"Julien, just leave him alone, you know anything Shawney says he agrees." Shantel taps his shoulder as she walks out of the bus.
"You are right Sis."
"Child, don't you think three is a bit too early?" Robert questioned.
"Uncle Robert, I had to break my plans and if you don't know those people, I do; this has been Aunty plan all along."
"Why do you say that child?"
"Uncle, Aunty Joan overheard me telling Mitch that I will be going by Torren after lunch, I tell you she is very wicked, I know this is all her doing, trust what I say."
"But honey she didn't have any idea you could drive the bus."
Hearing her laugh, "You could believe her acting, I know she plotted this."
"You mean she knows you could drive?"
"Yes she does, when I was home at the end of January, Aunty thought I went for a walk, which I did.
When I return to get my purse, I saw her going through all my documents, my heavy T driving permit was in that envelope."
"Then I believe you should keep this with you," Robert says giving Shawney her pouch with her driving permit.
Taking the pouch then take a stroll towards a shed. Seeing how few people were on the beach with a few passers-by. And on weekends it's full to capacity, but this is the middle of the week.
Looking at her sisters almost half-naked not a care in the world. Shawney drinks a cold Fruta, and just relax.
When the person spoke, thinking it was Uncle Ken, he was asking me, "Why are you angry with them my child?"
Wondering, 'Why did Uncle ask me that, when he knows how they misbehaved with her.'
Turning backward to respond to his question, only there was no one around, I alone was in the shed, but then the voice spoke again.
Shawney knew immediately, it was the Lord, closing her eyes when He said, "They are your family?"
"Yes, I know that, but they fail to realize, I am a part of it, just look for yourself how they carry about themselves, I am ashamed to be with them."
"But you haven't shown them, Christ?"
"Lord, if others could see You in me, why can't they? I have done everything to make them happy and I am always the bad one.
I am sorry if You are displeased with me, but I will keep on praying, it is You who have to open their eyes, and change their hearts."
"Who are you talking to Shawney?"
"I am sorry, but I do that sometimes Sid, being alone can make you do crazy things."
"Are you going to join us in the water?"
"Nah, I cannot swim, and you know how the others are, they will just get something to laugh about."
"I could give you a crash course if you want."
"Another time, I have other things on my mind."
"You mean like that Torren feller?"
"Maybe!"
"Shawney, from what I heard he is a physio."
"Let me tell you something, and listen well if it was not for Dad, today I would have ended up just like Torren;
Because all of you wasn't an easy bunch to handle each day. Now next time someone calls him a physio; I will change the color of their face, so pass on the message."
"You don't have to get angry, and bite off my head, he is a stranger and I am your brother."
"Yes, he is 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 will do as you ask but you know Aunty."
"Yes, I do and if she doesn't hear today, then she will have her first lesson to taking heed to my words."
Whispering a word of prayer after Sid left and walk 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 organize and be there, please keep him calm Lord, before he becomes rigid and begin to misbehave.'
Opening her eyes, "Child I thought you were asleep." Uncle Robert enquires.
Uncle do you have Mr. Mac Carty's phone number?"
"Yes, but that's home love."
"I must call them, Torren must be worried."
When Uncle watch beep, "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 and turn the bus around, and waited for five minutes, everyone was seated except Aunty Joan, Shawney call out to them.
"Who is inside we are going, I value my time, so, I am sorry for who isn't in the bus."
Seeing the beach was clear and Aunty was taking her good time strolling on the water edge, I throw twenty dollars out the bus and pop the horn then drive out.
Hearing Julien shouting, "Shawney, Mom is not on the bus." Ignoring him, then the others, as they begin to grumble and complain making noise the entire drive to Aunty Paula home.
Parking up in the yard not saying a word, neither looking at them. Shawney, get off the bus and run up to her room.
Seeing a beautiful emerald green dress with silver working only at the front until the waist on the bed with all the accessories to go with it.
She hurried and dress, alighting the stairs hearing Torren was waiting outside.