Broken

Boston

October 19th, 1915

Dear Tommy, It's been 1 year since you left for war. I hope you're doing well. I'm sorry I haven't been writing to you as much, it's been really hard. But you told me to be happy, and I'm trying. So that's why I don't write the letters. But right now, I'm no where near happy, and I'm sorry. My mother died a few weeks ago. We knew it was coming, so I'm not as upset as I would be. But there is something I need to tell you. And I need you to know that I have to do this. There is no way out. Trust me, I've made up plenty of excuses in my head to try and get out of this but there just isn't a way. Before my mother died, she was getting her things in order, such as her will. And in that will had everything she owned. She only signed it to one person, Adrian Decker. The only thing she left me was a letter written by herself. In that letter, she told me that I am to marry Adrian and that I have to move to Boston. Apparently, my parents are in debt with the Decker family, and the only way to repay that debt is for me to marry him. I don't know what to do Thomas. I've tried telling my father that I did not want to do this but he said I have to, for it was my mothers "dying wish." So I am writing this letter to you while awaiting Adrian to come and get me. I've even tried talking to Adrian, and now I know he is not the man everyone says he is. I am so, so sorry Thomas. I never wanted any of this to happen. But I need you to know, that I love you so much. More than absolutely anything in the entire world. I've loved you since I met you and I won't stop till the last blink of my eyes. We will be back together soon. If I am not there when you come back from war, please know that I will come back to you. Please wait for me Thomas. I will come back. I promise.

Love, Anna.

...

Today was the day Anna had to go to Boston to marry Adrian Decker. She was scared out of her mind. What if she wasn't able to come back? What if she does come back but Thomas didn't wait for her? What if he turned on her? What if he doesn't love her anymore.

"Anna! Adrian is here!" Richard yelled from the bottom of the stairs.

All Anna could think was not to cry. She could t cry infront of Adrian. She needed to act tough. Tough.

Don't cry Annabelle. Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry. You will come back. You will come back for Thomas. For Thomas. Thomas.

It was all for Thomas.

As she walked down the stairs and seen Adrian. It felt like time moved slower, and not in a good way.

"Good morning Annabelle." Adrian said with a wide smile. Anna didn't respond.

"I'm off, dad."

She leaned in to give her dad a goodbye hug. She only gave it to him because she was never going to see him again. Him and her mother ruined her life. They do not deserve the time of day.

"Goodbye Anna." She didn't respond again.

They walked outside to the car waiting for them. Anna got in the car while Adrian put her bags in.

Once he got in the car, she finally spoke.

"I need to stop somewhere before we go."

"Where?"

"Small Heath."

"Why?"