I fix my business and keep praying you will return to me." Torren didn't want to reveal that the Lord said she would return.
"I don't quite understand what you are saying, Torren?"
"Shawney, I distributed to my family a portion of my inheritance, and now whatever I have, if you marry me, will be for us."
Hearing Joseph say, "Say yes, Shawney."
"You mind your business, Joseph. I confide in you, in confidence, and you set me up? I should have known you wouldn't keep your word."
"Shawney, you talk about God and having faith, so you ran away from San Francisco, and look what happens, God brought you right back."
"Yes, but I ask you not to tell Torren that I was here?"
"I didn't say anything, ask Mom, she is the one responsible for having this dinner? I just thought about inviting Mitch and Uncle Robert, so I asked Mom to send an invitation. I told Torren nothing, ask him? And if you had said yes to marrying me, no one would have known."
Seeing Torren look at him, "I am sorry, buddy, she is very beautiful, but she turns me down outright, saying she considers me as a brother."
Observing the way Torren closed his eyes, Shawney got on her knees, stroking his face gently. With Mr MacCarty's hands clasped together, pleading with me for a yes.
"Okay, Torren, I will, but no one other than us here must know." Seeing the nod, "Then let us get married."
"Judge Harvey, will you do the honours of marrying my children?"
"Grandpa, you are a judge?"
"Yes, child."
"Did you plan this?"
Hearing him laugh, "Child, I hadn't the faintest idea you knew my children? I told you I was going to my son, and you agreed to ride with us. When we reached here, you were sleeping, so when my grandson came to assist with our bags, seeing you, he said nothing.
All he said, he would take you to the guest room. Now that that is settled, do you still want to get married?"
"Okay, go ahead, Aunty Paula, will you please be my witness?"
Seeing the tears, "Oh, honey, I will gladly be your witness."
"No prompting to anyone, right?" Shawney speaks, facing everyone
"Not a whisper to anyone." They all promise.
Dinner was quiet; everyone seemed to be thinking, but all I was thinking was that I had missed him so much, and his father got his wish. But when his family hears about our marriage, what will happen? Well, we have to deal with that when we come to that bridge. I was afraid he might be afraid of what I did to my family, but he was ready to proclaim his love and accept me without any hesitation.'
Looking around, they were concentrating on their meal when I said, "Okay, we are not at a funeral?"
But that still didn't help. When they all finished eating, I made an excuse and went to Aunty Ruby. "Can I get the dessert? We should be celebrating, but everyone is behaving as though they lost someone?"
When Aunty Ruby said, "Okay, you can go and bring the whole cake from the kitchen."
Looking at her go, thinking, 'The way Joseph was constantly speaking about her, I so wanted to meet her.
But when did he ask her to marry him? And how come she chose to accept this young man over my beloved son?
Looking at Torren, as he sat quietly, Shawney held Joseph's hand as they went to the kitchen
"Shawney, I am sorry for plotting with Mitch, but you were hurting, and as you see, Torren was hurting also."
"Aye, I wanted to thank you, I now realise the real culprit is the big man up there? I asked him before I started to fast last week to decide where I should go next. So he is responsible for me being here. So, no heart feeling right, we are still friends?"
"Of course." Placing the cake in Joseph's hand, as I took the plates, spoons, and ice cream, we went to the back porch, where everyone was relaxing.
The rest of the evening was very nice, and my family seems to accept what happened.
But Mr MacCarty was always smiling. I can't imagine what must be going through his mind, but he sure was having happy thoughts.'
Driving home, feeling the heavy burden lifted off his shoulder, as the joy fills his heart.
Reaching home, Jeff was quietly sitting in the living room, watching the ten o'clock news. He stood up when Shawney entered right behind Torren.
Train just heard her say, "Good night," and went straight up to the room.
Torren just said, "Good night," and followed her, but went to his room.
"Dad, what's going on? Where did you find Shawney?"
"She was visiting Joseph."
"Is she angry with Torren?"
"They will be alright, go to bed."
In the room, Shawney takes a bath, thinking, 'I cannot go on the road now, things are different. I had my plans, but that didn't seem to be working out. I tried to get away, but you brought me right back. Was this your plan, bring me straight from Chicago with a judge to marry me? Joseph was right when he said I was shrewd, but you are shrewder. Do you know that? Well if I haven't told you thanks before, I really must say a special thank you, You understood how I felt about him, but these walls have separated us. I must find a way to be with him without being seen. He has been hurting for so long and needs to be comforted. He also needs to understand that you have been with him all this time. I am glad that you heard his prayer, bless us, and make him well." Changing, Shawney then went to bed