Cantrell: The Middle Years, Part Two

Quaver, 2287, a Cantrell: The Middle Years, Part Two, Update-2

Kayleigh sighed heavily from her side of the bed. Reaching over she placed a hand on Erik’s shoulder, giving him a shake. “Erik, how can you sleep through this? They’re at it again.  And hearing all of the thumps and bumps I think they’re throwing things. You need to go up there and put a stop to it.”
“Huh? Put a stop to what?”
“Are you telling me you can’t hear the commotion going on upstairs. You need to stop them before it gets any more violent.”

Grumbling, Erik pulled the covers aside and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. “How long have they been going at it this time? I had the silly notion that being on the main floor with the kids all upstairs, the ceiling would act more like a buffer. Once again I was wrong. Okay, I’ll get things settled, if you make coffee. I’m going to need it.”
“Erik, it’s Sunday.”
“Already? And here I thought it would never get here.”

“You spent all day yesterday and half of the night laying down tracks and packaging your next album. That you managed to release shortly thereafter. You’re getting really fast at this process.”
“Had to. The album, if it’s to be considered, has to be released no later than the Quaver. I almost blew it.”
“First day of Spring, which is today,” she said, nodding. “You settle the boys and I’ll get the girls going.”
“Deal.”

Scrambling into his robe, Erik spent a short time in front of the fireplace trying to warm up a bit. Cringing with another loud thump from above. He worried they’d managed to dump over their stereo. I won’t replace it if that’s the case. Then he took the stairs to the second floor. He pushed the door open to Jamison’s side of the large bedroom, the dimensions of which was the size of two bedrooms. He stood, a rather imposing figure in the doorway, and listened.

“You know, if you two don’t stop this and make amends to each other, you won’t be having Communion today, either one of you. Not my rules, but so St. Paul teaches us in the New Testament. Does no good to make an offering, if you’re at odds with another. Knock it off and knock it off now.  Forgive each other and I do mean I be sincere. Do not make a mockery of your faith.”

Stepping carefully into the room, around pillows, books, dirty clothing and other various things strewn about haphazardly, he shook his head. He stopped and righted the wicker laundry basket. Surprised it was still whole. “And clean up this room, it looks like a bomb went off. Or as your grandmother would say somebody stirred it with a stick. Make sure you dress appropriately, too. No T-Shirts or shirts with logos. Come on, I can’t tell you how disappointed I am with you both right now. What started the war this time?”

Jamison spoke up first. “He won’t go collect the eggs and clean the coop. He denies it’s his turn. I did it yesterday. Got seventeen eggs in the fridge to prove it.” 
Erik shook his head. “I just need to plead with both of you to stop being so much like Aaron and me. Which reminds me, I need to apologize to your grandfather, forthwith. I had no idea what we put him through. One day maybe both of you will wake up.”

Erik then went out to the stables, climbed the latter and began his daily workout.

The family made it to St. James. Erik took his new spot in the choir, helping his father set the music, placing a book on each stand. “Sorry I was such brat when I was a kid. I had no idea my constant squabbling with Aaron made your life so miserable. Forgive me?”
“Of course, I do. That’s a part of family life. Do you think I never argued, fought with any of my siblings?”
“Love you, Dad.”

“Love you, too. Let me guess, the twins again? Have you tried giving them separate rooms? At the very least put up a wall between them, the room is big enough.”
“And leave all three girls cramped in one room. Hardly fair. I’d have to rethink the entire top floor. Which I may yet do.”

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

Enjoying coffee with family and friends, it was just after three in the afternoon by the time Erik and his family arrived back home. He went directly into the ensuite for his ritualistic Calming Shower. Pulled on his new suit, a deep forest green number with a black turtleneck, gussied up, sprayed himself with parfum and then sprayed the minty breath spray into his mouth. While he was at it, Kayleigh was fussing with her hair. “You look lovely. That color suits you.” He came up behind her and kissed her on the shoulder. She smiled at him through the mirror.

Before heading out to Del Sol Valley, he gave his sister a call. “Bree, hello. I know I mentioned this briefly at Coffee Hour at church. Have you given it any more thought? It’s just that the twins were at each other’s throats just this morning. We plan to leave them in charge while we’re gone. If you could keep an eye on them, remotely, I would appreciate it.”
“I can do that and they’ll never know. Be at ease I most certainly will. I’ll beep you if it gets serious. Unless you don’t mind Spock using a Vulcan Death grip on either or both of them.”

“While I do hope it doesn’t come to that, since I know the name is a misnomer, okay, permission granted. The other kids might enjoy the silence. And thanks.”

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

That settled, Erik and Kayleigh took the Hovercraft, parked it in the underground lot and made it to the front of the PBP Studios Lounge where the others were gathered. Greeted by cheers, Erik answered with his own. The he and Kayleigh headed up to the third floor.

“Are you okay?” Kayleigh asked, seeing how tense Erik was.
“Yeah. My sister knows how to wrangle boys. She learned it young.”

The theater filled up, and the Host came to stand at the microphone.  “Good evening and happy Quaver! My name is Ekade Aether and I am your host for tonight.  Do you believe it’s already 2287? Where has the time gone? Three months in and I still can’t believe it. As before, the Nominees are the best of the best. But the question is who shall win?”

“Let’s start by introducing them, shall we? Jaleesa Anderson, for her Wind at My Feet; Tia Idobson for her Whispers on the Wind; I’m starting to notice a pattern, here, how about you?” 

“Next up, Carmine McDaniel for his Betrayal; newcomer, Armando Pendleton for his Workaday; I think we have a real contender here. And last, but never least, Erik Cantrell for his Even Now. Did I tell you we had a powerhouse lineup tonight? Toward that end, the envelope, please.” A blithe stagehand all but floated across the stage, handing the host the denim blue cardstock, already pre-slit for ease. Before all but disappearing from the stage. With nimble fingers, Ekade pulled out the card and read it, all the while breaking out into a huge smile.

“And just like that we have a winner.  Please join me in applause for Erik Cantrell for his Even Now. Can anybody stop this man? Not that we ever wish him to stop churning out such wonderful songs. He most certainly is the best. Come on up here, Erik! Do you believe he’s won Song of the Year for the fifth time? Unbelievable. Well done.”

Erik stood up, leaned over and kissed his wife before he made his way to the stage. The audience gave him a hardy applause that only died away after he took the floor before the microphone. And even then, not completely. Quietly, he waited them out.

Then he silently gave a cheer. Glory to You, O Lord. Up went the applause, yet again.

“Thank you, thank you. You are much too kind, really. For a day that started out on the rocky side, I must say, it’s really turned around. I am so very humbled that after all of this time, you still like what I’m doing.  Despite my constant experimenting. If you don’t grow as a musician, you’re dead. I can only figure I must be doing something right. Although I am aware there are those who are wishing I would just stop. To those all I can say is I won’t betray my fans that way. I do this for them. And, to my joy and delight, they remain very loyal. I am one lucky man.”

“It is truly an honor to receive this award. Beyond it being a tribute to musical excellence, of which I cannot do without mentioning Team Erik down at Taygeta Music Studios. Ryan Ricks my Record Producer; Toby Gleason my Recording Engineer who at least allows me to give my vision, listening with a kind ear.  And last, but never least the dynamic duo, Mixing Engineers, Michael Perry and Richard Forman. All of you have my undying allegiance and gratitude.”

“To the Academy my appreciation for nominating Even Now and for all of those on the Committee for giving it the nod. I am so unworthy. But pleased beyond measure.”

“Boys put the wee ones to bed, and yourselves as well. School’s tomorrow.”

All for now, thanks for reading!