Tommy Shelby ~ Between the Walls and the Whiskey

Untitled Part 11

The chatter of the cafe was all background noise to the thoughts racing through Cecilia's mind.
              
She sat staring down at her cup of coffee, untouched and cooling, black against the white china and lace table cloth.

"Are you hearing me?"
                
She was, in fact she heard Ada's words clearly, she just wasn't sure she wanted to.
              
"I say he's change Cecilia, even I can see it. And it was me that wanted to break free of him and the family most of all."
              
Cecilia shrugged a little and picked up a small spoon stirring the coffee though she'd forgotten all about cream and sugar.
              
"At least respond to his letter." Ada said sitting back, frustrated with Cecilia's lack of conversation.
              
"I can't" She said softly
              
"Why not?"
              
"I just can't"
              
Ada shook her head, then quickly leaned forward to whisper "You're killing him. He's not the same without you or Evie. It's to much for him and if you don't do something and he gets killed. His blood'll be on your hands" she said and sat back with a cocky brow raised, her eyes round with emphasis.
              
Cecilia did not take mildly to threats, no matter how innocent they may be. After years of living in a world where words like Ada's could get you killed or worse, she found herself angry with the girl, and her head rose slowly as she met the burning glare of Tommy's little sister.

"You've traveled a long way to get here, I can't imagine you did it just to insult or threaten me"
              
Ada rolled her eyes and popped a bite of scone into her mouth chewing loudly. "I just wanted to see Chicago, and you just happened to be here." She said with a shrug, pretending to not care.
              
Cecilia sighed shaking her head at the feisty younger woman and looked out the window of the cafe. She was harmless, annoying at times, but harmless.
              
The city was alive with the rush of mid day activity. She liked it here, truly enjoyed the ability to fade into a crowd of people, with no one knowing who she was, or more importantly who he was.
              
She and Evelyn had made something of a life in the windy city. And even though she worked long hours at the cafe it was good honest work that never put anyone's life on the line. Her mother had also moved up from the country to with help her with the quickly growing toddler and surprising even herself, Cecilia had even met a man.
              
His name was James, and he was a kind, quiet man, who was always quick with a smile. He worked along side his father, making a decent living as a tailor in their shop a few streets over.
              
Two years had gone by slowly until she allowed herself a little taste of happiness with someone else, and just as she was getting used to waking without tears, Ada Shelby had shown up outside her door this morning to do what, she wondered. Take her back? Beg her to go home on behalf of her brother who couldn't be bothered to come and do it himself. Not that it would matter, she thought shaking her head. She couldn't take her daughter back to that place, no matter how much she missed him, she could not put Evelyn in danger again. They'd survived it once, she thought it would be pressing their luck to see if they could survive it again.
              
"Listen." Ada went on. "I know why you left, I really do, and I can't say I wouldn't do the same, but you have to trust me that things have changed. He wont tell me anything, but I know it's different now"
              
"Sounds like the exact same Thomas." Cecilia said, disappointment straining her voice.
            
Ada could only cross her arms, her mouth tight as her mind raced to defend him.
              
Seeing that the girl was growing frustrated  and most likely about to act like the wild Shelby she was, Cecilia spoke up before Ada could.
              
"I appreciate you coming here, really I do. I have missed you and Polly and everyone, but I know whats right for me and my child. If Thomas wants to put the gangster life behind him then we'll talk and I'll be ready to listen, but based on what you're telling me right now, nothing has changed and nothing ever will." 

She stood and picked up her cup and the plate with the half eaten scone. "I've got to get to work, thanks for stopping by." She said and headed for the doors to the kitchen.
              
Ada sat slouched in her seat, watching her go, her mouth open ready to speak, but there was nothing left to say.