The Checkered Life of Erik Cantrell

Chapter Seven: Surprise!


Early Friday morning, Erik crawled out of the top bunk. He could hear Adrian in the room next door scuffling about, too. The two shared this day in common. Besides being the last day of class for the grade they were each in, it was also their joint birthday. Erik was just thirteen when Adrian decided to make his entrance into this world, much to Erik's chagrin. Louise kissed Erik on the cheek and then left for the hospital. Happy birthday to me. Just what I needed another brother. As the years went by, Erik realized having this baby brother wasn't as bad as he first made it out to be. Adrian on the whole was a nice little fella. Short for his age, though he was, when Erik saw him age-up he was stunned. Since they had just thrown a birthday bash on Wednesday, their parents decided to take the family out to dinner at the Old Home Place, Steak & Grille. A favorite eatery of the Cantrell family. Log cabin in style, this had to be another relic of times gone by.

The causal nature of the place suited them just fine. What really made this outing special is that Kayleigh was sitting right next to him. The family had really taken to her and already she was considered one of the family, even if the two were living apart for the time. University-bound as they all were, the parents decided the very young couple didn't need any problems to disrupt their pursuit of a degree. Not that a grandchild was a bad thing, just that the timing may well be off. A pregnant Sim wasn't allowed into University, for some very strange reason. She could take class from home, but then again, they would still be living apart, which the couple agreed was wholly unacceptable.

Erik was more than pleased to be at the Old Home Place, Adrian, too. The new teen campaigned for a mere chocolate cake, but Erik's request for the Blue Confetti ruled the day. As soon as it was brought out, Erik tasted the frosting, allowing his little brother the joy of blowing out the candles, which he finally succeeded in doing after his second try. "You need to work on your lungs, Bro," Erik teased.
While they awaited their dinner, they indulged in the deliciousness of the blue confetti.

After the wonderful evening, they dropped Kayleigh off at her father's home, just a few blocks away from the restaurant. Erik hugged her lovingly, wishing never to have to let her go. Now that they were married, it seemed he saw her less than prior. Not the way he imagined things.

Sunday rolled around. The Cantrells met the Goldens at Services, where Kayleigh snaked her way through the nave to stand next to Erik. They discreetly held hands throughout the long Liturgy. Then the Cantrells, Kayleigh included, dashed back to The Cantrell House. Today was Joey's birthday. A much more subdued celebration was planned. Joey really didn't like crowds, on the whole. Just family suited him fine.

"Make a wish," Erik said. "And make it a good one." After indulging in a piece of cake, Erik and Kayleigh headed upstairs via the back stairs to the gaming room where they tested each other in an all-out winner-take-all campaign of Foosball. Erik was actually winning, but he let a few balls escape his attention, but don't tell Kayleigh that. She left shortly thereafter believing she rightly and fairly held the new title.

Erik ran after here, "Hey, what's the rush? Are you going to leave without letting me give you the gift I bought for you at the Henford Festival?"
"You bought me a gift?" Feigning surprise.
"Well, yeah, your birthday is tomorrow. Besides, I was hoping you could stay a little while longer."
"I would, but the Accolades Show is tonight."
"Yeah, it's every Sunday. So?"
"Erik, I think you should go."
"Why? I'm not even nominated for anything."
"Oh, don't turn into one of those, please. You should go to support your new friends. They were there for you, after all."
"Okay, I'll go. But I'll be back as soon as it's over. Wait for me?"
"I have one last day of high school, just like you did. Good night, Erik. I love you." Giving him a quick kiss, that fast she was gone. Erik sighed.

Reluctantly, Erik went inside. He took his time changing into his new red suit. Brushed his teeth, gussied up, sprayed himself with cologne and used his breath spray. He barely made it down to the PBP Studios. Just in time to hear the announcement, "Roll out the red carpet, it's time for the Starlight Accolades! Rushing inside, he grabbed a seat in the second row, as was customary for him. He applauded for Thorne Bailey, Holly Alto. Even Judith Ward received an award. Smiling, shaking hands, giving the thumbs up. Then to his amazement he heard his name announced. "Say, what?"

Dumbfounded, he just stood at the microphone for a moment, trying to process what just happened. He received no such notice of a nomination. This made number five. Five. He didn't even know which song, then realized it was for Best New Artist. He shrugged. Nah, can't be. After a few more moments of the awkward silence, he found his voice. "I'm nearly speechless, which I know makes many of you happy," he grinned. "This is just so unexpected. Really, I wouldn't even be here, but for my lovely wife. I came to support my friends. Wow. Thank you, I love you all!"

Throwing kisses at the audience, he said, "And I do mean all of you!"