Back at the mansion, no one was around. It was almost time for dinner as we each headed for our rooms.
Noticing when Torren stopped for a minute by Shawney's room, lifting his hand to knock, but then he decided against it, and moved on to his room.
Getting on his knee in his room, Train prayed, "Lord, I know from what I observed that Torren is attracted to Shawney.
And this has been my prayer from the day I met her. I can see when they are together how happy he is, so please help me make it happen. Father, I ask this in Jesus' name, amen."
Rising off his knees, thinking if only he could get a half-hour shut-eye, he would feel much better, but then the dinner bell rings out.
Hurrying, Train, take a quick shower, then change. Sitting for five minutes on his bed, taking some deep breaths.
Venturing out of his room and walking down the stairs, towards the dining room, hoping the evening will be relaxing.
Observing all the family members sitting with a glass having a light drink together, but Shawney still seems to be in her room. When Torren said, "Dad, would you like something to drink?"
"I will just have a grape juice like my Daughter here, and Candis, will you be joining us at the dinner table? Torren was worried when he didn't see you and Travis for lunch."
"Don't worry, Dad, we will be joining the family. Dad, I haven't seen your house guest come down."
" My darling daughter, there is no need to worry your pretty head, we will give her five minutes again, then we will begin our dinner."
"Let us have dinner now" Hearing those words, Torren felt as though those five minutes had disappeared at the blink of an eye.
Forcing himself to leave the lounge, Torren followed the others obediently, but his eyes never left Shawney's room door. Dinner was not as I had thought; the food had no taste in his mouth.
'But why hasn't she come down? Did I hurt her hand so badly, or is she having pain? Oh God, I ask for you to touch her. I miss her being in my company. Lord, why is that happening to me? She is Dad's friend, and for the sake of my children. I have no choice but to remain single. But Lord, when she is near me I feel so calm and comfortable, I feel complete and whole.' Closing his eyes, 'What will really happen to me when she isn't here to make me feel sane?'
Slipping in a few more mouthfuls when he heard Dad saying, "Torren, are you hearing me, son?"
Lifting his head, "I am sorry, Dad, I wasn't paying attention. What did you say?"
"I was saying, tomorrow, I will take you to visit the factory."
"Sorry, Dad, I need to visit the clinic. I want to speak with my Doctor."
"Then, how about after you visit the clinic and see the Doctor, we'll visit the factory?"
Hearing Carl say, "If you all don't mind, I am returning to work on Wednesday, so I would like to see what's new is being designed at the factory?"
Getting his father's nod, Torren was not paying any attention to any of them around the dinner table.
Train notices how he pushes the food around as though it's a football match, and Carl seems concerned, looking at the others, the only chirpy one was Candis.'
When Torren suddenly responds, "Dad, you can take Carl along with you; I am not ready to visit the factory,"
"Son, it is time for you to return to the factory so the workers will be aware that their boss is around and well. You have been home for almost three weeks already."
Everyone jumped when he pushed back his chair and stood up in such rage, "I am not ready, Dad, I just want to go by the clinic, is that too much to ask?"
"Okay, Buddy, that's not a problem. We will drop you off at the clinic, then return after we visit the factory."
Overhearing Candis after he left the table, reaching halfway up the stairs, "Torren looks like a love-sick fool." "Maybe I am my baby Sister, maybe I am." "Did he hear me? Oh gosh, his ears are clean?"
Anger boiled within Train, hearing her and Travis laughing, but Carl was even angrier, standing up, then snapping at Candis, "What is so funny, it seems you have joy in other people's pain."
"Carl, we are just having some fun."
"Fun, you were laughing at him, he is confused and terrified, and you say fun, you two disgust me."
"Aye, Buddy, there's no need to get angry, we were just having a good laugh."
"Yes, Travis, at another man's expense, if when both of you are bickering and we laugh, you might like that?"
"Okay, that's enough," Train snapped.
"But Dad, we were just having fun as we always do," Candis replies.
"You shut your mouth and complete your meal so that the others can enjoy themselves."
"Wow, boy, you all are so boring at times." Train heard Candis say as she chuckled.
"That's it, from tomorrow you and your husband will have your meals separately from the family since we are boring."
"Dad, you don't have to be like that."
"I agree, Candis, so the same choice I give Jeff goes to you. If you are unhappy here, you are free to leave whenever you wish, and I won't stop you."
Seeing her standing up in tears, "If Mom were here, you would have never spoken to us in this manner."
"If she were here, I would have shot her dead; she is the reason for Torren's torment today."