Z's POV
I'm standing outside the airport, next to the baggage claim, when I see Marina's car pull up. We've been planning this visit for a while. I've known her since middle school. Sadly, it's been more than a few years since I last saw her. Two of her kids are 14. Luke and Celine. She's got a baby too, Adelaide. And I haven't met any of them. 14 years. Wow. Thank goodness for texting and calling.
She opens the door and gets out. I pull her into a hug. "Ay, Mar! How's James? How are the kids?"
Marina's POV
The hug feels wonderful. I am silent for a few seconds, just enjoying. She is, to be frank, fatter than I am, hence it feels like I am hugging a pillow. She is wearing one of the softest cotton shirts I've ever felt. And this is someone I haven't seen in years, but who I know I enjoy every moment with. I breathe deep. "They're great. Everyone's great. I'll say more when we get there. They'll love to meet you. How are you?"
Z's POV
She's asking me how I am. Should I be honest? "I suppose I'm alright." I just noticed how relatively strong my Southern accent is, and I laugh. "You know about the depression, and I do happen to love wine...I'm alright. I'll be alright. I'm floatin on top of the water, while others, some others are drownin, y'know?"
She laughs as I put my luggage in her trunk. I sit down in the passenger seat, she turns to me, and simply says, "I missed you."
"I missed you too." I wanted to elaborate, to tell her I'm sorry for never visiting before, and ask her how she forgave me, and to wonder aloud how I could ever be that busy, and to tell her I finally came out here to be with her because I just couldn't take it anymore.
She smiles.
"Nice car." I say.
"Thanks."
"Don't thank me, thank the car!" I lean in and whisper "Thank you for being so great!" to the car.
She giggles. "Oh my god, Z!"
. . .
"Don't take it personally," Celine explains, "He doesn't like anyone except for family. Besides, you two just met."
Still, I find it weird that Marina's husband James just told me, quite bluntly, that he doesn't like me. In response to me asking why he doesn't pay attention to me.
"Mmm." I say.
James, and Luke, who I haven't spoken to yet, get up and leave.
"So. What were you in the middle of when I got here?"
"I was playing with Adelaide."
"Oh!" I didn't even notice her. I inch closer to her, sit down, and wave. "Hiii!"
"Would you like to hold her?" Cel asks.
"Sure!" I've never held a baby before. I hope I don't break it. I know Marina – who is off getting all of us tacos for lunch – would not appreciate that.
Cel and I sit and talk and bond. We've never met before today, but I think I like her.
YOU ARE READING
The Hungergamessin Afterlife
FantasiaEverything is better now | No more Games. No more torture, no more loss, no more pain. Not after this. The Tributes are dead now. Not all of them. But the ones that are have lived through enough hardships to teach them all the life lessons you'd eve...
