Cantrell: The Early Years

A Brother’s Love, a Cantrell: The Early Years Update

The trip was stalled until the morning, giving the family enough time to adjust to this new dynamic. Louise spent much of her time painting, as she attempted to get a grip on her emotions. As far as Erik understood, that was the night she broke. Wandering up to the second floor of their house, in pursuit of his little sister, he found her sitting at the computer in what could only be described as a Loft, or better still a family area, since that is how it was used. Desk, chairs, game table.   

“Listen, Bree, and I want you to hear me,” he began “If you get into any kind of trouble while you’re away, anything at all, I want to contact me. You know how to do that, you’ve done it before,” Erik said.
“I can’t do that. I’m supposed to learn how not to invade people’s thoughts. That’s the whole reason I’m leaving—”
Erik’s cheeks flushed red in his sudden ire. “It’s not an invasion,” he retorted. “I’m giving you permission. You had best start listening to what words are being said, you little twit. Don’t forget. Contact me and I’ll come and get you.”

For a moment Brianna started to cry and then she sealed it off. Erik just gazed at her, perplexed. “How did you do that? You’re turning into one of them.”
“Training in the Way.” she said. “It’s what T’Pran has been teaching me; how to control my emotions. We humans are far too emotional. T’Pran says we have to learn not to be controlled by them. They can lead us down the wrong path.”

Erik just nodded. “Oh, just be careful. And forgive me if I choose not to cut off what I’m feeling.” Brianna shrugged.
“It’s okay. You’re an artist, like Mommy, only you use music to express yourself. Nobody achieves the sounds from instruments the way you do. I love what you do. It’s positively genius.”
“Aw, go on, you’re just saying that. You should probably spend some of this time with Mom, she’s hurting really bad right now.”

“I know. I’ll go talk to her. Thanks for being here, Erik. I’ll let you in on a secret ---You’re my favorite.”
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Once Brianna learned she wasn’t leaving until morning, she made certain to say her goodbyes to her three older brothers.

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

All washed up and ready for bed, Erik stole downstairs to find his mother. She stood in the middle of their living room, just staring. “Mom?” he said.
As if startled, she slowly gazed over at him. “Erik, what are you doing out of bed, son? You have school in the morning,” she said.
“I just wanted to make sure you’re all right,” he said. “You took a pretty hefty bombshell  today.”  Louise leaned down and gathered her son into her arms, lifting him up to his surprise. I’m too big he thought to himself, worried she would hurt herself just in lifting him.
“Oh, my sweet, sweet boy. My Angel baby. I’m okay. I think I might be okay,” she said, hugging him tightly. “I need to be okay for you and your brothers.” And then her voice broke. And Erik knew the truth of it then and there. She really wasn’t okay.

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

Very early the next morning, while it was yet dark outside, T’Pran gathered her Charge and their luggage to head on out to the Temple located on top of Mount Seleya where it actually snowed.  Both Joseph and Louise were waiting for them in the living room. Joseph was first to gather up his little daughter into his arms. Clutching her to him he said, “Do you very best to learn the lessons you must so you can come home to us very soon.”
“I will, Daddy, I promise.”

Louise stepped up and hugged her daughter tight.  “You are the baby girl I’ve always wanted. I love you so very much. Do as Daddy said, learn what you must and come home to us directly.”

*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Taking a cab to the station, T’Pran and Brianna took the fastest rail in the entire universe to the top of Mount Seleya. Brianna got her very first glimpse of snow, smattered about here and there where it clung to the rock of the mountain. She was rather amazed none touched the Temple itself. “The grounds are heated from beneath by the hot springs just under the surface.”
“Vulcan has hot springs?  How can that be? It’s so very arid.”

“So, here you are, the one I have heard so much about. A Human who can mindmeld. We’ll get you settled in and your lessons will begin immediately after the Dawn.” T’Lar said.

All for now. Thanks for reading!