"Sweetheart, do you know how much I love you? I didn't care if you were living in the small house you told me about. I just wanted to be with you.
My children haven't laughed in days; they give Liz so much trouble." Although Shawney was crying, she stroked his face.
"As you see, I know a little bit about luxury, and also about poverty; I have lived in both worlds."
"Yes, and you went through a lot of hard times, but from now on, I just want to make you happy."
When the crying started again, I knew it was nothing I had said or done to cause it, but I knew from the way she was crying that something was bothering her.
At that moment, I just hugged her, trying to give her some moral support. He allowed her to cry her heart out until she was satisfied and to get some relief.
When the crying subsided and she fell asleep, I eased myself out of the bed and went to freshen up.
Then went to relieve dad with the children. Noticing this massive structure under construction. Torren, his dad and the children take a stroll, checking out the premises, "Dad, this is good business."
"Yes, Son, when I was here, it didn't have all this, but her lawyer is doing an excellent job with the property."
"How do you mean, Dad?"
"Her lawyer is her trustee; he takes care of all her business and hires the people."
"I now see why she didn't want my measly inheritance; she has so much more."
"Don't let what she has be a burden, Son. These things don't matter to her when she works in the rose garden; that is what gives her more satisfaction, it causes her to blossom."
Watching all the other children on the slides, and how happy they were with their parents, while some were with a picnic basket on the lawn.
Others were quietly having their breakfast under umbrellas, where tables are arranged.
"Dad, if we had a vehicle, we could drive around and see the village, and from what I observed here, I am sure the village must be popular with this crowd."
"You are right, I did see a few stores when I came the last time," Thinking back, 'I must have only left for half an hour. Because I so wanted to speak with Shawney. I now understand that things only happen on God's timing. That Friday was the perfect timing, and I got the favour of God. Now I am back here, and my heart is blessed to see that her business is bigger than ours.
Seeing that she put them all out, but knowing her, she might give them something to redeem what she did?'
"Dad, maybe we could check those stores and advertise our product from our factory?" Touching his Dad's hand when he didn't get a response. "Dad, are you hearing anything I am saying?"
Seeing a smile on his face. Touching his hand once more, when he looked at me still with a smile, "I can see you haven't heard anything I said, but never mind, you look like you were having happy thoughts."
"You know, son, now that we are here, I was thinking that Shawney might reconsider and return the shares to her family."
Wanting to say what he had seen, and knowing she owned all those properties. Torren said nothing, 'That is her personal business; anything to divulge she must do that herself.'
"Oh, Son, we could hire a taxi to take us around, they will know where the main attraction in the village is."
When Torren's meal came, he ate while the kids played on the slides. Then he leaves his dad to watch them as he checks on Shawney; she must be up by now.
Entering the room, seeing her by the window looking out, going to her, Torren notices when she wipes the tears. "Sweetheart, is something wrong? Why the tears?"
Torren hugs her, wanting desperately to remove all the heartache. But what he encountered was a trembling body. Immediately, he knows she is still tired and worn out from all the hustling.
Although Shawney was weak and broken, he felt refreshed and stronger just hugging her. Something he had never experienced in his first mirrage. Torren was hoping that being here for her would make her stronger.' He never thought it would be the other way around.
Whispering in her ear, "Never mind about them, I am here for you."
Feeling her hold tighten on his hand as she asks, "Why do the people who love me have to die?"
Torren felt pain, understanding exactly how she felt, but what can I say to heal her brokenness?
When she held my hand and kissed it, saying, "I was just thinking about dad, I miss him so much."
"Honey, you are hurting so much, but try to forget the past."
"It is easier said than done. There are so many memories that have been surfacing over the past few days.
When those special occasions came along, how could I forget? Torren, even if I try, it will still linger in my mind.
Tell me, Torren, can you forget your wedding anniversary with Dalia or the children's birthday, or even the slightest memory of your mom?"
Hearing her talking from one thing to another, but as she speaks, the tears continue to flow.
Knowing she was grieving, that's why all those memories were surfacing. When she said, "You can make arrangements for us to return home."
"But sweetheart, we only came last night, I want to see the village and the children must know this is your hometown. Please, my love, don't be too harsh to leave. Let us remain a week, and if you want to go after, I will have no objection. I would like to hear about your childhood days, and how you spent them in this village?"
"There is nothing good to share; it was only about taking care of the family, that's all."