Cantrell: The Middle Years
The Musical Notes of My Life, a Cantrell: The Middle Years, Update-1
Just as Summer was loath to relinquish its grip, to Fall, Fall was also exerting its will. Erik discovered this as he stepped outside to collect some eggs from the coop. The day was bright and sunny. The unusual warmth struck his cheeks, first, as he crossed the expansive yard. Reaching into the Crackerbox Palace, he was at once rewarded with a handful of eggs. Doing a quick check, he left the two hatchables and took the other six with him inside. “Good morning, love of my life,” he greeted Kayleigh, who stood in the kitchen beaming at him, a steaming cup of coffee in hand. “It’s warmer out there than usual,” he nodded his head toward the back door. “According to the calendar, we have Thanksgiving to go and then the first day of Winter will be upon us. And still no rain.”
“This ongoing drought is resembling California. I fear we’ll all fry to death.”
Erik busily cracked a few eggs and commenced scrambling them in a bowl. “Not going to happen,” he said. “This will break, hopefully sooner than later.”
“My husband, the eternal Optimist.” She raised her mug as if to toast him.
“Would you have me any other way?” He winked, a slow grin warming his features.
“Uh-uh,” she said through her sip. “Shall I pour you a cup?”
“Thanks,” he said, putting his attention on fixing breakfast for his family. “Are the boys up, yet? They need a good meal in them before they head out to school. They’ve been a tad sluggish, lately.”
“They used to be such early-risers, too,” Kayleigh sighed. “Now they seem to be less so.”
“I do know that they both suffer from untamed creativity,” Erik said, as he slipped pieces of bread into the toaster and turned it on. “They see monsters under their beds.”
“I guess it’s hard to be energetic when a rude bunkmate keeps you up half the night. I’ll just go see.” Kayleigh set her mug on the kitchen island.
“You know,” Erik turned to watch her leave, “I bought that Award-Winning, Sure-Fire, Super-Duper Monster Eliminator Spray. I even make a huge production of a speech to expel the beast as suggested on the label. I know it’s nothing but a psychological trick, but what do you do when it doesn’t work? I am at my wits’ end. They need their sleep.”
“And we installed those special lamps, too. I feel your frustration. If they’re not up yet, I’ll sic Melodie on them, she’s always up this early. She loves to run and pounce.” With that, Kayleigh took the Maid’s entrance to the stairs, a small alcove that let out onto the stairs’ landing from the kitchen.
While Kayleigh was upstairs, Erik made certain the eggs were cooked just right. He recalled how as infants and then toddlers, the twins were very clear on their preferences. He then cooked up a few strips of bacon and caught the now toasted bread that launched itself from the appliance. He quickly slathered it while it was hot so the butter would melt, the way his kids liked it. Just as the twins reached the kitchen, breakfast was ready. “Come one, come all, before it’s gone!” Erik teased with a wide grin. He didn’t mean to set his little girl into a panic, and was instantly chastised, by her actions.
The boys scampered to the kitchen counter, each grabbing a plate, while little Melodie did her best to squeeze in. “Hey, I eat, too. Leave some for me,” she ordered, wagging a chubby index finger at the boys. Erik gazed down at his tiny daughter. “I promise, there’s enough to go around. Daddy was just playing. I made plenty. Say grace before you dig in,” he reminded them.
With full tummies, the twins headed out the door for school. Erik popped out for a photoshoot and then a concert. He had just enough time afterward to stop by Taygeta Studios to lay down enough tracks for yet another album. “Hey, it’s been a while,” Randy said.
“Yeah, I know. The boys are in school this season. Trying to balance it all.”
“No, excuses necessary. You’re the artist. Just glad to see you, is all.”
Monday turned into Tuesday. Erik sent out invitations before his family found themselves celebrating the upcoming holiday without him. Come Wednesday, he helped Kayleigh get the decorations into place and both long tables set. Then he went about planning his menu. This gave him a great deal of pleasure, being in control of his kitchen. Kayleigh was a wonderful cook in her own right, but sometimes, she failed to plan ahead. For instance, Erik decided to bake the pies for their dessert the night before, to guard against any mishaps. That way, he still had time to make sure he had enough dessert for this huge crowd he called family.
While Erik baked his heart out, Kayleigh oversaw homework and bathing the wee girls. She came downstairs after all four were tucked into bed for the night. “All quiet on the Home Front?”
Kayleigh saluted him, playfully, “All quiet, sir. At least for now. Oh, and while you’re in planning mode, don’t forget Harmony’s birthday is coming up right after Thanksgiving.”
“Thanks, got that covered,” he smiled, kissing her on the forehead.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
Early on Thursday morning, Erik began to put his marinade together for the turkey. This would surely cut down on the prep-time after church. The turkey would likely take a good three hours, despite its size, to thoroughly be cooked, leaving him time to cook the Tofu turkey for Spock and his twins. Being a dutiful wife and mother Bree would also partake in this faux bird. Erik was very aware she hated tofu, too. He sought with spices to intensify more of a turkey flavor, just for her.
Meeting together for a very truncated Coffee Hour, Erik soon begged off to see to his culinary chore. Seemingly, right after he shoved the turkey into the oven his guests came pouring through his front door. He hadn’t even changed his clothes. Rather that flee upstairs to do so, he took his station at the bar. “I have plain eggnog, traditional eggnog with that splash of Rum or whiskey, your choice. And a wide variety of wines, both red and white. Punch ot apple cider for the wee ones.”
Erik poured a few drinks, as ‘ordered’ and then straining to hear, he was glad when Kayleigh came from the kitchen to let him know his buzzer was going off. She took over for him at the bar. Erik pulled the oven door open, happy to see the faux bird had also taken on a slightly golden shade, helping against its normal anemic color. Carrying the turkeys to place on the dining room tables, he then took out his treasured bell and waving it up and down, placed a hand to his mouth to help project this voice over the din of many side conversations. “Come and get it. I declare this Thanksgiving Feast shall now commence! Come, while it’s hot.”
Like lines of ants coming out of the walls, the family seated themselves at the tables.
Several of the adults, after the meal was complete and dessert had been exhausted, gathered into the formal living room to talk about the genealogical finds they each had uncovered. Erik had asked for their help in tracking down each branch, including the Golden side. Regina, Mercedes and even Hayleigh took an interest.
While the grownups discussed their findings, the children played.
Bidding adieu to their guests, Erik stood watching as they left. The last holiday was spent. In just days the first day of Winter would arrive. Erik enjoyed the time with his family with each passing year. Today had been no exception. He often chatted with his brothers and sister on the phone, but it was so much more fulfilling to be with them in person. He disliked it, that he was again being hounded to go on a third World Tour. He still harbored bitter memories of the last one. Kayleigh tried to suggest she and the kids could go with him, this time, but Erik was very reluctant to upset the boys’ first year in school.
“I’ll see how long I can hold this off. I’m really not too excited about going. While I fervently enjoy performing before a live audience, I’m uncertain such a tour is worth the wear and tear on my psyche.”
“I hear you, Sweetheart and I understand just where you’re coming from. Do me a favor, though. Double-check your contract and make darned certain you don’t owe them another World Tour, lest they rob us blind again.”
All for now, thanks for reading!
