Way Back, A Cantrell Restart

Panic Attack, a Way Back: Cantrell Restart, update- Chapter Three

Once Erik made the decision to go to university, panic started gnawing away at his stomach. Before this rather snap decision, he had his road all mapped out before him, which included working on his second album. Instead, the realization he would be away for four years earning his degree, draped over him like a burial shroud. His day wouldn’t be his. Just when was he to have time to spend down at Taygeta Studios, recording, packaging and releasing his work? To say nothing of the concerts and photoshoots.

“So, what made you change your mind?” Joseph asked when Erik told him he was ready to sign up.
Arms behind his back, he let his foot move back and forth across the ancient wood floor. Then he looked up at Joseph. “Kayleigh. She’s finally back in my life, but she’s going off just after the new year.”
“Well, I’m getting to like this girl more and more. She’s most definitely having a good influence over you.”

“Okay, Dad, but can we continue this conversation at a later time? The guys down at Taygeta, have agreed to give me studio time, but I have to hurry, lest I ruin their New Year’s Eve plans.”
“What is it you need to do that can’t wait?” Joseph shrugged.

“Fact of the matter is, with the coming workload, I may not have the luxury of recording music. I need to stay relevant. If I can get an album for each school year, recorded and packaged, it only takes less than an hour to release it. This will allow me to maintain my current status. Global Superstar or not, I can’t afford to sit on my laurels.”

Joseph gazed at the slender boy nodding his understanding, and said with a chuckle, “Okay, son. Just mind the weather.”
“I will. It’s already looking quite nasty out there.”

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Erik had already been able to lay down the tracks and package half of what he needed a few days ago, just after he placed his Tile, not realizing how this might change his life having achieved his fifth star.  Two more albums to go and he would feel more comfortable.  Which he did, in one take, to the amazement of the recording crew. “Well, done, lad,” Ryan Ricks, the Record Producer, said. “You’ve got some great stuff here. Can we package these up tomorrow, perhaps? It’s getting on toward the new year.”

“Oh, sure, yeah. Sorry to keep you so long. Happy New Year!” the boy greeted and out he rushed into the dark angry evening. Every now and again lightning split the sky with a dazzling  radiance of light, followed by a horrendous roaring of thunder. Erik could almost feel the ground shuddering beneath his feet as he jogged from the bust stop toward the cul-de-sac where they lived on top of the hill. 

Rain coming down in torrents, he was already soaked to the skin. Another thunderclap. So loud, he barely could hear it, as his body stiffened and for a heart-stopping moment, he simply couldn’t move, let alone breathe. Terrified, Into your hands, O Lord, I commit my soul and body, so certain as he was he had just bought the big one.

Then to add to the confusion and astonishment, he felt his rigid muscles loosen and he was able to continue jogging. He made it home.

Throwing open the front door he announced his arrival, “I’m home!” as he proceeded to jog toward the winder staircase.
“Erik! Oh, my goodness, are you all right?”
Turning, he flashed his mother a grin. “I’m fine, just a tad scorched. I’ll be back down after I shower.” 

A short time later, looking like himself again, Erik was in time to do the count down to midnight with his family.  His parents all the while scrutinizing their second child. Then his mother grabbed him and held him close to her. He could feel her fear. “Happy New Year, Mom. It’s okay. I’m fine, I promise.”

“Well, good,” she said, “because I’m really looking forward to tomorrow night.”
“As I am looking forward to having you accompany me.” Erik grinned. “To that end, I am going to bed. Happy New Year and goodnight, everyone.”

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

After church Erik sped off to NewCrest to Taygeta Studios. Ryan had mentioned they would be available, even though it was Sunday. He well understood the efforts Erik was making and fully appreciated what this young star’s success meant to Taygeta, as well.  He rather liked the boy and enjoyed working with this kind of talent. It had been awhile.

Packaging both new albums, Erik told his Record Producer, “These two, as yet unnamed, I intend to be numbers three and four. Set for release in 2279 and 2280. Respectively. Gives me time to think just what the titles should be.”
“Alrighty then. Just see to it they get released before the Quaver of each year.  I’m very serious about this, these two are winners. I can tell.”
“Will, do,” Erik said, giving the man a quick salute, along with an impish grin.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Sunday morning, Erik was pleased to see Kayleigh, her father and what had to be the rest of her family standing together. Five other females; two teens, a woman, obviously Kayleigh’s mother and the two other sisters old enough to date, who were hauntingly clones of Kayleigh. Triplets? Plus, a child and a toddler. He glanced over in their direction, caught Kayleigh’s eye and smiled.  After a quick coffee and bite to eat, along with limited conversation, the Cantrell family went home. Many of the parish congratulated Erik on his new status and wished him well for the evening event. “I’m certain yours will take Song of the Year,” he was told so often, he almost believed it.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

“Seems unfair that now that we’re home, the minutes are dragging along. I really don’t know what to do with myself,” Erik complained to the infant, Adrian. 
“It’s okay, I don’t expect you to understand. You just be you and keep racking up all of those milestones I’ve been hearing about. And don’t grow too old while I’m away at school, okay.” To which Adrian gurgled back. The teen then went to practice darts to keep his mind off of what was ahead.

Before he knew it, he was racing through a shower, dressing and inspecting his face, lest he need a shave. “Erik, come on we have got to go,” Louise hollered up the staircase.

Moments later, the two were riding the turbo lift from the PBP Studios Lounge underground garage, emerging at the front of the building.  Joining the others standing around, in the full daylight Louise scowled. “Erik, you told me teal. That is most certainly not teal.”
Erik looked down, “No, you’re right, Mother, it’s green. I’m sorry. I grabbed the wrong suit.”
“Next time, lay your chosen suit across your bed, so you don’t get confused.”
“What, and give my brothers a chance to sit on it and get it all wrinkled? Because you know they will.”

Once inside, Erik was clearly tense.  “It’s all right, I will get over the color snafu,” Louise said to her son.  Erik barely responded, he was so deep inside of himself it was scary. Instead of pressing him, she merely reached over and patted his arm.

At long last the Host took the microphone.  “Good evening, ladies and Gentlemen. I am Ian Nagel and I’m here to announce that we have arrived at the Quaver 2276. Yes, it’s that time of year again. Let’s get started, shall we?”

“The following artists have been nominated for Song of the Year; Ben Jones for his Wake Me When I’m Gone; Susi Mayflower for her Don’t Deny It; Ethel Meurman for her Walking In My Sleep; Jeremiah Diggley, for his My Time; And a newcomer, I see. Erik Cantrell for his It Hurts Both Ways. And now for the winner— For bringing such aural beauty to the ears of Sims around the world, the winner of the Song of the Year goes to . . . Shut the front door, Erik Cantrell, for his It Hurts Both Ways. Come over here, son. You’ve earned this.”

“Erik, that’s you,” Louise said, smiling through her sudden tears. “Go on, honey, you can’t keep them waiting.”
“What am I supposed to say? Do I have to say something? I’m terrible at this.”
“Speak from your heart.”

Finding himself standing before a microphone, the lights of the studio, bearing down on him held him mesmerized. Closing his eyes, he hoped to break the spell and find his tongue.

Then, silently he held the trophy over his head, smiling. To You, O Lord.

Curiously snapping to, he smiled and began to speak. “Sorry, I am a deer in the headlights. I got struck by lightning last night and I think I may still be feeling its effects. This is truly an honor that, quite frankly, I never thought I’d receive.”

“I would like to dedicate this to the girl who inspired the song. No, I won’t give her name, she knows who she is. This is for you.” He looked straight into the camera and winked. “I would very much like to thank my fans, who helped propel me to this status I have recently acquired. Something I aspired to, but you know we all have dreams. How many actually come to fruition? Many thanks to my wonderful parents, who helped nurture this Gift of mine, my many siblings who fought hard to keep my hat size, and my new baby brother, who listens without judgement. Okay, so he’s all of eight days old. My gratitude also goes to the Academy for nominating It Hurts Both Ways, and to the Committee whose job it is to vote for the winner.”

“And if you would kindly allow me one undignified moment, yeah!”

All for now. Thanks for reading!