Saturday Evening

The cocktail party is in one of the smaller ballrooms. It's amazing how many people will squeeze into a room that has food and an open bar. We're still in a room off the main room. For the girls, touch up the makeup. For the guys, another glass of champagne.

When we go outside, we mingle. There are many oohs and ahs for the newlyweds. "Peeta, get me a drink, please."

"What kind?"

"Surprise me."

"Jo, Finnick's cousin Gil is cute," I say.

"Yeah, he is. And we have a lot in common."

"Like what?"

"Well, for starters, we both like boys."

"Oh, well."

"I'm meeting him next Friday for drinks, though. Gil wants to introduce me to his friend. You never know."

"You're a hilarious girl, Miss Johanna."

"Thank you, Miss Katniss."

Peeta arrives with my drink and I'm not sure what it is. "Peeta, what is this?"

"A Pink Lady."

"What's in it?"

"I'm not sure. It's pink and frothy. What more do you want?"

I take a sip "Yum, good. Add this to my list."

Peeta got Johanna the same, and she approves.

Congressman Undersee comes over. "Katniss, you're so beautiful."

"Thank you, Congressman. Flattery will get you everywhere."

"Peeta, I was talking to the committee chairwoman about you and she would like to talk to you about coming to Washington and working for the committee."

"Wow, I'm honored, but I don't know about that."

"There's no harm in talking. Let's get something to eat and we can talk."

"Katniss, I'll be back in a few."

I send him a kiss.

"Where did your hot hotel sex smile go?"

"Washington D.C."

"Is Peeta that ambitious?"

"He never was. Not a big deal, he's only talking."

"There goes Prim and Rory. He is a hottie. Are they an item?" Johanna asks.

"Kinda. They've dated off and on, mainly off for years. I'm not sure if Prim likes him enough, or she just doesn't want to get involved while she's so busy at the hospital."

"What's Rory do for a living?"

"He's an accountant."

"Wow. My accountant doesn't have a body like that."

"Old man Greenberg is about one hundred."

"I need to change who does my taxes."

"Jo, you're blushing? Are you picturing Rory naked?"

"Yes. Wearing nothing but a green eye-shade."

"Like I said, you're a hilarious girl."

"Hi, Madge. Hey, partner." Kisses all around.

"So Gale. What are you going to do if Madge catches the bouquet?" Johanna asks.

This produces a smile from Madge and wide eyes from Gale. "Gale, could you get me a drink, please?" Madge asks.

"Okay, I'll be right back."

"Wow, Madge. I guess I hit a raw nerve."

"You did. We spoke about marriage last week. Or should I say, I spoke."

Madge and Gale have been dating for quite a few years. I set them up. So I kinda feel responsible. But Gale has either got to marry her or let her move on. Like my father says, Either shit in the pot or get out of the bathroom. Oh, thank God that was only a thought bubble.

"How did it go?" Johanna asks.

"Well, let's just put it this way, I might be looking for an up and coming lawyer, Katniss. Or and up and coming writer, Jo."

"Wooo Hooo." Both of us give Madge a high five.

"At least tonight I plan on having a fantastic time tonight," Madge says.

"Good for you."

Johanna takes off and I lean into Madge.

"Peeta and your Dad are talking politics. And working in D.C."

"Uh oh. How do you feel about that?"

"I never thought about it. How did your mom handle It?"

"It was hard when we were young. Now, she goes with him."

"Well, I won't burden myself with it tonight."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, your attention please," the Emcee says. "Introducing our little Flower Girl, Jamie. A big hand please."

"And now our Bridesmaid and Usher, Johanna and Gil."

"Please a big hand for our Maid of Honor and Best Man, Katniss and Peeta."

"For the first time as Mister and Misses, Annie and Finnick Odair. A big hand, please."

Annie places her arms on Finnick's shoulders and the newlyweds take a spin on the dance floor.

"Please, everybody join the happy couple on the dance floor."

Peeta takes me in his arms and we slow dance. Oh Christ, I can't take my eyes off him.

"Why are you staring?" Peeta asks.

I smile, pull him close, and continue to dance. "No reason." I can't stand to have one atom of air between us.

While Peeta is off mingling, I search for my playmate.

I thought I saw Johanna going this way, but it's a dead end. I try the doors. No, locked. No, not in here. What is behind this door? "OH CRAP, BURN MY EYES." I slam the door. Johanna's sex life never bothered me, but I never expected a front row seat. I lick my lips and I have to see who is in there. Could it be a celebrity?. Oh, maybe a politician.

… knock … knock … knock

"Oh Jo, come on out." I hear things fall in the closet and muffled voices. The door opens and Johanna's dress is askew. A cute girl with short chestnut brown hair dressed like one of the staff skoots by me.

"Bye, Jo."

"See you later, Clove." Johanna straightens her dress. "What are you staring at?" Johanna asks.

"Oh, nothing."

"Wipe that smile off your face."

"Jo, update me, please," I say.

"Well, I got to thinking. What happens if the male well runs dry? I should expand my horizons."

"Expand your horizons? What are you talking about? There are still a few men you haven't slept with on the island of Manhattan."

"Hey, you never know."

"Jo, how come every time we go out it ends up being like an episode of Sex in the City?"

"Just lucky I guess. And don't worry. She counts in the betting pool. You're closer to winning."

"So, you did it all for me."

We walk back to the party. "So, what was it like?"

"What?"

"Oh Christ, what do you think."

"I guess you mean Clove. It was soft, very soft. Why are you asking? You should know what it's like."

I'm stopped dead in my tracks. "I've never been with a woman before."

"Oh come on. You attended NYU. It's in the village."

My voice squeaks. "We were roommates for four years. Did you ever see me with a woman?"

"No, but I had no knowledge what you were doing when you weren't in class, studying, working, sleeping, clubbing, or dating Peeta."

"Like I say. You're a very funny girl Miss Johanna Mason."

I take Madge's arm. "Hey, let's get a drink."

"I'm for that."

"Excuse me, I'll have a," my head tilts, "oh hi. It's Clove right?"

"Yeah. Hi again, Katniss?"

"Yes. Madge, this is Clove."

"Clove, that's an unusual name.'

"It's my nickname. My name is Chloe Vee. V.E.E. My friend used to say it fast and combine it. So Clove."

"That's cute."

"Thanks. What can I get you?"

"Let's see. I had pink before. What other colors do you have?"

"How about a Blue Lagoon?"

"No thanks, I had one last night and it made me sleepy. What else?" I say.

"Instead of colors, pick a borough," Clove says.

"A borough, okay, The Bronx," I say.

Clove shifts her eyes to Madge. "Your choice?"

"Bronx too."

Clove mixes gin, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, and bitters. She shakes with ice, adds an orange twist, and slides it to me. "Taste it."

I take a sip. "Wow, where has this been all my life."

"Very good Clove. How many other boroughs can you make?" Madge asks.

"There's one for each borough. I'll make you a Queens next." Clove wipes down the bar.

Madge leans over and whispers to me. "Stop staring."

"What?" I whisper back.

"You're staring at her cleavage."

"Stop being silly." To be honest I was. LOL.

"Have you two met before?" Madge asks me.

"Just downstairs. She was with Jo."

"Do you know Jo?" Madge asks.

"No, we just met," Clove says.

"I wish I could be like Jo. She meets new people so easily," Madge says.

"Oh, if you want to meet new people, you should come to the bar I work in."

"Where's that?" Madge asks

"Dahlia's on Nineteenth Street in Chelsea."

I'm familiar with it. It's a bar that caters to a female clientele.

"I never heard of it."

"I have. It's very nice." I responded there to break up a fight between two biker chicks.

"We should go there one night. Gale and I don't get out much."

"That's an excellent idea. Take Gale there," I say.

"Clove, is any night Lady's night?"

I can't believe Madge asked that.

"Madge, every night is Lady's night."

Perfect answer Clove.

"Wow, that's great."

How long can I keep this going?

"You and Gale dating long?" Clove asks.

"Four years."

"Madge and Gale are such a cute couple. But Gale won't commit," I say.

"After four years. That's terrible," Clove says.

"Isn't it," I say.

"You guys come around, I'll give Gale a talking to."

"Yeah, make Gale see the light," I say.

"Yup, teach Gale a lesson," Clove says.

"Here, here. Cheers." We clink our glasses.