A/N: This chapter is longer than any of the others thus far, and it was a doozy to write and edit. But hopefully it advances the story. I hope you enjoy.
She was again on the living room couch with the sunlight forcing her awake. Only this time, Katniss was yanked into reality by the unbearable pounding in her left and right temples.
She squeezed her eyes shut and with a hoarse groan, she pressed her palms to either side of her head. She instinctively knew that she wasn't on Peeta's couch. She was home – at the house she once shared with her mother and Prim.
"Maaahm." Her voice strained as she called for Maura and tugged at the comforter, struggling to sit up.
Then she felt it. The burning sensation of bile surging from midway her chest to her throat. Her eyes flew open as she pushed off of the couch. But in her haste and disorientation, her foot caught in the comforter, and she landed unceremoniously on her hands and knees beside the coffee table.
She didn't have time to mourn over the pain. Gagging, she crawled and stumbled to the downstairs bathroom and lifted the lid on the toilet seat just in time to vomit into the porcelain bowl.
Maura entered with soundless footsteps. Katniss only heard the squeak of the faucet, the running water creating a backdrop to the sound of her retching. It seemed like an eternity passed before she could slump miserably beside the toilet. Her mother extended a damp wash cloth.
"Good," Maura said brusquely. "You're up."
Katniss looked like the snow creature District 12 parents told their children about when they were old enough for scary bedtime stories. Her raven-colored hair, oily and limp, was in stringy disarray around her face and shoulders. Her olive-hued skin was clammy and ashen. Her lips were chapped, and her gray eyes were clouded with confusion. She lay on the cool tile floor in hopes that the room would stop spinning.
"What happened, mom?" she croaked. "Why am I here?"
Maura reached over and flushed the toilet, her face devoid of sympathy.
"Well, my dear, you and Gale got so drunk last night that you both passed out on top of one another behind The Hob," Maura said matter-of-factly as she half-filled a glass with water. She swung open the medicine cabinet above the sink and began inspecting three pill bottles.
"Oh no," Katniss groaned, pulling herself to a sitting position on the floor.
"Oh yes," Maura retorted, setting the bottles down and folding her arms across her chest. "Your sister and I got a phone call after 10 p.m., from someone who saw you pass out. So Prim, Peeta and I –"
Katniss winced, looking pleadingly at Maura. "Please tell me Peeta doesn't know about this."
"He went with us to get you," she said pointedly. "And he carried his drunken wife whom he found lying underneath another man all the way here. He was too angry to take you home. And I don't blame him."
"No, no, no." Katniss buried her head in her hands.
"Oh that's not the best part, Katniss. The best part was when two guys from the Seam started making fun of you. 'You can't take the Seam out of a person. Maybe she wasn't star-crossed. Maybe she was just drunk.'"
Katniss's shoulders slumped as tears of humiliation welled in her eyes. Maura spoke slowly and with emphasis.
"Do you have any idea how embarrassing that is for me and Prim and Peeta? Do you have any idea what your father would say if he could have seen you?"
Katniss sobbed now, warm tears creating paths down her cheeks. "Mom, I'm so sorry," she mumbled. "I don't know… I don't know how this happened."
Maura let her cry for a moment before she responded.
"Katniss, you've been through a lot – too much even – and you've done your best to handle it all. I get that," she said, nodding. "But you're not the only one. Peeta has been through just as much as you. And whether you appreciate it or not, that boy loves you and would move heaven and earth to make you happy."
"I know," she whispered amid sniffles.
"Then why do you hate him so?" Maura pressed. "You treat him like he's your enemy."
Katniss squeezed her eyes shut. She wasn't sure which hurt more – her headache or her heartache from the pain she'd caused.
"I don't hate him, Mom. I'm just upset." She fiddled with the edges of the wash cloth. "He started this whole 'star-crossed lovers' thing and now we're forced to be married, and Gale and I can never be together."
Maura jerked her head back in realization, a short burst of laughter escaping her lips.
"Gale?" She unfolded her arms and placed her hands on her hips. "You're talking about the Gale who had years to ask you to be his girlfriend, but he only became romantically interested in you once Peeta expressed his feelings. That Gale?"
Katniss's lips parted but she was too stunned by her mother's words to form her own.
"Katniss, I've been loved by a good man, so let me tell you something about a man in love. When a man wants you, he will risk his life, his sanity, his health, his wellbeing, his money, his time, his everything to make you his. Gale has only operated as your best friend because that was all he wanted you to be. Now, he realizes that he's waited too long, and he's probably trying to convince you that his lack of action is somehow Peeta's fault."
Maura turned back to the medicine bottles. "Don't get me wrong, Katniss; Gale has a lot of good qualities. But right now, he's manipulating you and you're falling for it."
Katniss was still stunned when Maura knelt down with the water and two tiny, pink pills, instructing her to swallow them. Katniss's mind raced with questions.
Is Gale manipulating me? There is a mutual attraction between us, yes, but would he have asked me to be his girlfriend if I'd never been reaped? What if Peeta never said he had a crush on me; would Gale have wanted to be with me then or would we have gone back to being friends as usual?
Maura watched Katniss's face contort in confusion. She lowered to the bathroom floor with a sigh.
"Honey, you can always come home to me, no matter what. You're my daughter and I want you to have all you want in this life. But I hope you know what you're doing when it comes to your treatment of Peeta. I think he can accept that you don't love him. But that's no reason to disrespect him, to hurt him. I don't think he'd ever do that to you."
Katniss broke, her entire body shaking with her sobs as she buried her head in her hands. "I've made a mess of everything, Mom," she mourned.
Maura stroked Katniss's arm.
"You can still make things right. Talk to Peeta. Who knows what will happen in the future? Maybe you'll learn to love him. Maybe you two will be allowed to part ways in a few years. But right now, you both need to be able to live together in peace. Leave the war in the arena."
The medicine Maura gave Katniss worked wonders on her headache and nausea. And as they sat on the bathroom floor talking for another hour, Katniss also began to feel better emotionally. When they finally stood, they embraced. Both the conversation and the hug were long overdue.
Katniss didn't expect that level of strength from her mother. She'd already defined Maura Everdeen as weak, passive, helpless. But as she listened to her mother's wisdom – and accepted her mother's apology for the period of time when Maura was in the catatonic state that almost caused them to starve to death – Katniss realized how strong her mother had become. Maura's sheer will to live and to be a part of her daughters' lives was worthy of respect.
Maura made breakfast for Katniss and straightened up the living room while she ate. Then, Maura headed into town for apothecary supplies and groceries. Katniss headed upstairs, hoping that a hot shower would help her piece together the night before.
She'd never been drunk in her life. She remembered drinking the night before, but she didn't remember any tipsy feelings of intoxication. But was that how it worked? Maybe drunkenness hit like a tidal wave. One moment you're on the shores of sobriety and the next, you're caught in a rip current, stumbling and collapsing in public places.
Haymitch would know. She would go talk to him. And maybe he'd spoken to Peeta since the incident. If so, he would have a sense of how angry Peeta was and whether or not he could ever forgive her. Plus, it had been a few days since she'd seen Haymitch, so she needed to lay eyes on him. He'd been unusually reclusive lately.
Later, she would try to talk to Peeta. Her mother was right. Regardless of how she felt in her heart or how they acted behind closed doors, she and Peeta were legally married. And she'd been acting like a single woman.
Katniss stood at the bathroom sink and, out of routine, she reached behind her neck to unclasp her necklace. She always removed it before she showered and replaced it after she dried. Even when they were starving, Katniss refused to barter it. And during the Games, she would only entrust it to Cinna, even though the mentors were tasked with securing their tributes personal effects. The necklace, a tiny opal at the center of a delicate sterling silver chain, was a family heirloom, a gift given to her father from his mother, and the most valuable thing she owned.
And it was gone.
Katniss's eyes flipped to the mirror above the sink to confirm what her fingers felt. The necklace was missing.
"Oh no," she whispered, anxiously patting her chest. She immediately dropped to her knees, scouring the bathroom floor, but it wasn't there.
Don't panic, Katniss. Don't panic. It's here somewhere. It has to be.
She spent the next two hours on hands and knees, frantically searching the entire house and the front and back porches. The necklace was nowhere to be found.
I must have lost it at The Hob last night… while I was drunk.
She swore under her breath. Anyone who found it would surely trade it.
She darted back upstairs and showered as quickly as she could. One outfit she still had at her mother's house was a long-sleeved, navy-colored jersey dress that flared at the waist and reached to the back of her knees. It was one of the few items in the wardrobe Effie sent home with her from the Games that wasn't completely conspicuous in District 12.
Katniss didn't waste time braiding her hair. Instead, she quickly brushed it and gathered it into a damp ponytail. She slipped on her boots, slung her messenger bag across her body and rushed out the front door.
Best case scenario, she would find her necklace on the path into town. Maybe it fell off after they carried her from The Hob.
Worst case scenario she not only lost Peeta's respect; she lost a piece of her father, forever. And with Gale's motives under scrutiny, Katniss feared that the men who formed her past, her present, and her future could exit her life all at once.
Nature had done its perfect work yet again. The air smelled more like mountain laurel than coal dust and the woods was reclaiming its verdant canopy. The temperate weather was a welcome departure from the brutal cold that chastised District 12 and its residents only months before.
At one time, a walk outdoors in the spring was all it took to change Katniss's mood from sullen to hopeful. But that was before she was reaped. Now that President Snow knew her by name, Katniss understood that hope was a hoax in Panem. Snow ruled with oppressing force, regardless of the season.
After a fruitless search at Maura's house, Katniss started the trek into town in hopes of finding her necklace. She wasn't far from Victor's Village when she met her mother whose eyes grew sympathetic when Katniss told her the necklace was missing.
James Everdeen had been so excited that their first child was a girl. He talked of giving their daughter his mother's necklace as a 10th birthday gift. Opal Everdeen had died suddenly when Maura was six months pregnant with Katniss, so the grandmother and child would never meet. James had hoped their little girl Katniss would have Opal's resilience and independent spirit. If not, she would at least have her necklace.
Katniss already knew the story, and the importance of that piece of jewelry. There was no replacing it. She would never forgive herself if she didn't find it.
Maura offered to walk back into town with Katniss after putting away the groceries and apothecary supplies. They moved quickly and were on the path toward town in a matter of minutes, their eyes sweeping the ground for any glint of the silver chain. At one point, Katniss thought she saw the petals of one of Snow's immaculate white roses, but they were just torn bits of fabric. Her lips curled in disdain. The fear of white roses would have to postpone its terror until she was asleep. She couldn't handle much else at the moment.
When they reached The Hob, they searched the perimeter of the warehouse and then stopped at every booth inside, moving their fingers about their necks like a pendulum as they described the look and length of the necklace. No one had seen it or traded for it. Maura left her phone number at every booth and asked each trader to call if they found it.
They finally left The Hob, empty-handed. Maura feared that this new sadness in her daughter's eyes was permanent, adding to the sadness that was already there.
"It's gone, Mom. I've let him down. He gave me the best he had, and I let him down."
I'm such an idiot. I'm no good to anyone, not even my father's memory. I wish I'd never made it out of the arena. Peeta should have won. I shouldn't have shared the nightlock.
"Katniss?" She jerked her eyes to her mother's questioning gaze and tilted head.
"Huh?"
"I was asking where you went before going to The Hob on last night. Are you okay?"
Katniss swallowed hard and nodded. "Umm… Yeah. Hazelle's house. I went to Hazelle's house to wait for Gale's shift to end."
"Do you remember having it while you were there?"
Katniss chewed thoughtfully on her bottom lip. Posy always commented on her necklace. She always said when she's a big girl, she will have a pretty necklace just like Katniss's.
"Yes!" Katniss said suddenly remembering. "Posy noticed it like she always does." She turned to Maura, her eyes wide with optimism. "Mom, do you think I lost it there? While I was playing with Posy and Vick?"
Maura smiled. "There's only one way to find out."
They walked farther into the Seam where the Hawthorne house stood, a dilapidated structure that was clearly inadequate for a family of five. Hazelle and Posy shared the sole bedroom. Rory and Vick slept behind a curtain – a makeshift bedroom – on a mattress. Gale slept on the floor or, when it was deathly cold outdoors, on the worn couch in the living room.
No one was home. It was approaching 2 p.m., and Hazelle was probably still at a merchant's house doing laundry or ironing clothes, Posy at her thigh. It was all the work Hazelle could find until Posy started school in the fall. Then, the slender woman who gave Gale his eyes and grin had hopes of finding better work with steady pay.
"I bet the necklace fell off while you were here," Maura said reassuringly. "We'll call Hazelle later this evening and ask her to search her house."
It was implied that Katniss and Gale should not be seen together until the public drunkenness incident blew over. Katniss already planned to keep her distance; she could hear Haymitch's voice in her head saying that Snow was always watching.
Katniss nodded, trying to latch on to the optimism in Maura's eyes. "Okay. We'll call Hazelle later tonight."
Maura lifted her arms slightly and let them flop at her sides in resignation. "I guess we should head back now."
But Katniss stood with her back to the Seam, facing the Merchant side of town. She turned to Maura.
"Mom… Could we walk farther in?"
Maura looked perplexed. "Do you think you came all the way into the Merchant Quarter on last night?"
"No," Katniss said quietly, staring forlornly at the ground. Maura understood.
"Of course we can, honey."
Minutes later, they were approaching Mellark Bakery. Katniss stopped abruptly along the side of the building, just shy of the entrance.
"What if he hates me, Mom?" She looked helplessly at Maura. "After everything… I would hate me."
Maura smiled sympathetically. "I think Peeta would literally have to lose his mind in order to hate you, Katniss." They stood in silence for a moment, Katniss wrestling with doubt.
Maura linked arms with her. "Besides, we have an excuse. You want to apologize to Prim, and what's the best way to make Primrose Everdeen smile?"
Katniss grinned. "Strawberry shortcake."
"Come on."
The bell above the bakery door announced their arrival. The front of the shop was vacant; there wasn't even a Mellark at the register. The sound of quick footsteps grew louder.
"Welcome to Mell – " Daniel stopped – in mid-stride and in mid-sentence – when he saw Katniss and Maura on the other side of the counter. He cleared his throat, awkwardly rubbing his floured hands on his apron.
"Katniss. Maura." He nodded politely in each direction.
Suddenly, Katniss lost her nerve. It would have been easier to deal with Nance's hostility. It would have even been better to face Peeta's disappointment, to search his eyes for any possibility of forgiveness. But Daniel Mellark? Katniss had always respected him for his fair trading, was always fond of him for his kind nature. She feared she'd lost his respect.
Her voice cracked when she started to speak. "Mr. Mellark, I want to apologize to you and Mrs. Mellark for the shame my actions on last night brought to your family. I'm truly sorry, and it won't happen again. I promise."
Daniel's expression was unreadable at first, and the silence was thick. Then, he levied a gentle, crooked smile that was identical to Peeta's.
"Thank you, Katniss," he said genuinely. "Mistakes happen. All is well."
She didn't realize she was holding her breath until she exhaled loudly.
"Is… Peeta here?"
Daniel glanced over his shoulder. "You just missed him. He and Rye went to make some deliveries." He noticed that Katniss's smile fell. "He should be back in about 20 minutes… if you want to come back."
"Umm… No thanks. I'll talk to him… at home." At least she hoped she would. Depending on how angry Peeta was, she could be spending another night at Maura's house.
Sounds of running and laughter pulled their eyes to the bakery window. The first group of school children were making their way home – some to Merchant homes and others to the Seam.
"Prim will be heading this way soon," Maura said to herself. She turned to Daniel. "Dan, could we get a slice of strawberry shortcake for Prim? It's her favorite thing on earth besides her cat."
They all shared a laugh, which pushed aside any remaining tension. But now Katniss noticed a redness creep onto Daniel's neck. It only happened when her mother addressed him. The same blush appeared on the train ride to the Capitol for the big wedding when he and Maura spoke briefly. Everyone could hear Nance arguing with Daniel later that night from their sleeping quarters.
"Sure." He cut two slices of cake and Maura protested thinking he misunderstood. "The other one is for her friend," Daniel said with a knowing grin. Maura and Katniss exchanged puzzled looks. He packed each slice of cake in a separate container and included a plastic fork in each.
Daniel only charged them for one slice, and Katniss and Maura were out the door moments later. When Maura's comment about Daniel's generosity went unanswered, she glanced at Katniss who was again deep in thought.
"Daniel will tell him you stopped by," Maura said knowingly.
Katniss nodded. Soon, they spotted Prim in the distance, walking hand-in-hand with Rory Hawthorne.
"Hey Hawthorne!"
Gale waited in line to punch his timecard when a familiar voice turned his head. Allister Canty was meandering his way through the line of miners, nodding politely at a few, until he stood beside Gale.
Allister, a thick-built man in his early 20s with sandy brown hair and brown eyes, warmly slapped Gale's back in greeting.
"Congrats on finishing the shift and mandatory overtime. You must be beyond tired."
Gale yawned, his eyes watering. Normally, he would welcome the chance at overtime pay. But he still felt a faint throbbing in his head from his hangover, and his body ached from exhaustion. His morning began when his mother shook him awake an hour before he was to report to the mines, scolding and sobbing and begging him not to take on his father's habit. That could only mean one thing. He'd gotten drunk.
"Katniss," Gale had questioned Hazelle, interrupting his mother's lecture. "She was with me. Is she okay?"
Hazelle had drawn an aggravated breath. "Katniss is fine, Gale. You both got drunk and collapsed on top of one another outside The Hob. Her husband came and carried her back to Victor's Village."
Katniss had gotten drunk? Her husband carried her home? Gale wasn't sure what to think. He cringed every time someone referred to Peeta as Katniss's husband, but in that moment, he was glad Peeta found her – found them – together. So what if they were legally married? None of it was real.
Gale turned his attention back to Allister as they exited the mines. "Hey man, you were with us last night. I know I probably had too much to drink. But Katniss? I don't remember her drinking a lot."
Allister nodded ruefully. "She finished two glasses of brew after Thom left." Thom Norwick, Gale's close friend had been with them the night before, but he'd only stayed a short time before heading home.
"Two large glasses?" Gale questioned in disbelief.
"Yeah," Allister nodded. "She kept drinking and staring at the table. She seemed to have a lot on her mind. Maybe she wasn't paying attention to how much she'd had."
Gale clenched his jaw. He knew that vacant look in Katniss's eyes far too well, and he blamed President Snow and Peeta Mellark. "Yeah, she's been pretty unhappy these days."
They walked in silence to the clank of their lunch pails.
"So how did we end up on top of each other?"
"I think that was my fault, Hawthorne."
"What do you mean?"
Allister shrugged. "When I saw that you were hammered, I was going to ask her to help me get you home. Then, I planned to walk her back to Victor's Village to be sure she made it home safe. Honestly, I was hoping that once we made it to your house, your mom would insist that she say until her husband came for her."
Gale snorted. "Husband. Whatever. He needs her more than she'll ever need him. He's pathetic."
Allister stared quietly at the ground. "I saw the Games – we all saw the Games – and I always wondered if their relationship was real. She never looked… happy. Even though she seemed distracted last night, it was obvious that she wanted to be there with you."
Gale's brow furrowed. He wanted to tell Allister – to tell someone – that Katniss and Peeta's marriage was a sham. She wanted to be with him, not Peeta. It was all for show, for undermining a few riotous districts. But he couldn't say anything. He wouldn't betray Katniss's confidence. He'd already said too much.
"So then what happened?"
"Well," Allister began. "You said something about the Capitol and a conspiracy and she told you to shut up. She was clearly angry. About five minutes later, she said she wasn't feeling well and she jumped up and headed for the door. Not even a minute later, you were heading out the door behind her. I couldn't stop either of you and I assumed you were with her. So at that point, I just went home." Allister lived alone in a small house not far from The Hob. "I heard about what happened this morning. I felt bad because I should have stayed with the both of you."
Gale shook his head wearily. "It's not your fault. Thanks for being concerned."
"There's no need to thank me, Hawthorne. I wasn't much help."
They neared Gale's house. "I guess none of us saw that coming. I just hope my mom gets off my back long enough for me to call Katniss and check on her. I'm sure there's a part two to the lecture she gave me this morning."
"Well if you want, I can run interference with your mom while you call Katniss," Allister offered.
Gale looked interested. "It won't be too much trouble?"
Allister shook his head. "Not at all. I'm just going to The Hob for a bowl of stew and then I'm heading home. And after last night, it's the least I can do."
The second hand on the clock counted another minute, advancing the hour to 7 p.m. It was already dusk outside and within the hour nightfall would completely cover District 12. Katniss sat on the couch, alternating between watching the robotic movement of the clock and glancing out the window to see if there was light shining from the house next door. Peeta still hadn't made it home. She felt a vacancy in the pit of her stomach that didn't come from hunger; it came from dread. He was avoiding her.
She tried turning her attention to something else. Her mind flashed to an image of her necklace. That was certainly no comfort.
Earlier that afternoon, Katniss placed a phone call to Hazelle Hawthorne. As with Daniel Mellark, Katniss apologized to Hazelle for her actions the night before. After a deep sigh and a brief lecture about the evils of alcohol, Hazelle accepted her apology.
Then she told Hazelle about her necklace, and Hazelle promised to have her entire household search for it. She called back an hour later. Katniss heard Maura on the second phone call. "Thank you all so much for looking, Hazelle. We do appreciate it."
Maura shook her head sympathetically when Katniss approached, anxious for the update. The necklace had not been found. She stood at the window now, resigned to the fact that her heirloom was gone. She fought silently against an immense sadness. She needed to save energy for her conversation with Peeta. Then later tonight, she could fall apart.
So Katniss replayed Prim and Rory's reactions to the slices of strawberry shortcake. Katniss didn't know the last time she saw Prim bounce up and down or a smile that wide on Rory's face. It was a redemptive moment on a day of shame, uncertainty, and loss. And she was at least grateful that as a Hunger Games victor she could afford to purchase something as simple as a slice of cake. It was the things money couldn't buy that woke her in the middle of the night.
Rory ran off to share his slice of cake with his mother and siblings. Prim started eating her slice on the walk home, lifting her fork in offer to Maura and Katniss.
"No that's yours Prim," Katniss said. "I'm really sorry about last night."
"It's okay," Prim said resolutely, licking whipped cream icing from her thumb. "Just don't do it again, okay? That was scary."
Katniss smiled gently. "I promise I won't ever do that again, little duck." Katniss made a mental note to tease Prim later about being caught walking hand-in-hand with Rory.
Just then, the phone rang, shaking Katniss from her reverie. Maura and Prim were washing and drying the dishes from dinner. Katniss ran for the phone. Maybe someone had found the necklace.
It was Gale's voice on the other end. Katniss took the phone onto the back porch for privacy.
"Hey Catnip," he said quietly. He sounded absolutely exhausted.
"Hey," she said warmly. "Are you just getting home?"
"Yeah. Overtime."
Katniss felt a twinge of guilt. If Gale's hangover was anything like hers, he'd had an extremely long day.
There was a moment of awkward silence and then they both apologized to each other for their behavior the night before.
"I guess I had too much to drink," Gale said sheepishly. "Get me talking about conspiracy theories when there's booze around and…watch out." He tried to joke, but Katniss could hear the concern in his voice.
"But I'm worried about you, Katniss. Honestly, I don't remember you drinking as much as you did." Katniss's ears perked at his words.
"What do you mean," she asked. She wanted to forget all about last night, but there were actual gaps in her memory.
"I thought you only had a few sips of beer, but you must have had more than that," Gale said. "When we first arrived, we were talking and you'd drank less than half of your brew. Thom and Allister came up, and Allister went to get him a brew and he took our glasses to get refills from Ripper. Thom didn't stay long and Allister came back to the table to join us. I remember you taking a few sips and staring at the table while Allister and I talked. At some point I got hammered, you said you weren't feeling well, and I tried to follow you. I don't remember either one of us passing out."
Katniss slowly shook her head. "You remember far more than I do, Gale. I remember drinking some brew. I remember not feeling well. And the next thing I know, I was waking up on my mom's couch."
Katniss pressed the side of her fist to her mouth, instantly regretting her words. Even in his exhaustion, Gale didn't miss a beat.
"Your mom's couch?" Gale questioned. "You didn't sleep at Peeta's last night."
Katniss hesitated. "No."
"What, is his Merchant blood too good to share quarters with a smashed Seam girl?" He said angrily. "I thought that was how most Merchant men liked their Seam women."
"Cut it out, Gale," Katniss murmured wearily.
"Or maybe he had his way with you and then dumped you on your mom's couch when he was done."
"Gale – " Her tone rose warningly. She wasn't in the mood for this. He didn't seem to notice.
"What a high and mighty shit he is. He thinks he's so much better than you and –"
"Gale!" Katniss shouted so loud that she was sure Prim and Maura could hear her from the kitchen. There was immediate silence on the other end.
Her words spilled out before she lost her nerve. "Listen, I know you don't like Peeta. But I don't like it when you talk bad about him. He's been nothing but kind to me and he and I have been through a lot together. And like it or not, he is my husband. So lay off the insults. Okay?"
Gale huffed. "You can't possibly be that naïve, Katniss. What did he have to do to win you over? Cry? Bake cheese buns? You'll see that I'm right, and by then it could be too late to get me back."
The fire burning in her chest spewed from her lips. "I never had you Gale! Never! Stop trying to act like Peeta broke us up. I was only your best friend because that's all you wanted me to be."
"I can't do this with you tonight, Katniss. Have it your way. Just don't come running to me when Peeta Mellark makes a fool out of you. And he will make a fool out of you."
Then, he slammed the phone down.
About ten minutes later, the phone rang again. She was still fuming, ready to continue their fight.
"Don't bother calling back unless you plan to apologize," she snapped.
There was a pause on the other end. Then an unfamiliar voice.
"Katniss?"
"Umm… yes," she stammered. "Who is this?"
"This is Allister Canty," the voice said. "You and I met at The Hob last night when you were there with Gale."
Katniss shook her head as if to clear it. Allister worked in the mines with Gale and Thom. Why was he calling her?
"Yes?" she asked cautiously.
"I don't mean to bother you. I'm calling because I found a necklace just like the one you were wearing last night and I think it might be yours."
Katniss rushed into the kitchen where Maura and Prim were now creating elixirs from the apothecary supplies.
"I've got my necklace back!"
Maura and Prim looked elated. "What? Where?" Prim asked.
Katniss was already slipping on her boots. "A friend of Gale's who was with us at The Hob found it. He asked me to meet him at The Hob, so I'm going to get it from him now before it gets completely dark outside."
"We can walk with you if you want," Maura said while screwing the lid on a bottle of eucalyptus oil.
"Mom, you've already walked all the way back into town with me today to look for it. I really appreciate all you've done. And Prim you have homework to finish before bedtime. I'll only be gone a few minutes. Maybe Peeta will be home by then. I'm still hoping to speak with him tonight. If he'll talk to me."
Katniss slipped on a cardigan that belonged to Maura. She knew she should have changed into a pair of pants to compensate for the chilly spring nights. But that would require going next door where nearly all of her clothes were and she didn't want to waste time. Besides, she would jog there and back and she wouldn't be gone long enough to need her jacket.
"I'll be back before you know it."
Then she bounded out the side door next to the kitchen. Getting her necklace back would be nothing short of a miracle. Maybe there would be another miracle in store for her relationship with Peeta.
Maura was reclining on the couch around 8:15 p.m., when a knock came on the front door. Peeta stood on the other side, a tired smile on his face.
"Hi Maura. May I come in?"
"Of course Peeta," Maura said warmly.
He stepped through the door and Maura motioned to the living room but he declined. "I'm not going to stay long," he said. "I just got home a few minutes ago. We had to do monthly inventory tonight and that takes forever."
"I can imagine," Maura said. "You all make it look so easy, but I'm sure there's a lot of work involved in running a business."
"Yes there is," Peeta nodded. Then, he stared at the floor, gathering his words.
"My dad told me that you and Katniss stopped by while I was out making deliveries. He told me what she said."
Maura smiled softly. "She meant every word of it, Peeta. She feels terrible about what happened."
Peeta was again looking at the floor. "I know," he said, a bashful grin playing on his lips. Maura marveled at how apparent Peeta's love was for her daughter. He wore his heart on his sleeve. Just like his father.
"Is she here? I was hoping to speak with her."
Maura furrowed her brow. "No she went to The Hob around 7:30 p.m. I expected her back by now. I guess she's running a little late."
"Oh."
"She kept checking to see if you were home," Maura quickly added, trying to dispel his disappointment. "She really wants to speak to you too."
A faint smile returned. "Well, when she gets back, please tell her that I'll be at home."
"I will." Peeta headed to the front door. Then, he stopped abruptly.
"Oh! I almost forgot." Peeta reached into his pants pocket. "This is Katniss's necklace from her father. It was hooked to the sleeve of the shirt I wore yesterday. It must have come off when I carried her home. I just noticed it a few minutes ago."
Maura stared at the necklace, her mouth agape. The color drained from her face.
"What's wrong?" Peeta asked.
Maura's throat was suddenly so dry that she had to swallow before she could speak. "A guy who was with them last night called and said he found her necklace. That's why she went to The Hob, Peeta. She went to meet him and get her necklace back."