The Checkered Life of Erik Cantrell

Chapter Twenty-One: Taking Life Back


“I can’t believe you went to the jail to visit him?” Joey ranted. “What are you crazy? That’s it. You must be crazy.”
“We are to visit those in prison.”
“Yes, but not necessarily the Sim who attacked you.” Joey’s voice cracked. “What were you thinking? Are you trying to scuttle the criminal case against him? Is that it? You want him to walk free? Erik, he nearly killed you.”

“I know. But he didn’t, and Father James and my Therapist both thought it would further my recovery. You should have seen him, Joe. He wept like a baby almost the whole time. He kept saying how sorry he was, how much he loved me and how much it hurt him when I shunned his advances. That he never meant to allow his temper to get the better of him. That he was very sorry and could I ever forgive him?”
“And you said what, to all of this? Did you remind him he almost left your wife a Widow and your SIX children without a father? You know Kayleigh will likely never marry again.”
“No, I simply told him ‘I forgive you’.”
“You’re crazy, that’s what you are. I think he rattled something loose in your brain while he was busy pounding it against the chicken coop. You know they found your blood and bits of hair on the coop, right? They’ve got this Sim dead to rights. Erik, don’t interfere. Let Law Enforcement do their job.” Joey began to pace back and forth. The two stood just below the steps to Erik's house.
“I’m not interfering in the least. He’s already been arraigned and they determined to hold him until the trial begins in the Spring. Besides, I told him I wasn’t in control of what the D A decided to do. That I had no influence over that. It was out of my hands. They didn’t need me to press charges. I’m not a dummy, I thought that might be his angle in asking me to come see him. Instead, he just wanted me to forgive him.”
“So, have you been keeping up?”
“Keeping up?”

“Come on, I need to see you in action. Show me what you’ve learned from your Sensei. Come on, I know you have your Training Bot out back. Erik let’s go, don’t be shy. Kayleigh says you’re getting really good. So, show me.”
"Hi-Yaaaa! Erik hollered as he lunged at the training bot. Joey watched in amazement as Erik jumped up and struck the machine with his feet. Erik just appeared to fly in the air.
"Yaaaah! he cried out again, as he batted at the rods, left, right, left, right. He jumped up, twirled in the air and jabbed his right foot at a bar.
"Oh, man, I don't ever want to cross you again," Joey said, astounded.

“Okay, okay,” Erik panted. “I’d better quit for now. I have to get ready to go. I’m still not supposed to get myself worn out. Hope I saved some energy for tonight.”
“Tonight? What’s tonight?”
“Now, whose acting like a dummy? What day is this?”
“Sunday.”
“What happens on Sunday nights?”
“Can’t be Vespers, that’s on Saturday nights …”
“Come on, Joey. Really? I bet you haven’t even been watching, have you.”
“Oh, haha” Joey laughed.
“The Starlight Accolades,” they chorused together.
“Gee, do you really think you have a chance?” Joey teased.
“As good as any other time. If I don’t win, I'll buy each of you a steak dinner. But you had better watch and take notes so you can tell me what I said. That way I'll know you watched.”
“You’re on, Bud. Okay, I’ll get out of your way.” Joey left the backyard, via the Loggia. A short time later, Erik heard a noise behind him, he thought Joey forgot something, then he turned to find a stranger in his backyard. For a moment he nearly panicked.

“Who are you and what are you doing in my backyard?"
When the Sim leaned in to kiss him, Erik’s training kicked in and he reacted by rote. He caught the guy's arm, batting it away in a clean swift movement.
"Now, if you don't mind this isn't a public park, it's a private home. Mine. Show yourself out, please."

Erik checked himself out in the mirror. He had a refreshing shower and donning his new suit, he gussied himself up. Glancing at the clock it was just after six o’clock. “Honey, I’m outta here. Kids go to bed when your mother tells you. Love you, bye. See you tonight.”

Erik arrived a few minutes after six o'clock. He quickly and quietly slipped into the PBP Studios and took a seat doing his best not to make a commotion, or otherwise disrupt the Show in progress. Sims were, nonetheless, surprised to see him. The Mixologist quickly put herself in position to snap a number of shots. Thorne Bailey got up and took the empty seat next to Erik.
"Hey, Buddy," Thorne said, "you're looking much better. Glad to see you here tonight."
"Thanks," Erik murmured.

Shortly after Erik arrived the winner for Best Song was announced. "And the winner is … Erik Cantrell!"
Erik pop up from the seat, noticing how fatigued he still was from his workout. Joey was quite a task-master, whereas Aaron, knew better how to help Erik pace things. "Thank you. Thank you, Thank you," he said to the ovation he received. "I just want to say, I'm very touched by your warm welcome, and for this wonderful showing of appreciation." When the applause died down again, Erik continued, "I do know some of you may think I'm nuts, but I did forgive my attacker. I could do nothing less. Yes, I'm taking martial arts classes and I'm coming right along. I pity the next Sim who's affections are unwanted." This elicited a few chuckles. "Speak softly, but carry a big stick. Well, I'm six foot two. That's pretty big. I'm learning, rapidly, to be that lean, mean fighting machine. Colonel Golden, my father-in -law is actually impressed." Erik bowed his head for a moment of quiet reflection. "I've never been a fighter, but I have learned how to make a fist. Never again. Oh, and it seems he stole my wedding ring, too. Thank you, goodnight everybody."

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.

Chapter Twenty-Three: Blind Spot


After taking his family on vacation for a few weeks and then spending time in a luxury hotel, the new house Erik planned was ready for occupation. He hoped the beauty of it would be enough to quell Kayleigh's apprehensions over it. Once again, he thought wrong. While she was thrilled with it, very much liking the floorplan and the look of the house overall, what she feared the most slowly began to break out among their children. Like a contagion, the boys again had monsters under their beds, and the girls started acting up. Unrelenting, there was almost no relief.

Out came the long unused "Monster Spray", which was in all actuality plain water with a dribble or two of Holy Water. As Andrew and Peter screamed, hollered "Mommy, Mommy!" Kayleigh grabbed the bottle from the cabinet and headed upstairs. She sprayed both beds and then her eldest was in the midst of a meltdown. So, she went to the room he occupied by himself and again, she sprayed the bed and demanded, hand raised, for the monster 'to be gone.'

This wasn't enough, however, even with Erik's help, the monsters were winning.

Erik, in the meantime was very busy with his career. He held interviews with the Paparazzi, acted in bit parts for major movies, and played concerts. He even took a Selfie with a fan, trying to work passed his own misgivings.

In front of his new residence, the director and cast, along with the two camera Sims came to do the Shoot. The Paparazzi was also there. A chill ran through Erik when he sought a word with the Director on just how he wanted Erik to play the upcoming scene. "You want me to do what?
"Slap him, good. Listen, he's done you wrong and he deserves the punishment. I know you can do this, Erik."
Despite his reservations, Erik managed to pull it off, in one take, thankfully. the other actor's face was on the reddened side, however.

Back at one of his favorite venues, Erik promoted his twenty-fifth album, "Lyrics from the Edge". As he sang, a few off-key sounds met his ears. They were coming from the piano. Looking to the side, he was very greatly surprised to see his friend, Thorne Bailey, sitting there, appearing to play. What the heck?
"Ha-ha, I would like to thank my accompanist, Thorne Bailey. That's right, give it up for the Sim." At the end of the last set, Erik busted a move, as was his custom. "Thank you, you've been a terrific audience!"

Cadence, the youngest of the brood was also showing just how spoiled she had become, to the parents' chagrin. She was unrelenting. Caught in the act, splattering paint on the new wood flooring of the Foyer, she was duly chastised by Erik, who was all but fed-up. He found himself struggling to keep his sudden anger in check. "What do you think you're doing?" Erik had to keep from exploding at her.
Thankfully, after Cadence just stood staring up at her Daddy, clearly tolerating his rant, Kayleigh stepped in.
"You," she growled, pointing a finger in the direction of the dining room, "pick a chair in the dining room and sit down. You are in Time-Out, young lady."

And so Cadence sat.

"I'll be out back, if you need me," Erik stated just moments later. He was angry, angrier at his own child than he had ever been. He needed an outlet. So, he took it out on the Training Bot. It had been a little while since he had given it a good workout. Erik punched and kicked until he was nearly worn out.

"Erik, do you mind if I have a turn?" Kayleigh said, a short time later. "The kids are all in bed, for the moment. I need to unwind. Hee-YA!"
"Wow," Erik said as he watched his wife go through the differing steps. She could even launch herself into the air and kick the bot with her feet. When did you take instruction?

The very next day, Cadence was at it again. This time she chose to redecorate the flooring upstairs. she chose a spot in front of the Girls' bathroom. You little Imp, setting a trap for them to track footprints around the house?
The parents held a conference, Harmony, as if on cue, went downstairs. Harmony, the second daughter in the family.

She knew the rules and that's what caused her parents so much grief. Not only that, she was an A student. And, yet, she climbed upon the coffee table as if she never understood it wasn't a chair. She knelt there for quite some time. When nobody showed up, she sought a different tactic. To make matters worse, she stood up, and began to tell a story aloud. Was she looking for attention?

As the youngest two boys, Andrew and Peter, continued to freak out over the monster(s) under their beds, despite how many times the beds were doused with "Monster Spray" until the bedding was damp, Erik finally gazed over at Kayleigh. "I guess you and I will have to pull out the sleeping bags and sleep on the floor." Kayleigh sighed but knew he was right. They all needed sleep.

Erik then proceeded to put the boys to bed. His and Kayleigh's bed, that is. The two quickly fell asleep.
"Enjoy your night of luxury, boys, this won't happen every night," Erik whispered as he tucked them in.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Blessed


Somehow, amidst the chaos his life had become, Erik managed to find his 'corner' and continued to write music. This was about the only time he found a sense of peace. This was his 'escape'. He bought himself a Digi-keyboard and decided to test it out. He was instantly inspired and wrote a song he called, "Daybreak".

He spent time one on one with his kids. Getting to know them better. He had a wonderful conversation with Melody, his eldest daughter. Eldest simply for the fact she was born minutes before Harmony. He took the family out to breakfast on Saturday morning. The conversation around the table was lively. Erik genuinely liked his children. They were bright, vivacious and thoughtful. He found them interesting little Sims. He loved each of them profoundly. More than he expected to, in fact.

After breakfast, they all took a swim together in the family pool. Erik smeared the cream over his scar as directed by his doctor. Sun was the enemy. The cream made his scar, itch, so he didn't like using it. It was much easier if he just stayed out of the sun. This was a family moment, so he joined them in the pool, despite his discomfort.

He also worked with the ones interested in learning music. He found himself explaining music theory to Andrew, fearing it was way over the child's head. But Andrew asked some very good questions, so maybe he was 'getting' it.

In the afternoon, Cadence got out of yet another round of Time-Out to take her piano lesson. "Cadence, Cadence, Cadence, what am I going to do with you?" Erik asked.
"Teach me the piano, please," she said.
"Okay, since you've asked so very nicely. Take a seat and we'll get started."

Moments into her tickling the ivories Erik fought to keep from cringing. This one needed a bit more direction. "Remember your timing. Count with me, one, two, three, four. I wish I knew what happened to my Metronome."

After the lesson, Erik took to the piano bench and reaffirmed how the piece was supposed to sound. Having put the polishing touches on his latest written song, Erik wasted no time to have it licensed.

Just as quickly, he got word back that once again his song was nominated for an award. The following Sunday had arrived. He took his wife and children to church, then enjoyed Coffee Hour with family and friends, although his six children instigated a huge game of tag with the other children in the parish. At one point, Cadence leading the way, they ran in from outside, a whole string of Child Sims to weave and bob in between the adults, cups of hot coffee in hand. Erik's stomach lurched. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa," he cried, loudly, the hot coffee sploshing from his cup onto his fingers. The children stopped to gaze at him. "You have a very nice play yard, go find it," he said, pointing to the door.

Once home, the jitters were doubled as a result. Since he wasn't to expose his scar to direct sunlight, Erik chose another way to help calm the pre-show jitters he was prone to suffering. He didn't need to sit there scratching his face all the evening long. He filled the jet-tub in the Master Bath, applied a mask that was supposed to have healing properties for the scar tissue and came highly recommended by his Dermatologist. At least it didn't make him itch. Next Erik added the muscle-soothing soak, set the timer on his phone, because when he managed to relax, he almost always fell asleep. Then stepping into the luxurious water, he popped the freshly cut cucumber circles over his eyes. The jets churning the water into bubbles was a very nice addition. In no time, he could feel himself relax. Before he knew it, the alarm went off. Erik scrambled out of the tub.

Erik was a clothes horse. He loved getting all spiffed up and looking fine. So, it was of no surprise when he donned a brand new red tuxedo for the event. He beamed into the PBP's hovercraft-lot. He received a chorus of cheers and shouts from fans and one Paparazzi who shouted, "Erik, over here!" He accommodated all of them. A wave, here, a smile there. It felt good to be loved and he felt blessed beyond words.

At last he went inside. Just in time, as it turned out. He no sooner took his seat, when "For his latest venture into the aural realm, the winner of tonight's Best Song, goes to …Erik Cantrell!"
Erik wide awake this time, got up from his seat, nodded at those cheering in the audience. He arrived at the microphone and reached for the trophy. Picking up the Accolade, he stood silently for a moment, eyes closed. "This is amazing. I'm amazed and grateful and humbled. Thank you." Drawing in a calming breath, he continued giving his speech, "Thank you first of all to my fans, to Taygeta Studios. To Orion Entertainment, Limited, for all of the support along the way of my career. From the moment you noticed me, you've had my back, shown me the way to go and held me up when I began to falter." He held the trophy and gestured to the audience. "I would like to dedicate this to Ayden Vinton, who froze to death just outside of my house, trying to catch a glimpse of me. I miss you, Buddy." Before the room grew too quiet, he went on. "To all of my fans, I would like to say, if you're going to come to my house, and you're most welcome to do so, please, please, please, wear weather appropriate clothing. I'm not always home and it could be awhile before you see me. I love you All, and don't wish for anyone else to suffer a fate similar to poor Ayden. He was a good guy. I really liked him."
The audience roared their appreciation. "Thank you. All of you for this great, great honor. Good night. Kids go to bed!"

When Erik arrived home again, he placed his trophy among the rest of them and stood back to just gaze at his achievement. He felt truly blessed.

I decided to check this out, and I'm impressed by your storytelling. :smile:

"Sims4MagicalTales;c-18099313" wrote:
I decided to check this out, and I'm impressed by your storytelling. :smile:

Well, thank you so very much! I greatly appreciate the feedback. What's a writer without a reader, you know? Again, thank you. It might end up being into summer before I can take that game save up again. The Road to Fame mod is broken and I don't wish for anything bad to happen to that particular save. It's the first time Erik ever won for his music! I still don't know how the Obsessed Fan(s) got into his house. LOL