The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 43

Dor

Dor walks down the aisle on Neil's arm. The small chapel is quiet and isolated in the late afternoon, a little away from the main city. Chess is sitting next to Drake who is in a wheelchair. She hesitates as she sees him. He looks much older than someone in his sixties and he's wearing a nasal cannula to help his breathing. Drake stares at her unsmiling. The wicked smiles and smirks are all gone from his face. He stares at her in her white wedding gown and gives her a brief nod. Eli Gray is standing at the end of the aisle near the waiting priest, giving her a tender smile. She turns back and looks at Chess who looks very ill himself. Her heart hurts to look at him. She quickly blinks her tears. As though understanding her turmoil, he gives her an encouraging nod. 

She walks down the aisle firmly. This is for Kas, she thinks determinedly. The priest starts the nuptial rites and she tries to focus on her vows. Her voice is loud and clear as is Eli's in the little chapel. Once the vows are complete, Eli Gray puts a ring on her trembling hand and she in turn puts a ring on his finger. Once the priest pronounces them man and wife, Eli gathers her into a gentle hug and leans forward to kiss her. His hand on her waist firmly holds her in place as she tries to withdraw from him instinctively. He leans towards her, shielding her body from the three men who are sitting, watching them. He puts his thumb on her lips and gently plants a kiss on his thumb making it seem as though he has kissed her. He releases her and they both turn towards Drake who is staring at them. "Presenting Mrs. and Mr. Elijah Gray", Neil announces loudly. 

Chess gets up and walks out of the Chapel without turning back and Dor feels the tears stinging her eyes. Eli guides her towards Drake and they both come and stand before the quiet man in the wheelchair. Drake looks at them both and gestures for Dor to come closer. Eli holds her back with a strong grip but Dor extracts herself from his grip and kneels before Drake. He leans forward and puts a finger under her eye where a traitorous tear has managed to escape. Heputs his finger on the errant tear and brings his now wet finger to his lip and tastes her tear. "Aah, there it is", Drake tells her softly. "Even as a young girl, when you were lying beneath me in my bed", he pauses and chuckles as though recalling a fond memory, "I loved tasting your tears. Every tear was as intoxicating as a whole bottle of whisky." Dor straightens up and wipes her face. "You got what you wanted. Tell us where the girl is. How will we recognize her? She must a teen now". Drake puts a finger on his lips and shushes her, "Patience, Dorrie May. First, let me give you, your wedding present." He reaches into his jacket pocket and gives her a small Drakes Bakery paper bag.

Kas

Kas leans over the hesitant Dor and takes the paper bag from Drake and opens it. He stares at the little yellowed book that's in the bag. It's his book. The book where he wrote all his notes on Zander. He stares at the book, unable to comprehend what's happening. Dor takes the book from his unresisting hands and flips the pages. Kas watches as she sees the young Kas's neat handwriting in the pages, his notes on Zander. "Why do you have this"? Kas asks Drake hoarsely. He leans before the old man and puts his hands on either side of the wheelchair. Drake looks unperturbed by the agitated young man who is now crowding him. He turns and looks up at Dor. "That little girl never got a chance to become a teenager. She remains the young girl she was forever. You see, I killed her all those years ago."

Kas

He dimly hears Dor screaming and crying. He watches as though in a dream, Dor slapping Drake repeatedly. He sees Dor hitting Drake so hard that he topples over from his wheel chair. Neil comes rushing and tries to hold Dor. Kas feels detached from the whole scene being played out before him. He manages to drag his feet to a nearby pew and sits down. He loosens his tie and watches Dor still screaming, her cries ringing out in the little chapel like a death knell. He watches as Chess who has been outside the Chapel rushes in and tries to calm Dor down. He looks at his watch. Its 4 p.m. It was a time of death declaration like the doctors do in hospitals when they announce the time when someone dies. His Kaya just died at 4 pm this afternoon. He even gives a half smile, seeing Drake struggle back into his wheelchair still being attacked by his mad, beautiful Dor. He blinks wearily, the crazy dramatic scene and sounds fading before his senses as he passes out, slumping in the pew.