Leaning back for support, Torren considered what was bombarding his mind. Unable to understand what to do and how to change what was happening.
When he went to meet her the first time, it was her foot that became lifeless. And now, when he backed away, his leg became lifeless, so what should be my next move?'
Sitting still, taking some deep breaths, 'Oh Lord, this madness has to go away,' easing himself little by little into the house, then suddenly, when he entered inside. Immediately, Torren felt as though his legs regained full strength.
This is no illusion or dream, "Oh Lord, all I want to do is hold her in my arms, and tell her how much I love her? Tell me, Lord, how is this going to become possible? If I don't know where she is? And I don't know anymore what's reality from insanity?'
Closing his eyes tightly when the voice seemed to be coming from afar, saying, "It's time we all go to the dining room, our guest will be down in a few minutes."
Thinking, 'if I don't see her, nothing of the sort will happen? But then I heard her footsteps coming down the stairs.
'I will stay right here,' hearing when Joseph said, "Torren, let us go to the dining room."
"I was wondering if you had something to soak my head, the sun was a bit too humid, and I am having a headache."
"I could get you something for the headache, Torren," Joseph said.
"I just need something to soak my head to keep it cool, thanks."
"Are you sure?"Joseph asks.
"Yes, thanks, just something to soak my head." Trying desperately to keep calm, as her footsteps descend the stairs, hearing it trail off.
Torren knew she hadn't seen him. But hearing her ask Joseph, "Where is he going? Isn't everyone in the dining room?"
"Yes, you go ahead, I will only be a few minutes again."
"Okay, then hurry up."
Hearing as her footsteps fade away, as he ponders in his heart, 'I know I wasn't mistaken, this could only be a vision, or was I having a premonition? I know for definite she is here," feeling more relaxed now, knowing it was not all madness.
Entering the dining room, Shawney thought, "I know I wasn't mistaken," seeing Mr MacCarty sitting next to Uncle Robert. Calling out to him firstly, "Mr MacCarty, Sir."
Before she bends to kiss her Aunt Paula, Uncle Robert, then Mr MacCarty. "Are you here alone, Sir?"
"No!" Hearing that, Shawney spins around and rushes out of the dining room.
Train smiles when Ruby asks, "Is something the matter with her?"
"She will be fine, Ruby, there's no need to worry," Robert responded, being a bit agitated.
"Robert, have you met her before?"
Mitch replies, ignoring his Dad, "Aunty Ruby, Shawney is my cousin from Mom's side of the family."
"I see, but that's the young lady I wanted to meet, from what Joseph told me, she does missionary work at the hospital and clinic?"
"Yes, she does, and if you had come for Mom and Dad's anniversary, you would have met her, but yes, I believe she is the one. I heard Joseph inviting her to a dinner at Mom's get-together."
"Yes, as you know, we only return the day after your mom's gathering, but if she were here for the anniversary. Then how is it Mom and Dad said they took her up in Chicago, and she rides with them?"
"Yes, that could also be true. After Mr McCarty's dinner, she returned to Chicago."
"Then why did she return to Chicago, if she had intentions of returning to San Francisco so soon? Are you saying she also knows Mr MacCarty?"
Hearing her shriek, "Where is Torren?"
"Aunty, Shawney went to meet him."
"Ruby, will you just relax? I hope you all understand why I hate dinners, people get excited for no particular reason."
"Grandad, why are Aunty Ruby and Dad so different? Aunty loves dinners, and Dad detest it?"
"I don't detest it, I just hate talking about people's business."
"Okay, my brother, if my asking questions makes you uncomfortable, I won't ask."
"Thanks, now can we eat? I am starving, Mitch. Will you get Shawney and Joseph? Why is Torren not here?"Robert queries.
Train stood up, "Torren wasn't feeling well earlier, let me go to him."
Hearing the clapping and loud laughter, they all stood up andhurried into the hall.
When Ruby heard Mitch say, "You were surprised to see Torren?"
"You two plan this?"
"We didn't plan anything; it just happened. We talked about it, and Joseph said his Mom was having a get-together."
"You are lying, Mitch"
Seeing the tears, Joseph thought, 'Not again, I know she is hurting.'
Feeling him holding her hand, when Torren said, "I miss you so much, Shawney, so please don't be offended even if they planned this. I was so worried about you, and I just had a vision before you came down. In that vision, you weren't well. I know you feel that no one cares for you, but that's not true."
"Torren, try to understand, my family will always be there, and they can be obstinate and destructive, even abusive at times."
Getting on his knees, ignoring her last few words, knowing his family is the same. "Will you, Shawney Wayman, please marry me? I love you very much."
"Torren, listen to what I am saying. I have done terrible things to my family."
"I know."
"You know, but how?"
"Well, if you throw out your family from your house, as dad said you would, they deserve it. They keep hurting you, but I promise I won't hurt you."
"Aren't you afraid I will do the same to your family?"
"No, I am not worried!"
"But why, Torren?"
"You see, when you left and told me to take care of myself, because you had to fix some business, I did the same.