Smilingly, Shawney replies, "I am sorry, but I do that sometimes, Sid. You may not know this, but being alone sometimes can make you do crazy things."
"I came to ask you to join us in the water?"
With her smile still plastered on her face, she declined the offer, "Nah, I cannot swim, and you know how the others are, they will just get something to laugh about."
"Shawney, there is no need to be afraid. I could give you a crash course if you want."
"I don't think so, maybe another time, I have other things on my mind."
"You mean that Torren feller you introduced the other night?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Shawney, from what I heard, he is a physio. Are you sure?"
Exhapperated by their ignorance and for not trusting her ability, "Let me tell you something, and listen well. If it weren't for Dad encouraging me all those years, today I would have ended up just like Torren. All of you weren't an easy bunch to handle each day. Now next time someone calls him a physio, I will change the colour of their face, so pass on the message."
"Shawney, you don't have to get so angry and bite off my head. He is a stranger, and I am your brother."
With her hands clenched to her side, she gritted her teeth in rage. Thinking, 'he now realised he was my brother. When Aunty wanted to hit me, where was he? Yet a stranger stood at her side and protected me.'
"Yes, Sid, he is a stranger to you all, but he is my friend," checking the time, then said, "You can instruct them they have one hour to be ready and be on the bus."
"Shawney, since when have you become so rugged?"
"Did you all give me a choice? When I say something, you all take it to be a joke and laugh, so be kind enough to remind them, or I won't be responsible. I tell you, Sid, I will not let anyone walk all over me as they did before. I am not the same Shawney as three years ago."
"I will do as you ask, Shawney, but you know Aunty."
"Yes, I do, and if she doesn't hear today, then she will have her first lesson in taking heed to my words."
Whispering a word of prayer after Sid left and walked down to the water, where the others were bathing.
Thinking, 'Torren must be frantic waiting on me, but what am I going to wear this evening, dear God, why didn't I think about that earlier? I will only have a little time to organise and be there, please keep him calm, Lord, before he becomes rigid and begins to misbehave.'
Opening her eyes, "Child, I thought you were asleep." Uncle Robert enquires.
Uncle, do you have Mr MacCarty's phone number?"
"Yes, but that's home love."
"I must call them. Torren must be worried."
When Uncle watch beeps, "Is that three o'clock?"
"Yes, it is."
"Then it is time to leave."
"But, honey, they are not ready?"
"The bible talks about the ten virgins, the wise virgins had extra oil, but the foolish had none. Today, my family that is wise will be on the bus, and we shall see who is foolish among them."
Getting on the bus, Shawney started, then turned the bus around, and waited for five minutes. Everyone was seated except Aunty Joan. Shawney called out to them.
Calling out, Shawney said, "Who is inside? We are going, I value my time, so I am sorry for those who aren't on the bus."
Seeing the beach was clear and Aunty was taking her good time strolling on the water edge, I threw twenty dollars out of the bus, popped the horn, then drove out.
Hearing Julien shouting, "Shawney Mom is not on the bus."
Ignoring him and the others, as they begin to grumble and complain, making noise the entire drive to Aunty Paula's home.
Ignoring them, Shawney started singing as though the bus were empty.
Parking up in the yard, satisfied with her decision. Shawney exited the bus, not saying a word, nor looking at them, and ran up to my room.
Seeing a beautiful emerald green dress with silver work only at the front until the waist on the bed with all the accessories to go with it. Whispering,a word of thanks to the Lord for providing. She planned to wear the dress she wore at her aunt's anniversary.
I hurried and dressed, alighting the stairs. Mitch informed her that Torren was waiting outside.
As Shawney came nearer by the car, Torren was standing outside the car door waiting impatiently for her.
Seeing how anxious he was, she hugged him, whispering, "Thank you for coming, and I am so sorry for not keeping my promise."
Watching as he shifted aside for her to take a seat, he suddenly turned his head towards the entrance when he heard the loud speaking.
He seems angry when the taxi drives away from the entrance, and this big, bulky woman was swerving herself, making so much noise.
When I heard her say, "Where is she? I am going to kill her?"
Torren just listens with this frown on his face, looking on as she gallops herself, not caring who is looking on and listening to her outburst.
Torren and Carl stood beside the car, noticing that everyone from the household came outside, standing on the veranda. Shawney took her seat. Wondering if they had seen her when she left the house.
Everyone was just looking at her, not saying a word, as she continued with her bulky self, making a complete fool of herself.