Fallen

Tea leaves {1912}

Polly emptied the reminisce of the teapot, into her cup. "You should of seen John's face yesterday. I've never seen him so happy."

"Well he deserves it, doesn't he?" Eve took a sip from the cup. Eve hoped her preoccupation with her drink would make Polly change the flow of the conversation. She wasn't lying when she'd said he deserved it. Born into a broken family, he deserved to grow one that was whole. He was a better man than his father.

"It's bitter!" Eve's nose scrunched in distaste.

"I forgot you like more sugar than tea." Polly slid over the bowl of sugar cubes. Eve plopped four of the cubes into her tea. "Everything back home is sweet, between that and the spice the Brits wouldn't last a minute."

Polly noticed how she still referred to Jamaica as home, Polly's own mother had been the same. No matter how long she'd been in Birmingham, no matter where her traveller family moved, Ireland was always home-it was where she'd taken her first breath."Lucky I'm Irish then." Polly replied.

"Lucky that. You'd look good in the island sun, from what I can remember of it anyways." Eve said stirring a teaspoon, till the sugar dissolved into the brown water without a trace. She must've been no older than three when she'd moved. She couldn't remember exactly it was all a haze. The one thing she could remember was the sun in the sky, as her father carried her onto the ship. Back then Eve hadn't wanted to leave, but her father had eased her tears with talk of Christ and the better life he had planned for them in England.

She'd imagined a brighter sun and a bluer sea but stepping of the ship they'd been met with murky waters and a sunless sky. She'd never seen the colour grey before coming here, nor had she'd known rain to be cold when it fell from the sky. One day she'd go back and live out the rest of her days in Jamaica. When she'd earned enough money that was her plan. Unless Birmingham gave her a reason to stay.

Polly eyes fixed on the girl smiling into her cup of tea, as if the brown waters contained the image of paradise."That smile. It's a shame you couldn't find it at the wedding." There she was all haughty Polly. The woman who saw everything. Under her strong gaz, Eve suddenly felt like a scared school girl caught skiving class. "I was just tired Poll. Nothing more." She took a sip it was sweeter this time.

"Bullshit! It was because of John. You've been in love with him ever since you were in pig tails, and dolly shoes with those white frilly socks. I've always known Eve. Even before you did." Polly stared into Eve's dark eyes. Then broke into a smile as if humoured by the girls fear."Don't look so scared Eve, it's honourable what you did. Letting him and Martha be. I know it's hard to ignore your heart."

"I didn't know I was all that obvious. You know I'd never want to hurt Martha." Eve frowned. " Maybe this'll sound stupid, but I was more upset at losing them both." Married people stray from there friends. it's only natural they had their own life now.

"You won't if you stick by your choice. You had your chance to speak in the church so now." Polly raises a brow testing her, as is she thought the girl before her was dumb enough to spill it all.

" I forever hold my peace." In keeping silent at the wedding she herself had taken a vow. " Polly you must know I wouldn't dare to."

"I believe you. You're one of the few girls round here with a kind heart." Polly frowned. Now wasn't the time to tell Eve, that kindness rarely got a person all that far. Life would teach her that lesson, all Polly could do was guide her path through the leaves.

"Drink up!" The older woman instructed. Eve blew into her tea cup, watching briefly as the water rippled. Then took a large gulp, and then several more till the cup was almost empty, besides the leaves heaped in an obscure shape at the bottom.