Peeta
It's the medication.
Katniss has been trying to get me to take it for years but what she doesn't know is that I found out they are actually prescribed to her. After her first suicidal attempt, I called up Dr. Aurelis and described to him her immense state of depression. She agreed to a few therapy sessions a week and soon she was back to her old self again…or so I thought.
One afternoon while sitting at the kitchen table feeding little Rue lunch, Katniss came home from one of her therapy sessions. She was in a delightful mood. She kneeled down and met my forehead with a kiss but as usual she didn't even look at little Rue; not so much as a warm hug or hello. I sighed but I didn't want to ruin her mood. Instead I asked her what it was that she was so happy about.
"Someone's in a good mood!" I teased.
"Yes Peeta!" she laughed.
"What happened in therapy today?" I asked her gently. Normally Katniss wouldn't discuss what her and the doctor talked about during their private sessions.
"Dr. Aurelis gave me these," she said pulling out a small pill bottle from the pouch that was slung across her shoulder. I took the bottle and inspected it before inquiring a little further.
"What are they for Katniss?" I was pretty skeptical.
She sighed before pulling up a seat next to me. "Peeta I just need you to hear me out on this," she started.
"I'm listening Kat," I said as she winced at the name. I only called her Kat if I was slightly annoyed or on edge about something.
"They are for you," she said. I started to protest but she cut me off.
"Dr. Aurelis said that if you just take one a day for just a few short months then your headaches will go away and you'll be able to focus the way you could before! No more hallucinations! Isn't this wonderful news Peeta!" she exclaimed.
I didn't know what to say. I was a little insulted to find out that I had been the topic of conversation in her sessions and not only that but Dr. Aurelis agreed that I needed help. Yes, my headaches were growing a little worse but I was not the one having hallucinations and much to my dismay Dr. Aurelis apparently agreed with Katniss.
"No," I simply demanded as I continued spooning oatmeal into Rue's petite mouth.
"No? Peeta you must! Don't you want to get better?" she asked bewildered.
"Katniss," I warned tentatively. "I'm not the one who needs to get better. Please put the medication away and join Rue and I for lunch."
"Peeta Please!" she put her head down on the table and started to weep. Tears were my only weakness. I can't stand to see my wife cry.
"Katniss please don't cry," I stood up and knelt down beside her.
"They will only help Peeta," she sniffed. "Won't you just try them out first?"
I sighed. If taking this medication is the only way I could get Katniss to see reason then I knew it was something I had to do.
"Fine Katniss, I'll give them a try," I relented.
Katniss squealed with joy and threw her arms around my neck. "We're going to be okay now," she whispered into the crook of my neck. I rubbed her hair and hoped for the best. I just wanted my wife back.
"Yes we are," I whispered.
The next morning was the start of my new regime and I awoke to a chipper Katniss hovering over me with a glass of water in one hand and a little white pill in the other.
"Morning," she smiled.
I groaned, taking two pillows and smashing them into my face. She laughed.
"Come on Peeta. Just get it over with already."
I reluctantly swallowed the pill and my wife kissed me as a reward for my adherence.
"I'm going to go start breakfast," she said.
"You sure about that hun?" I asked surprised. Katniss and I both knew she wasn't much of a cook.
"Yes! You're always making me breakfast Peeta. Just this once I'd like to make something nice for you."
I didn't argue. Instead I smiled and nodded my head in assent. I felt like the day was starting to shape up beautifully before I even made it out of bed. I quickly showered and dressed. I could smell bacon burning on the stove and I couldn't help but laugh. Before going to check on Katniss I peeked into my daughter's bedroom to find a sleeping angel.
"Hi honey," I whispered.
"Daddy?" she murmured.
"Yes baby?"
"Is it my birthday yet?" she asked. I made her go to bed early the night before and I promised her that when she awoke this morning it would be her fifth birthday and of course I was right.
"Yes darling, it is!" I announced. She laughed and hugged me.
"Come on. Let's go downstairs. Daddy has a special treat for his birthday girl! Mommy is making us breakfast and after breakfast I have a special surprise for you," I smiled. She was the spitting image of her mother and anytime she laughed my heart felt like it was going to leap out of my chest. With everything that has been going on between her mother and me, she acted as my angel. She was the only perfect thing in a world full of insanity.
"Yay!" she squealed. I sent her off to brush her teeth and told her to join her mother and I for breakfast when she finished.
I crept downstairs and into the kitchen. The table was set for two. Two plates full of scrambled eggs, burnt bacon, torched ham, and black toast.
I held back my laughter before asking "This all looks uh, wonderful honey but where's Rue's breakfast?"
Katniss blankly stared at me a few moments before returning to a pot full gloppy oatmeal that I assumed was for Rue.
"The doctor said to give the medication time," she mumbled to either herself or to me. It was hard to tell.
"That's all swell Katniss but what about Rue? She needs to have breakfast. She isn't on medication." I insisted, slightly irked.
Katniss continued to ignore me and focused all of her attention on the pot on top of the stove. Suddenly Rue ran into the kitchen and leaped into my arms.
"I'm ready for breakfast daddy!" she said followed by a kiss on my cheek.
"I bet you are," I sighed into my angel's shoulder and sat her down. Katniss' back was still turned to me and I didn't bother to argue with her about Rue's breakfast. Instead I pulled out a beautifully decorated cupcake from the refrigerator. I had been working hard on it all night. It was red velvet with a chocolate cream filling. The cream cheese icing was perfectly spiraled on top of it and the silver specs of edible shimmer added the perfect touch. She loved it.
"Oh daddy thank you! Can I have it for breakfast?" she asked. Under normal circumstances I'd tell her no but I stared down at the two plates Katniss prepared for the two us and then I stared at the empty setting where Rue's breakfast should have been and my heart grew weak.
"Yes angel. I hope you like it."
I left Rue alone with her mother and I headed back upstairs. I was starting to feel a little dizzy and unstable. Katniss didn't seem to be getting any better and it was easier to deal with when we didn't have a child but now Rue is suffering from her mother's inability to deal with reality. I felt my stomach lurch and before I knew it I was knelling before the toilet bowl retching. It dawned on that it could be a reaction to the medication that was prescribed to me. I made a phone call to Dr. Aurelis to be sure.
"Hello? Dr. Aurelis?" I asked the sturdy voice on the other end of the receiver.
"Yes Peeta! How are you son?" he laughed. "Long time since I've heard your voice!"
I chuckled. "I've been okay I suppose. There is something that I wanted to speak with you about."
"Sure Peeta. How can I help you?"
"Well it's about the medication Katniss brought home after her last session with you. She says you told her it would make me feel better but I've already vomited once today. Is this normal?"
Dr. Aurelis grew quiet.
"Doc you there?" I questioned.
"Oh yes. I'm sorry I'm just a little confused."
"What's wrong?"
"I haven't prescribed Katniss anything to give you. I have no idea what you're talking about."