Careen genuinely thanked him, knowing he was concerned for her job, "No need to worry, honey, I already sent word to my assistant. Also, I am applying for a few days' extra leave."
Holding both hands, "Honey, are you still feeling unwell?"
At that moment, Jeff seized the opportunity to escape from the eyes of the other three. Jeff stood up and said, "Then, I will see you two at the factory."
Sitting outside the Psychiatrist Clinic, feeling relaxed, thinking, "Why can't they understand that the people here understand me? I feel better only sitting here."
Closing his eyes, ''Why is it when I am here, things are not jumbled up in my head. And at home, I am so confused. Why is that?"
Unaware of the length of time that had passed, as he sat., Torren was so lost in thought when out of the blue he felt a touch on his shoulder. Opening his eyes, he saw Joseph standing in front of him.
"Are you alright, Torren?"
"Doc, I am just relaxing."
"Why are you not home?"
"Doc, I just came for a breath of fresh air. My Dad and my brother Carl will return in a while. They have a few errands to run, so they drop me here. I miss being here so much."
"Come, Torren, let us have some tea while you wait?"
"No need for that, Doc, but thanks, my Dad and Carl will be back soon."
"Okay, Torren, as you wish, but if anything comes up, you can call me." When Doctor Joseph left him, Torren waited, losing track of time once more.
Coming back to the present, Torren felt someone sit quietly next to him, "Uh, you smell as though you just ate pizza?"
When no one replied, he turned around, but no one was there, ''Can it be that I was imagining her sitting near me? Oh dear God, my mind is playing tricks on me, I thought sitting hear was different from being home." But then the chuckling came from behind him.
"Shawney, stop playing around, and come sit here with me. You had me thinking I was imagining you were here, and losing my mind?"
When she came and sat beside him, she then said, "Your nose is a bit too clean for me. Here you go, I saved you a piece of my pizza."
Observing how he smiles, "Did you eat any Shawney?"
"I am fine, but my friend, you seem to be sitting here for a while now."
"Shawney, Dad and Carl dropped me off a little while ago and went to visit the factory."
"And can you tell me what time you came?"
"Oh, maybe before ten, I suppose."
"And when will they be back for you, my friend?"
"Soon, Shawney! So stop your worrying?"
"I am not worrying, Torren, but aren't you tired of waiting for them?"
"No, Shawney, I am just relaxing, and look, I get to meet you. I hope you know I missed you this morning when I had my breakfast."
"Yes, I miss you too, my friend. Now, you eat, while I get you a drink."
Walking away thinking, 'How could they be so irresponsible and inconsiderate? It is four hours he has been sitting here, and it seems as though he doesn't mind.'
Returning with a juice, Shawney gave him the drink, "Here, you go, drink up. I will be back in a few minutes as you complete your meal."
"Don't you want any pizza, Shawney?"
Seeing his innocence, it breaks her heart, "Torren, I have already eaten, now I am going to get you a taxi."
Calling after her, "Shawney, that won't be necessary. Dad and Carl will return in a while for me."
Stopping, she turns around, "Torren, it's been four hours since you have been sitting here; aren't you aware that the children will need you. Why are you not thinking about them?"
" But Shawney, Liz is there to take care of the children, and besides, I am already here, so why can't will wait for you? And we will go home together."
"Torren, no need for that. I will come later. I have some things to complete right now, and the child needs you. Who knows if she is crying for you?"
Considering what Shawney said, Torren decided to do as she suggested. Sitting in the taxi, holding her hand, "Shawney, will you please hurry and come home?"
"Now, you listen to me, I don't want you worrying about me, just attend to the children, that will make them happy. And when I am done here, I will come. home"
As the taxi left, Torren recollecting her words, 'I have been sitting there four hours, she was right, the children will need me.' Dropping off the taxi, Torren enquired, "How much, Sir?"
"The young lady already paid."
"Thank you, Mister." Walking up to the garage, then through the house, seeing Liz and the child in tears, "What is wrong, Liz?"
"Dear God, how did Shawney know Gretta was crying?"
Hearing how anxious she was, "Sir, she won't stop crying. I have no idea what to do to stop the crying."
Taking her from Liz, "Why are you crying, honey? Daddy is here now."
Stroking her gently, whispering comforting words. Torren feels her tiny body relaxing on his arm.
'Shawney was right, the child needed me, and I was just sitting around wasting my time away; this must stop.'
When Liz came with a fresh bottle of tea, Gretta lay quietly in his arms and drank it.
Torren looks at her, drinking her tea, thinking, 'I must start focusing on the children and stop daydreaming about Shawney. '