Shawney came home late that evening, and that continued for the entire week.
Every evening, Torren waited for her, but he never got the opportunity to see her.
Hearing from Mrs Louis, she left early. Friday, she didn't even return home, the same thing on Saturday and Sunday.
Hearing his Dad asking, "Torren, what is wrong, my son?" Train has been observing his restlessness for the last few days. 'Wondering if something has happened to him on the day we drop him at the hospital?'
"I am fine, Dad. I was just going for a ride and was hoping you could watch Gretta for me, please?"
" Not a problem, son, but is she unwell? I was thinking about taking a ride myself?"
" Dad, she is okay. I just want some fresh air, but Liz is busy, and these days Gretta keeps crying when I am not around."
"Okay, son, you can go and enjoy your ride without any worry."
Riding out in the open, enjoying the fresh air, having no fear to speak out loud to his heart's content. He was only surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Not a soul around, recalling how blue Shawney's hand was. "Is that why she is avoiding me? Is she afraid I might hurt her again? I must control myself; if I cannot control this rage, I might hurt my children and the friendship I have with Shawney. I might have to return to the hospital, and what will happen to my children? I am there only parent.
Resting his head on his knees, "Lord, I know my not seeing Shawney is causing this rage, but she is neither the faulted one; I must accept this truth. Overhearing her speaking with dad that day, saying she is leaving soon to visit her family. Lord, has something happened to her family?"
Feeling his face wet, "Why am I crying? I know she has to go, but I will miss her so much. Only three weeks ago, we met, and I am so drawn to her. I feel so sane being around her. Lord, what am I going to do when she leaves, but I cannot allow my children to go through what I had to endure. Please help me, Lord Jesus. Shawney told me you touched that lunatic man and made him whole. Please touch me, Lord Jesus, I need to be made whole, my children need me."
Returning from his ride, feeling his head was a bit clearer, the fresh air did him good. He realised now he has so many responsibilities, and sitting around avoiding them might just worsen things in the house.
My children need me, and my pining for Shawney won't change how she feels. I must take into consideration that she is just a friend of my dad's, not my friend".
Sitting quietly, Torren waits for the others. When Liz approached him, "Sir, do you mind holding her for a bit before you leave? The others are not ready yet."
Train sits quietly on the sofa listening to Torren speaking softly to Gretta, "Come, honey, I want you to be a good little girl for Aunty Liz."
When Tray came and sat near his Dad with a book for him to read. Seeing as he read to them how they snuggle up to him.
Then Tray said, "Grandpa, your turn to read."
Tray took the book from his Dad and came to him. Train only looked at the book, "Oh dear, Son, Grandpa's eyes are giving trouble, I have to get my glasses, and I forgot them in my room."
Torren observes how quickly Tray gets up and runs to his grandfather's room, then he says to Gretta, "Gretta, honey, why don't you go and give grandpa a kiss?"
Calling out to his little princess, "Come to grandpa, honey."
"Papa!"
"Yes, honey, you are Papa's little angel."
Watching as she stroked his suit, "Papa, I go?"
"Not tonight, honey, but Papa will take his angel tomorrow for a drive."
When Liz came with her tea giving her to drink, she went to her father and without hesitation. He took her in his lap as she lay down and drank her tea.
When Lasandra and Careen descend the stairs, "Where is Jeff's child?"
"He is sleeping, Dad."
"But it is important that he go with us."
Lasandra was afraid to divulge the truth, saying, "Dad, Jeff is not feeling so well."
"Okay, then we should all go in one vehicle."
Feeling relieved, knowing if she had forced him to attend, he might kick up a fuss for every little thing, and disrupt the others from enjoying the evening.
Approaching the auditorium door, hearing Lasandra ask, "Dad, you said we have an invitation, but what sort of function is it?"
Unable to hold back her outburst as we enter, "Wow, wow, wow, this is awesome, whoever did this decoration outdid themselves." Caren whispers.
When Lasandra touches her Father-in-law's hand, she reads the welcome sign, and under it reads Happy Fiftieth Anniversary. "Dad, whose anniversary is it?"
"Lasandra, my child, it is my friend Robert's anniversary."
Seeing the person approaching us, she whispered to her father-in-law, "Dad, we haven't gotten them a gift? It looks so bad that we walk in empty-handed. "
Lasandra heard Careen chuckle. At that moment, Robert came, hugging Dad, saying, "Mr MacCarty, nice of you to come and also for bringing your children "
Shaking our hands as dad introduces us, and we say our congratulations.
Caren thought as she scoped out the place while Mr Robert was speaking with Dad. He had only talked to Dad for a minute, then asked for excuses to greet his other guests.
When Dad said, "Come on, children, let us take a seat."
When Careen said, "Dad, why don't we get closer to the front so when others come they won't block our view?"