Chapter 483: Drake's Land

Tuesday, February 14th, Late Evening

(Song lyrics in italics)

The night like all night, is coming to an end, like tonight, but slowly. As always at Fantasy Hall, Dinner was excellent, served on expensive China. The drinks they drank were top self. The music played was excellent and clear. Yet, it all seemed like a gilded cage.

On the dance floor, many couples were dancing. Kayla looked around the dance floor. She moved her head slowly to make eye contact with her husband, whose arms were around her. Christian led her in a slow dance. The song played its slow melody.

Kayla looked over Christian's shoulder to another couple. She took in her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dean and Carrie Garland. Observing, Kayla took in how they danced. Carrie led Dean, as Kayla's socially awkward brother-in-law wasn't a good dancer. It showed their relationship, Carrie and Dean's, that is, at least how Kayla perceived it, where Carrie handled the social because Dean dealt with the business end. Kayla noted that Carrie was disconnected from the whole event.

Just because I'm losing

Doesn't mean I'm lost

Doesn't mean I'll stop

Doesn't mean I will cross

"What's wrong, Kayla?" Christian asked.

Kayla shook her head, "Just watching the people around us," she said.

"What have you learned?" Christian asked.

"That Carrie is here but not here," Kayla said.

"The same could be said about you," Christian said.

"I'm trying to be in the here and now, Chris," Kayla said.

"I know, it's difficult," Christian said.

"This house, plus all the shit at the label without Keith, I'm…." Kayla shook her head, "Well, I'd rather be home with the kids," she said.

"I know it's tough for you to be here," Christian said.

"Yeah, it didn't help that your dad called me an Irish Gold Digger," Kayla said.

Christian sighed, "My dad was well, my dad," he said, "I don't know what to say, Kayla."

Just because I'm hurting

Doesn't mean I'm hurt

Doesn't mean

I don't get what I deserved

No better and no worse

"It didn't help he called me a papist, also," Kayla said, "I've never been to a catholic mass."

"My dad is dead," Christian said.

"I often wonder if the hate has too," Kayla said and looked over to Carrie.

Christian followed his wife's eye. Once, he noticed Kayla's interest in his older sister. Christian nodded, "Do you think Carrie treats you like my dad?" he asked.

"No," Kayla said.

"Then why do you keep looking over to her?" Christian asked.

Kayla sighed, "We're here because of Carrie," she said.

"We're here because Barnett threw the ball," Christian said.

"Why did he throw it?" Kayla asked.

"Family tradition," Christian said.

"When your dad got sick the last time, he stopped throwing them," Kayla said.

"True," Christian said.

"It's been a few years, so why throw them again?" Kayla asked.

Christian shrugged, "I don't know, bring back a family tradition, I'm not Barnett; ask him if you want to know," he said.

"Chris, don't BS me; you told me why you thought so," Kayla said.

"I'm not going to let you shift the blame to my sister; my dad, fine, but Carrie didn't treat you bad," Christian said.

I just got lost

Every river

That I tried to cross

Every door

I ever tried was locked

Oh and I'm just waiting

'Til the shine wears off

"I'm not blaming Carrie," Kayla said.

"What are you trying to do? How does it involve Carrie?" Christian asked.

"Just an observation, Chris," Kayla said.

"What is this observation?" Christian asked.

"We're here to sort of make Carrie happy, right? Can we agree on that?" Kayla asked.

"Where would you rather be?" Christian asked.

"Someplace, anyplace else, with soft music, candlelit, and alone with my husband," Kayla said.

"Well, that does sound good," Christian said.

"We can agree we're here for Carrie, right?" Kayla asked.

"Yes, if it will advance this conversation," Christian said.

"So, all of us, our significant others, and some randoms," Kayla said and looked around the ballroom, "are here for her."

"I wouldn't call them randoms," Christian said.

"Stay on point," Kayla said.

"Okay," Christian said.

"So, we're here for Carrie," Kayla said.

"We've established that," Christian said.

"Let me finish," Kayla said.

"Okay," Christian said.

You might be a big fish

In a little pond

Doesn't mean you've won

'Cause a long may come

A bigger one

'We're here to cheer her up. I've watched her on and off through the night, and she seemed detached from the events," Kayla said.

"Well, Dean is a crappy dancer," Christian said.

"I noticed that Carrie was leading most of the night," Kayla said.

"Maybe that's it," Christian said.

"I think it's more," Kayla said.

"Look, Kayla, we all know she should go to therapy, but she refuses," Christian said.

"I know, but you have to be blind not to see; she's here but not here," Kayla said.

Christian sighed, "She wants to be home," he said.

"At Connie's bedside," Kayla said.

"Look, Kayla, wouldn't you be the same way if it was Jory or Fiona?" Christian asked.

"It would hurt, yes," Kayla said.

"See, what I mean," Christian said.

"But I would try to spend time with the other. Carrie has thirteen other kids," Kayla said.

"Most of whom are grown," Christian said.

Kayla sighed, "What is Carrie's deal with Connie?" she asked.

"Carrie always was close with Connie; I think Carrie always saw the most potential in Connie," Christian said.

"But Connie was very reckless," Kayla said.

"I know that you know that," Christian said.

Kayla nodded, "Doesn't mean Carrie does," she said.

"Let's enjoy this dance and try to finish the night on a pleasant note," Christian said.

And you'll be lost

Every river

That you tried to cross

Every gun

You ever held went off

Oh and I'm just waiting

Until the firing stopped

Oh and I'm just waiting

'Til the shine wears off

Kayla nodded and danced to the music. As the song ended, they looked around the dance floor. Kayla noted one of the randoms was talking with Dusty. Kayla smiled; she liked to see Dusty being social; it was good for her.

That was when Kayla noticed Dusty's much younger sister, Samantha, or Sam, looked over her date's shoulder. Kayla and Samantha locked eyes, and Samantha gave a slight nod and smiled. Samantha went back to talking to her date, and Kayla went back to Christian.