"Can't sleep?"
"No."
"Are you sore?"
She nodded.
"It's probably because you did all of that walking today. Mom said you shouldn't have worn yourself out."
"If I didn't then god knows what I'd be wearing tomorrow night."
Her sister laughed as she sat on the front porch step beside her. "That's true, I guess. I mean, I get what dad says – it's not every day mom gets to have dresses designed and ordered and shipped and … I don't know … sewed with gold thread. But seriously, I question her taste."
"Do you remember the pink taffeta –"
"Don't remind me. We were matching that year and the fabric was just so itchy –"
"I honestly have a difficult time believing dad when he says the fashion was so much more extravagant. I know there are pictures and stuff, but mom? I can't picture it. She's got a flare for color – but that's the extent. I have a hard time believing it even when I've seen it."
"Speaking of mom – have you told her?"
"No! God no … which doesn't bode well for dad since I thought mom would be the easiest to convince. I haven't even attempted to bring the subject up."
"You should. It's not as if you're asking permission – we're too old for that sort of thing. It's just …" she shrugged. "I guess it's just a respect issue."
"I know, I know. I keep practicing the whole talk in my head and – ugh, I don't want to think about it. Not right now." She pulled her robe tighter. "Come inside, it's cold."
"It's past midnight, isn't it? I bet they've started the television coverage."
"Probably."
The two girls rose and walked back into the warm house. It was dark save a few dim lights that had guided them outside, though they could walk the place blind if they needed to. The house was always strangely quiet during the night – the geese barely made a noise until morning.
One went and turned the television on while the other sat on the sofa, lifting her right leg – a false one – onto the cushion beside her. The screen came to life showing a crowd of people applauding, the camera panning slowly over them – going District to District as the live coverage began.
"Twenty-five years," said Rosie, sitting beside her sister on the sofa. "A quarter of a century since the Rebellion's anniversary. It's a big one."
Joey nodded. "One big strange family reunion."
Rosie laughed. "Awkward family reunion. But it is something to celebrate."
"Yeah, it is … maybe mom will finally find where dad hid those pictures of her in Capitol clothes."
"And burn them like she's always threatening?"
"I wouldn't mind a good old bonfire," Joey said with a grin.
"Dad'll never let her find them. You want to know what I think?"
"What?"
"That after he sat us down all those years ago, told us about what mom did and what he did and the whole Rebellion and stuff … I bet he already burned them right after. What would he need them for then?"
"True. And he likes to wind mom up."
Rosie sighed and nodded to the screen. "They've started the history lesson," she said.
Joey looked. Images of the Rebellion were now being shown on the screen with the familiar voice over they heard every year on the Anniversary. "Mr. Heavensbee is still at it," she said.
"I find his voice calming for some reason."
"Probably because he would read us bedtime stories when mom took us to the Capitol when we were kids."
"Probably." Rosie rested her head on the arm of the sofa. "Wake me up if they show mom or dad."
A few hours had passed and the sun began to rise. Haymitch, groaning as his limbs ached as he went down the stairs, rubbed his eyes and scratched his head – eager for a coffee and maybe an aspirin. When he passed the front room, he saw his daughters both asleep on the sofa with the Rebellion broadcast still on the television.
He went into the room and shut the television off then put one of the blankets Annie had knit years ago over them both. Then, in a loud, booming voice, he said:
"You both have ten minutes before your mother wakes up and starts nagging you to get ready for the train."
Rosie and Joey both woke with a start and one of them – Haymitch didn't see which, threw one of the sofa pillows at him. He laughed and, putting on his wife's voice, said:
"Come on, girls – it's gonna be a big big day!"