His Sister Orla

02

In 1908, the youngest Shelby sibling was brought into the world. Little Finn was born in his mother's later age, and soon after the birth of her youngest child, Mrs. Shelby fell ill. She tried her best to hide it from her children, they were just too smart for their own good.

On the night she died, Mrs. Shelby said goodbye to her children while she knew she still could. She wanted to make sure they each knew they were loved and deserved the entire world. They deserved a mother, and the cold, dark world was taking theirs from them. One by one, each child made their way into their mother's room. Silent tears fell and laughter filled the room as the children said goodbye to their beloved mother.

Tommy and Orla were the last to go in, for they were the two with the most patience. That young girl was completely in love with her older brother. Arthur and John of course loved their sister, she was just too young for them to connect with, so they said.

On her third birthday, Orla had asked Author toplay house with her, which of course means fake tea and baby-dolls. In OrlaMae's mind, absolutely no one played house with her as good as her Tommy, andthat little spitfire let her eldest brother know just that. Arthur, beingirritated, lashed out and exclaimed how he simply could not play with a baby. Tommywas not a happy camper that night. He had spent all that afternoon searchingfor the most perfect gift for Orla and when he walked into the house to find hissweet princess crying, all hell broke loose. He scooped his sister up and madesure to explain to Arthur just how to play house. It was that night that hismother knew that Tommy would always keep Orla Mae safe and sound. She was hisother half. Everyone always assumes that a soulmate is a lover, however Mrs.Shelby knew in her heart that Tommy and Orla were in fact soulmates. Later thatnight, Mrs. Shelby sat Thomas down and explained that a soulmate isn't someonewho completes you; a soulmate is someone who inspires you to complete yourself.Tommy told his mother that if what she says is true, Orla is his soulmate. Sheinspires Tommy to want to be a better man and to do good in this world.

As Tommy carried little Orla into his mother's room, Mrs. Shelby knew that Tommy would always be the one to look after Orla. After she held her youngestdaughter and told her just how special and how loved she was, the little girlwas sent out of the room. Tommy held his mother's hand and listened to each andevery word she spoke to him. Tommy promised to watch over his brothers andsisters. He was the protector and was to always keep them safe. Thomas Shelby swore to his dying mother that he would never betray his family.

After seeing his mother, Tommy went up to his room, and was not surprised tosee his sweet Orla Mae curled up in the middle of his bed. Tommy loved hissisters, both of them. Ada would always hold a special place in Tommy's heart,and he would do anything for her to be safe and happy. But Orla Mae was hisgirl. No matter what happened during his day, Tommy knew that Orla would behappy to see him at the end. Looking down at the small child, Tommy vowed to protect her. To keep her as innocent as possible and for her to never witness the cuttings and beatings. She would never know harm and would never know theside of Tommy that the world saw. Because she was his Orla, and he was her Tommy.