Curious to know what she had prepared, Torren asks, "And what did you cook?"
"Oh, not much, just the dessert, because my Aunt loves sweets."
Noticing the wicked smile, "You know she will eat lots of it?" Torren ask.
" Not exactly, she loves to eat, and if they don't hurry, it won't have any left for anyone."
"Shawney, did I hear right?" Mitch asks.
"What's that, Mitch?"
"Did I hear you say Aunty love to eat sweets?"
"Well, she loves to eat when I make dessert."
"Come on, Joseph, let us get ours before there isn't any left."
Completing my meal, seeing Torren looking at me, as he smiles, "I told you I would eat my food, now where is your Dad?"
"He and your Uncle Robert walk outside."
"Then you relax and let me get us cake and ice cream."Shawney smiles as she leaves to get their dessert.
Torren recalled she told his dad she didn't walk with clothes in her bag, so where did she get that beautiful dress she was wearing last night? And this dress she is wearing tonight? This lemon and white look sensational on her, and it fits perfectly as though it was meant for her.
Watching how alluring she looks as she walks towards the sweet stall. Her hair was in a bun as always. Memories flucerate through his mind when he was playing with the curls in her hair that Valentine's night.
Looking at her smiling and hearing her speak so softly and sweetly with the others fills his heart with joy. 'All the embarrassment and ridicule can't hold her back from being happy. That sadness she was shouldering a while ago vanished into tin air the moment she met others and began talking. It seems as though she has a reservoir overflowing with joy. If only I could experience just a little of that joy and happiness, I know I will be alright.'
As Paula looks at Shawney and Torren eating their cake and ice cream, Paula thinks, 'He cares for Shawney a whole lot to stop Joan from lashing her, but his life is complicated. We cannot put her in a situation like that, but they both look happy in each other's company.'
Feeling the touch, turning to see Mitch's concern, the questioning look, pointing to Shawney, without a word spoken, he knew exactly what his mom was thinking, "I know, but Dad said no meddling mom."
When Joseph said who was sitting next to Mom, "I agree with Uncle Robert, but he is getting much better since he met Shawney."
As they look at how they both were caught up in their own conversation, "It is so good to see her happy after the way Aunty Joan misbehaves with her," Mitch said.
"I know my son, and do you know Torren Dad came to invite us for dinner at their home on Wednesday evening? And Joseph, I hope you are not busy, son, it will be nice if you can join us, seeing you are his Doctor."
"Aunty, I don't want to impose."
"You will not be imposing, my child. Mr MacCarty invited the entire family, and you, my precious boy, are family."
"Okay, Aunty, I will be honoured."
Mitch laughs, seeing how he bows for his mom, "Boy, you are the worst. I know you like Shawney a lot."
"No, cousin boy, I don't have time for that kind of relationship, and for your information, I am working in the morning, so I will be free in the afternoon unless there's an emergency.
"What nonsense, the psychiatric ward doesn't have emergencies. "
"You are right, but with Mom and Dad there's always an emergency."
Paula hugs him, "I am sure you will find the right words to soothe your mom and dad's hearts to get away."
Hugging his Mom, after Joseph left, Mitch observed when Torren and Shawney got up, and walked towards Uncle Ken.
Pushing his mom to get closer, so he could hear what was being said between Torren and Shawney. Shawney introduce Torren to Uncle Ken, then Aunty Joan Sid, Curtis Linsey, Meg, and the children. Then their spouses and her cousins.
Hearing her tell them that Torren is Mr MacCarty's eldest Son, at that moment Torren seems pleased to meet her family.
When his Dad calls out to him, "Torren, it's time we go, Son."
"Yes, Dad," responding immediately. All eyes were on him and Shawney. Watching as he holds her hand and smiles down at her, they walk outside.
Following them to their van. When Torren bends down, thinking he is going to kiss her, but says something to her, then opens the door and sits down.
Observing just as himself how her family was glaring at them, Mitch returned to the house, calling out to them to come and assist him with the cleaning.
The family stayed up late, when Shawney claimed to be tired after the cleaning, and left. Then one by one, the others follow.
Rising early in the morning, as I pass by Uncle Ken's room, I overhear him and Aunty Joan speaking with each other. "I told you, Ken, that girl will disgrace this family."
"Joan, I want you to leave her alone, you hear me, that child deserves some happiness."
"You mean she will bring a belly instead? You and Daniel always allowed her to do anything she wanted."