Cantrell: The Early Years

Louise’s Descent, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part One Update

Louise found the absence of her youngest child unbearable. She spent much of her time painting as if she were on a strict commission and must get the paintings finished and sent off, yesterday. She hardly spoke to anyone; when she did it was in sudden outbursts of rage. A dirty sock left out of the washing machine, in error, was often something that set her off. Pretty soon, her sons, who had taken over such chores, scattered. “Erik, aren’t you going to find your brothers?”

“No, Mom, I think I’ll stay here and be with you, if that’s okay. May I give you a hug?”

Tears stood in her blue eyes. Erik struggled with his own emotions finally realizing what his sister had said to him. He had to find a way to stem the tide. Louise gave a weak smile and bent to hug him.

“Are you getting taller?” She said.

Erik shrugged, a small smirk on his face, “Maybe. Are you going to be all right? Is there something you need me to do?"

“Oh, son. You just continue being you.”

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

At other times, she found herself roaming the house randomly. Always to end up in the now vacant bedroom Brianna shared with her nanny. The room was kept exactly as it was left. Surprisingly as neat as a pin. In this manner, Brianna was very much like her mother. A place for everything, and everything in its place. Looking around she realized they should have changed out the wallpaper, at least. The decor was that of a baby’s.

Joseph found himself on the phone talking with the local, human Psychiatrist. He was glad to realize his efforts of support were just what the doctor ordered. Joseph also spent time talking with their new priest, Father Josiah. His entire world was also collapsing, but he could never let on to his wife. Instead, he borrowed some of the remnants he had from his fateful Mindmeld with S’Bina. The monks sought to shield him from her death, but learned she hadn’t gone so far as to lock them minds together; there was no Bondlink to be concerned over. Joseph wouldn’t experience the mind-wrenching pain of having their Bond savagely ripped apart, which could cause insanity, or death to the surviving Bondmate.

Thankfully, on this occasion, these remnants gave him the grace of suppressing his own emotions, that he may be strong for the sake of Louise and their sons, allowing him to continue being her knight in shining armor. Nor did he neglect their other children. Often, he spent time with his boys, making certain they were handling this family trauma.

Sitting together in their backyard, gathered around the table, they talked every day. Going over homework issues, making certain they knew what was going on, in a laundered-down version, equal to their level of maturity.

“I promise you; she’ll not be gone forever. I know your mother spouts off now and again, about how the Vulcans stole her baby girl, how they are going to use her as a test-rat because of her apparent mind-powers. It’s all nonsense. I’ve gone to see her at the Temple. Those Compti-calls we get are real, Bree is fine. The good news is, she’ll be coming back home very soon, too.”

“Well, that’s good, because Aaron is turning thirteen soon, and she is turning ten,” Erik said. “Do you think maybe Mom just needs a change of scenery? Like maybe Earth? She does keep saying she should never have left there.”

Joseph drew a hand over his red beard. “I don’t know. Maybe. But my job is here . . .Or maybe I should take a Sabbatical, for your mother’s sake. It’s a thought. A good thought, and so long as all six of us can go, it may be just what she needs. I will not leave this planet without Brianna, though, that much is certain. If we decide to do this, it will have to be after the Vulcans are satisfied, she has her Mind Powers in check.”

“What I want to know is, is Bree okay?  I mean, sure, she looks and sounds fine, but is she just hiding the hurt?” Joey said. “I know her being gone makes me sad.”

“That’s very insightful for an eleven-year-old,” Joseph said. “We’ll have to see when she returns.”

*~~*~~~*~

Several weeks later, Louise was busy sorting through the mail, when she found a large official envelope addressed to her in the mail receptacle. She thought it strange, at first, but given the many ways criminals managed to hack through anything electronic, she realized it was of some import.  Not waiting for her family to return for the day, she tore at the heavy paper envelope until she was able to remove the contents. A thick grade cardstock of a lovely blue-gray tint. It read:

                                      Your 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. 

                                    We offer our Congratulations to

                                     Global Superstar Louise Cantrell.

                              You have ascended to the top of the heap.

                                                            Cordially, 

                             The Committee of the Starlight Academy

“Joseph,” she cried out once he crossed the threshold. “You’ll never guess— It’s something big, something I have worked toward. And we have to be there before five tonight.”

“We’re to pick up Bree?”

“No, although that would certainly make this all the more glorious.” Joseph continued to gaze at her, seeing almost joy in her eyes for the first time, since their daughter left; raising his eyebrows, hoping she’d continue. “And . . .”

“I get to place a tile – on the Avenue of the Stars.”

“Honey, Sweetheart, there is just no way we can get there by five tonight — Even with Warp speed it takes a Star-Schooner a couple of months. Are you certain they meant five tonight? Here, let me see,” he said, fearful she was delusional.

After scrutinizing the invitation, Joseph made a few Compti-calls. He explained their circumstances and they apologized for the misprint, leaving the date off of the invitation. “Okay, thank you for your understanding. I just didn’t wish for her to be lose this opportunity.”

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

Pulling a few more strings, T’Pau came through for him in the end.  He loaded his entire family, all four children and his wife into their new Star-Schooner and made the trip to Earth.

When all was said and done, the couple took their children out to dinner at Pietro’s Bistro.

The return trip, with the family whole, did wonders for Louise. Parting for a second time, however, set Louise back. She was worse than before, plotting to break into the Temple and effectively kidnap her own child. Erik was the one who reported her plans to his dad. “I feel like a rat, a total snitch, but she’s getting a little scary. She even had a whole conversation about her planed break-in with the decal of the dragon on the wall in Bree’s room. That’s how I found out. Dad, she’s just not right. I’m scared for her.” 

Throughout all of this, Louise painted. If things got tense, Louise painted. This became her release valve. While she painted the world was cutoff and she didn’t have to face reality; so absorbed in her work, as she got. This was her ‘out’. Joseph and the boys learned to just let her be, let her create and work her way through things, if she could. The boys and her husband, lit many a candle for her at church. She spoke with Father Josiah on many occasions. He often anointed her with Holy Oil, but did recommend Joseph get her to a doctor.

Aaron, during this time was maturing quickly, a sign his thirteenth birthday was drawing near. If only Louise could stop time . . . 

All for now. Thanks for reading.