Ken hugs Shawney and said softly, "Honey, the Lawyer will come to discuss what your father had left in his will for each of you."
Shawney felt a headache coming on, tightening her hold around her Uncle, she uttered, "Thanks, Uncle Ken, it is so good to know you haven't changed." When she steps away from her uncle, she said, "Now, if you all will excuse me. I will go to my room."
"Shawney!" her aunt called.
Stopping, she turns around and responds, "Yes, Aunty"
"Shawney, you will have to use one of the guest rooms. I had no idea you were returning, so I rented out your room."
Shawney looks at her aunt, knowing how manipulative and canny she is. Well, it doesn't matter anyhow, soon I will be leaving. "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 was right, and he must get her to agree with his proposal before she disappears, and his only effort will be gone forever.
Train's mind trailed back to when Dalia died; that incident drove Torren to such rage that he was mentally unstable and was hospitalised, causing the children to completely lose both parents. The last time I spoke to the Doctor. He said Torren would be discharged in the next two weeks.
As memories replay, Train blames himself for 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 hysterically and sounding so fearful.
Returning that day, only to find Torren in tears and Nancy screaming at 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, a mother.
Train thought that at first, Nancy treated Torren with so much love, but as time passed, he came to the understanding that she was using him to get access to his property. Her greed has caused her to torment Torren. Her front was exposed in front of me, realising she showered Torren with love in front of me.
Recalling how she pleaded and asked for forgiveness, I humbly give her a second chance, expecting her to turn over a new leaf. A few days later, 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.'
Tears well up in his eyes as those horrible memories bombard his mind. Relaxing in a recliner near the window, Train's thoughts went back to the beginning of his rage.
Torren was admitted to the hospital for a week due to her beating and the fear that had traumatised him. When Torren returned home from the hospital, and heard that Nancy was no longer living with us. It was then that 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 and pacify 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 and she doesn't know her Dad.
Tray, my grandson is already five, and both of them are losing their only parents.'
Train whispers a word of prayer. "My Lord, and my God, if only I could have the favour as Abraham's servant. Just grant me your favour and help me to choose a wife as Issac's servant. So to Lord, help me please and give me the favour to choose a wife worthy of 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 around the breakfast table, and over their meals.
No one had any idea where she was or where she had gone. But they were enjoying the breakfast she had prepared for them.
The family had occupied a long table, and I, on the other hand, occupied a table for couples. Not too far from where they were seated.
The arrangements were breakfast and dinner billed for when I checked in. If I want lunch, I will have to place my order in the morning after breakfast.
Taking my breakfast, I occupy the seat a few feet away. As I listen to them conversing about her and her father. He wants to learn as much as he can about the child.
Unable to see each of their faces as they converse. Train recalls their voices and places their names as he had heard them the evening before.
When Julien asks, "Dad, did Shawney say where she was staying all these years?"
Hearing one of the brothers, he seems to be the eldest, respond to him.
"Julien! Shawney wrote to Dad two months ago claiming that she is staying with a Pastor and his family in New Orleans."
"I wasn't aware that Shawney communicated with Uncle Daniel. Mom, Dad, did Shawney communicate with you?" Julien quarries.
"No, Julien," his Dad replied.
"Sid, Meg, Curtis, did Shawney send any letters to you?" Julien asks.
"I am afraid not, Julien," Sid responds.
Julien looked at their faces, observing their disappointment, feeling pleased with himself, he said without remorse, "So, what you're all saying is Shawney only communicated with Uncle Daniel", he questioned.
Ken was angry with his son's attitude and his continuous questions, "Julien! What does it matter, and why do you concern yourself about Shawney? When she was home, you all took advantage of her kindness.
I once overheard Daniel telling her that the only way for her to be free from this house was for her to get married, and you all know this. If you all recall,l Daniel got a few suitable matches for her, but Shawney was not interested. All Shawney ever wanted to do was to make sure you all had the opportunity to have a good education."
Unable to hold his tongue, Julien replies, "That is true, Dad. I recalled clearly when you and Mom could not help us, Mom used to ask Shawney to help us with our home lessons."
Ken could not hold back any longer. "You mean she demanded that Shawney teach you two?"
Joan becomes angry with Ken's hasty words and for disregarding all the efforts she made to ensure her children's education, "Ken, don't be an idiot," Joan's voice raised angrily. "You always exaggerate and make things look so ugly."
Ken clenched his fist under the table, feeling the itch to punch Joan in her mouth, "So, now I am being an idiot, you all had that child working like she was your hired paid servant, slaving after you all day and night. I often saw Daniel brush the tears away and walk out of the room."
"Yesterday, you told the child she was responsible for Daniel's death. The truth is, if you all never took advantage of her, Daniel wouldn't have had any reason to send her away."
"When Daniel thought all of you had gotten married and she wouldn't have much work any longer, it was then you all sat with your spouses and ordered her around without thinking that she had a life of her own."
Ken unclenched his fingers, feeling relieved and pleased that he had revealed what was in his heart for the last three years.
THE HIDDEN TRUTH
Meg was not pleased to hear Uncle Ken's words, wanting desperately to defend herself, "That's not true, Uncle Ken," Meg said with remorse in her voice.
Ken becomes disgusted when she tries to deny the truth, "Not true, Meg, remember that Sunday morning you wanted bacon? Shawney had just completed your dad's breakfast.
When Lance walks into the kitchen, ordering Shawney as though he were her husband. After both of you had just left, expecting your breakfast on the table. No one seems to care if she had eaten or not, isn't that how the rich people in the city treat the servants?"
"I remembered Uncle Ken," Sid replies. "But try to understand, Uncle Ken, Shawney was the only one who could fix our meals just the way we liked them. Now, look at this breakfast that is set before us. Who would have thought we would be enjoying such a lavish and delicious breakfast after so many years? I do miss the taste, don't you all agree?"
Train notices as he waves his hand and smiles, saying proudly, "Uncle, only Shawney could prepare such a lavish meal like this in such a short space of time, don't you think so?"
"Yes, Sid, we all know that, and there isn't another person to replace her, but no one took the initiative to assist or learn. That's why your father sends her away." Ken snapped.
"Uncle Ken, you are mistaken, Dad didn't send Shawney away," Curtis replies, feeling hurt hearing those words from Uncle Ken.
As he reflects on his past and what Uncle Ken was saying about Shawney, there is so much truth. We used to have her doing everything while we got to do our studies, then as we got married, we never allowed our spouse to lift a broom. Shawney took care of everything from cleaning, cooking, and managing the funds.
Without thinking twice, Ken says, "He did, Curtis, I heard it myself, and he blamed himself for the heavy burden that he had laid upon her shoulders. When she left home many times, he repeated his mistake, saying if only he knew he would miss her so much, when you all got married, he would have let you all find your place and not burden her."
Joan couldn't hold her rage, and blurted out, "Ken, just shut your mouth, she was the eldest, so who did Daniel expect to do the chores, me?"
Ken was furious, thinking what kind of mother figure is she, and how could she be so shameless, "I am sure you will like that, Joan. Being the Mother figure in the house, you were supposed to lift the heavy burden."
Joan could not believe her ears, 'Did he think I signed up for that heavy task?'