Chapter 1: Evening Primrose
I walk through the woods silently, enjoying the peace and openness around me. It's the first time I've been in here technically but I don't have to go far to find what I'm looking for. The flowers are spread out around the clearing in shades of pink and yellow. I take out my coat, set down the wheel barrow I brought with and raise the shovel to dig out some of the plants in both colors thinking about my last few days as I do.
There were so many tests and scans done, so many pills to take, so much of time spent longing to come home. I thought of what the doctor had said this morning and had to stop and close my eyes for a minute.
"Peeta, the pills will help you but there is no guarantee that the episodes will actually stop." Dr. Aurelius sat in front of me watching my reaction to this news.
"Does that mean I will never be able to go home?" I try to keep my voice free of emotion but it cracks ever so slightly.
"No Peeta, you have been cleared to go home but you do have to be cautious. It won't be easy at times but you will be able to have a some what normal life. You can be happy again."
I let his words sink in. He speaks of happiness but I barely remember it, my memories are coming back slowly but it's taking a long time.
"I can go home?" I ask again to make sure I heard correctly.
"Yes, just phone me every week or I'll phone you and make sure you take your pills and if there's anything else that comes up we'll discuss it." With that I walked out the room saying goodbye and promising to keep in contact.
I was halfway down the hall when he called out to me. "Look out for Katniss will you and give her my message please."
The train ride home had been calming; knowing that I was returning to District 12 calmed me. I knew I was also returning to Katniss and I had mixed emotions about that, mostly confusion but I knew we needed each other.
I opened my eyes and continued digging up the plants. When I knew I had enough I put them into the wheel barrow and made my way back to Victor's Village. The morning light was just starting to show when I started digging the ground along the side of her house. I had dug enough place when suddenly she came into view. She looked as if she had just woken up from a nightmare but I also registered shock on her face.
"You're back" she says. I can see the conflicting emotions cross her faces as she looks at me. I feel the same, happy to see her but also sad.
"Dr. Aurelius wouldn't let me leave the Capitol until yesterday," I say. "By the way, he said to tell you he can't keep pretending he's treating you forever. You have to pick up the phone." Thinking about my last meeting with the doctor also reminded me about the message I had to give her.
I take in her appearance and notice she hasn't really been taking care of herself. She looks pale and tired. Her eyes are sad, she looks as if she hasn't been out for a long time and her clothes aren't fitting her anymore.
"What are you doing?" She tries pushing her hair out of her face and I'm struck by an impulse to do it for her but I can't understand it. I also notice that she sounds defensive as she realizes I was taking her in.
"I went to the woods this morning and dug these up. For her," I say. "I thought we could plant them along the side of the house." I gesture towards the plants and she looks at them and realizes what they are. Evening primrose.
Before I can say anything else she just says 'okay' and runs back into her house and closes the door. I stand there for a minute feeling as if she's afraid of me but I also know that she's not healed yet and I vow to help her, to protect her.
I continue planting the flowers and set of for my house thinking of making some cheese rolls.