The Checkered Life of Erik Cantrell

Chapter Eight: Reflections


University was a time of growth. A time to examine who a Sim was and what they wanted to become. Erik wasn't left out of this process. Newly married, his career skyrocketing, exploding really. He had won five Starlight Accolades. So, he had to ask himself why he so bothered that their parents, both sets, had been right? All seven of them arrived at Dark Wing House late Wednesday evening. The place was fully furnished, so they only had their personal items to bring in.

Erik had only seen the place online. The camera angles always distorted what a room really looked like. He and Kayleigh claimed what was deemed the Master Bedroom, with an adjoining bathroom. "This is pretty nice," Erik said. Kayleigh smiled, as she pulled him into the master bath. "Look, it has a shower." She had that look in her eye and Erik grinned.
"Should we try it out?" He barely got the words out when she was suddenly all over him.

What the couple was unaware of, is that the second upstairs bathroom shared a wall with their bathroom.
Hm, seems as if they couldn't wait any longer, Astrid thought, wondering just what the Term was going to be like living with lovebirds. Admitting she was a tad jealous.

Working hard to be a responsible tenant, Joey, Jr., took it upon himself to rake the yard before the fallen leaves got any more out-of-control. He was very dedicated to getting ever last one of them, too. Somewhere along the line, he grew fatigued, or ran out of time. He and Aaron were both on the Soccer Team, which required practice every late afternoon. A huge pile of leaves was in the walkway, just outside of the front door. Kayleigh stood looking at it wondering if she should take a match to it, to help Joey out. Before she had decided, Erik finally got back from releasing one of the albums he had all packaged and ready to go, to keep himself relevant. Kayleigh met him out front of the dwelling, nodding toward the huge pile of leaves on the front walkway.

"You're kidding, you mean you want to …there? I know our very first time was in a bush, but now you seem intent on woohooing just about anywhere. The shower and now here? Okay, I'm game." With that he placed his hands on her tiny waist and kissed her. Then he gently took her by the hands and let himself fall backward into the pile of gold, green, and magenta leaves.

Not long after their escapades, Kayleigh gave Erik the news. "Erik, can we talk? I know you're trying to get all of your homework done, but this is important."
'Sure, Babe, what is it?" He said, barely looking up from his books.
"I took a test today."
"And?" He said, giving her his full attention. Something in the tone of her voice.
"It came out positive."
"Positive, what kind of a grading system is your professor using? I've heard of pass or fail …"
"This wasn't a test for school. We're having a baby." She stood in such a way to show off a still flat tummy.

"Come again?" Erik dropped his pencil. "Did you say a baby? Now? Oh, man, they were right."
The brightness in Kayleigh's blue eyes dimmed for a bit. She appeared to pout. "Does this mean you're not happy about it?"
Erik retrieved his pencil from the floor. Instead of taking his seat again, he remained standing. "No, it just means we're going to have to do some adjusting," he said, tossing the pencil onto the diningroom table. He opened his arms wide, "Come here, I love you, Kay-Kay and I love our little nooboo. We'll make this work."

"What do you mean by adjustments?" She said snuggled in his arms.
"We'll have to find a reliable Daycare for an infant. Our schedules are such we won't always be at the house. Same with the others. We'll have to get it all worked out. Can't leave a baby alone."
"No, of course not. But we have days to go."
"Kayleigh, there's not always an opening. Sometimes you have to book ahead, if you know what I mean. I don't think any of our professors will allow us to tote him to class with one of us."
"You are going to make a remarkable daddy. I love you so much."
"And I love you, too. Despite the curve balls you like to throw at me." Erik chuckled.

Despite the fact that Erik had won four Best Song Accolades and a fifth one for Best New Artist. The next nomination caused him another round of nightmares. He'd get all the way down to Del Sol Valley, which took about half an hour by hovercraft, just to get into the Studio to find Sims leaving. From stars to the mixologist. He waited around for a bit, even sat in what had become his favorite chair. Waited in vain. No Host ever graced the premises. He had this dream at least twice, in a row. Finally, awaking in a cold sweat he sat upright in bed. Kayleigh placed a hand on his arm. "The dream again?"
"Yeah, it's so weird, too. At one point I dreamt they replaced the entire PBP Studios for the way it used to be before the renovations occurred."
"Did it help?"
"I don't know. We'll see what happens this coming Sunday, I guess."
"Okay, do you mind if I go back to sleep, then? I have an early class."

Erik stood and stared at his own reflection in the master bathroom mirror. All showered, dressed and otherwise gussied up, he held some reservations about going. He supposed rather than taking that long drive into Del Sol Valley, he could simply transport himself there. That way, he wouldn't lose an hour's time, should he find the others filing out of the Studio. For a certainty, he wouldn't hang around for very long. In his dreams there was a telltale sign that the Awards Show wasn't going to happen. Perhaps, that's what the dreams were trying to convey to him.

In the end he took the faster route and beamed into the PBP Studio parking lot. A few fans, as expected, were hanging out front. Through the long windows he could even see Thorne Bailey standing over at the bar. With the way his hands were flailing, Erik figured he was regaling the Mixologist with one of his 'stories'. Erik couldn't blame him he often did the same thing. He signed an autograph or two and then made his way indoors. Hotter than Vulcan was his thought. Erik had almost forgotten that here they had what was termed Indian Summers. The calendar may say it's Fall, but the weather reflected the heat of summer, still. He was glad he'd worn a much lighter suit. Taking what he now deemed to be his seat, he was a bit relieved when it was announced It's the Starlight Accolades. This time a Host did show up and awards were handed out. Before the end of the evening Erik's name was called. "For Song of the Year, Early Morning Mist music and lyrics written by Erik Cantrell!"

Erik made it to the microphone and again gave silent thanks to his Lord. Laughing a bit to hide his emotions, he said, "This has been one heck of a year so far. I don't believe this." He smiled widely. The audience appreciation was long and loud. "I would like to thank my wife, Kayleigh, my family. My producers, Taygeta Music Studios, for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to prove myself as a musician." Holding the shining accolade in both hands, he was again using it to gesture toward the audience. "I couldn't do this without all of the support. Mostly, I would like to thank my Fans. This is for you. Thank you."

Erik paused to smile. "I don't wish to forget —Thank you, also goes to Orion Entertainment, Limited, for taking a chance on a Rising Star who was so very green he didn't know which end of his guitar was up. Yet they pushed me out onto that concert stage. Thank you." Holding the trophy high, he said, "There goes the music. To anyone I inadvertently missed, Thank you!"