DISCLAIMER: HG CHARACTERS DO NOT BELONG TO ME
A/N: I know there was an issue with the story posting for the last chapter, I contacted FFN and it appears the issue has been resolved, hopefully that does not happen again.
Chapter 143-Hologram
January 12 (Friday)
Gale was fixing Juniper and Jack's breakfast while listening to the TV in the background, they were watching the Panem News Network. After Katniss died a little over four months ago, there was a lot of reporting in the Capitol regarding the truth about the Hunger Games and the aftereffects being in the arena had on some of the Victors.
"We now know that Katniss Everdeen experienced different problems than what has been reported. The former Victor's exposure in the arena resulted in a lowered immune system that caused respiratory problems" the news anchor said.
"President Paylor said in her New Year's address that the Capitol will be fully transparent with the citizens of Panem, and that for the last fifteen years they have been developing medications and treatments for the former Victors" the second anchor said.
"Let's hope Panem does not suffer another loss as great as this."
No longer wanting to hear anymore, Gale raises his voice and says, "Ok food is ready, TV off".
Juniper diligently picks up the remote and turns the TV off, knowing that the rule in the Hawthorne household was that during mealtimes there was no TV and no electronic devices. She and Jack go into the adjoining kitchen and sit at the large island while Gale places their plates in front of them.
She looks at her Father as they sit in silence and begin eating their food. She still has not gotten used to his new look. In October, after he turned 53, he started growing a short beard. While she would not say he looked bad, the facial hair did age him, for when he was clean shaven, he looked more youthful. She also noticed he has begun to lose weight.
Suddenly breaking the silence Gale says, "I've arranged for the two of you to go to your Grandmother's this weekend. I want you both to pack after we are finished eating and we will head to the train station".
"Where are you going to be?" Jack asks.
"Here-I have some things to work on here."
"And we can't be here because-" Jack says putting his hands up in confusion.
"It will be good for you to visit your Grandmother before you both go back to school on Monday".
"No offense Dad, but we have been with both Grandma H and Grandma E non-stop for months" Jacks says.
"You know you won't be seeing Grandma E again until you graduate in May" Gale says with annoyance in his voice. Katniss's Mom had stayed with them until the end of September, and Jack and Juniper had visited her for two weeks in December.
"I just don't see why we have to go this weekend, or at least why I have to go. I am 18 now."
"And you are still in school and still living in this house. Did you have plans? With a new girl?" Gale asks, for Jack broke up with Ana shortly after Katniss died. While Gale tried to talk with his son about it, Jack would not discuss the matter with Gale, which only caused Gale to theorize his son broke up with Ana out of grief.
Jack finishes the last bite of his food then stands up and says, "I'm going to go pack."
After Jack leaves the kitchen Gale looks at Juniper and says, "You are okay with going to Grandma H's right sweetie?"
She does not tell her Father the truth, for she does not want to upset him. The truth was she was longing for her Mom, longing for her Mom's touch, her voice, her smell even. While she loved both of her Grandmother's with all her heart, as the weeks passed, she missed her Mom more, not less. She knows her Father is trying to help ease the pain with the frequent visits to see Grandma H and Grandma E, but what she really wanted to do is stay at home for the weekend.
Instead she finds herself saying, "Sure."
Gale gently rubs her shoulder and says, "You better go get ready so we can head to the train station".
While on the train heading downtown, Juniper looks out the window watching as the mountains speed by. While not happy that she is heading downtown, she knows there is nothing she can do about it.
She looks over and sees Jack on his portable computer.
"So, do you have a new girlfriend?" she asks coyly.
He looks up from his computer and eyes her suspiciously and says, "Been talking to Dad?"
"No! I heard what I heard at breakfast. You know Dad does not talk about that kind of stuff with me."
"Right because you are his precious baby girl" Jack says rolling his eyes.
"Shut up! It's not my fault if I remind him too much of Aunt Posy".
Feeling for his little sister, Jack takes a gentler approach and says, "Well, you do look like you could be Aunt Posy's kid. Look-I don't have a new girlfriend. I just-I'm tired of being carted around from relative to relative. It seems like every weekend we are either with Grandma H or Uncle Vick. When we were with Grandma E we also stayed with Uncle Rory, we didn't have a moment to ourselves."
"I know, I can't remember the last time we stayed at home longer than a week."
Jack nods and says, "I know Grandma H put all of Mom's clothes and things in the basement when Dad buried Mom in the wild territory. I think he has been slowly going through her stuff and that is why he wants us out of the house".
"But why?" Juniper asks, not understanding why their Father would not want them around.
"You know Dad, he has to be the strong one, the caretaker. He can't let us see him vulnerable and sad".
Juniper nods and asks, "Do you miss Ana?"
"I don't really feel anything anymore."
She did not know what to think when she heard her brother say that. While she has noticed that he has become quieter these days, she did not think he had no feelings whatsoever.
She says nothing as he turns his attention back to his computer, continuing the ride in silence.
January 13 (Saturday)
Juniper wakes up at 6 am. Seeing it is still dark outside, she knows she must move quickly and quietly if she is going to leave before her Grandmother wakes up by 7 am. Her bag already packed, she quickly gets dressed and goes into the bathroom before quietly leaving. She has a key to her Grandmother's townhouse and leaves a note on the kitchen table and locks the front door. She heads for the train station, pulling her coat hood over her head for it was freezing out.
She goes up to the automatic ticket machine and buys a ticket. She has the exact amount she needs, for her Father had given her money at the train station yesterday. Holding back some of the money she was supposed to give Grandma H, she has enough for the train ride to and from the Capitol and where she wants to go.
She boards the train at 7 am, she will be in the Capitol by 7:45 am. She knows she will be arriving early, but it will give her plenty of time to find her destination.
Once she arrives in the Capitol, she is amazed how busy the city is so early in the morning, even on a weekend. She walks around for a few minutes until she finds a city map, looking for directions of where she needs to go.
She arrives outside the Hunger Games museum, she looks at her watch and sees the time is 8:20 am, the museum does not open until 9. She sits down outside on the steps and waits for the doors to open at 8:30 and heads inside to purchase her ticket. She is the first person inside; and she sits down on a bench and takes out a book to read until the doors open. Once they do, she quickly heads to the second floor and towards the back, making her way to the 74th Hunger Games area.
She stops once she approaches Katniss's hologram. She sits down on the floor and looks up at it, watching as the hologram image changes from Katniss in her arena outfit to her red interview dress to the blue dress, the dress she wore the day of the reaping. Juniper closes her eyes and hears the various sounds of Katniss's voice in the background. She hears her Mom cry out, "I volunteer, I volunteer as tribute" and heard the words "I told her I'd try to win for her."
Knowing she only has a few more moments left before the few people who did arrive at the museum at 9 am would be making their way up to the second floor shortly. She stands up and reaches out and lets her hand go through Katniss's image, trying to reach for her though she knows she cannot.
She begins to cry softly and pulls her hood up over her head to conceal her face as she hears people approach.
