"Are you giving me a grandchild, too, my child?"
"Oh, my God, Dad, you mean we can't hide anything from your eyes."
"Aren't you going to tell him he is going to be a father?"
"Dad, the fool is so blind when it comes to his own affairs, he can't seem to see anything beyond his nose, he always butting in other people's business."
"You are right, let's have him stew in the darkness a bit longer."
"What are the two of you whispering about with Dad?" Jeff questions, curious to know what they were discussing to make Dad so happy.
"You see what I told you, Careen," the three of them look Jeff's way and smile. He was so taken up with what Torren was doing, he hadn't noticed the three of us talking until now.
When Carl turned to look in their direction, they all noticed Shawney's hand was blueish where Torren held it.
Without saying anything that might trigger Torren, Carl went into the study and got a warm wrist pack to put on Shawney's hand.
When Torren saw Carl's concern as he gave Shawney the warm pack, he asked, "Shawney, did I do that to your hand?"
Seeing how quickly he held her hand, "It's all right, Torren. It was your fault."
"Shawney, I am so sorry." He was almost in tears.
Shawney gently strokes his hand, knowing it wasn't intentional, "I know you are, so don't worry."
"But Shawney, one day, I might get really angry and hurt you even more seriously?"
"No, you won't, Torren, you are getting better, so just relax" Passing the plate tp Torren. "Here I finish feeding Gretta, and I am full. Now you can feed Tray; he looks like he could eat a little more."
All heads turn when Tray says, "Mummy, some juice please." Torren took the glass and gave it.
"There you go, son, now you are a very good boy," she observed, all eyes on her, checking to see if something was the matter.
Slowly wiping her mouth, then checking her dress, 'I was not given a choice but to ignore the child, if only I had responded. Jeff is already having a difficult time adjusting. I can't say what his reaction will be; everything is happening too quickly, they need time to adjust.'
Scoping around the table, wondering, 'Why aren't Candis and her husband sitting with the family and having lunch. Had something happen while we were out of the house?' Looking at their faces, but I am glad, the way Travis keeps glaring at me, it creeps me out.'
Noticing Torren finishes feeding Tray, "Go to your Daddy, honey." Shawnet passed Gretta over to Torren.
Train notices how she keeps rubbing her hand, 'I am sure it's paining, but she didn't whisper a word.' When Torren asks, "Shawney, aren't you going for the walk?"
Shawney stood up, hearing his words, "Torren, can do that a bit later, the sun is still high, and we will enjoy that walk when the place is much cooler. Now, if you all will excuse me, I am going to take a rest."
Leaving the table, Shawney knew all eyes were on her, slowly as she ascended the stairs, not wanting to trip, while walking to her room. exhaling, then closed the door.
Alone in the room, she removed the warm pack and refilled it with slightly hot water, replacing it on her wrist.
Lying on the bed, recollecting the occurrences during lunch. "The one who defended Torren seems nice enough, and the one who hugs him, was I hearing her baby crying? Lord, that can't be possible, but my Lord, You are awesome, and Father, You have burned out his anger in such a short space of time. Thank you so much, Lord, and Lord, why did I have this urge to leave the dinner table, whatever the reason, I thank you, and take away this back pain, I ask in Jesus' name, amen."
****
Entering the children's room, Torren looks around. "Put her here, Sir," Liz urges, "she likes the cool breeze to sleep."
"How could I have forgotten about them, Liz? I am so ashamed of the way I have behaved with you."
Understanding him so well, Liz smiled, "You were not well, Sir. Please don't blame yourself, it was not your fault."
"Why didn't someone tell me? I buff you so many times for their crying."
"Sir, please, I understand every little thing, especially how their crying irritates you."
"I am really sorry, Liz."
"There is no need to be sorry, and Sir, I am so happy you hold the two of them; now they will behave themselves."
"Liz, thank you so much for making the sacrifice and being so patient with me and their constant crying."
"That's my job, Sir, and the young Madam seems to like them very much."
"It looks so, and from what I observed, they seem to be attracted to her. Liz, we must remember Shawney is Dad's friend, and I overheard her telling Dad recently that she will be leaving soon."
"Never mind that, Sir, we must enjoy each day as it comes, the young lady says You are getting better, and that is so true. And look at how my Angel is sleeping, if you could recall when Tray was a baby, how he used to sleep in your arms the same way."
"I remembered it more clearly now, Liz."
"Sir, the important thing is you remember them on your own, which is better than someone having to tell you.
Now you go and take your medicine and try and get some rest, and I will help Tray with his lessons."
"Thanks, Liz, I appreciate what you are doing, and I should go and take my medication.
With Shawney fixing my breakfast, and we went down by the pool, it slips my mind to take my medicine this morning."
Walking out of the room, hearing his Dad calling out to him. "Torren, will you come and join us for a cup of tea or some dessert? Mrs Louise prepared a delicious cherry pie and some of your favourite baked custard."
Watching how slowly he turned, then said: "Dad, that sounds tempting, but I am sorry, I am going to take my medication and try to get some rest."
.