Chapter Three
No sooner can I put one foot down on the thin matted rug, Father comes down the hallway, his eyes bleary and beard a tangled mess. "My girl!" He slurs, and I roll my eyes. Now is the happy drunk period. He throws his arms around me and I just fend off a hug. "Hello, Daddy," I smile, knowing the smile doesn't reach my eyes. He stumbles back into the kitchen, and I follow him.
I put my basket in the kitchen and open it up, putting all my purchases around the kitchen. "So where is Mari-ee-ah?" Father says loudly, flopping into one of the chairs and covering his eyes with his hand. He takes a swig of his drink, and I catch a whif of liquor. I wonder where he got the money for it from. "She's out, Daddy." We have both agreed to keep Brian a secret. We don't know what my Father's reaction could be.
I hear the door open, and pray that Mariah didn't bring Brian back. But when I go into the hall, Lacy is shrugging off her thick green coat and hanging it up. Lacy is my cousin; a whole fifteen years older. Ever since Mother died; she's practically been our mother. She visits once every other day and her visits are seldom forgotten. "Hello, sweetheart," she says, beaming, and envelopes me in a hug as if we haven't seen eachother for a while. She reaches into the folds of her dress and presses some coins into my hands. Normally I wouldn't accept any money, but Lacy is family.
"Thank you Lacy." I smile, and it's an honest smile this time. "Where is Mariah?" Lacy asks questioningly, and I say again, "She's out." Lacy knows what I mean and nods, knowing Father is home. Lacy walks into the kitchen, and does a double take even though she already knows Father is there. "Hey Uncle," she says slowly, carefully. Instead, Father just nods and lurches out the house, slamming the door shut behind him. I think Lacy reminds him too much of Mother. She has soft brown hair that fall about her face in curls, dark blue eyes and a heart shaped face. Mother looked almost the same.
Lacy sighs and falls into one of the chairs and I follow suit. "I have a proposition for you," Lacy leans forward and beams. "Come and live with me," she says, taking one of my hands. "You and Mariah. I know it's a while away-but you won't ever have to worry about money again. You girls are already like my daughters-and I know you are struggling here, and I want to take care of you." Lacy smiles encouragingly, and I finger my Mockingjay pin like I always do in situations like this.
"I'll ask Mariah," I say, but inside I know it'll be a no. We'll not see July, or Brian, for days upon end. Yes, maybe we'd have a better life; but we'd not see our friends who have been so supportive this last year. Lacy drops my hand and reaches over to feel the cool metal of my pin. "I miss her too, you know," she says softly, "But you have to let go. I can be your mother now." I nod, and get up, releasing myself from her grip. Mariah at this point shouts, "I'm here!" from the hall, meaning I won't have to answer. Lacy scurries off to the hall, and I think.
Reaping Day is next week. I could ask Lacy if we could give her an answer by then; and then of course it'll be forgotten in the stress and shock of the week. My stomach plummets as it usually does when I think of the Reaping and I try not to think which four people it'll be.
When Lacy has gone, and the promise of a life she's offering, Mariah and I decide to take a walk. We walk back into town, our hands tightly clamped together. Occasionally, Mariah would stop me and point out beautiful cakes, sweets or other delicacies. Pretty things don't interest me. After Mariah spots a bag of adorned boiled sweets at a low price, I don't have the heart to refuse. I pay for them and Mariah chews as we walk along, occasionally giving me one.
As we stop by the Goat Man and pet the goats, I see Haymitch looking my way and tell Mariah I'll just be two minutes. As I walk over, Haymitch grins and slouches arrogantly. "D'you have a problem?" I say, in an annoyed tone.
"What?" Haymitch says, quizzical.
"Why were you staring at me and my sister?"
"You just look so alike; that's all."
"If that's all then," I say, and make my way back across. "Wait," Haymitch says, and bars my way by putting his arm in front of me. "Would you er- would you-like to-would you like to maybe…er come out with me tomorrow?" He says the last bit quickly, so all the words are jumbled. I cross my arms and smile, knowing I have him on the spot. "Are you asking me on a date?" I say, my voice confident which bemuses me. I've never been asked on a date before. "Yes," Haymitch blushes beet red, and looks down. "I'll pick you up at noon." I shrug as if I'm nonchalant, and casually walk back but inside I'm ecstatic.
Mariah looks up. "Who's he? And what's that all about?" I taste the words out in my mouth, "He's my new date. Haymitch."
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