THAT'S YOUR DAD
Carl was shocked by the way he responded to Shawney, the entire evening Dad tried speaking to him, all he kept saying was to go away.
"Torren, it is Shawney. Have you forgotten already? Torren opens the door, please, for me, and we will talk."
"I don't know you, just go away from here."
"Do you really mean that, Torren?"
Carl noticed how she wiped her face with the sleeve of her dress, then she looked at Dad. When I heard Torren say, "Yes, go away."
"Okay, Torren, I will leave. I just came to take up my bag. I will be returning to Chicago soon. Goodbye, Torren." She just hugged Dad, then went to the room and came out with her bag.
Carl heard a glass smash, then the crying began. Shawney had already walked downstairs when Liz opened the door with both children clinging to her legs. "Ma'am, please stay a few days."
"I am sorry, Liz, I am no longer needed here."
"Ma'am, please, the children need you."
"Sorry, but I really have to go."
Everyone turns around, hearing Torren's door open with a bang, and he comes running down the stairs, "Why are you still here?"
"Don't worry, Torren, I am leaving your house now."
"What is that in your hand?"
"It's my bag, Torren."
"Let me see it?"
Carl came closer to him, seeing the way he grabbed the bag. I have never seen him behave so violently before.
Standing arms-length next to Shawney, thinking he was going to hurt her. Watching him open the bag, scattering everything on the floor.
As the boxes opened, the pieces of jewels scattered on the floor, a Bible and a small envelope slipped out from the Bible.
Carl notices how Shawney rests her hand on the children's heads as they cry, "Don't be afraid, he won't hurt you, that's your Daddy."
"Shut your mouth, I am not their Father, I don't have anyone who loves me."
"That is not true, Torren. I love you very much, and your Dad loves you, and how many times have I told you that Jesus loves you the most?"
"Didn't I just say to shut up?" He pointed his finger at her.
"Okay, I will, so just put all my gifts into the correct boxes, then I will leave your house and you alone."
"Your gifts?"
"Yes, Torren, they are my gifts, so fix it back, then I will be out of here forever." Carl notices her lip only moving to realise she was praying for him.
The family observes how he looks up to her and then bends his head. He looks so confused, holding a few of the jewels in his hand and the boxes.
Watching how he wiped his face, in the sleeve of his jersey, then said, "You promise to help me?"
"I did, but you promised to listen to me, and you are not listening?"
"I am sorry."
"I know you are, now put all my gifts back in the correct boxes, please, and I will leave your home, and you won't have to see me again."
"I will put it back, and I am sorry, Shawney, I don't want you to leave me." Hearing him crying and seeing his confusion, Carl observed how he was fumbling to fix the correct piece in its box.
When Shawney stooped down, she was also crying as she said, "Torren, do you want me to help you?"
"Yes, thanks."
"Okay, you hold Gretta, and I will pack all my gifts in the boxes."
"No, you tell me which box, and I will fix it."
"Okay, come on, Tray, let us help your daddy," as Torren picks up the jewel, I give Tray the box to give to his dad. "Very good, you are doing great, are you still confused now, Torren?"
"No!"
"Then pack all the gifts into the bag neatly."
"Shawney, I am so sorry. Will you please forgive me and stay?"
"I know you are sorry and scared and confused, now get up, let us go into the flower garden for a few minutes, you will feel better outside."
"Shawney, I went looking for you today, but the Doctor said you didn't come to the hospital."
"I only visit from Monday to Friday; today's Saturday."
"Shawney, will you stay here, please? Dad misses you a lot, and Liz said the children like you."
"And what about you, Torren?"
"I miss you too."
"Okay, I will stay for your dad and the children."
"But Shawney, you promised to help me."
"Yes, I did, but you are much better."
"I am."
"Yes, you are, look how good you put away all my gifts."
"Yes, I am better."
"Now, do you still want to go to the flower garden?"
"Yes, Shawney, and we will have ice cream."
"Just like last night?"
"Did we dance last night, Shawney?"
"Yes, we danced, then we had cheesecake and ice cream."
"I remember now, you were very happy."
"I was, and so was you, Torren."