Rob The Cradle

That night after sending Stacey home, Kane sat in his room with his guitar in his hand, scratching his head. “I can’t keep doing things this way…..” 

It was hard. Trying to balance his normal everyday life while trying to follow his dreams. He had to work to support his dreams. Every last cent he was making at the pizzeria was going to be saved for equipment that he knew he would soon need. 

“I have no choice. I will need to bring my guitar and training book with me.” It was the only way he would have extra time. He could use his breaks to practice as well. He was not embarrassed to be seen learning how to play something. He did not care for any of that. What he cared about was learning as quickly as possible and finishing his mission. He wanted to use the points he would get from the mission to up his intellect and music composition. 

By doing so, he figured he could finally finish writing the song he had been working on and maybe even make it much better. Although, he was unsure of how much of a difference it would make by upping these skills. 

Kane plucked his strings well into the night, making sure to muffle them so that they did not make too much noise. Only when he was too tired to continue did he fall back onto his bed with his guitar still strapped to his body and fall asleep. As he slept, a figure appeared at his door and peeked in. The woman smiled softly as she looked at her grandson. She was happy he was working hard to follow his dream, but it pained her to know he was only sleeping a few hours a day. But she knew there was nothing she could do for him other than make him meals so he could use what precious time he had to do what he had always dreamed of.

The next morning, Kane picked up Stacey from her house as per normal. “What’s this?” Stacey looked at the guitar bag hanging from Kane’s shoulder.

“I am learning how to play the guitar. It has always been my dream to stand on stage and sing in front of a large crowd.” Kane replied.

“Oh?” Stacey looked Kane up and down and nodded her head. “You got the looks.”

“Singing is not about looks. It is about how you present yourself. Looks might get you more fans, but the passion for music is what is important.” Kane did not feel that looks should be part of the music industry. There were many people who did not look good but were still amazing singers and well-promoted. Music was something that played with a person’s ears and emotions. It allowed them to feel things from sadness to anger, all depending on how the song was sung and how the musical accompaniment sounded. A single note could change a song completely and also change how a listener feels when listening to the song.

To Kane, music was like magic. It was something that could reverberate in a person’s brain and bring out things hidden deep inside. It could even save people who were down. Breathe life back into lost souls. He hoped one day he could write a song and have someone come up to him and say. Your song changed my life.

Stacey nodded, hearing Kane’s words. “You are right. Music really is not about looks.”

Kane dropped Stacey off at school before heading back home to practice more. From there, he went to work and practiced on his break before heading to pick up Stacey from school. Today he was bringing her to his house. 

“So this is where you live?” Stacey looked at the apartment that really was no bigger than her own. She was not trying to judge Kane in the slightest. She was not someone who judged someone based on how much money they made or how good of a life they were living. To her, Kane could be living on the streets, and she would still like him just the same. 

“Yeah, it’s not much, but it is enough for the time being,” Kane replied.

“Kane, you back? Did you bring your girlfriend with you?” Kane’s grandmother walked over. She was drying her hands on her apron while inspecting the young girl in front of her. “Did you rob the cradle?” 

“Grandmother!” Kane felt embarrassed. He could hear Stacey chuckling at her side. 

“Grandma, my name is Stacey Norland. Thank you for letting me stay here on my days off.” Stacey was being sincere. She had always gone home and was alone or had gone to work. But now she had a place she could spend some time at after school where she would not be alone. “Also, I am only two years younger than Kane.”

“That’s good to know. You look like you are only twelve. I thought my grandson had become a deviant. I was about to call the police.” Kane’s grandmother was quite surprised at how young Stacey looked, but since she was sixteen, she had no issues with Kane being with the girl, but she was questioning his taste.

“Grandma, she is not my girlfriend. She is the little sister I told you about.” Kane replied. He did not want his grandmother to misunderstand. He also did not know why Stacey was not denying it either.

“Sure, little sister. We will just go with that.” His grandmother gave him a strange look before turning to Stacey. “If he treats you badly, just tell me.”

Kane sighed and decided to leave it alone. “Anyway, I need to head back to work. Stacey, make yourself at home. If you get tired and want to rest, you can just use my room. Grandma, I will be back later.”

“Alright, don’t work too hard.” Kane’s Grandmother smiled softly and saw Kane out. She then turned around and looked at Stacey, who was still standing there. “If you like this boy, you need to be more forward. He has no issues hitting on girls but doesn’t realize it when one likes him.”

Stacey smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry. I am just getting to know him more. I do not want to jump into anything yet. But he is a good guy from what I have seen so far.”

Kane’s grandmother liked this girl. She gave off the same kind of aura as Kane. Someone who would do anything for those around her. “He is responsible. And cares a lot for those around him. But it is also because of this that I am saying this now. Do not wait too long, or he might end up falling for some girl with bad intentions.”