Title: A Lonely Walk Down Memory Lane
Summary: Eli reminisces on a past love….
Disclaimer: I do not own Boardwalk Empire. I do not own the song, The City, by Joe Purdy.
A/N: I took quite a few liberties with this story. Please review and let me know what you think
A/N: The idea wouldn't leave me alone, and as such, this will be a multi-chapter fic. This chapter is Anne's side of things. I suppose you could skip it, but I'd prefer you didn't, lol
"But, mama…"
"No buts, young man. We're going home where you can explain to your father how you've broken yet another toy on the boardwalk."
Anne looked up from her sketches, unable to suppress a grin at the scene in front of her. A mother and her young son had been sitting a few feet away, the young boy playing with a small truck. In a fit of anger over something in his imaginary world, the boy had thrown his truck, breaking into a few smaller pieces. The pencil in Anne's hand danced along the paper, trying to save that moment for the rest of time, even if just on paper.
How lucky children are, she thought to herself. They are so carefree, so untouched by the worries of the world. Her thoughts wandered, as she idly played with the ring on her left hand. Much like children, she had been oblivious to the issues of the world, right up until they appeared on her doorstep.
Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead
About a year after she separated from Elias, she had met and married a man named James Murphy, a fellow Irish immigrant whose family had arrived on the same boat as her parents. When he heard of the war, James had been one of the first in line to volunteer his services.
Unfortunately, like many other young men she knew or had grown up with, her husband lost his life in this battle. He had been wounded and lived for just a few days afterward, long enough to write Anne one last letter.
He had wanted her to move on, to be happy. The only other person that had ever made her as happy was Eli Thompson and their time had been over for some time.
You know how time flies
Only yesterday was the time of our lives
Anne had been deeply in love with Eli. He was an honorable man; one she knew would always love and protect her, and one day, their children. The day the other woman showed up on their doorstep was the worst day of her entire life. The very world she thought she was creating for herself was shattered, lying at her feet.
She was hurt, but Anne knew Eli would do the responsible thing. As angry as she was, she respected him for doing the right thing by June.
I hate to turn up out of the blue, uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.
After James' death, Anne had sold their small home and moved back to Atlantic City, where she could have a fresh start. She tried to keep as busy as she could; taking care of her mother prior to her death took up a great deal of time.
It was a bit of a shock to her system when, upon arriving in Atlantic City, she discovered that Deputy Elias Thompson was now Sheriff Eli Thompson. Rumors had begun to swirl that Nucky was involved in rather unsavory things, and each time, Anne would send up a little prayer that somehow, Eli had avoided it and stayed on the straight and narrow.
On occasion, while sketching down at the boardwalk, she'd see a child run by and would wonder 'Maybe that's one of his children. He does look an awful lot like Eli.' She would then mentally scold herself with the reminder that even if it was one of his children, it's not like it would make a difference.
The year she and Eli had spent together had been purely magical, and while she craved to be a part of that light once again, Anne knew their time was over. He was a family man now, like she always knew he would be – but the wife in this scenario just wasn't her.
And she needed to accept that.
Nevermind, I'll find someone like you.
I wish nothing but the best for you, too.
Don't forget me, I beg.
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead,
Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead."