Joan opened her mouth becoming stunned as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing. She wanted to desperately refute her, but it was as though her anger was stuck in her throat and all that could escape was, "What exactly are you trying to say Shawney?"
Ignoring her question Shawney just said, "You are the smart one Aunty, figure it out. Now set the table, I have something important to attend to today."
Stepping out of the kitchen Shawney noticed the stranger standing next to the kitchen wall, ignoring him knowing lately he has been snooping around, and now he has been ears-dropping on our conversation, 'I wonder what he's up to.'
Then the thought flashes through her mind, 'Is he from a Governmental department? I better check to make sure our taxes are in order while I am here.' Taking the keys to her Dad's room, without Aunty Joan seeing. Shawney went to check all of the documents.
Train thought as he waited patiently, 'Breakfast hour has already gone and Shawney hasn't come from her room. Wondering, 'What is keeping her?'
Time was going fast and Train had no choice but to sit and wait for her. Checking his time once more, 'Oh boy, it is almost eleven o'clock and there's no sign of her. I know when she saw me standing by the kitchen wall this morning, she suspected me and I could see she was angry.
Unable to wait any longer, Train went to his room. Kneeling next to his bed he prayed, "Lord, please intervene on my behalf, and make a way so we can speak with each other. Lord, I know she is intelligent and she has suspected that I am lurking around, also, she suspected I am up to something, but please Lord, grant me Your favour and help me to be successful in this mission."
It was after two when Shawney and the lawyer stepped out of her room. Pondering within his heart, 'Now that all her transaction is completed, she will move on and from what I overheard this morning. She is the one responsible for changing her father's will, ensuring that her family is secure.'
With all efforts failed to meet her Train relaxed by the pool thinking, 'The entire day had almost gone, and there was never an opportunity for a meeting. I don't want to confuse her any more than she is already confused.'
Lying unconcern with his eyes closed by the pool, lost in his thoughts when he felt the touch on his shoulder.
Thinking it was someone who came to the quarry concerning his dinner, he opened his eyes. Seeing Shawney standing in front of him, he was stunned, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes were cold and serious. Ignoring her eyes he admires how simply she dresses in a white lace jersey, black dress pants and flat black leather sandals.
Train said softly, "Yes ma'am, was it something you wanted?"
Shawney's eyes never left his face wanting to know if he was sincere in his words, "Mr Mac Carty, can you tell me exactly what you want or need? And please believe me when I say if I figure out that you are lying to me. Then you are out of here before nightfall?"
Train smiles sweetly, "Please forgive me, child, if you feel I was snooping around. But the honest truth is, I wanted to speak with you privately, without any interruptions."
Without hesitating, Shawney became very curious and anxious, "We are alone now so you can speak."
Train ponders deep within his heart, saying a silent prayer, 'Lord, I know You have answered my prayers please put words in my mouth, it might be my one and only opening to release what's in my heart.'
"Child, I can see there's no one around now, but just suppose someone drops by and overhears my conversation. I really don't want my personal matter to circulate around, but the matter I want to discuss with you is very personal and confidential."
Shawney's only concern right now is the property and he said personal and confidential but just to be on the safe side. Train notices the frown on her brows and she seems to be thinking about something before she replies, "Tell me if this has anything to do with my property?"
"No! My child, you see I am faced with a predicament and that first day when I saw you, I realized then that you might be the only person to assist me."
Seeing the shock and confused look in her almond-shaped eyes, "Me, what can I do, we don't know each other?"
Train calmly said, "That is so true child, and it was never my intention to be snoopy. When I came here, I only came with one motive in mind. You see my predicament is, that my eldest Son, he is unwell and will be discharged from the hospital next weekend."
Holding Shawney's hand as desperation engulfs his heart, "Shawney, my Son has a five-year-old Son and a two-year-old daughter who doesn't know of their father's existence."
Shawney seeing the tears wants to know why, but instead asks, "So where is the children's mother, Sir?"
As he brushes the tears aside he says, "My daughter-in-law passed away giving birth to baby Gretta. And that's what has driven my son out of his mind. Child, one of the problems is that I also have three other children with my second wife.
You see, my Torren was only three years old when his mother died. Two years later I met Nancy, who became my second wife, thinking she loved my Torren."
Wiping his face once more, "If only I knew she was faking her love for my child, I would have never remarried. I never knew she tortured my child until one day I was unwell and returned home unexpectedly. Only to see what my child had to endure in my absence."
Shawney that rage remains with my son, you see when he cannot control that rage he smashes things. Only Dalia was able to comfort him and keep him calm."