The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 2

Zander is joined almost immediately by Jackson and Kevin. His close buddies who live in the two bungalows on either side of the big Pine bungalow in Spruce and Fir. All three of them are tall and athletic and loom over the much younger shorter Kas. They are intimidating shadows in the growing night away from the lights. They remind him of pictures of evergreen trees in his geography book. Spruce, Pine and Fir. All evergreen trees which flourish throughout the year. He has tagged then as the three pigs. The three pigs who live in the three evergreen pig sties. No hardship called wolf can huff and puff them down. Everything seems evergreen for them. Their lives, their homes, their friendship and their good looks.

"Look who it is "sneers Zander "the little rat who has sneaks into our garbage can fornibbles". Zander gives him a hard whack on his head. It hurts. Kas stays silent. "You shouldsay thank you, you little brat! Your dinner tonight is crumbs from my table"! Zander slapshim hard across his face. He feels the sharp sting across his cheek. He keeps his head down,furiously blinking away his angry tears. Jackson and Kevin laugh a little too loudly. Hisbesties have been trained by their parents to keep Zander happy. His Yes Men since school.He has never seen them argue or fight. They are like well-trained pets. But the love that petshave for their owners is missing here. He prefers the rowdy boys in his shanty who neveragree with each other, get into brawls all the time but always watch out for each other likebrothers.

His thoughts are rudely interrupted by a yet another whack. This one's even harder. Hedares to look up and sees its Kevin. Kevin looks for Zander's approval and gets a nod as hisreward.

"Thank you for the nibbles "says Kas politely. A maid scurries towards them, informing themthat Zander's mother is looking for him Zander and trio turn towards the house. Zander whohad his hand lifted for another punch drops his hand and walks away, the othersmechanically following behind him. Kas heaves a sigh of relief, quickly cleans himself up andwaits for his Ma.

A little while later, his Ma hurriedly comes out, a paper bag in her hand. He rushes up to her."All, ok?" Ma asks. "All ok "he replies. She doesn't press the matter further. It's a silentagreement between them that Zander's bullying is not to be discussed. There is no choice."Some chicken and cake" she says. He nods and quickly tells her "" I will be back after acouple of hours to pick you up. Don't walk home alone." She smiles and whispers "OK" andgoes back inside the house. He quickly starts walking back home knowing Kaya will beeagerly waiting for the meal.

He sees the "three pigs "across the road next to a beautiful car. He loves cars and alwayschats about with his mechanic neighbor. Zander is running his hand on the shiny car lookingthrilled. Zander's glamourous mother looks on dotingly at her brat while Jackson and Kevinlook excited, laughing and hooting. It's obviously the birthday gift. He briskly walks away,his precious bag, warm with the food, clutched carefully in his hand. Two different worlds,two different priorities. As he enters their lane, he sees Kaya is already peeping out of thedoor of the neighbor's house. She jumps up and down with delight seeing the big bag inKas's hand. Her happy squeals warm his aching heart and body.

Kas carefully closes the room leaving the sleeping Kaya inside and rushes to go back to thebig house to pick his Ma, umbrella in hand. He has a love hate relationship with the rains.Desperate for the life-giving precious water it brings, the cool freshness after the swelteringheat. But along with it comes the sludge, the flooded lanes especially if you live in theShanty Kas walks down the street, carefully navigating the muddy pools. He hates the feel ofthe wet mud on his feet but he needs to go pick his Ma. She is always one of the last non-resident servants to leave the Bernard Home.