Cantrell: The Middle Years

A Cog In the Wheel, a Cantrell: The Middle Years, Update-6

Erik sat at the desk in the room he and Kayleigh chose to be their bedroom.   Leaning back in the chair, phone to his ear, he had his feet up on the desk. In between gigs, Aaron had called him at just the right time. “I know you told me Remington, and his cohort have been caught, incarcerated, charged, tried and convicted. Sentenced, even. So, what’s wrong? And don’t filibuster me, Aaron, I can tell by the tone of your voice. What is it?”

Erik could hear the breath his brother drew in. “This is truly bizarre. He was all but snarling at those in the courtroom, particularly the judge, as he was being escorted to the Hovervan all set to be taken to the penitentiary. No sooner was he secured in the backseat when he inexplicably disappeared from the car in a shower of sparkles. He beamed off somewhere.” 

He immediately pulled his feet off of the desk and sat up. “What? He must have a subcutaneous transmitter imbedded under his skin or something.”

“He did and it was removed, that’s what’s so weird about it. Turns out that was a dummy device. Somehow, he got his hands on a Starfleet grade device with a sophisticated jamming system. Precautions were taken, since he kept spewing vial threats against you and your family. Oddly enough even Starfleet hasn’t been able to locate him.”

“Contact Interpol,” Erik all but shouted. He shook his head. “I know where he is,” he said, far more calmly in the next minute. “He showed up for the first time in Oasis Springs. I had five concerts at that location. He was there for the first one, which was during the daytime. I had my whole family there.

"Suddenly from the stage, I could see people surrounding him.  He was just a few meters away. Not even the length of a restraining order away from me. There he was in his habitual state of denudation, flies and fumes emanating from him. Disgusting. One of my other fans, or it could have been a Paparazzi got into a fist-a-cuffs with him, sending billows of dust up and around.  Got an unsavory headline out of that incident, I’m sorry to say. I guess, now, he’s just trying to ruin me.”

“Wait, first time? He’s shown up again? Where?”

“NewCrest. I was walking toward the stadium. Just as I got to the gate to enter, there he was , thankfully fully dressed. But, boy, did he ever reek. I was almost nauseous for the noxious fumes he put off. I honestly don’t think he ever bathes. Then, of course he tried to hit on me. I gave him a firm shove, which barely deterred him.” Erik took a sip of his take-out coffee before he went on.

“He leaned in a second time, and in my own self-defense, I threw the contents of my water bottle on him. He got really ugly fast. We’re talking Warp Speed. He came at me again but instead of attempting to kiss me, he actually hit me. I fought back but sadly lost. His blows left me dizzy; I had trouble standing. I had to call the police. Happily, they arrived right away. I thought I was going to have a heart-attack, though, my heart was thumping so hard in my chest. I’ve never encountered such hatred in my life.”

“Thankfully, the officer escorted my wobbly self to the stage and stood there behind me to safeguard me, for which I was very grateful. Somehow, I managed to finish the concert.”

Aaron was quiet on the line for a moment, as if taking in all of this information.  “I’d advise you call the tour quits, but I know you don’t have that option. What worries me is that if we can’t catch him and keep him in custody, he could truly hurt you. I had no idea this could backfire as it has. I’m beside myself. I just need you to come home.”

“You can see me on Sunday at the Accolades. First Sunday in Spring. Now, I won’t be there in person, but it will appear as if I am. Eerily so. Gotta love this technology. I’ll keep you updated. Just pray for us.  I’ll do my best to wrap up this tour, quickly. We’re all suffering from homesickness. It’s been too long already. Thanks for all you’re doing on our behalf and don’t blame yourself. We all thought it a great idea at the time. Trust in the Lord, we’ll be fine. Oh, and Cadence is now sitting up. The twins have each lost their first tooth. And you’ll practically not recognize Melodie. She’s quite grown up at five years of age. Too cute. She’s a lot like Bree. She keeps the boys on a rather short leash.” 

Erik began to laugh, which brought Aaron along with him. “I think I’ll have to pop over soon, just to help my family getting over the doldrums. Okay, I will. Good to hear your voice, too. Goodnight.”

All for now, thanks for reading. Note: I will be taking a short hiatus. Things on the calendar that must be attended to. But I'll be back at it soon.