Hearing his dad say in such a loving way, "Son, Liz could go and get your medication for you."
"Yes, she could, Dad, but right now Liz is attending to Tray and his lessons. I am a bit tired, so if you all don't mind, I am going to take a lie down, but I will have that tea and dessert later, thanks."
"Okay, Son, you rest well," Train replies.
Carl watches him enter his room and close his door, "Dad, what will happen with Torren when Shawney leaves?"
"I know how we could solve that problem, "Lasandra replies, "Dad, we should get him married to Shawney, she brings out the good in him.
And didn't you hear when Tray called her mummy, dad, even the children liked her a lot, just like Torren."
"Lasandra, don't you think you are pushing this friendship too fast? None of you knows the kind of person she is."
"What is there to know, Jeff? Shawney makes Torren happy," Careen responds.
"You two have always taken sides with him and for Dalia, despite the foolish things she did."
"Hello, don't try to be smart for me, my husband, I am sure you must have realised that Shawney is a woman of wisdom.
Someone else would have responded to your foolish outburst, but Shawney just ignores your outbursts as though you didn't speak.
But I want you to know that Dalia alone knows what it was like to tolerate Torren's anger and rage, and you and Candis keep pushing, looking for ways to instigate more problems, knowing she used to get frustrated."
"Lasandra, you don't understand?"
"Oh, my foolish husband, I understand more than you can think or imagine" Turning to Train, "Dad, next time throws him out of the house alone, I will live here."
"If I get thrown out, you will be the one responsible, so my darling wife, you will be going along with me."
"Never, Dad will not let me leave, he wants to see his grandchild grow up in his mansion."
"Are we having a baby?"
"Not you, I am."
"True", lifting her off the sofa, "You know about her pregnancy, Dad?" Seeing Careen and Carl hold hands and smile."
"All of you know, and none of you told me?" Hearing them laugh, Jeff could not believe Lasandra revealed that news to them, and he wasn't told.
When Candis joins them, wanting to know "What was the joke," hearing them laughing.
"We are planning for a wedding," Lasandra replies.
"Are you all mad? Torren is not in his right mind, and just suppose Shawney is a gold digger?"
"Candis, are you studying wealth or Torren's happiness?" Carl enquires.
"In fact, Carl, I am worried about Torren."
"About what, my child?" Train enquiries.
"Dad, have you seen how drawn Torren, Gretta and Tray had gotten to her? I feel she brainwashes them, or has given them some kind of potion to drink?"
"Let me ask you, something child, did you think Jesus gave the lunatic man a portion to drink or had to hypnotise him for his life to change?"
"Dad, Jesus is God; he doesn't need to do any of that. He has the power to heal any sickness, bring sight to the blind Bartimaeus, and even raise Lazarus from the grave. Shawney is not Jesus."
When Candis heard the others laughing at her remarks, she asked, "What is so funny?"
"My child, are you saying Jesus made a mistake when He told his disciples, the things I do, ye shall do greater things? Do you think He was saying that to His twelve disciples alone?"
"Yes, Dad, I believe that it was only for his disciples who walk and talk with him, who eat and sleep with Him.
The disciples who saw all the miracles he performed and travelled with him on his journey on earth, not for Shawney."
"You disappoint me, my child. I thought you had a deeper understanding of God's word.
Jesus' disciples are those who do His will, and are spreading the good news of his love and helping people like your brother.
Going out of their way to see people happy despite how they feel, just like what Shawney has been doing?"
"I don't know, Dad, but I don't trust her."
"Well, my child trust is something you have to earn, and the few times I met Shawney, I trust she can help Torren."
"Well, I am not worried, either my dearest Sister, from what I observed the few times when Torren becomes angry, she calms him down quickly.
Shawney has my vote, and I know I could count on a few supporters." Seeing Careen, Lasandra and Dad raised their hands.
"Well, four out of seven is good, and we could pull in Liz, Louise, and the two children, together with Torren, we still win with a landslide," Carl announced.
"So, whose side is Jeff on, Carl?"
"Do you think I was speaking about Travis, but never mind, we still have the majority."
Torren walks down the stairs after his rest, noticing the entire family enjoying a snack. When Dad said, "Torren, won't you join us, Son? Mrs Louise covers a plate for you."
"Dad, is Shawney up already?"
"I haven't seen her yet, son. Maybe she is still resting. Why don't you come and join us?"
Removing the covers, seeing apple pie and Swiss roll, and a two-inch square piece of baked custard.
It looks delicious, but his mind goes back to when Dalia was having her menstruation, how painful it used to be.
'Shawney was not showing any signs of pain, but she knows how to control her emotions.
I know the rest is good for her because that was one of the things used to give Dalia relief.
But why do I miss her so much already?"