The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 6

Dorrie May – aged 15

Dorrie is coming home on her way from school. It's a beautiful convent school. Her Ma works herself to the bone to make sure her only child, her wonderfully gifted Dorrie can study there. It has just been Dorrie and her Ma for all of Dorrie's life. Dad who walked out of the house and never came back while Dorrie was still learning to crawl. Dorrie's Ma who sold their small flat and moved into this shanty and used the rest of the money for their bills and Dorrie's school. Dorrie's Ma who always tells Dorrie how wonderful she is, how talented and how blessed she feels to have a daughter like daughter. Her Ma who praises her tries to make her feel like she is the most special person on earth. But only her Ma feels that way.

Dorrie is in her last year at school. Dorrie who does not have a single friend at school. Dorrie the Dome as the other girls call her. Dorrie who towers over every other person in school, even their male physical education teacher, double the size and weight of every human being in the school vicinity. Dorrie who walks with hunched shoulders which the girls giggle as she reminds them of a large dome structure. She walks sluggishly and eats alone with the girls only approaching her if they need help with their academics because Dorrie is the grade topper for last five years in a row. Dorrie who is now walking home alone again from school after another day filled with snickers and nasty comments.

Lost in her thoughts, she stumbles on the path and falls. She feels like crying. As she sits up gingerly, she sees a kid peering at her. From her sitting position, his face is just a few inches above her, peering at her. "Are you ok?", he asks. She furiously blinks away her tears and glares at him. Before she can move, he brings his face close to hers and tells her. "Wow, your eyes are like chocolate". He has an admiring look on his face. She feels embarrassed but oddly pleased. She gets up and looms large over him. But he looks totally unfazed. "Such an awesome height too "! He looks up at her. "How old are you??Do you think I can be as tall as you when I am your age? I am Kaiser, only my Ma calls me Kas. But you can call me Kas because I think I would like to be your best friend. I am already ten years old. "He watches her hopefully with bright intelligent eyes. She ignores him and walks away. She stops to turn back, he is at the exact same place she left him, still watching her. She gives him a reluctant wave which bring a bright smile to his small face. She walks a little more briskly wondering why she did not notice the pleasant weather earlier.

Her big strides quickly bring her to her Ma's place of work. Drake's Bakes. Her mom manages the bakery for Drake. Drake has no family whatsoever. He is an amazing baker but has no management skills whatsoever. He always seems to live in a world of his own, leaving the running of the bakery to her Ma. They have a couple of rooms over the bakery while Drake lives downstairs behind the bakery itself. She has grown up all her life to the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread and the sounds of Drake and her Ma working furiously in the kitchen much before sunrise. She enters the bakery to see Drake shutting the windows. "Where's Ma "? She asks. Drake doesn't look back, continuing to close down everything. "Do you want to change first ", he asks. "We need to go". "Go where"? she asks, "Can I eat first"? Drake looks at her with an expressionless face. "Sure, but make it quick" 

She goes up to change and comes down a few minutes later. Drake has kept some warm pasta ready to eat. She quickly starts wolfing down the food with Drake watching her calmly. She stands up feeling content, stretching her arms. Drake is a good few inches shorter than her. "where's Ma? ", she asks again. "Let's go to your Ma, "Drake replies. "Oh, is she meeting us somewhere"? she asks." How come you are closing the bakery in the afternoon? What about the customers? ", she asks.

Dorrie always helps at the bakery after school. "Let's go", Drake tells her calmly. A couple of hours later, a trembling Dorrie is sitting on a bench in the government hospital corridor. Drake is sorting out some forms. He comes to her. "I am not so good at this stuff, help me out here." A hassled looking ward assistant stands next him gesturing him to get it over with. Dorrie takes the papers with shaking hands and starts reading. Under cause of death, it's written. "Fatal Head Injury from Fall.". She hands back the form with trembling fingers. "You sure she is underage?", the ward assistant asks Drake." I thought she was your wife.". Drake smiles at him.