Torren couldn't help but feel disgust, "My goodness, that woman's dress looks ridiculous. I can understand she doesn't want to be seen with them. She always keeps saying, since we met, that she doesn't want to be embarrassed.'
Hearing dad's concern when he returned, "Torren, are you alright, Son?"
"I am fine, Dad."
"Here you go, son, I see your water finished."
"Thanks, Dad, but it seems my staring around had drawn some attention. I am sorry, I failed to keep my promise."
Careen and Lasandra quickly held his hands. "There is nothing to worry about. You didn't fail us. In fact, we are proud of you."
"I know that," Torren felt as both of their hands' gentle strokes on his, which brought about a soothing relaxation. Torren smiled, enjoying the way his sisters-in law patted his hand, reassuring him; it was very comforting.
Thinking to himself, 'Carl and Jeff are extremely blessed to have such wonderful wives.'
Hearing the clapping, Torren returned his attention to the stage, only to see a band setting up to perform.
Unaware, he had spoken his thought aloud, 'I hope they won't take long, I am feeling a bit hungry now.'
At that moment, Lasandra laughed and said, "It looks as though the program is over, and they are going to serve dinner now."
Glimpsing Shawney as she returns to her table with a tray holding some plates. Lasandra holds her father-in-law's hand, and in a whisper, she said, "Dad, Shawney is coming. our way"
Train smiled, seeing her bend and kiss them, then said, "Sir, can I steal Torren from you to sit at my table?"
" Shawney, my child, I will leave that decision up to Torren."
Seeing the smile, Torren asks, "You all won't mind if I go?"
"You go and enjoy yourself, Torren. We will be fine," Careen said.
"Thank you, sister-in-law," watching him go with Shawney and how happy he was, like a little child getting a special prize.
"Dad, I see you are happy just like Torren", Careen whispers.
"Oh, my child, I wish he would remain this happy; it seems he is not having a problem mingling among the crowd, which makes a vast improvement. And as you can see, Shawney is good medicine for him."
Lasandra and Careen heard him laugh, "You both should have seen them for Valentine's Day. He was so scared thinking she didn't have money to pay for the meal. So he only orders shepherd's pie and pepper shrimp. He slips me five hundred to put in her purse, boy, that was a joke. When she came and saw what he ordered, she asked for his plate and started putting half of her order on his plate. Then, after dinner, they went and danced. He was never so happy. Then those fools had to appear and spoil the evening. I only hope there's nothing to spoil this evening."
"Repeat what you just said, Dad?" Lasandra replies.
"Why do you say that, child?"
"Look what just fell in on the food line."
"Good Lord, where do these people surface from?"
Seeing his concern, Careen said, "Well, we'd better get in the line before it lengthens."
A few minutes after getting on the line, Mr Collin came to Dad, "Mr MacCarty, I see you and the girls are here?"
"Yes, you know my girls are always with me, and Robert and I have been friends for over half a century."
"Dad, what would you like to have?" Careen interrupted their conversation so that this nosey couple would shut up.
Understanding her intention, Train said, "A little of everything, child."
"So, tell me, aren't the boys here?" Lasandra gritted her teeth, thinking of a way to shut this nosey couple up.
Unable to hold her rage, Careen suggested, quickly before another question pops out of their mouth, "Dad, why don't you get the drinks? The line is short, and we will fix a plate for you?"
"Thanks, child, that sounds like a great idea. Will you excuse me, Collin? My children are hungry and tired."
Waiting until the Train left, then Mr Collins asks, "So how are my grandchildren doing?"
"They are the happiest; they cling to their dad now," Lasandra responds.
"So, he accepts them?"
"Uncle, Torren had no memory of them. With everything that has happened to him, he had completely forgotten about them. When he was told about them, he accepted them, and now he attends to them; everything is okay now." Lasandra replies, feeling angry with their questions and inquisitiveness.
When Lasandra said, "Careen, you are the smartest. Dad is almost done, and we are about to be served. Look at the line now?
Thank God when we send Dad, if we were all here, then we would have to wait in that long line."
Hearing Mrs Collin saying to her husband, "Why don't you go and join the line before it becomes longer?"
When he left, Lasandra exhales, and Careen whisper, "Thank you, Lord."
Shawney waited until Torren completed his meal before she said she had something to attend to.
Doctor Joseph also said he had to work in the morning and needed to leave now.
Taking the cue, Torren asked to be excused and went to look for his dad and the two ladies. Not seeing them anywhere around when Doctor Joseph came out of the auditorium.
When Joseph offered me a ride home, I accepted it willingly, thinking Dad and the ladies had left earlier. "Thanks, Doctor Joseph.
"Torren, I haven't seen you this week at the clinic. Are you feeling much better?"
'Yes, I am fine, I will see you when I have my clinic appointment."
"Okay, then take care of yourself."
"I will, and thanks for the ride home, Doctor Joseph."