The week progressed slowly, and Train realized from observing Shawney's actions, 'Shawney doesn't seem to want any involvement in the business, she just wants to spend some time with her family, I hadn't seen her make any attempt or become interested in getting a job. I really thought we could meet and discuss my proposal, but there never seems to be an opportune time, and time is running out on me.'
Train rose early Friday morning, knowing the Lawyer would be coming today and then she would push off to God knows where.
Becoming perplexed, Train decided to get that opportunity to speak with her before the day was over. 'Since she came, she has been rising early to prepare breakfast.'
Hurrying to the kitchen Train had no choice but to stop, not wanting to be seen when overhearing a heated argument between Shawney and her Aunt.
Hearing her Aunt saying, "Listen, to me young lady, you own twenty-five per cent of the business. So you better stay if you know what is good for you. My only concern right now is after all the sacrifices I made for the family. Your father only leaves us twenty-five per cent of the business. I already told my friends I own half of the business. What a fool I have been and what would my friends say now? When they hear we only own twenty-five per cent."
Train, could hear from the cutting she was busy making preparations for breakfast, her voice was calm, "Aunty, no one needs to know how many shares you have, unless you want them to know. What I really want to know is whose decision was it to destroy Mom's flower garden?"
Hearing the rage when her Aunt responds to Shawney, Train knew she was never good for this business. "Who cares about a stupid flower garden, I am making money now, so the family could benefit. And what were you thinking when you hired those men to handle the landscaping on the property."
Shawney was furious with her bossy behaviour,'Though matter what some people will not change.'
"Aunty, you seem to forget this property belongs to me. I don't have to answer or report to you or anyone else. I can make or break whatever I want so remember that."
Joan gritted her teeth, and her eyes bulged out as big as a saucer. Shawney could see the way she was rolling her eyes with rage, when she snapped, "So, you feel you can just stop by and disrupt our lives? Making rules and regulations because the lawyer says you own the property? You neglected the family and your father who loved you so much. Just living up your life, don't feel I haven't heard what you have been doing these last three years?"
Hearing Shawney laugh without any fear, saying, "Then what can I say Aunty, I can't stop the breeze from blowing. Now I was thinking if you were up to date on my whereabouts, then why wasn't I informed of dad health condition? I am sure you were aware that I was on my way home. Is that why you rush to do dad funeral? And another thing, I now realise what a huge blunder I have made. I should have just bought all the shares and let everyone stand on their own two feet."
Pointing her finger at Shawney, Joan said angrily, "You are not the same person, who left here three years ago. Shawney, you have become very selfish and uncaring. I must truly confess that I am very disappointed in your behaviour."
Shawney couldn't help but laugh, "You are right Aunty, I was a timid and very obedient child, and everyone could push around as they pleased in the past, but Aunty, I have seen the world and the things children do to their parents because of greed. They destroy one another by using each other. Manipulating and deceiving each other, and believing it's the right thing to do. I, on the other hand, have decided not to do that. Now if anyone thinks they will fight me down for what is legally mind, they are dead wrong. I will just buy out their shares and they will fend for themselves. I did my duty and I owe no one an explanation or a pinhead."
Joan could not conceal rage, yet she laughed, "Shawney, what has become of you and where would you get the money to buy all of the shares?"
Anger boils from within as Shawney responds to her Aunt, "Aunty, sometimes we are called to make tough decisions. You all can still change your mind, I haven't signed any documents as yet."
Unable to control her vexation Joan shouts, "Your Uncle has worked so hard to keep this property and the family together, so what is all the fuss? Anyone to blame is you, you neglected the family."
Shawney smiles when she hears her Aunt's evil words and her laughing, she thinks to herself, 'She sounds so shrewd,' as she says, "Aunty, I believe it's time for Uncle to retire, but I am not a fool as some may think. I have seen the world and have grown wiser. From where I stand you are the one behind the business. So I will ask Uncle Thomas to take pictures of my house. And have an insurance plan drawn up for all my belongings. Also when it's time comes to move, there won't be any confusion, or misunderstanding as to who owns what. So all my belongings will be here. And if anything is broken or lost. A certain percentage will be deducted from yours twenty-five per cent."
Joan groaned feeling she could just knock this girl down, "You, don't trust us."
Seeing how calm Shawney were as she spoke, "It is not that I don't trust you all, it is you all trusting yourself. Trust is something you earn, and the truth is you and Uncle have been good to Dad and the others. But if at any time I hear of anyone swindling each other I will forfeit all deals and return to the original will."