"Ivy! Dinner!" Mom called down the stairs.
Ugh, finally! I was waiting all day for dinner to come, they couldn't avoid talking about Gale now. We were all together and it was the perfect time.
I took one last look at my dress design. To keep myself busy I had bought some fabric and started to make my fiery dress- it was coming along nicely. The pink I used wasn't girly, it was intense and would look good with oranges and yellows and reds.
I went downstairs and sat at the table with Pane while Dad and Mom put food on our plates. Pane was in the middle of a story about how a flour sack exploded all over Dad.
"-and a customer told him he needed a tan!" Pane said. Mom chuckled as she sat down, and Dad pretended he was hurt at the comment.
"So," Mom said changing the subject. "We need to talk about something." She looked at me and Pane, and rested her hand the table. Dad put his on top of hers. "Gale sent us a letter. Do you guys wanna hear it?" she asked.
I immediately nodded my head. Pane looked at me, then shrugged and said "I don't know, why not?"
"Alright." She said. She took out an envelope which had "The Mellarks" scrawled over it, and began reading.
"Dear Mellark family," Mom paused and looked up.
"Solid opening," I said, encouraging her to continue.
"Dear Mellark family,
I know me arriving may come as a surprise to you. I know that I've done a lot of things that have affected your family in some bad ways. And I'm truly sorry for that. But I came to fix a mess that I've created, not just with Katniss and Peeta, but with the whole family. I would be beyond honored if you all let me meet you and apologize in person, and get a chance to explain things and take responsibility for my actions. You deserve that much. Please, consider this, for all of our sakes.
I hope to see you all soon,
Gale Hawthorne."
We were all silent for a moment. Then I spoke up. "I'm still totally down for meeting him." I said confidently.
Dad nodded his head and said "We know, and honestly, I'm okay with it too. Gale delivered this note to me. I think he's genuine. Katniss?"
Mom sighed. "I don't know yet. We have two yes's so far, and if Pane agrees, I don't see why we wouldn't meet him. It would be good for all of us. Gale was my best friend when I was younger. Maybe we'll all get to know him a little."
We all looked at Pane. I could tell he was feeling the pressure now. He kept looking down at his food, probably wishing he could eat it instead of having this conversation. "He sounded nice I guess- remember when Jonas got in trouble for calling me a bad word? Teacher made him apologize and he started being nicer to me and my friends. Maybe Gale would do the same thing and be nicer. Not to us only, but to our friends too" Pane said.
We all smiled. That was a really sweet thing to say- Pane was growing up well. Mom closed the letter and said "Yah, maybe he will be nicer. Okay, then it's decided then. On Sunday we will invite Gale over, so clear your schedules. Alright? Now go ahead and eat, your food is probably freezing by now."