Welcome Home

I gave myself a reassuring shake and turned to face the house. House, however, was a bit of an understatement. In the front, large elaborate windows led into a grand foyer. The siding of the house was made of quarry imported from District 2 itself. I exited Seneca's car and followed his retreating form to the front door.

Seneca reached the door and knocked twice. I caught up, feeling guilty and nervous. He gave me a curt nod and a simple smile, his hands assuming a protective position. We waited for about a minute before the door opened slowly. I had no idea what to expect.

A young boy opened the door with a cheery grin on his face. He had dark sandy hair with royal blue eyes. Upon noticing Seneca, the boy's grin turned into one of ecstasy.

"Uncle Seneca!" the boy let out, enveloping Seneca around him for a hug.

"Well look at you," Seneca smiled into the boy's hair.

He lifted the boy straight off the ground and carried him into the foyer. I stood awkwardly outside until Seneca gestured with his free hand for me to enter. He shut the door behind him gently and let the boy down. I felt the boy's questioning glance fall on me and looked to Seneca for help.

"Cori, this is your aunt, Effie Trinket," Seneca guided.

"Pleasure to meet you, young man," I smiled gently.

Cori looked me over once, cautiously peeking around me for signs of danger. I observed his clothing; an affinity for vests like his uncle. Cori stuck his hand out as a polite offer of greeting. I took it and gave it a firm shake.

"I've heard a lot about you," he stated.

I felt bad, because I hadn't heard of him until the car ride over. I smiled awkwardly, hoping that he'd get bored and find something to do. I was never one for entertaining children.

"Well, I hope what you have heard is good," I tried.

He looked me firmly in the eyes and squeezed my hand. I released it embarrassedly. Seneca grinned and shooed him away, telling him to find some toys. Cori walked away without another glance.

"Venia? Where are you?" Seneca called aloud.

"In the kitchen," came a woman's voice.

Seneca started toward the kitchen, and I followed quickly. I tried to get Seneca's attention, but he let nothing distract him. He threw open the kitchen door and a woman near a row of counter spun around.

"Careful," she warned, "Don't you break my house now."

"Oh, please," he responded, "Like a great architect such as you would design a house that could fall at my touch."

"Stop," she waved his comment away and embraced him warmly.

Over his shoulder, she noticed me. There was a moment when our eyes connected and I felt as though I had never left. Her warm features, enveloped by Seneca's slumping shoulder reminded me of happier times. Times that I could recall fondly. I stepped forward slowly, hoping that she would make the first move.

"Oh my," she said, "You didn't tell me."

"Surprise," Seneca stated, stepping out of the way.

He left us in full sight of each other.

"Effie," she said, tears pooling in her eyes.

"Venia," I responded.

She ran forward and embraced me deeply. I felt her warmth radiate from around the house into my soul. She shuddered a bit from what I could only guess were tears. I grasped her tighter, not wanting to let go.

"It's been so long," she whispered.

"I know, I know," I responded, "But I am here now."

We remained in that position for minutes, desperately clutching at one another.

"Why don't you two have a seat in the living room? I am just fixing dinner. Alfie isn't home yet," she prompted.

I released her and sent her a gracious smile. Seneca led the way into the living room and offered me a seat.

"I thought you were mad at me," I hissed through gritted teeth.

"Not after an embrace like that," he shrugged his shoulders, "I always will want to know why though."

"Not here," I stopped him quickly.

He shot me a glance that seemed to question everything about me, but dismissed it quickly. Cori ran back into the room, eliciting a displeased scolding from Venia. She entered moments later and sat on a couch across from us, Cori in her lap.

"Effie, have you met Coriolanus?" she asked gently, smoothing the hair on his head.

"We have been acquainted," I confirmed.

"Cori, Aunt Effie used to live with me," Venia told him, "In fact, she used to sleep in your room."

"Really?" Cori's eyes brightened.

"It did not have action figures thrown about though," she told him.

Cori laughed gently. He leaned over toward me with a passionate glance.

"Do you want to see them?" he asked suddenly.

"See who?" I looked around the room.

"My action figures," Cori stated.

Without giving me a chance to accept or decline, he seized my arm and led me toward his bedroom. Venia and Seneca laughed as he dragged me up the steps. We stopped at the familiar bedroom, the slight slope in the ceiling over where my bed used to rest. The room was painted a bright blue color with action figures lining the walls. I noticed that my vanity no longer occupied the space. Now, a large chestnut wardrobe commanded attention.

"Here is Mr. Moon from those moon comics," he started, pointing out figurines as he went, "And here is the mighty Alto. I used to have one of the President, too."

"The President?" I asked, sitting on the edge of his bed.

"Yeah, he came in a special box with two ribbons on it. Mom said he was too expensive though. Dad put up a really good fight," Cori said from the floor.

"Dad did?" I smiled.

"Do you remember my dad?" Cori suddenly asked his full attention on me.

"Of course I do," I reassured him, "He's my brother. We grew up together."

"But how come you haven't come over before? Uncle Seneca comes over all the time."

I didn't know to answer his question honestly. I remained silent for a few seconds, Cori's eyes branding into mine, demanding an answer.

"I've been…sick."

"Sick like the flu?" he asked curiously.

"Something like that," I went with his answer.

He quickly lost interest in his query. He turned back to his action figures and continued to show me who was who. Suddenly, he perked up again. I observed that he was easily startled.

"What's wrong?" I asked sharply.

"Dad's home!" Cori shouted, making a beeline for the bedroom door.

I was left alone in his bedroom with no one but Mr. Moon and Alto to keep me company. I tidied up his toys, and then made my way out of the room. I could hear loud clinking from downstairs and Cori's excited yelping. There was the sound of a shuffle, then absolute silence. Quietly, I made my way down the steps.

Four pairs of eyes met me. Cori smiled gently in the arms of my brother. Alfie caught my gaze and held it with wonder, pride, and a bit of pain. He handed Cori to Venia and crossed over to me.

Neither one of us spoke throughout the embrace. I felt tears well up in my eyes and buried my face into his shoulder. He patted my back with reassurance.

"It's been so long," he finally spoke, pulling me back to observe me.

I laughed and wiped my tears with the back of my hand. I realized that I would look like a complete mess, slobbering and weeping all over the living room.

"You look good," he observed, "Well, I'm not saying that you ever looked bad. Except when we were younger. I remember you coming home some days looking real rough."

He looked over to Seneca, who smiled gently albeit Venia's eye roll. I was at a complete loss for words. I swung my hands in his and kept smiling.

"Well, you seem to have become quieter in the time that you've been gone. An improvement, I assure you," he teased.

"Shut up," I gently pushed him and he laughed.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Alfie questioned Seneca with this one.

"I think we have a bit of catching up to do," he smiled gently and looked over toward me.