The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 24

Kas

Kas skims through the glossy pictures of Ryan Bernard and his wife. The next photographcaptures his attention. He stares at Zander Bernard. The man is almost thirty now and in hisprime. Zander looks handsome and well-built as he smiles at the camera with his handaround a lovely young woman, his wife Alice Bernard. There is a little girl dressed in a prettyfrock in front of the couple, smiling cutely. Zander's three-year-old daughter Megan. Kasstares at the picture bitterly wondering why fate has blessed Zander with a little girl. A littleangelic girl as beautiful as his Kaya. The picture is glossy and gleaming, as though mockinghim. He sets the photograph aside as he picks up another interesting one. A couple of youngmen posing with Zander. Its Kevin and Jackson. 

The three little pigs are still together. His mind starts working furiously as he looks at all the seemingly innocent happy family pictures. If Zander is gay and in love with Kevin, how come the happy family with a wife and daughter? Why would he still have Kevin by his side? A voice penetrates the fog of his thoughts as he realizes Neil is speaking to him. "What's with all the interest in the Bernards?" Kas smiles at him "Still waters that run deep. Let's find out how deep and murky the water is beneath the calm and still surface."

KasWhile Kas spends the days fully engrossed in work, business trips and meetings, the lateevenings and nights, Kas transforms completely. The 14-year-old Kas who was in a deepsleep somewhere inside of him has woken up. Kas meticulously studies the daily reports onRyan Bernard, searches for every bit of information on the family on the internet and makesnotes and plans. He first urgent goal is to find his Ma. So far, there is nothing suspicious /different on Ryan Bernard's travels. Nothing pertaining to any clinic, hospitals or nursinghomes and Kas is getting frustrated.As one evening he sits and ponders on how to locate his Ma, Neil prods him gently. "Eli,what's up? You seem really preoccupied these days? Is the workload too much? You doknow you've been really steamrolling it at work. You need to slow down". Kas twirls his forkin his spaghetti, "Neil, if someone has been in a coma and is not in any medical institution,where would that person be"? Neil's answer is automatic and almost casual "At home. Withgood medical monitoring, of course!".Kas's eyes widen and then he gives a loud cheerful hoot. "Neil, you're a genius. Remind meto give you a raise. Neil laughs "Boss, you gave me a raise last month!". Kas is brimmingover with excitement as he gives instructions to give him a full list of the homes RyanBernard owns. Neil taps Kas with a pen "Why so much interest in Ryan Bernard, Eli? I'veknown you since we were kids. You've just met him once". Kas continues eating on his nowcold spaghetti and mumbles. "He is responsible for my accident". Neil jumps up "What?When we found you in the car on that hillside road? Ryan Bernard caused that accident?".

"Yup" Kas continues with a mouthful of food. Neil is now pacing around outraged. "Whydidn't you say so earlier? Are you sure it was him"? Kas nods gulping down a glass of water."Well, he didn't know it was me and it was sort of a hit and run kind of thing. But I died, kindof." he shrugs. Neil sobers down and sits down next to Kas. "You just had minor injuries buthe left you there and anything could have happened. Are you sure it was him?". Kas nods hishead repeatedly. "I recognized him at the meeting and I am going to pay him back my way.No cops, no laws. I am going to destroy him and I can only trust you".

Neil is completely involved as he gives Kas a vigorous handshake. "I am all in. Let's get thebastard". Kas who had been browsing on his phone, stares at a picture of Zander and looksup at Neil. "I want to employ a homosexual man for a very important secret job. Can youfind someone like that for me?" Neil looks at Kas in a curious way. "Are you really Eli?"" Kasis taken aback but yawns casually "Don't be a dumbass ". Neil continues staring at him" Youare my childhood friend and you have always known I am gay"'. Kas does a lighteningrecovery as he yawns even wider, rubbing his eyes and covering his shocked expression. "Idon't mean to use you for this job, you idiot. That's why I asked if you knew anyone" Neilsmiles at him "Who can you trust more than me?" The two friends laugh together. Kashappy to have someone to rely on and Neil happy to have this strange new Eli who is finallytreating him like his childhood friend.