Beautiful Scars

Kid

"We're in a whole heap of it."

"What does that mean Haymitch?" I whisper yell through the phone.

I left Cass' bedroom and called him immediately after seeing the news broadcast.

"It means Snow is dead. But because Cato's lawyers bargained for a deal of a lighter sentence if he helped the Feds find Snow. Now he gets years taken off his sentence. Those Federal idiots don't do math so well." He grumbles just before I hear him take a swig of something.

No doubt his liquor of choice. I run my hands through my hair exasperated, because I still don't understand what the problem with Snow's death is. Haymitch loudly burps, but finally goes on.

"Usually, when it comes to a violent felony, with a fair judge, the entire sentence is served at 85%. In other words he can only get 15% off his 20 year sentence, for good-behavior. Meaning he'd have to serve at least a total of 17 years actual time no matter what." He explains.

"Okay?" I reply skeptically.

"But 50% off his original 20 year sentence could be applied once he'd started a full-time work program. Also, good-behavior time credits accrue, while in the programs. So, 17 gets reduced to 10 years served before he's up for parole. The prison Fire Camp program earns two days for every day. Regular full-time programs earn a day for a day. He's done both at some time or other. Earning him the 50% treatment, and an additional 4 years off his sentence." He states.

"Ok... so that would put him at what... 6 years? It's only been... 4 years and like a month." I argue.

"Yes! But, he cooperated with the Feds to find Snow, although he conveniently overdosed before they found him. His lawyers negotiated for a credit of 700 days for his help. The bastard timed it perfectly. That's 1 year, and 11 months. Which puts him up for parole in about a week." He concludes.

"What the hell?" I fume.

"And, that sneaky little shit has got something up his sleeve. Because most people wouldn't want their victim to sway the parole board in the wrong way. But he's requested our girl to be there." Haymitch finishes with a hiccup.

Wait? Katniss is back...

"So she's back in town?" I blurt out.

Silence...

"Isn't she?" I ask again.

That's why she texted me back.

He sighs audibly.

"Dammit Haymitch!" I snarl, pissed that he hasn't answered me.

"Boy, she doesn't want to see you. It's complicated." He tells me.

"She doesn't want to see me? And I didn't deserve to hear from her? To know she was ok? What the hell did I ever do to her?" I demand even more frustration at his reply.

"I think it's more what it looks like you did to her? But it's better that way. Just lay off for a couple of days, no more texts and don't go huntin' her down. You got it?" He commands.

"Haymitch? What did I do?" I plead defeated.

"Hey look, you're a smart boy. You're what, 21? Gotta a good job. An all around good guy. You deserve to be happy. I heard you got a girl and you're gonna pop the question. Focus on that. Make like the Disney frosty queen and Let. It. Go." He reiterates.

"Haymitch..." I can hear how pathetic my voice sounds, but before I can say anything else, he ends the conversation.

"Take care kiddo." He says and hangs up.