With her eyes closed, Shawney allowed the tears to flow freely. Suddenly, she felt a tiny hand on her face. Forgetting the pain and heartache at that moment, the simple touch warms her heart. Missing the child, she whispered, "Gretta, honey, I miss you so much."
Only when the child spoke, Shawney cameback to her senses and to that new realisation that it wasn't Gretta who touched her and she was no longer in San Friscisco. Opening her eyes slowly, she looked up and saw the gentleman holding the child's hand and walking towards another table.
"Oh, how I miss having cake and ice cream with you, Torren. I miss the children, I miss how we converse together. Will I ever feel that joy again? I hope you are well, my friend. When I am with you, I feel relaxed and happy. But I am too embarrassed to face you, for what my family said about you, will you please forgive me?"
Allowing the tears to continue flowing, Shawney just sat there. Time just went by, a few people passed by and glanced at me, but I didn't care.
Leaving the cafe, Shawney went to the supermarket, getting a few items, then went to the church she once visited. 'I know the Pastor will not mind if I stay a few days. It is warm inside, and I could do some praying and see where You want me to go next.'
One week in the church, praying and fasting as I read the word of God, only eating after six in the evening.
Deciding to move on, she left the Saturday after Good Friday. Shawney took her bag and headed out of the village, meeting an old couple who were going to visit their Son.
Shawney ask them if she could ride along with them until they reach their Son, then she will continue from there.
Every evening, wherever they rented a room, Shawney took a bath in the rented room. Then returned to the car and slept.
Before leaving in the morning, she would freshen up and have her breakfast with the elderly couple, before moving on to another town or village.
This continued for one week, we were on the road, and she had gotten a good rest.
Opening her eyes, realising she wasn't in the car, thinking, 'This is a room,' looking around, "Dear God, this is beautiful, but how did I get here? I can't remember moving or anyone carrying me. Where am I? Is this a dream? Lord, is this the mansion you have prepared for those who believe and trust in Your name? Lord, is this a dream? I don't want to wake up." Enjoying the beautiful sight, trying to soak in every moment of its beauty.
Sitting upright on the bed, Shawney observed Joseph standing by the window, looking out. "Joseph, what are you doing here? Are you dead, or are we in the same dream?"
His back still facing her, he responded, "I am not dead, and you are not dreaming; this is my home."
"You mean Pharaoh's palace?"
Turning around, he took a few footsteps closer to her, "Shawney, please, you are not dreaming, the old couple you were travelling with is my grandparents."
"Are you saying I am back in San Francisco, Joseph?"
"Yes!"
"Oh boy, I am sure Aunty Paula already heard what I have done, and I won't hear the last of it."
"And what have you done, Shawney?"
"Please, I just want to forget all about it."
"Well, let me tell you what's going on? Your friend Torren hasn't attended the clinic since you left? Every time I call, they say he isn't home, and he isn't returning my calls. Shawney, I am worried he might worsen if he stays away. You have to help him."
"Joseph, I am not his mother or his family? I had no intention of returning to San Francisco, and Torren doesn't know where I am, and if you don't mind, I would like it to remain that way."
"You don't mean that, Shawney?"
"I mean every word of it, Joseph."
Giving her a good shake, "What has happened to you? Shawney, I know you care for him?"
"Oh, Joseph, you don't understand? That Shawney has made a total mess of things, I put my family on the street and put their rooms up for rent."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"It is true, Joseph, everything I have given to them, I took it back. I am so ashamed of myself, Joseph. I put my little nephews and nieces on the street. Aunty Joan had made me so angry that I drove them all out of my property."
Unable to believe his ears, he heard her heart-renting cry. I could see the pain in her eyes and how broken she was. "You mean you were serious that night when you told them you were taking everything back?"
"Oh, Joseph, they had driven me to do it." Hearing him laughing, "What is the joke, Joseph?"
"I can't believe you are that shrewd?"
"Oh, believe it," hearing her sniffles, then she said, "That said night I went to the hospital for the Doctor to attend to my foot, because Aunty had kicked me on my foot."
"Are you saying that it was your Aunt who kicked your foot? That's how you fell?"
"Yes, and I had all the desert on me, you see, Joseph; they all saw what she did. And not one of them said anything, nor did anything, that's why I went and put them all out of my house."
"Well, good for you."
"So, you are not angry with me for doing my family that injustice?"
"Hell no, if someone had done me that? I would have done worse."
"But Joseph, they are my family, and they had no home to go to."