The heat of the fire feels so good on my skin. Marcus wasn't too mad at me when I came in to work. He saw me talking to Velvet, but he didn't say if he knew her or not. I'd say it's a fair guess that he doesn't, since when I walked in he said, "You need to quit trying to pick up the ladies and get to work on time!" He said it in a good ribbing but stern tone. I finish all of the previous orders in two hours. That's really good since three orders usually took three hours. Other than this morning, our day is pretty slow so while Marcus reads a paper out front, I decide to sit in the back by the fire. It was starting to get really cold outside and the fire felt wonderful. As I sit there and stare into the coals, they almost look like they are flowing with color. From red to yellow, to orange then back to red. A crackling fire always reminds me of home. Probably because most winters we all slept right next to the fire just to keep from literally freezing at night. Sitting there, being warmed by the fire, a memory peeks around the corner. I don't necessarily want to remember, it hurts sometimes to do so, but I let it happen none the less.
Three year old Posy squirms in my arms. I'm sitting on the floor, trying to preoccupy her so that my Mom can clean the house without my little sister hanging on her legs. "Gaaaaale. Let me goooooo." She whines in her high pitched voice. "Fine. Rory! It's your turn with Posy!" As I release her, she darts to Rory who is sitting at the kitchen table trying to do his homework. With me being the oldest child, he listens when I tell him to do something. "I can't Gale! I have math. Posy, go play with Vick outside." Rory spat as he was prying Posy off of his lap. Well, most of the time he listens to me. "No! I want to be with yoooooou!" Rory shoved Posy away and she hit her head on the bookshelf, sending books to the floor. "Owww!" She started crying and Mom ran over to scoop her up. "Rory Anderson Hawthorne! She just wanted to spend time with you! What have I told you about venting your anger with violence?" Mom says as she kisses Posy's head and sets her back down on the ground. "But Mom! Gale goes off and hunts to vent his anger! What can I do?" "I do not hunt to vent, Rory! I talk to Katniss. Why don't you talk with Prim? It helps!" I say, annoyed with my younger brother. "Ok you two, stop fighting, I can't deal with it right now." Mom picks up her basket of dried clothes and as she's leaving the room, Posy runs back to me and crawls in my lap. She always comes to me when she's hurt. I kiss her head and start to rock her back and forth as she clings, sniffling, to my neck. I know Rory is scowling at me behind my back, but I don't care. Just as Posy calms down, the anthem plays on the TV with the Capitol seal. "Mom!" I yell, "The Games are coming on!" I hate watching them, but it's mandatory. "Ok, thanks." Mom shuffles into the room along with Rory and Vick, who heard me from outside. Posy turns around in my lap so she can see the TV and I wrap my arms around her in a hug, still gently rocking her. Tonight they are showing the tributes dressed up and in the chariot parade. We watch as the districts roll by until we see Katniss and Peeta coming around the circle. We all gasp. They are lit on fire, but don't appear to be in any pain. Katniss looks more gorgeous than ever! I hate to admit it, but Peeta is very handsome with flames as well. Who knew that being lit on fire was such a cosmetic tool. Posy starts crying and I kiss her head, thinking it's still hurting. "They're hurting Katniss!" She cries louder and starts to run to the door. I catch up to her and grab her before she runs out of the house. "No sweetie, it's alright! Katniss isn't hurt! Look, come here." I take her over closer to the TV to see. "See? Katniss isn't in pain. The fire isn't even touching her!" I smile down at Posy and she looks at me, not believing me at first. Once she watches more, she sees that Katniss isn't hurt and stops crying. The things this precious child has to witness as a citizen of Panem. When will this stop? Posy clings to my neck, still sniffling and I continue rocking her until she falls asleep.
I realize I'm crying when one of tears falls off of my face and sizzles in the coals. It hurts my heart when Posy is upset. I love her so much! I hear Marcus talking to a customer, so that means my break is over. So I wipe my eyes and stand up so I can get my tools together to get back to work.