The Checkered Life of Erik Cantrell

Chapter Twelve: Deja Vu


Once again, Erik licensed a piece of music. Always trying to better himself, he was surprised with just how fast the nomination came back to him. Sadly, along with the impending Awards Show, his sleep was equally disrupted. The nightmare scenarios always ended the same way. The show would be announced and then the exodus began with Thorne Bailey leading the way. Erik wondered why this happened so much. Why couldn't he sleep well the night before, get up and go to Church, then fill the rest of his afternoon with leisurely things, like taking care of his chickens, his garden, or just spending time with his infant daughters and Toddler son, and his gorgeous, sweet wife. Why did he have to go through this?

There was a time when he never earned a nomination for his music. Finally, he was getting noticed but it came with a price, apparently. He seriously thought about skipping the show and designating one of his friends to accept it on Erik's behalf, should he win, that is. Again, he and Kayleigh returned from St. James Church. He quickly changed his clothes and took care of the weeds threatening to take over his modest garden. He harvested the mushrooms and the herbs. He also cleaned the chicken coop and collected the eggs. Then as the afternoon grew long, he went inside to shower and select just which suit to wear for the Show tonight. He refused to wear the same thing twice to this Event. Being a bit of a clothes horse, this wasn't a worry for him. Often the suit was of the same cut and style but the swatch of material was enough to make it look different. Finally, he was ready to go.

Erik sat in the second row on the end, as usual. He had been here so much it was becoming habitual. And he began to see that particular chair as his. The announcer spoke over the intercom system "Roll out the Red Carpet, it's time for the Starlight Accolades!" He was glad he had that one glass of Meloire to help settle his nerves. At least Thorne had taken a seat and the mixologist was still here. In came the Host. Erik began to relax. "Tonight just to mix things up a bit we are going to start off with the Music Category of the Show. For bringing such aural beauty to ears around the world, Erik Cantrell has won his Ninth Starlight Accolade. Congratulations, Erik!" the Host stepped back from the mic and began to applaud, as did those in the studio. The one mixologist who was also a part-time Paparazzi began to snap photos of Erik, the flashes bouncing off of his wire-rim glasses and nearly blinding him for a time. Erik walked slowly up to the microphone. He reached down and picked up the trophy, amazed. When was he ever going to get used to the weight of these things?

Taking a silent moment, he thanked his God, before he spoke into the mic, "I want you to know that I never take these things for granted. I am deeply touched that you show so much faith in my music. I really can't even believe I'm standing up here again." He gripped the trophy with two hands one on the bottom and the other around the beveled glass neck that rose gracefully to the golden star. "It seems impossible, in fact. I would like to thank my Fans, first and foremost, for taking me on this adventure. I want to thank Taygeta Studios, Orion Entertainment, Limited, my parents, my music teachers, my many siblings, my inlaws. All who ever showed any faith in my abilities, and the Starlight Accolade Academy for their generosity in even considering me for an award. Thank you."

Holding the award out toward the audience, Erik gazed directly into the TV camera. "To my beautiful wife and life-partner, Kayleigh, and my three small children, for still loving that Sim in the Corner I have become to them. Thank you for allowing me to pursue my Life's Dream."
Looking a tad worried, he went on, "I pray I haven't left anyone out."
"You left me out," Thorne Bailey said from the audience.
"What are you talking about, Thorne?" Erik frowned slightly.
"I bought a copy of your very first CD. Two, in fact, since I dropped the first one and it shattered."
"Well, thank you so much, Buddy. I do appreciate that. That CD went Platinum. So, this is for you, too, then. Oh, there's the music cue. Thank you again, so very much. And good night everybody."

With that Erik left the stage so that the rest of the show could go on.