The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 44

Dor

With her eyes and throat still burning, Dor thirstily gulps down the water that Chess gently holds to her lips. Wiping her mouth, still breathing heavily, she watches as Neil fusses over Drake who seems to be in considerable distress. "Don't help him", she grits out as Neil helps Drake adjust his breathing apparatus and puts him back in his wheelchair. Neil gives her an exasperated look. "Let the man finish what he had to say. Get out if you can't handle it". She watches in concern as Chess who has now gone over to Eli, revives him with water. She is surprised that the confession has affected Eli so much that he seems to have fainted out of shock. Drake is now back in his wheelchair. Though he is sweating profusely with the physical toll that the fall took on his body, he still manages to grin at Dor.

 "Come closer, Dorrie May", he gasps. "You do need more than that fantastic confession, don't you". Dor goes before him, trembling with rage and sadness. She sits cross legged before him, her simple white wedding lace shift dress around her knees. Her voice shakes as she manages to utter "Why?". Drake seems in his element, looking comfortably resettled in his wheelchair, gazing at her fondly. He seems to revel in the scene before him with Dor sitting on the floor before him. Chess and Neil are now both standing, one on each side beside her, looming protectively over her. She turns briefly, her eyes searching for Eli Gray. He is now conscious, still sitting in the pew, his face resting on his folded hands, as he takes in the scene before him. He stills looks dazed, as though still in shock. "Look at me", Drake's raspy voice sounds impatient and irritated now and she quickly turns back to him. "Why, Drake"?  she tries to speak firmly but her voice ends on a small sob.

Kas

He straightens up and takes the bottle which Chess has left next to him; his face still damp from Chess's clumsy revival technique. He splashes some more water on his face, feeling the water dripping down his cheeks. He forces himself to focus on the bizarre event unfolding before him. Everyone looks shocked, confused and totally clueless, himself included. It's only Drake, who looks quite comfortable and absolutely in control of the situation. He feels the goosebumps on his arms as Drake begins, " So, once upon a time, many years ago, a young widow with an infant came to my bakery looking for a job". He smiles affectionately at Dor, leaning forward and tapping her chin. Chess almost lunges forward, but is quickly held back by the ever-alert Neil who gives him a warning look.

 Chess takes a deep breath and takes a couple of steps back. Drake's complete attention is on Dor and Kas who is now feeling more grounded and realizes the magnitude of Drake's obsession with Dor. Drake is still talking, gently and kindly to Dor . "So, I needed a helper and gave this woman the job, who turned out to be a really hard worker. I ignored her brat who I found annoying. Years passed, this little girl started schooling and helping her mother in small chores. Both mother and daughter kept out of my way and the set up was quite fine with me. I did most of the outdoor catering and deliveries in those days and sometimes I never saw the brat for days at a time. One lovely morning, I saw this girl come back from school and I was stunned as I realized how much she had grown up. 

There is a deafening silence in the chapel as Chess, Neil, Dor and Kas himself listen to Drake talking, almost hypnotized with his own story telling. "This girl was now a teenager", Drake continues dreamily, as though reliving a fond memory. "Her beautiful big body covered in a uniform too tight for her. That night, I had an incredibly erotic dream about her." Dor gives a sob and Kas gets up and goes to her. Drake looks annoyed at the sudden interruption. Kas sits on the floor, next to her, cross legged just like her and puts his hand in hers. She gives him a numb nod. 

Drake continues "Aah, so where was I? Oh yes, erotic dreams about my schoolgirl, Dorrie May. It continued for a year and I looked for chances to watch you. You have no idea how many times I peeped into your room and watched you change your clothes." He chuckles at the memory. There is a sound behind Kas and he turns to see Neil physically restraining a now completely enraged Chess. Kas tells firmly "Neil, take him out, now". Drake shakes his finger dramatically "Oh No. I want this pup right here. His agitation is so much fun". Kas sighs and turns to Chess. "Stop making a nuisance of yourself." Chess shakes himself free of Neil and goes and sits in the pew in which Kas had been sitting a few minutes ago.

 Drake laughs and continues, "One morning, my dear Dorrie, I told your mother, that I wanted to marry you. She looked outraged and told me said Drake as his face takes on a nasty expression," that I was much older than even her, let alone her daughter and there was no way I should even think about it. She said she would leave the bakery." He looks at Dor as though still surprised by Dor's mother's reaction, "I gave her a job and place to stay for so many years! What gratitude do I get? She actually wanted to take you away from me? How could I allow it? I gave her one push down the stairs." He gives Dor a pleased look. "She hit her head and had a perfect fall. She died so well! She didn't give me any trouble at all. The choreography was beautiful. That, my lovely Dor, is how our little love story started!"