Dear Posy,

You're turning 12 today! Do you feel another year older? Another year wiser? I can't believe it's been 2 years since we last saw each other. I had a lot of fun when you came to visit me. I know it was probably boring when I had to go to meetings or make phone calls, but that time I got to spend with you was perfect. Let me guess what you're having for dinner. Roast deer and sweet potatoes with strawberry ice cream for dessert? Isn't that a Posy classic? I still remember the first time you had deer meat. I thought you might have loved it more than you loved me. Maybe you didn't back then... but I guess times have changed. I know you haven't written back to me but maybe, on your 12th birthday, you might find the time to pick up a pen and paper. I really do miss you, Po. I always knew you were stubborn, but 6 years is a long time to hold a grudge on someone. Even Katniss has come to visit with Peeta. I know I try to explain to you what happened in every letter, but maybe this one will hit home for you. You're 12 now. You could have been Reaped this year.

That's when Posy stopped reading the messy scrawl that was her brother's. He'd sent her a birthday present of folding paper that he said was called Origami. And he'd also sent her a birthday card with a novel in it. He did this every year. He tried begging for her forgiveness, for a letter back. But Vick was the only one who'd ever written back to Gale. Rory had sent thank-you cards on occasion just to make his mother happy. Posy threw a fit every time Hazelle suggested she do it. This year, it seemed like Gale was trying extra hard.

She remembered going to visit him when she was 10. He was right; it was boring. Hazelle had made all three of the younger kids go visit him separately. Vick came home with gifts and happiness. Rory came home with gifts and a bit more respect for Gale. While Posy came back empty-handed. She'd purposefully left the things Gale had bought for her on the train. It wasn't really a grudge, anymore. She really did hate him for what he did. Not only did he abandon their family, leave them to figure things out on their own after the Rebellion, but Posy found out that he had killed Prim Everdeen. And that was unforgivable.

"He didn't do it!" Hazelle had said many times while they argued about it after dinner. It was a regular event for the two of them to fight about Gale. "He had no idea they would use it on Rebels!" She'd continue, bursting into tears. Posy would remain stony-faced for the duration of the argument. She had known that Gale was developing weapons in District 13. Just because she was young didn't mean she was stupid or unobservant.

Posy crumbled up the birthday card and threw it towards the trash can in her bedroom. Since coming home, the Hawthorne's had been given a house in the Victor's Village so they could have more space and be closer to Katniss and Peeta. The piece of thick card stock bounced off the rim and landed on the floor. Posy glared at it as if it was the card's fault for not landing in the trash like it was supposed to. She didn't bother to get up and try again. He wasn't worth that effort even if she was getting rid of it.

"Posy? Can I come in?" Rory stood in the doorway of Posy's room. He was 19 now, tall and lanky with a messy mop of brown hair on his head and stubble showing on his chin. He was the only one left in the family that understood why she was still so mad at Gale, because Rory had been the same way. Unlike Posy, he'd learned how to forgive, he'd listened to Gale's side of the story. He was also older and more mature. Posy was still just a kid.

"Yeah, come in, Ror," Posy laid back down on her bed as Rory took the desk chair and turned to face her.

"What'd you get from Gale?" He asked casually. Posy pointed to the Origami paper lying on the desk. It got a nod of approval from Rory. "No card this year?" He asked, making Posy sigh and feel like she was being interrogated.

"You know there was a card. There always is." She propped herself up on her elbows. "I just don't want to read it. I know what it's going to say." It was Rory's turn to sigh.

"Look, Posy, I know what you're going through. I know you blame him for the actions that were made and that you're still mad he left us. But he's making an effort to stay in touch and support us even though he can't be here. Did you never notice that? He paid for this house, for your clothes. Or have you not noticed how little Mom works anymore?" Rory explained. Posy tried desperately not to roll her eyes. "You're another year older. Maybe you could be a little wiser about this decision to block him out entirely." With this advice, Rory left, not before setting his present to her on her dresser.

Posy flopped back down onto her bed, thinking to herself that this was the worst birthday ever. She curled up into a ball, hugging her knees to her chest. She closed her eyes, wishing she would wake up and her birthday would start all over again and it would be perfect. The phone rang before she could truly fall asleep. She sat up, looking at the clock on the wall. Still only 5:30.

"Posy!" Hazelle called up the stairs. "Phone's for you!" Posy swung her legs off the bed and went downstairs to get the phone from her mother. It was probably someone calling to wish her a happy birthday.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me." He still had the same deep voice he'd had when he was 20. Posy had half a mind to hang up on her brother, but with Hazelle watching carefully from the kitchen, it was difficult.

"Hi," Posy bit back a mean retort about how he'd already sent her a card, he didn't need to call.

"How's your birthday going?" Gale asked politely. The guy was at least good at pretending like everything was okay.

"Fine," another one syllable response. She could almost hear Gale trying to think of what to say next.

"I'm really sorry, Po." He finally said, filling the silence. His voice sounded different though. It wasn't like the other times he'd apologized when he was pleading or frustrated or even disappointed. Today, he sounded genuinely sad, almost like he'd given up on the idea of her forgiving him. It sounded like his last attempt in reconciliation.

"I know," It was the worst thing she could have said. Gale sighed on the other end. She could imagine him rubbing his forehead with one hand, maybe sitting on the edge of the leather couch. "I know you're sorry. But what are you sorry for?" She continued, hoping this would make him keep talking. Suddenly, she was filled with the need to hear his voice. It had been too long since she had.

"I'm sorry that I hurt you. And that I designed weapons that killed someone I loved. I'm sorry that I spent the Rebellion ignoring you and then ditching you when you were only 6 years old. I'm sorry that I gave you any reason to hate me. But... I didn't do that stuff on purpose. You have to know that." There was a pause in which neither of them said anything else. "I'm sorry." Gale repeated.

"Gale..." Posy started, but she found herself speechless. What could she say to that? "There... there's no way I can forgive you for all of that. At least not today." She explained. "I'm only 12. I don't know how to just forgive someone for everything they've ever done." She turned away from her mother. "And I'm not sure you know how to do it either, and you're 26."

"Posy, did you read your birthday card? All of it?" Gale asked. Posy turned red and didn't say anything. "Read it. The whole thing. Because you're not 'only 12'. You're my sister and I love you. And I believe you can do anything you want." He said it with such passion that Posy promised she would read it.

"Talk to you later, Gale." She said quietly.

"Yeah, happy birthday. Tell everyone I say hi." Posy hung up, put the receiver back down, and ran up to her room. She grabbed the crumpled card and smoothed it out on her bed. Some of the ink was smudged now but she could still read it without much trouble.

You could have been Reaped this year. I don't know if you remember going to the Reaping's or not, but you must have still learned about them in school this year and last year and all the other years. They were a world-wide event. Everyone between the ages of 12 and 18 had their names put into a huge bowl and then the escort - Effie Trinket in our case - drew two names. One boy and one girl. If your name was drawn, you went into the Hunger Games with little chance of survival. Maybe you remember the Reaping when Prim was chosen. If not, I'll remind you what happened. Prim was 12 years old and her name was only in the bowl once. But her name was drawn and Katniss volunteered to take her place. Can you imagine being 12 years old and fighting to the death in an arena where all the odds are against you? No one could. And just because Prim had an older sister who was willing to take her place, not everyone else did. There was one girl in the 74th Hunger Games who was your age. She didn't do too bad, either. She made it to the final 7. But she was killed... brutally. I guess I just want you to know that even though you think your life is just starting, it could be just ending. You are my sister and I love you. I wouldn't have let anything happen to you and I still won't. There aren't so many dangers in this world now, but I know what it feels like to be scared for your life; to know that in a second, you could be done. I never want you to feel that fear. Today is your 12th birthday. Today, you can choose how you want to live your life. There's no Capitol to ruin it for you.
Happy birthday, Po. I love you... please remember that.

~Gale

Posy didn't bother to wipe away the tears that were running down her cheeks. Gale was right. She wasn't "only 12." She was 12 and she could fight for anything. If that girl in the 74th Hunger Games could fight for her life, then Posy could forgive her brother. She could fight for that if she wanted to. Without a second thought, Posy grabbed a white piece of paper and her pencil. She didn't hesitate before starting a letter in reply.

Gale,

I forgive you. Maybe not completely and maybe tomorrow I'll hate you again. But I think today is all that matters for now. We can deal with the future when we get there. I know you didn't mean to kill Prim, however, it was still your bomb that did it. And you don't get a free pass for everything. Rory told me today that you paid for our house and you've been paying for our food and clothes too. I didn't know that. I guess I need to apologize for that. You're forgiven on that account because you didn't actually ditch us. I just thought you did. Also, when did you get so smart? I can remember when you couldn't even finish your math homework from school. And now you have some fancy job in some wealthy District, and you know exactly what to say to open people's eyes. I made a mistake in ever letting you out of my life. It's a mistake that I will probably regret for the rest of my life. You are right; 6 years is a long time to hold a grudge on someone.

If that girl from the Hunger Games can fight for her life, I want to be able to fight for my family. Just like you did when you joined the Rebels and fought with them. You are brave and I'm so happy that you are my brother. Please come visit us soon. Mom gets worried about you. I miss you and I love you.
Forever your sister,
Posy