Taking the form, Train sits by the table and reads it through. Returning the form, Train stood aside and waited, asking himself, 'How can she conduct a business wearing such disgusting clothes?' He felt disgusted in his heart, but he didn't want this opportunity to slip through his fingers.
Coming back to the present, when he heard her baritone voice, "Sir, you didn't state how long you will be staying?"
Turning around, Train avoided looking at her and said, "Ma'am, I can't say for definite, it will depend on how long my business takes in this village."
Collecting the keys, he was led to the gate through which the child had entered. Following the child's Aunt, he sees the room number twenty.
The numbers were painted big and bold on the door. "Here you go, Sir."
Train smiled and said, "Thank you, ma'am." Train then turned his attention towards the huge building.
Thinking, 'This child doesn't know how good a business this is. Now, that Aunt at the front is an automatic turn-off.'
Entering the room, 'Why do I sense deep within my heart that all of this business doesn't seem to be of any importance to the child?'
Opening the window, Train overheard a soothing voice. "Shawney, honey, your father became very ill these last few months. Honey, we had no idea where you were and how to reach you or to get in contact with you."
Ken saw the tears flowing down her face, unable to bear to see her hurting and in so much pain, he reached out and hugged her. Ken heard her moan as she sniffled, feeling the hot tears soaking his jersey. Stroking her gently on her head and back, "Honey, if I only had the slightest inkling that you were coming today. I would have kept his body an extra day."
Train knew eavesdropping was improper, but his heart melted, and he was heartbroken. The cry grew slightly louder. When Train heard the person comforting her saying, "Shawney, your Aunt insisted that the burial be done early."
Being stunned by this news, he couldn't believe his ears. Train muttered, "Goodness, gracious Lord, did her father die? This is not good."
Not long after, he heard hurried footsteps. 'It seems her loud cry had alerted the other family members.'
The gentle voice that was comforting her said to her. "Here come your brothers and sisters, Shawney, they missed you so much."
Train listens with concern to them as they greet her. Train thought, 'Not one of them said welcome home, or I miss you, Shawney.'
When one said in a sort of bossy voice, "Shawney, do you know how much work we have to do in this place? We have to attend to the cleaning and maintenance of this big house, plus the family's new business. If only you were here, it would have been so much easier."
Train did not hear a whisper from her, then the grouchy Aunt grunted out as she got closer to the group.
"I see you have finally decided to return home, Shawney. I hope you know that because you neglected your father, he died of grief and heartbrokenness.
Ken was angry as he gritted his teeth and growled loudly, "Joan, for God's sake, stop that this instant, the child has just reached home. And can't you see how heartbroken she is? And you already started on her case."
Shawney knew her aunt was right, with her head slightly bent, "Aunty Joan is right, Uncle Ken. When Meg, Linsey, Curtis, and Sid got married. I neglected my duty to take care of Dad."
After hearing the conversation for a while, Train thought, 'Is this child the eldest, so why didn't she get married?'
When some others joined the group, Train heard the girl's voice saying,"So, Shawney, I see you finally decided to return home?"
Then another butin in a bossy male voice said. "To tell the truth, Shawney, I thought you would never return. But you must have heard Uncle Daniel died and come to see what you could get. But if you recall, before you went away. I used to tell you that life outside of the village is no bed of roses. Well, it doesn't matter anymore. Now you have finally returned to your senses!"
"That is enough, you two." Ken snaps at his two children, becoming angry for their indecent behaviour.
"Dad!" Julien grumbles. "You always take sides for Shawney. Seeing that she has returned home. I am very glad now she could fall back on all her duties, taking care of the family and now that we have the business." Julien notices how his mom glares at him as though no one is allowed to run the business.
When Shawney said, "Sorry, Julien, I am no longer anyone's caretaker or servant. I just stopped by for a few days, wanting to discuss something important with Dad. Seeing that he is no longer with us, I will be leaving very soon."
Hearing her words, Ken was aggrieved, "Honey, please ignore all of them. I am glad to see you return home. I was so worried, wondering how I could get in contact with you. Knowing your father will be read tomorrow. Now go and take a good rest. You look tired, and in the morning, when the lawyer comes. He has to discuss what your father had left in his will for each of you."
Shawney felt a headache, reaching out to her Uncle, hugging him, "Thanks, Uncle Ken, it is so good to know you haven't changed. Now, if you all will excuse me. I will go to my room."
"Shawney!" her aunt called.
Stopping she turns around and responds, "Yes Aunty1"
"You will have to use one of the guest rooms. I rented out your room."
"That's all right Aunty Joan, I don't mind, I am just here for a few days anyhow."
Overhearing the last of her conversation with them. Train knew he must get her to agree with his proposal.
When Dalia died, it had driven him to such rage. That the children have completely lost both parents. The last I spoke to the Doctor. He said Torren would be discharged next two weeks.
As memories replay of this one incident in his mind. 'Torren was about eight years old and he was crying his eyes out as he stood on top of the roof.
Nancy called me to return home and she was crying so historically and sounding so fearful.
Returning that day only to find Torren in tears and Nancy screaming to the top of her voice for Torren to come down from the roof.
Only to learn later on that it was Nancy who forced him to climb the ladder. I could never forgive myself for choosing him as a mother. Train thought at first Nancy treated him with so much love, in fact, in front of me, she showered Torren with love.
It was not long after that day, that I wasn't feeling well and returned home unexpectedly without informing Nancy. Hearing Torren crying, I entered quietly into his room, wanting to know what was wrong.
Only to find him tied to his bed and Nancy was using my broad leather belt on him.
Unable to believe my ears as she blamed him so blatantly for his Mother's death. And for keeping me away from her.'
Relaxing in a recliner near the window train's mind went back to the beginning of his rage. When Torren was hospitalized for a week due to her beating and the fear that had him traumatized
When he returned home from the hospital and heard that Nancy was no longer living with us. It was then he believed that he was the one responsible for my unhappiness.
When Nancy left the house she also left the three other children with me, and they took advantage of Torren. With Torren being the eldest he never hurt them.
Dalia on the other hand learned how to soothe his heart and keep him calm. Also, she finds ways to help control his rage when he is nervous and depressed. When she died giving birth to my Gretta. It had driven him out of his mind.
My Gretta is already two years old. She doesn't know her Dad. Tray my grandson is already five, and both of them losing their parents.'
Train whispers a word of prayer. "My Lord, and my God, if only I could have the favor as Abraham's servant. Just as You had helped him to choose a wife for Issac. So to Lord, help me please and give me the favor to choose a wife worthy for my son Torren."
Rising early Saturday morning, Train sits in the dining room. Overhearing how the family was discussing Shawney as the main course or an item up for auction at the breakfast table, and over their meals.