Holding Careen's hand, Train leads them to the front, seeing a table for four, "This is lovely."
We didn't sit for long when Lasandra signalled Dad towards the table to our right. Following with his eyes where she signals.
Seeing Shawney sitting with a handsome young gentleman who seems to be whispering something to her, hearing Dad whispering to Lasandra and me, "That's Torren Doctor."
"Should we go and meet her?" Lasandra asks.
"No child, let her be, she is just my friend, and she wants to enjoy the few days here, we cannot force someone to do something they don't want to do, but she looks happy."
"Dad," Lasandra said, "She always looks happy, and you are right, she did visit us for a few days, and she seems to be happy with the Doctor in her company."
When Torren asks, "What's wrong?" seeing the frown on Careen and Lasandra's faces.
"We were wondering if they have somewhere we could get something to drink, the place is so humid, and I am thirsty," Lasandra whispers.
"But the auditorium is cool, Lasandra," Torren pointed out politely.
"Yeah, but I feel my inside is on fire." Bending her head, hoping the fear wouldn't show in her face.
"Let me go and check."
Watching him go. Careen said, "Oh God, don't let him see Shawney."
"Will you two stop worrying?" Dad responds.
"Aren't you worried if he sees her with the Doctor and becomes angry?" Careen queries.
"Well, if he makes a scene, we will know if he is getting better or worse; it doesn't really matter to me. I can't keep him in a cage all the time; he is my Son; the only thing is people will talk, so what?"
"Dad, please, it will be embarrassing," Lasandra said, only to recall the incident when Jeff said he was embarrassed by Torren.
"Then let us return home." Train retorted, squaring his shoulder, as though whatever happened, he didn't care.
Before Lasandra could respond, Torren said, "No one is returning home, and I promise you, I am not going to embarrass anyone. I have too much respect for the two of you."
"Then can we tell you something, but please don't get angry?" Careen whispers.
Noticing him smile in such a wicked but sincere way, as he whispers, "I promise to be good."
Then Lasandra said, slightly above a whisper. Torren, the couple sitting at the table next to us, is watching our every movement, but if you look way across the right, Shawney is sitting over there with your doctor."
"I know when we came in, she waved to me."
"Then we shouldn't be worried?" Lasandra asks.
Hearing him laugh, touching them both, "You don't have to be worried, and I won't make a scene, that is my promise."
When Dad said, after seeing her hug Robert, "I thought Shawney came with the Doctor, but it looks as though she knows Robert,"
Watching them both commune, then Robert shakes the Doctor's hand and leaves. Noticing Shawney follows Robert, she then exits a side door.
When Torren grab Lasandra's hand and shrieks out, I follow his gaze at the stage. Shawney stood on top of the stage, bold and brave as though that was a normal routine.
Without a stutter or fear, she spoke fluently and intelligently. She welcomed all the friends and guests. She then sang two songs before asking all to close their eyes and pray.
With the loud clapping coming from the back of the audience, after Shawney completed her praying. Curious to see who was making so much commotion, Torren turned around, noticing the group of people clapping and sending kisses towards her.
Wondering, 'Who were they? Are they her family? Torren curiously asks, "Dad, are these people her family?"
When Train turns around, Torren only hear his dad gasp, "Goodness, gracious Lord, that rowdy woman is here."
"Dad, do you know these people?" Torren was anxious about hearing his words.
"Yes, Son, when I went into their village, I rented a room at her guest house for a few days."
"Dad, how are these people related to Shawney?"
"Son, the two girls with the blond hair are Shawney sisters. The two boys holding the child are her brothers, the two with the black hair are her cousins, and the four others are her in-laws. The gentleman and the woman are her Uncle and Aunt, the children are her nephews and nieces."
"Dad, they all look younger than Shawney?"
"Yes, Son, you are seeing right, they are, she is the eldest."
Returning his attention to what was being said on the stage, Lasandra heard Dad saying, "Though matter where you try to hide, people find you."
"Dad, you are mean," Careen whispers
"I know, but they were mean to her."
Becoming flabbergasted, even aggrieved, especially when he observed how anxious Torren was when he kept looking around.
Touching Torren's hand, Train said, "Torren, don't be too anxious and calm down, the people are looking at you."
In all his life, I had never seen him this nervous. Train couldn't imagine what Torren was thinking, seeing the concern on his face. "Son, would you like me to get you something to drink?"
When he shook his head and said, "I am going to be just fine, Dad, stop worrying." 876
Standing up, Train walks towards the refreshment table to get the girls something to drink.
Torren seized the opportunity to scope out the auditorium, looking around for Shawney, but she wasn't anywhere around.
Lasandra and Careen continue focusing their attention on the program.
While Torren thought, 'It seems she is related to Dad's friend, but why didn't she return to her seat? Is she ashamed of her family? They are so different. The men are all well-dressed, but the ladies are in short armhole dresses and are so shabby. But since I have met Shawney, i never saw her in any indecent clothes.