The Checkered Life of Erik Cantrell

Chapter Twenty-Two: Troubled Waters, and a Bridge


Despite the holiday in progress, Erik slipped out of bed long before dawn. He was up late at Services for this high holiday, but he had become a bit of a workaholic. He only knew that he had to see to the care of his family. Nor was he in control of just when the concerts, et al were scheduled. He did a concert on the other side of the planet, beamed back to the Sim-Beat Magazine headquarters in Del Sol Valley for the photoshoot, then beamed to the 'set' for the bit part he was to play in yet another major film. Just now, taking out his phone, he promoted another product on his Simstagram Account. Then he beamed back home.

The sunrise was magnificent, the black easing into dark tones of gray, to lighter shades of gray until gradually a blue sky peeped through above the mountain range behind his house. Finally, a bright, clear day shone forth. He stood watching it, interrupting his feeding of the chickens. He finished the job and cleaned the coop, too. Erik went into the house to check on his family. All six of his children were singing — not together in a nice choir, but separately and all different songs, or that's what it sounded like. He found it sweet. He quickly realized he was kidding himself thinking since they had basically been up all night, too, that somehow they would sleep in. Instead, five year old Cadence was running around, while singing, or humming at least, checking everywhere for a decorated egg. Someday, when she was older and perhaps better able to understand, he would tell her just what the significance an egg had with this Holiday. But for now, his was a greater concern. "Kayleigh? Kayleigh, I'm home," he hollered as he made his way into the kitchen. Sure enough, that's where he found her. She was busy cooking up a Grand Breakfast to feed their hangry brood. She stopped whipping the eggs in the bowl and looked up at him as he entered the room.

"You know," he said, leaning his forearms against the island counter, "the kitchen is the heart of any home. Figures I would find you here. Because you're my heart and this is our home."
"You're in a joyful mood, this morning. For a Sim who has not had a full night's sleep. Just what time did you head out this morning? How about a Toast?" She said, pouring him a quick glass of juice.
"SprazNEEkam!" Erik said, with glee.
"SprazNEEkam," came her reply a little less jovial.
"Kayleigh? Honey, what is it, are you just as upset by things as I am?" In his mind he could see the white tombstone of where Ayden Vinden left this realm. He nearly shuddered.
"Maybe more so," she said.

"Okay, then maybe you'll approve of my way to handle the situation. I think we should change residences again. I know, I know you're tired of all of the changes. But, really, it's for the best."
"The best? You want to move?"
"Not in the traditional sense, no. I like Henford-on-Bagley. I just want to tear this place down and have another house built in its place."
"Erik, why?"
"Because of what happened. That should be obvious." His mind immediately flitted to the event:

Erik was walking around his property not too long ago, to get to the back end. The Obsessed Fans were no longer content to just litter up the front of his home, but again, despite his requests, were leaving items to rot behind his back fence. The thought of yelling at them again, left a bad taste in his mouth, considering how David made him pay for it. He was contemplating how best to handle it, when he stumbled upon the naked, dead body of his other Obsessed Fan, Ayden Vinton. Immediately Erik called it in. Within minutes, twenty or so, the Coroner and the police arrived along with an ambulance. For a brief moment, Erik pondered just what the Paparazzi would make of the fuss? I'll know soon enough. For now, after all was said and done, he made a conscious effort to walk along the opposite side of his yard just to get to the back fence. The whole thing left him creeped out. Ayden had frozen to death, according to the autopsy report. Sad, it was just too sad. Had he been home at the time, Erik would have been able to ask Ayden to show him his cold weather clothes. Ayden, quick to comply, would have dressed himself in warm clothing, instead of parading about naked in the heart of winter. That thought haunted him. Erik dealt with his feelings by writing a new song, "Ode to Ayden Vinton". Erik paid for the funeral, gave a eulogy, and then had him properly interred. From time to time, he even placed flowers on his grave. But, walking on the side of the fence where he found him was something Erik just couldn't bring himself to do. He was so totally creeped out.

"And …" she said, her eyes imploring. Clearly they weren't talking about the same thing. She knew she had to speak up about it, lest it tear her insides out. She was far more upset with herself than her brother-in-law. "Erik, I don't see how that will fix anything. He lives just across the field on the other side of Joey and Astrid!"
Erik just gazed at her. "Something tells me we aren't talking about the same situation here. Care to fill me in?"
"Sure, you deserve to know the whole sordid aff-thing." She set her glass of juice aside.
"Aaron came by this morning. He smiled and gave the traditional holiday greeting. So, I waved him in, after I unlocked the gate. I offered him some juice for a toast —"
In her mind she could see Aaron climbing up the stairs to the front porch. Kayleigh went back inside and a moment later returned with two wide-mouthed glasses full of a pink juice. She held up her glass and the two toasted. Then Aaron, who seemed to have done a fair amount of toasting this morning, leaned in, took her hands … . Kayleigh shuddered and closed off her thoughts again.
"And," Erik said, with a small frown. He knew there was more to this tale.
"And," she gave a heavy sigh. "And then he made a pass at me."
"Aaron?"
"I'm so shaken by it, I don't know what to do."
"Is that all it is? Honey, Aaron is just being Aaron and I suspect he was likely a little on the juiced side, too. Probably mistook you for Sandi. Trust me, it's nothing. Aaron is a warm-blooded Sim, after all. And very affectionate. Particularly when soused."
"But, that's not the worst of it." She could still feel Aaron's lips on her hands.
"Are you about to tell me he went further than that?"
"No, I just need you to know his pass made me feel a bit flirty, is all. I'm so ashamed, I took a shower and changed my clothes after he left."
"I see," Erik said quietly.

"Are you mad at me?"
Erik began to chuckle, shook his head. "I thought you were going to ask me for a divorce, tell me that you preferred him over me and always did. Come here," he said. "You're a human Sim. Sims get a tad flirty when flirted with. It's only natural. Now, what would be unforgiveable is if you followed through on those feelings. You didn't, did you?"
"No, I would never. It's you I love. Does this mean you forgive me?"
"Kay-Kay, there's nothing to forgive. You're my wife, my best friend, the mother of my six children. I will always love you. I just hope you'll always feel the same about me."
"I do, I do, I do. And, yes, let's build a new house."

After the family finished eating their Grand Meal, which for dinner was ham with all of the fixings, Erik excused himself from the table. "Hope none of you mind, but I have to get ready for tonight. The meal was sumptuous and quite fitting for this Feast Day," he said and headed for the Master bedroom to shower, and otherwise make himself ready. He had a brand new tuxedo made just for him. The kids were all anxious to see him in it, or so his little daughters said. Finally, the event he made this purchase for was imminent. "I'm on my way," he said, as he stepped out of his cottage and beamed himself to Del Sol Valley.
"Oo-oo-ooh," the six children chorused, then burst into giggles.

"Whoa-ho, look at you, Cantrell. Lookin' rather spiffy, there," Thorne Bailey smirked, admiring Erik's cream colored formal Tuxedo with the gold lapel and cuffs.
"Thank you much, Sir. I've got my fingers crossed for you tonight," Erik smiled at his friend. Sure enough, Bryanti, once again seemingly in the know, had glasses of juice at the ready. She gave a Toast, presumably for the holiday, but her timing was such that just as Thorne got up to accept his award, she raised her glass.

A short time later, the Host announced the winner for Best Song. Erik's smile was broad. He got up and made his way to the microphone, tugging every so gently at the hem of his jacket to straighten it out. Accepting the trophy, he raised it up above his head, Thank you Lord. Gazing at the audience, he said, "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you. My fans, my family. Taygeta Studios, my label, to Orion Entertainment, Limited, for all of the concerts they setup. I would also like to dedicate this Accolade to the late Ayden Vinton. May your memory be Eternal. I shall miss you, my Friend." Wiping away a tear, yet again, Erik drew in a quiet breath to center himself once again. "I'm beginning to feel a bit spoiled by all of this attention, forgive me I'm also sleep-deprived."
Smiling broadly, he held the trophy aloft. "You should have heard my children earlier today. If only I could coral them long enough to teach them to sing together! Individually, they sounded pretty darn good, even if I do say so myself. At odds with each other, each one singing something different, it was sublime chaos." Here Erik laughed a little. "Thank you for this amazing honor. Good night, Everybody. Kids go to to bed!" I'm going to need another shelf.