"Candis, the board members have been complaining, and another thing, if they are not getting performance in your departments.
They have suggested that they will put new Co-ordinators to manage the departments."
"This is ridiculous Torren?"
"To you my child, it might sound ridiculous, but the board members want performance."
Noticing when Shawney told Mrs. Louise to get the children desert. "Yes, Mistress!"
Candis stood up in a rage saying, "Mrs. Louise, why do you call her Mistress, she is not the lady of this house?"
"Candis, next time you speak to Mrs. Louise in that tone of voice, you will sit at another table and prepare your own meal, do you hear me?" Her dad shouted after her.
"But dad, Shawney is not the Mistress of the house?"
"You just sit down and shut your mouth, and let me be the judge to that? Mrs. Louise is just being polite, and it will be nice if you could follow the same pattern."
Hearing her outburst, "Since Shawney comes to this house, you two have changed."
Train see when Shawney stood up wondering what she must be thinking? 'I could understand the predicament Torren used to be in, her attitude and behavior stink.'
"If you all will excuse me, it seems I am the problem, so I will leave you all to finish."
"You, my friend will not be going anywhere, this is my house and the decisions are still mine."
"But Sir," but then the groaning sound escape Careen lips that cease any other remarks, Shawney turns her attention to Careen, "Careen are you alright?"
" Shawney, my back is paining terribly."
"Torren hurry and call the Doctor, Dad can you please take care of the children, now you come along."
Holding Careen hand, "I will help you to your room, Lasandra will you please ask Mrs. Louise to have a warm glass of milk send to, Careen room?"
In the room helping her out of the dress and asking her to lie down on her side. Using a small towel with some hot water, resting it on her back allowing the muscles to relax. "It pains so much."
"Okay, just take some deep breaths for me, inhale through your nose, and exhale through your mouth, come on it will help until the Doctor reach."
Lasandra who was looking at what Shawney was doing just listen as she keep praying and using the towel on her back.
"Lasandra will you put the fan on her and tell Dad when the Doctor comes to send him up. Okay girl you are doing good."
"Shawney, my time is not due for another month."
"Don't you go worrying about that for now, you are not going to have the baby as yet, but you will need some bed rest, so tell me how is the back feeling now?"
"It feels so much better, thank you so much."
"That is good to hear, I know you are mostly on your feet, and I don't want to tell you what to do? But you should be resting, this could be a warning."
When the knock came and the door open, Lasandra moves aside for the Doctor to do his examination.
Fifteen minutes later when he complete his examination he took a seat then held her hand.
"Now young lady I am putting you strictly on bed rest, you only have a few weeks and you need to be off your feet.
And avoid any stress or you will be putting the baby life at risk."
"Don't worry Doctor," Shawney said, "I will see that she is, completely of her feet until the baby due time."
"You, my dear had done an exceptional job with that hot towel, it has helped to relax the muscles and veins.
I see her feet are swollen, now you have to elevate your feet so the swelling will go down."
"Thank you doctor, we will see to that immediately," Shawney replies.
When the doctor left the room Careen said, "Shawney can you just squeeze my feet for a few minutes please, it is paining so much then we will do as the doctor advised."
Careen observed how she rest down the towel on the basin, then sit on the bed placing the pillow on her lap then my feet on the pillow.
Feeling the relief as her hand gently massage the heel then the instep, it felt so good. With my eyes burning as she took my left foot and did the same.
Hearing her saying as my eyes close, "Careen do you want me to stay with you tonight?"
"I will be alright Shawney and thanks for everything."
"Careen, if you need me at any time, don't hesitate to call me."
"Thank you so much Shawney and good night."
Taking two pillows and resting it so her feet were elevated as the doctor recommended, then saying good night and close the door softly, seeing her eyes close.
Everyone has already gone to their room, I check on the two children then went to my room.
While taking a cool bath Candis's words, resurface, realizing she has a very dominating and controlling attitude.
Is she insecure and wants to be noticed, saying a word of prayer for her that whatever is the problem the Lord will reach down and touch her.
Half drying herself allowing some of the cold water to remain in her body, then pull on a house dress and a robe over it and went to Torren room.
Looking at him as he keeps turning from the right side to the left of the bed, he seems restless, "What is the matter, can't you sleep?"
"I was waiting for you but I didn't hear when you opened the door."
"Then my friend I came through the wall."
"I didn't mean that."
"Well, I meant it."
"Shawney there's no need to get angry."
"Who is angry Torren?"
Seeing her take off her robe and throw it on a chair then lie down on the bed next to him, pulling his arm over her as she hugs it. 'She seems to be stress out,' "Sweetheart is something bothering you?"