Training went well today. The tributes made a good show. That district 12 girl will surely get high marks. Now, I wonder who ordered the pig…

"See you tomorrow, sir."

"What? Oh, uh, good night Strael." I answered back as I walk out the door. I feel the chill of the evening wind as I walk over to my car.

Ten minutes later, I park in front of my house on the outskirts of the Capitol. I lock my car and unlock my front door. Immediately, I am greeted by someone so special to me.

"Daddy! You're here! I missed you!"

MY BEARD jumps up and almost tackles me down.

Normal right? What? That's not normal? What do you mean beards don't greet their owners home? Well, that's another thing to add to the list of 'Why my beard's better than yours'.

"Calm down beardy. How are you?"

I set him down onto the floor. "Hungry?" He nodded.

I close the door and hang my black jacket on the rack a couple of feet away.

We both walk into the large, white kitchen.

"Daddy, I want a sammich." said Beardy as he sat down on a chair.

"Sandwich?"

"No daddy! I want a sammich!" he replies, giggling a bit.

"Okay then beardy. I'll make a 'sammich' for you." He smiles at this.

I make him a PBJ and set the plate down in front of him. "So how was your day?" He swallows a bite slowly and says, "I wanna tell you something."

I raise an eyebrow. "What do you mean beardy?" I questioned.

"Please don't get mad at me daddy." he begged.

"Just tell me already beardy!" I say a little too loudly. Beardy gets scared from my action and I apologize.

"I… I… uh… ordered the pig." he says, a little tentatively.

It takes me a while to realize what he meant. Then, I think about the pig from earlier.

"I'm confused. Why would you think I'd get mad at that?"

"Daddy, nothing is a secret here. I heard someone almost hit you in the head because of it. I'm sorry! You almost got killed because of me!" Beardy's eyes start to tear up and it doesn't take long for the waterworks to flow.

"Oh, come here Beardy." I tell him. He obediently comes to me and I hug and hold him tight.

"Don't cry. It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself. Let's just blame Haymitch on all of this. How about that?'

That makes him smile a little. He stops crying and sniffling.

"Love you Beardy." I say.

"Love you too daddy." he says back.

I smile. "why don't you run off and play in your room? Daddy has important Head Gamemaker things to do."

Beardy nods his head and slips out of his chair. I watch him head off to his bedroom.

Ah, beards these days…