Happy to hear his response, "Yes, that means you are not confused and your dates are not mixed up. Now, will you please open your eyes for me?"
Still afraid he was having an illusion, Torren whispers, "Miss. Wayman, I am afraid to open my eyes."
Shawney was determined to help build his confidence and convince him that all would be all right. Understanding his fear was still not dissipated, Shawney encourages, "But why, Torren, you are not confused. Now, will you please open your eyes? There's nothing to be afraid of. I will be right here hugging you when you open your eyes."
Torren hesitated a bit before saying, "Miss Wayman, if I recall correctly, I invited you for the weekend. Now, if I open my eyes, you might not be here in front of me."
Hearing her laugh, "That's not true, Torren, it seems as though you have forgotten that the weekend begins from Friday evening or haven't you heard me say that before?"
"But it is not evening yet, Miss Wayman."
At that very moment, his watch beeps, causing him to become conscious of the time, "Oh, my friend, it is already after four in the afternoon, according to the beeping of your watch. And I wanted to ask you out to dinner this evening."
Shawney suddenly felt his body tremble a bit when he said, "Miss Wayman, it is not safe for me to mingle in a big crowd. You know I only got discharged from the hospital a few days ago, and I need rest"
Understanding his fear, Shawney gently stroked his back, "Torren, you will be in my company, so there's nothing to be afraid of. Now, take some deep breaths, and open your eyes."
When his hands tightened around her, he pleaded, "Please, it's too early, I cannot go out as yet."
With her soothing words, "Torren, there's no need to be afraid, I promise you."
Wanting desperately to believe what she was saying, "But just suppose I open my eyes and I am daydreaming? Or even having an illusion. Then I will miss out on holding you for an extra minute."
Shawney was laughing; she sounded so free and happy. Making his heart glad, it slowly removed the fear that was stifling him.
With his disorientation and confusion finally subsiding, Torren considered how she gently coaxed him to relax and fight the illusion and fear. With peace of mind, he thought that if she were around him, he wouldn't go out of his mind, and there wouldn't be any need to worry about getting sick and returning to the hospital.
"Shawney, you have done an excellent job by calming me down. Would you consider accepting a job if I hire you to work for me?"
Looking at his face and recalling his father's word for help, and all Mr MacCarty had said, she thought this was a good opportunity to know Torren, and no one would suspect his dad. "Will you really hire me to work for you, Torren?"
Shawneyco was amazed to hear him chuckle. At that moment, she thought that when he posed the question, he was joking. What she didn't expect was when he said, "Yes, it will be an honour to have you as my employee "
Shawney was curious to know exactly what he was thinking "Tell me, Torren, what would the job entail if I accept?"
Lifting her chin to look at him, Shawney was stunned for a second; his handsome face glowed with sincerity and honesty. For years on the road, she had never met someone to grip her heart so tightly. Admiring the way he was twitching his lips brought a handsomeness that showed his magnificence. "Shawney, all you have to make sure of is I don't go crazy again."
Shawney knew she was not qualified to hold that highly esteemed position he wanted to entrust to her, but hearing he would be honoured, she encouraged her heart to give him her support.
Recalling his father's words, Shawney said honestly, "Torren, I don't mind accepting the position, but then you will have to listen to me, and not go flying off the handle every time you don't understand what is happening."
Holding both sides of her shoulder, "I will try my best, but I am telling you from now on, it's not going to be an easy task. You see, sometimes every little thing triggers me off, making me agitated and irritable."
Hearing his words, Shawney knew deep down in her heart she thrives for new challenges."Okay, I understand, but I want you to trust me, and I will trust you. So now open your eyes, I have something for you."
Shawney smiled as she watched him open his eyes slowly. When he said, "Oh, this is such a beautiful sight, you are for real, and I wasn't daydreaming or having an illusion."
Unable to control her smile, "Yes! I am real, now will you have dinner with me?" Seeing she had a beautiful red rose, she held it out to him.
Torren was happy, especially the way her peach-blossom eyes danced with excitement. "Yes, but under one condition, we will have dinner at home."
When her eyes dropped and disappointment was written all over her face, her voice had lost its chirpiness, "But Torren, I wanted to take you out for dinner, not to stay indoors."
Torren knew his decision to stay home was the right one; he knew he had only been discharged a few days ago and was not ready to face a big crowd.
Being firm, he said, "Not tonight, I feel a bit shaky, and today was a bit trying. We could make dinner at home, anything you want. If you want barbeque, burgers, just name it, and I will make it happen."