of them had submitted. What he found, nearly buried among the scads of junk mail, was a card addressed to him. Simple, square, gold, with black embossing. Again, his hand began to shake. Immediately, he brought the mail inside.
“Mom? Mom?” he found her asleep on the small sofa they’d brought with them from Vulcan. It fit nicely in front of the living room window that faced the street. Louise stretched, yawned and set her blurry eyes upon her second son.
“Erik, what is it. Not another kitchen fire, I pray.”
“This came for me,” he said, handing her the envelope. “It’s not another Tile?” She took up her glasses from the end table and slipped them on. She looked at it, turned it over a couple of times. Then smiled.
“Oh, this is from the Academy. Nothing to be concerned over. Perhaps, you should open it.”
“Academy?’
“Yes, the Starlight Academy. Their Annual Award Show is coming up very soon. Open it, I’m dying to know what it’s about.” She had a very good idea, since she’s heard rumors of such. But she didn’t wish to spoil Erik’s moment.
Erik took out his small laser-blade pocketknife and slit the envelope open. Gently, he pulled the heavy cardstock, again gold with black embossing on one side. He cleared his throat before he began to read it aloud.
“To one Erik Cantrell, The Starlight Accolade Academy is pleased to inform you, your song, “It Hurts Both Ways” has been duly nominated for Best Song. Your presence is requested at the annual Starlight Accolade Show on Sunday, the First Day of Spring. Six PM.
Please feel free to bring a guest.
Congratulations,
The Starlight Accolade Nominating Committee”
“That’s not long from now,” he said.
“No, in fact, tomorrow is the first day of Spring.”
Erik tapped the envelope against his palm, as he left the small living room. Sitting Room, Front Parlor, as it was called back in the day. He took the stairs just around the partition wall. “Mom. The baby is crying,” he hollered over his shoulder. “He doesn’t sound at all happy, either. Want me to get him for you?”
“No, that’s all right, dear. The doctor wants me to move around. I can get him.”
“But I didn’t think taking the stairs was okay, as of yet.” Erik said, giving his mother the ‘eye’. She was following him up, anyway. Taking her by the arm, he helped her as she gingerly climbed the sixteen steps to the second floor. “Why don’t you take a seat and I’ll get him for you.” He knew she wasn’t supposed to be lifting. Louise sat on the low cushioned bench at the foot of her bed. She watched as Erik deftly, and carefully lifted the newborn out of his bassinet. The teen even changed the baby’s diaper, depositing the wet one in the bucket next to the changing table. Gazing at the baby, Erik said, “There’ it’s always nice to have clean, dry shorts, don’t you think?”
“You are going to be one great father someday,” she said. Handing little Adrian to his mother, he took his leave and went to the corner bedroom he shared with his other brothers.
Erik’s first impulse was to call Kayleigh and share his news. She had called him just last night, which gave Erik the impression the captain merely meant they couldn’t go out together anymore. He sat on the edge of his bed, as her phone rang endlessly. Unfortunately, she wasn’t answering her cell. He had come to understand Captain Drake Golden was a very strict man. Apparently, he wasn’t inclined to budge, either. Kayleigh’s last contact with Erik was to let him know she had no luck in getting her father to ease up. But that she was going to try again, use a different tactic. Erik could tell she was weeping, hearing her ragged breath as she spoke ever so softly to him. Erik knew then, that her phone call was done in stealth. Again he felt uncomfortable with that.
When the captain suggested Erik wasn’t to see Kayleigh again, he must have also meant they weren’t allowed to speak, either. Had he seen the text Erik sent her, the night her father stormed out of his house?
She must be on phone arrest. She had told him that her father was quick to confiscate phones if he thought them ill-used. He wondered if he should drop by, unannounced, but dismissed that idea. Best he could do was write her a letter. But then realized not to see her again meant, he had to disappear, as in out-of-her life. Again, he wondered how things would work out, when her father learned they all were going to share Wyvern Hall at Britechester-U. The it occurred to him, he may force her to drop out. Her father scared him witless.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
At the market, briefly, Erik was suddenly smacked in the face. Captain Golden’s words echoing in his ears. There on the front of a notorious rag-magazine was that infamous picture of Erik and Kayleigh. The Selfie they took after he asked her to be his girlfriend. Leave it to National Simquierer to all but scuttle his new-found romance. The tag line, likely ‘borrowed’ from Image, was unfortunate, too. Is Erik off the Market? Flipping through this rag, he was mortified to find a second picture of him kissing Kayleigh. Space dust! Note to Self, you’re not exactly anonymous anymore. Watch your step, there, Captain. Referring to himself. I just want to share my music; I didn’t sign up for this!
One more week until the Term began, would Kayleigh’s father alter his opinion?
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Come early Sunday morning, Erik was up with the sunrise. He stood at the window and gazed down at the lawn, which seemed to shimmer with the morning light. When he went out to collect the eggs from their chicken coop, he felt and saw a fine mist in the air, discovered the tiny beads of moisture on the blades of grass. Having lived his whole life until now on the Red Planet, Vulcan, this surprised him. He was also greatly inspired by it and before the others were up and about, he began writing and composing a new song, Early Morning Mist.
After an hour or two the rest of his family was up. He could hear the patter of their feet above his head. Then he saw motion through the glass panes on the door to the Music Room. He stilled the strings on this guitar, carefully set it on the stand; realizing the song called for another medium; straightened his jacket and joined his family on their way to church. He noticed his mother wasn’t dressed. He also was aware that this last pregnancy had been hard on her. Her delivery was difficult and in the end she required surgery. Erik worried for her. At least the color had returned to her face. On top of everything else, she had more bouts of talking to objects. Her latest was to converse with the Coat Tree in the hall.
“Dad, I thought you said once the baby was here, Mom would be back on her meds? She’s getting worse.”
“I know, son. I know. She needs the pain meds more than the psychiatric ones, though. I just don’t understand why the doctor had to perform a C-Section on her. She birthed the rest of you just fine. But, Mom says the two of you have a date tonight . . . Don’t keep her out too late.” Joe winked.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
“Mom, don’t you look wonderful, thanks for being willing to come along,” Erik greeted as his mother joined him in the small foyer. “I was afraid you wouldn’t be up to it.”
“I wouldn’t miss your big moment for the world. I’m so very pleased you asked me to accompany you. But we should make our way down the hill to the PBP Studios Lounge for the ceremony. Shall we?”
Erik drove the Hovercraft, parking it in the underground parking lot.
The two took a turbo-lift all the way to the top floor of the building. For the longest time it was just the two of them. Very slowly others straggled in.
Finally, the Host arrived, and the ceremony began. Erik sat nearly frozen next to his mother in a front row seat. At one point, the mother placed a hand on his knee, patting it reassuringly. “You’re already a Global Superstar, if you don’t win tonight, in no way does that diminish your status. Relax. Have fun. Enjoy the night.”
Flashing her a brief grin, Erik did his best to heed her advice. The evening seemed inordinately long, and teetering on the edge of boring. Erik knew this was just his loathing of sitting and doing nothing. If he wasn’t being productive in one manner or another, it made him anxious. While he waited for the list of acting awards to be dispensed, he went over the melody of his new song in his mind. Committing it to memory. Every beat, every note, every word.
“For bringing such aural beauty to the ears of Sims around the world, forty-six weeks topping the charts, Best Song of the Year goes to . . .” With these words, a startled Erik sat up in his chair. “Erik Cantrell for his “It Hurts Both Ways.” Give this shining new star a rousing round of applause. I have a hunch we’ll be hearing more from him. Come on up, Erik.”
Taking in a deep, silent breath, Erik glanced over at his mother. Louise smiled and nodded at her son. “Do I have to say something?” he whispered.
“Thank you, at the very least.”
Erik reached over and took his trophy in his hand. He stood, silently, with his eyes closed soaking in this glorious moment. Praise to You, O Lord.
Then, he lifted one shoulder in a partial shrug. Smiling ever so shyly he leaned toward the mic and said, “Is this on?” the audience chuckled lightly with this. Erik smiled.
“So, this is how it looks from this side. . . I always wondered.”
“I didn’t expect to win, so I didn’t write a speech. Please bear with me . . . I would like to thank my wonderful parents for all of their support and encouragement. My mother is here with me tonight. Mom?” Louise stood up ever so briefly, waved and then reseated herself.
“I would like to thank the crew at Taygeta Studios who were so very helpful and actually trusted me to make crucial mixing decisions. I would also like to thank the girl who inspired the writing of this piece. She knows who she is, thank you so much.”
“I have to just say, while I dreamed of such a moment, I never really expected it. Everything is happening so very fast I haven’t had a chance to catch up with it. Thank you, Academy for this. This is fabulous.”
“This is fantastic. Thank you, very much and good night, everyone.”
As he promised his father, Erik and his mother left the lounge and headed back home. “That was one lame speech. Next time, if there even is a next time, I’m doing what I’ve seen others do. I’ll write a short, sweet note of appreciation and put it in my pocket. Lame, I sounded so very lame. Aaron is right I am a dork.”
“Erik, stop beating yourself up. You remembered to thank the important people, and you showed humility and awe. Besides, they all know you’re young. I think you did fine.”
Once indoors again, Erik placed his Starlight Accolade on the mantel of the fireplace in the Music Room. He was about the only one who used the room so he figured it would be safe there. And he could look at it every now and then, as inspiration to put the same care into every song he wrote. I forgot to thank my fans! Ah space dust!
Immediately he took to his Simstagram and thanked them profusely. “I’m an idiot,” he wrote. “I can’t believe I forgot. Please accept my apology and my heartfelt thanks to the best fans in the universe for supporting me and helping me get to this point in time. You have my heart. Always, Erik.”
All for now. Thanks for reading!
Negotiated Terms, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Two, Update
“Kayleigh, do you mind explaining this?” Drake Golden said, cornering her upstairs in the bedroom she shared with Hayleigh and Regina. Kayleigh smiled as she took the magazine from him.
“We took a Selfie together after he asked if I would consider being his girlfriend.” She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s a nice picture. He is just so thoughtful and kind. We’re friends. I feel honored he wants me to be his girl.”
“You know how I feel about fame. It’s a sleazy, slimy unreal lifestyle where nobody has to account for their behavior. No rules, no morality. Anything goes. Now, Erik may be a fine, Christian young fella, but he’s up to his eyeballs in this lifestyle. Girls fawning all over him. How long do you think he can resist? I don’t care what his parents think of him. Nobody is that committed.” Pointing that long forefinger at her face, he said, “I forbid you to see him ever again. I won’t have him dragging you down that licentious path.”
“Daddy, really, how little you think of me.” Due to Erik’s timely text, Kayleigh had prepared herself for such a conversation. She turned her back on her father, placing the magazine in the top drawer of her dresser, which she slid closed, quietly. Shrugging, she turned back to him. “Well, as much as I would like to comply with your wishes . . .”
“That wasn’t a wish, that was an order.”
“Oh, yes, and I’m to be the perfect, little soldier. Forgive me, that somehow slipped my mind. And I suppose it’s all Erik’s fault, too. Really, Daddy. How did you get to your age being that naive. That cynical. Both of our families attend the very same church, and you dare judge us?”
“Mind your tongue, daughter.”
“I am minding my tongue, it wants to be unleashed. I’ve had quite enough of your tyrannical ways. You, sir, are overbearing, bombastic and difficult to love. I’m almost sixteen. Now, it’s my turn to make a demand. I’m going off to university very soon. And as it would happen, Erik and his siblings are all going to university, too.”
“Let me guess. Britechester-U?”
“Oh, it’s worse than that. It’s a fairly large campus as you know, so avoidance might be possible. But, you see, we’ve all drawn the very same dorm assignment. We’ll all be in Wyvern Hall together. Now, that will surely make it next to impossible to comply with your order ---- unless you want me to fail. Remember, it was your idea I attend Britechester-U, in the first place.
Wyvern is the nicer of the two dorms. Tell me. Which is more important to you? That I get a degree or avoid my Rock Star friend? And his unfortunate Paparazzi entourage. I do promise to be very diligent in my studies. I promise I won’t let his fame interfere. I got all A’s in high school, which enabled me to graduate early and I was accepted at Britechester. Which is it, Daddy? You’re curiously quiet.”
Drake reached for her cell phone; she snatched it out of his hands. “No, you’ll no longer invade my privacy. I’m old enough to attend university, I’m old enough to handle my own business.” Conscientiously she avoided using the word, ’affairs.’
“He coached you on what to say, didn’t he? In many ways you sound as defiant as he did. He’s trying to take you away from me. How dare he!”
“No, he’s not. He’s actually very family oriented. He believes in the Fifth Commandment. ‘Honor your father and mother that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.’ You’re the one driving me away with all of your invasive rules, orders, demands. When are you going to realize my sisters and I are people, too. God gave you and Mom custody over us. But, we are just borrowed. That’s what grandma always says. We are just on loan.”
Drake shot her a glance, his eyes smoldering. Kayleigh for the first time in her life felt slightly empowered. Is this what it means to be heading off to university? To be growing up? The thought was at once frightening and freeing. Overwhelming. Now that I’m up here what if I fall off of this trapeze? Shaking it off in the next instant, she went on,
“So, I expect you and Mom to understand, that while I’m fifteen, soon to be sixteen, I will still need some guidance from time to time, but you must let me conduct my life from here on out. Otherwise, I simply will not attend university, nor will I reach for that degree you want us all to get. The choice is yours. I’m allowed to make and have friends for once in my life, attend Britechester-U as planned to which I promise I won’t let Erik’s fame distract me. I’ll study hard and get good grades. It’s a win-win. Deal?”
“You want me to just let you do what you wish? I can’t allow that. I can’t just let you go off on your own to step in it.”
“We learn by doing, Daddy. I have to make mistakes. If I don’t, how will I learn?”
“But with him?”
“Daddy, did it ever occur to you, I may be his saving grace? He is still trying to get used to all the fame he accrued in such an incredibly short time. He’s an unbelievable talent. He writes and sings his own songs. He just placed his tile on the Avenue, which was so exciting to witness.”
“You were there?”
“Of course I was, he’s my friend. And you have no idea how good it is to be able to call someone that. I have a friend. Watch and you’ll see what a good friend I can be with little to no experience.”
“Not a friend with benefits. He’s already admitted to kissing you.”
“Daddy, can you really know so little about me? I’m so offended. After that homily Father gave last week, chastising the teens in the parish to remember who we are and to not just talk the talk, but to actually walk the walk. Warning us of the pitfalls. Erik made that clear to me upfront. He’s not having woohoo until he’s married, and he hoped I felt the same way. Which, of course, I do. Such activity can really muddle up a relationship.”
“He teach you that, too?”
“No, mother did. So, do we have a deal or not?”
Drake let out a slow disgruntled sigh. “Oh, all right, but one slip up, one bad grade, one more compromising photo, and the deal is off, understand?”
Reaching out Kayleigh took her father’s warm hand and shook it. “Deal. I love you, Daddy. Thank you. I just hope one day you’ll come to see Erik for who he is, and not what you think he is.” Kayleigh hugged her father tight.
All for now. Thanks for reading!
Nicely done Kayleigh!
Thank you. There is something to be said for honesty. To not inform him of the situation would be a lie of omission. Now, I'm sitting here wondering what Erik should do in regard to the turning of events. Dare he contact Drake?
Hope the deals holds, good on Kayleigh for standing her ground
Thanks for that. I was afraid it was a bit over-the-top.
It is very great that things are now working out a bit better between Kayleigh and her father 🙂 Kayleigh was good at explaining her thoughts and views to him.
Thank you. I was concerned and found myself editing things a bit. Nice to have all of the positive feedback.
Good, Kayleigh!
Thanks for the feedback! I was worried she'd come off too disrespectful.
