Forget Me Not

What are you doing here? Is it really you?

"Hi," he stood awkwardly and seemed to wave.

"Oh my," my hand covered my mouth in surprise.

We stood silently for a moment, taking in the delicate sight of the other. I felt tears pool in my eyes. Venia shared my admiration too, for tears were flowing down her cheeks. I threw myself at Alfie, allowing him to catch me while off guard.

"What are you doing here?" I breathed quietly.

"Someone in your family should see you graduate," he whispered back.

Suddenly, it seemed as if he had never left. I realized how much I missed him. Images of a childhood shared rushed back, flooding every pore of my consciousness. He held strong, allowing me back into his life. We stood there for minutes. Finally, we broke apart.

"I cannot believe you," I began.

Anger or wonder? I still was not sure. Half of me wanted to embrace him. Half of me wanted to pull his ear and scream. In the end, I decided to hug him.

"I am sorry, Effie" he said after a few minutes.

"Yes, well. You are here now. Come meet the others," I suggested, signaling the Cranes.

"You are a little late. We are well acquainted," replied Alfie, "Seneca, you look good. I must thank you for taking care of my sister."

"Oh, thank Venia. Obviously, she was the one who arranged this meeting," nodded Seneca.

"Yes, Venia contacted me and asked if I would be so kind as to attend your graduation party," Alfie told me.

"You did?" I asked Venia.

She nodded with her tears continuing to run. I embraced her gently and passed on feelings of appreciation.

"It is good of you to come, Alfie," said Seneca with a smile.

They shook hands. And I thought the day could not get any better. The two most important men were standing together in front of me. I could not be happier. I wanted to live in this moment forever. Venia directed Alfie to the guest bedroom. Seneca and I stood alone in the kitchen, smiling with glee.

"Did you know about this?" I asked Seneca with curiosity.

"In fact, I did," he replied, "But I will not go into the depth of my involvement. I will not have you mad at me."

"How could I ever be mad at you?" I kissed him lightly.

Venia and Alfie returned. We decided to enjoy a pleasant dinner provided by Seneca's delicate hand. Venia offered help and Seneca accepted leaving Alfie and I alone. We sat across from one another at the lavish dinner table.

"How did you know to come?" I asked.

"Well as you know, I left around a year ago," he began, "And I travelled to District 2. I found a job as stone grinder. District life is so different from Capitol life. And the Hunger Games do not get me started."

"But why did you go?" I interrupted.

"Please allow me to finish," he paused, "One day; I was called away from the job. Someone important from the Capitol had come to see me. I thought it would be father, you know, as if he wanted to see his son and apologize. But, no. It was Seneca."

"Seneca!" I interjected.

"Yes?" called Seneca from the kitchen, obviously unaware of my discussion.

"Yes. He had come all the way to District 2. He told me that you had been trying to locate me. At my request, I prevented him from telling you that he had found me. Well, he visited often and updated me with your doings. About a month ago, Venia gave Seneca an invitation to pass onto me. She told me to come to your graduation party. So here I am."

"Why on earth would you forbid Seneca from telling me about contacting you?" I asked, "Did you not want to talk to me?"

"No, no. It is nothing like that. I needed to be sure that mother and father had no idea where I am. I have since been informed that everyone discovered my whereabouts. I wanted to tell you, but I thought it would be easier if you forgot about me."

"I could never forget about you. You are my brother!" I almost shouted.

"I will always love you. I wanted the best for you," he told me quietly.

He signaled Venia in the dining room. She brought out some greens broiled into a stew. Seneca's careful hand had prepared a fine dish. I decided that my questions would have to wait. Alfie tucked in and accepted a bowl of stew. We dined with casual pleasantness.

"Are you excited for graduation?" asked Seneca.

"Oh yes," I answered, "I have been working hard as of late."

"She did just splendidly on her finals," Venia told Alfie, "Near perfect marks."

"Oh, hush," I taunted Venia, "Trivial details."

"Speaking of which," Venia suddenly gasped, "Your letter came! With all the excitement from Alfie's presentation, I forgot to mention it."

"The Games school letter?" I screeched jumping up, "Where is it?"

"It is in the hallway," she answered, "But surely you will wait until after din-…"

I left midsentence. In the hallway lay a thick envelope with the Capitol insignia. Grabbing the middle, I tore open the top and dropped the envelope. My letter read as such:

Miss Trinket,

We are pleased to grant you accepted to the Official School of the Hunger Games. Please report for initiation on Monday, September 2. Congratulations on your behalf.

I let out a blood-curdling scream. In an instant, Seneca was by my side.

"What happened?" he sounded panicked.

"I got in!" I yelled to the household, "I have been accepted to Games school. We are going to be classmates."

Seneca beamed with pride as he realized my scream was not one of death. He held his arms out for an embrace. I leaped onto him, kissing him violently. The day was absolutely perfect. We returned to the dining room and pardoned my horrid manners.

We continued dinner, talking about the Games school. Further rounds of congratulations were administered. To conclude, a toast was set.

At the conclusion, Seneca washed the dishes and Venia dried them. Alfie and I retired to the parlor for tea. The fire was lit, radiating sharp warmth.

"So you have to tell me. Why did you leave?" I asked quietly.

"Look, I could give you many answers, but I will something simply and honest. For the same reason you did," was all he could say.

"Are you going back?" I almost feared the answer.

"Yes. I have to. I have a wonderful life in 2. I have met a lovely girl. There are no painful memories, no neglect. Even the starvation is bearable," he responded.

I tried to imagine life in District 2. Limited food, no colors, and the threat of the Hunger Games. However, I began to see a more humble view. A tight community. Togetherness.

"Can I visit you? In District 2?" I asked after a couple of minutes.

He looked at me.

"Would you want to? I would love you to come. You can meet my girl. Who knows? Maybe you will give up Capitol life and join me," he smiled.

"Well, I do not know about all that. It might make for an interesting vacation. Who knows?" I repeated.

"You know, I am just happy to see you. I missed you so much," he whispered, warming his hands by the fire.

Venia came into the parlor and bid us goodnight. Seneca followed, winking at me. I knew he would wait up for me. Alfie and I exchanged more words of love, life, and admiration.

"Please do not hate me for leaving," he stood up, "I had a weak moment. But, I want you to know that I never forgot you. Seneca gave me updates. And here I am, all for you. I love you."

"I love you too," I answered, "I never forgot you either. I could not hate you if I tried. You are all that I have ever wanted in a brother. I am so pleased that you are here."

We bid each other goodnight, and I walked upstairs to my room. Seneca lay on my bed, wrapped up in the blankets. I crawled in next to him and laid my head on his chest. He shook slightly and allowed me in.

"You went to 2?" I asked him quietly.

He nodded.

"Thank you," I whispered to him.