Cantrell: The Early Years

Teens!, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part One Update

Despite Louise’s Erratic bouts of paranoia, her talking to objects, or things just not there, she rose early to beat the heat and baked her Firstborn a cake. Turning thirteen was a milestone and should not be missed or overlooked.  So, she labored over it, stirring the batter by hand, despite the nice mixer that stood on the counter and poured it into the pre-heated pan.  Fanning herself, the day was already growing warm. Such was Vulcan. She hated it here and in her own mind couldn’t leave it soon enough.

Once the cake was ready, she placed the candles atop it. Soon her family, or what remained of it, would awaken and come downstairs.  The sun was blazing. She mopped her brow with her forearm, straightened her clothing and made herself as presentable as possible.  Soon her family found her out in the kitchen.  “All right, Birthday Boy, step on up, blow out your candles, do the Twirly-thing and let’s make your entrance into a new segment of your life official, shall we?”

“Okay, Mom, if you insist.”
“I don’t think you have a choice,” Erik said.
“Don’t you dare start singing.”
“What, not even the ancient birthday song? Sheesh, what a joy-killer you are. Mister Gloomy-Gus.”

“You know, if you two moved over there behind me somewhere, I could do something more than just dribble this ball,” Aaron said. Reluctantly, the two moved off to the side.
“Just don’t challenge me, you’ve got meters over me. I can’t get over just how tall you are. You’re only thirteen!”
“Dad says the Cantrell men are known for their height.”

“I do hope he’s right about that. Did it hurt much growing so tall so fast? Am I going to need some liniment?”

“Erik, you know what? You’re still such a dork.”
Erik just shrugged. “That’s your opinion and you’re most certainly entitled to it.”
“See? That’s exactly why you’re such a dork. Don’t you ever fight for anything?”

“I fight to get the chord right. I fight to get the lyric right. I fight to get the song right, okay?”
“I will die laughing if you ever make it in the Music World.”
“Shut up, unless you want me to plaster your face with your own birthday cake.” Aaron burst out laughing at that.
“If you can reach that high! What a dork.”

 *~~*~~*~~*~~*

The fact that Brianna was allowed over to help celebrate her brother’s milestone warmed her heart, but sadly the damage to Louise’s psyche had been done.  Her Psychiatrist prescribed some medication for her to help quell the Erratic moments, so Joseph made certain she took them. Despite her complaints that she didn’t quite feel herself. “The doctor says over time, that odd sensation will abate.” He smiled as he handed her the tablet and a glass of water. He stood over her watching to be certain she actually ingested it.

“I don’t need a Keeper, Joseph,” she complained, placing the small orange tablet on her tongue.
“No, but you do need a friend. I’m here and I love you.”
Taking a swallow of her water, she opened her mouth wide so he could inspect it.
“Sometimes, you’re as difficult as the children. Now I know where they get it from.” He smiled beguilingly at her.

*~~*~~~*~

Time swirled by as easily as the wind swept over the desert floor. Aaron turned fourteen, and it was now Erik’s birthday. Rather than try to beat the heat, Joseph suggested they go out to dine at Pietro’s Bistro. The couple had been there for Love Day and found it a nice place to dine.    Again, Brianna was delivered into her family’s care. The bistro was just a short distance from the temple.  “Erik,” she greeted him with a large smile and a loving hug.
“It’s Bug she’s back!” he laughed.
“Only for this evening, so don’t get too excited.”

A waiter approached the six-top where the family was seated and Joseph quickly ordered a “Blue-Confetti cake, if you please.”
“Right away, sir.”
Once delivered to the table, the father diligently placed the candles and lit them. “Erik, time to step up.”

 “An adult size violin, Dad you’re amazing, thank you so much.’
“You can thank me by playing something for us.”

*~~*~~~*~

All too soon Aaron reached the age of fifteen, Erik was fourteen, and Joey’s birthday was upon them. Again, the family opted to dine out. This time it was to the local Pizzeria, Old Oak Alcove Pizzeria, a reference to the fact their pizza was cooked over a wood fire.  Joey had an uncommon penchant for this particular food. Shown to a nice six-top, Joseph ordered a cake and called Joey over to blow out the candles. Chocolate cake was the boy’s favorite. “As sad as this makes me, blow out your candles and do the Twirly-thing. Time has this rapid way of running roughshod right over us.”   

Through all of this Joseph kept an eye on his sweet wife. Tears stood in her eyes and he knew just what she was thinking. Would their daughter be brought home for good, come the next year? And if so, just what would she be like, nearly a woman?    

All for now. Thanks for reading!