Pointing to the order, then read it out loud enough for them to hear.
"Then I shall have the same, Robin," Train replied.
Robin laughed when he said, "Are you changing your first order to this, Sir?"
"Yes, Robin, and I am sorry for the delay, but don't worry, I will compensate you for the time,
Torren, looking at his Dad, wondering, 'If he knows that we will have to pay this bill."
When Robin asks Torren, "Sir, will you be changing your order as well?"
"No Robin, my order remains the same, I will just have the pepper shrimp and Shepard's pie."
"Sir, you didn't order any rice or beans?"
"That will be sufficient, Robin and thanks for being patient with us, and as my dad said, we will compensate you generously."
Waiting until Robin leaves, seeing Dad open her purse, it only had a handkerchief. "I told you she didn't have any money."
Having no choice, Train waited for Robin to leave and out of earshot, then said, "What are you fretting yourself about, Torren? She is our guest. It's not that money is hard to come by, I told you; if she doesn't have enough money, I will pay."
"Here," giving his dad five hundred, "Put this in her purse."
Train was silently angry. 'This boy is so stupid at times. He has been locked up in that hospital for two years, and now he thinks five hundred will offset this huge bill.'
"Will you just put that away? Shawney is coming, and so is the waiter."
Hearing her say to Robin, "Let me, Robin, just tell me who orders what."
"Ma'am, the pie and shrimps are for the young Sir."
"Okay, thanks, Robin, I will handle the rest, oh and leave the bucket with the champagne."
When Torren notices two extra bowls, one with steamed wantons and the other with lobsters, he smiles.
Train, on the other hand, couldn't help but keep wondering if she knew that those two extra dishes were Torren's favourite "As you wish, ma'am."
Train observed the way Torren stood up and held the chair for Shawney to sit. "Thank you very much, Torren."
Waiting until he was seated, Shawney held out her hands. Torren was happy when Shawney held his hand and also his dad's. Not knowing why, he went along with it.
Firstly, I must thank you two for joining me to share this special dinner. I was hoping this year, I would be home to share this special day with my Dad, but I know now it's God's will that I am here instead.
Torren's eyes never left her face. He noticed that when she closed her eyes, almost in a whisper, she prayed only for their ears.
"My Heavenly Father, I thank you for this meal and these precious people joining in this meal with me. Lord, bless this meal, and I ask that You reach out and touch those who haven't eaten in days, even those who haven't had a meal this day. Father, help them and make a way, Lord. I ask all these mercies in Jesus' name, Amen.
Opening her eyes, she smiles and asks Torren, "Torren, are you on a diet?" Shawney couldn't help observing how his lip twitched as he smiled. Wondering what he must be thinking about.
Torren recalled her words earlier, then his father's words that her dad died, and now what she had said.
Becoming a bit confused once more, but he could clearly understand now when she prayed that she was speaking about God, her Father, because her natural father is dead.
Getting no response from Torren, she said without hesitating, "Torren, will you give me your plate, please? I didn't expect the portions to be this much." Still no response, she took his plate.
She shared half of her portion on his plate. "Torren, do you eat lamb and pork?"
Shawney noticed him blink, as though he was unaware of what she had been doing. She realised he hadn't heard a word she said. Understanding his confusion, she wasn't angry; she asked gently, "Torren, do you eat lamb and pork?"
When he nodded and realised what she was doing, he said, "Shawney, will you stop that? People are looking at us."
Hearing her chuckle as she speaks, "Torren, we are in a private room, we can see those outside, but they cannot see us, so relax, and I don't know about you two, but I love lobster and steamed wontons. As you can see, I took extras so we can have our fill."
With the two so quiet, Shawney laughed, "I hope we are not celebrating a funeral meal the way you two are quiet, now Torren, can I take a few of the shrimp?"
"Sure, take what you want."
Train noticed she just ignored Torren's and took a few shrimps and a piece of his pie, then returned his plate. With excitement in her voice, she said, with a smile, "Now we both have the same thing to eat."
Torren looked at both plates and smiled; his eyes never left her face, especially the way she looked so happy.
We ate in silence, but there was a glow on Shawney's face that melted Torren's heart and helped him to relax immensely.
By the time Dad and I finished, she had already wiped her mouth and pushed aside her plate, browsing through the dessert menu.
She was so caught up viewing the dessert menu that she wasn't aware that we were finished eating.
Hearing her whispers, "This cheesecake is looking so delicious, I think. I will have the pistachio and almond ice cream, and a generous portion of cheesecake. Now what do you two want?"
Train, on the other hand, was so stuffed he just wanted to stretch. Everything Shawney had selected for their dinner was so mouthwatering. It felt so much like her cooking. Now all he wanted to do was relax and watch them enjoy themselves. He didn't want to offend her with such a kind offer, so he said in a kind note, "Child, I would just like a cup of coffee to settle all this food."