Chapter 14
I met with Dr. Lewis that afternoon. "I need medical clearance to join the mission in District 2," I told her as I took a seat on the examination table.
"How has your shoulder been feeling?" she asked while donning a pair of rubber gloves.
"Just fine," I lied, tossing in a smile for good measure.
"Then let's have a look. Please take your shirt off and lie down."
I tossed my shirt onto the chair in the corner of the room and lay down, exposing my naked back to Dr. Lewis. I had gained weight since my arrival in District 13, making my ribs less pronounced. But no increase in food could take away the scars criss-crossed across my back and draped over my shoulders.
"In the Capitol, they have surgeries that can minimize the appearance of scar tissue," Dr. Lewis told me conversationally.
"I would never be interested."
"Why not?"
"They're part of who I am now." Those violent marks represented the life I had led in District 12. They were the oppression I fought against, a fraction of the price I had paid to feed my family. Visible or not, everyone from the Seam carried those scars.
"Well, goodness knows it would be a long time before you would ever have the option. The hospital staff has started planning for the invasion of the Capitol-you must know about this?"
"Yes, I've been training to fight there."
"We're hoping we won't have many severe medical cases there, but we have to prepare for the worst. It is more likely that we'll need all of our resources just to get each of you back in one piece. And then there will be the citizens from other districts to care for as well. Those kids from District 11 are just as scrawny as you and your brothers were when you arrived."
"Will Prim be heading out to the Capitol?" I asked as Dr. Lewis removed the bandages from my shoulder to examine the wound.
"I would presume so. She is one of our most talented healers."
"We'll be lucky to have her there."
Dr. Lewis stepped away from the observation table to make a few notes on her clipboard. Then she applied a fresh coat of medication to the wound and replaced the bandages.
"Have you been putting weight on that shoulder?"
"No," I lied again.
"To be honest with you, Soldier Hawthorne, it's not healing nicely."
"It doesn't bother me."
Dr. Lewis shook her head and handed me my shirt. "It's slightly infected, and I can't give you permission to go to District 2 until the infection dies down. You can come in again next week and we can reevaluate. But in the mean time, you're going to have to take it easy here in District 13."
"But what if I promise to be gentle of it in District 2? Please, Dr. Lewis, I just want to make sure that Katniss is okay."
Dr. Lewis glanced skeptically at me.
"She's my cousin," I added through my teeth. "She's family. Family has to stick together."
"Then stay here with your mom and brothers for a few more days. I'm sure they need you just as much right now."
I was trapped. "You say that I can come back again next week? Can I make an appointment?"
"I'll add you to the schedule. Honestly though, Soldier Hawthorne, that wound is going to be slow to heal. You don't want that infection to spread. It's best to give it time."
"I'll be back next week," I promised. "It will get better. It has to."
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