Finding the Missing Piece: Book 5

Chapter Ninety-Seven

Katniss POV- (4pm)

"Gale?"

"Yes?"

"I'm leaving. The kids are all still sleeping. I am not sure when I will be back but if you need anything Peeta's grandparents are in the big house next door." I tell him. 

He nods, "I hope Peeta is okay."

"Thank you." I say genuinely and he smiles sadly at me.

I hear Mason knock on the door and he tells me it's time to go. He's taking me to the hospital early so I can be with Peeta before and while he is in surgery I am planning to tell Bristol about Blake. She hasn't asked about anyone but the girls so I haven't mentioned it.

"Hey, ready?" Mason asks as I get into his truck.

"Um, yeah." I say awkwardly.

He smiles sadly and we go.

"Listen, you know that this wasn't the circumstances I wanted to meet you in but I am glad that I did." I tell him.

"I know what you mean. I hate that this happened but it was some kind of great coincidence."

"You saved them."

"I didn't do anything but find them and call an ambulance. I had no idea it was even Peeta until the medics got there." Mason tells me.

I frown, "Were they in a lot of pain?"

"Yeah, but I think shock mostly." He says.

"You know what happened to Peeta's other grandparents and the wreck?"

"Yeah, I remember hearing about it. Peeta was really upset."

"He's always been so afraid of having a car accident."

"I bet so." He shrugs.

"So, you know my friend?" I start.

"Sure, the one in the hospital or the one that came with you today?"

"The one in the hospital."

"Yeah."

"How would you tell someone that the night after she had a wreck coming home from her ex-husband's funeral that her current husband left her?"

Mason gives me a look.

"It's a long story."

"Sounds like it."

"He left me a letter for her, house keys and her kids on the front door. He told me he was in fact cheating on her and that he didn't really care if she was in the hospital or not because it was a perfect opportunity for him to leave-so he did." I explain.

He takes a deep breath, "That is really sad."

"How do I tell her?" I ask him again.

"I don't know. How do you tell anyone something like that?"

I snort, "That's kind of why I asked you."

Mason laughs, "Now I know why Peeta picked you."

"What?"

"You're funny and you have a big heart. I can tell."

"I just love a lot of people."

"That's good. You seem like you don't want to really hurt anyone's feelings too."

"I don't. Especially not my best friend's. She's had two horrible husbands and now she's alone again and has to raise her two kids by herself."

"But you and Peeta will help her."