The Evening Primrose [CANCELED]

Part 3- Saying Goodbye

When we get to say our goodbye to Katniss, I climb on Katniss' lap, put my hands around her neck and put my head on her shoulder. A flashback when I was a toddler came. Katniss said I will not take tesserae. We will sell Lady's milk and cheese, and mom's small apothecary business for the people in the Seam will help in getting us fed. Gale will bring them herbs and game, and they will return the favor by giving milk or medicine or any trade.

And when Katniss turns to mom, she says with a steady voice "Listen to me. Are you listening to me?" mom nods. "You can't leave again." Katniss says. "I know. I won't. I couldn't help what-" Katniss interrupts her. "Well, you have to help it this time. You can't clock out and leave Prim on her own. There's no me now to keep you both alive. It doesn't matter what happens. Whatever you see on the screen. You have to promise me you'll fight through it!" Her voice has risen a bit to a shout. "I was ill. I could have treated myself if I'd had the medicine I have now." my mother replies. "Then take it! And take care of her!" Katniss says. "I'll be alright, Katniss." I say. "But you have to take care too. You're so fast and brave. Maybe you can win."

There might be little possibility for a tribute from an outer district to win, but if Haymitch did it, Katniss can. She's gotten a lot of real practice, not the kind the Career tributes had, forced and not wholeheartedly. She knows how to hunt, how to set snares and she knows what plants are edible and poisonous.

"Maybe. Then we'd be rich as Haymitch." says Katniss. "I don't care if we're rich. I just want you to come home. You'll try, won't you? Really, really try?" I ask. "Really, really try. I swear it." replies Katniss. Then a peacekeeper is at the door, signaling the time is up. "I love you. I love you both." Katniss says. All we said to each other was I love you. And we mean it.

When we leave the room, me and my mother weep together, and we're hoping, really hoping that Katniss will come home. I spend the rest of the day laying in bed and crying myself to a nap. Then when the recap of the reapings come, I see who Katniss' opponents will be. Most of them are larger than Katniss, but she will hopefully outsmart them. But when I see Katniss and Peeta in their chariots for the opening ceremony, my jaw drops.