Author's note: I am really enjoying writing characters in depth that I never have before. I hope you like reading it just as much. Feel free to review. And you can always come visit me on Tumblr. I'm booksrockmyface.
Happy reading.
Chapter Two
The first several days were difficult for Effie. They made her eat. She hadn't eaten anything more than an olive from her martini in years. She'd grown pretty good at faking it for those that loved her, but these people watched her like a hawk.
She complained about it to Haymitch in their session. "It's like I'm a criminal."
"You want to get better, Effie, you have to eat. I know it's hard because when I was drinking heavy, I couldn't eat a lot. And when I started to detox, every smell made me ill. I just wanted to stay in bed and get over it, but they wouldn't let me."
"So how did you fix it?" She asked.
"The first time it was knowing I had family who cared. My mom was still alive and she worried. The second time, it was after my brother-in-law died. I relapsed because of that and because my mother had recently passed. I got better because my sister had severe depression. I needed to be there for her girls because I knew my sister wasn't going to seek help if I didn't."
"So here you are." She said.
"Here I am. And here you are. So I want to talk about you now. Let's go back to the first time you realized this was a problem. Do you remember?"
She thought about it a moment and said, "I think I remember being about twelve when I started feeling wrong. My mother was a beautiful woman. And she died. And I… I felt my father didn't love me. So I started holding back on food. It was many years. I would go back to eating regularly and then he'd say something about my weight and then I'd go on another diet. I never had a period. I didn't know that wasn't normal. But I did suddenly when I was twenty and I freaked out because I didn't know what was happening.
"And that's when I discovered I can never have children." Effie said hollowly. "Not that I want them or think that I'll ever want them, but now I don't have a choice in the matter."
Haymitch made a note and nodded. "Sometimes we don't realize the impact of our actions until we are removed from choice as a result."
She nodded. "Do you have children?" She blushed and looked away. "I'm sorry, that's not my business."
"It's fine." He closed down his computer. "No, I don't have any of my own. But I have a couple nieces I've had a good hand in raising. Katniss is eighteen, just turned it a few months ago. And Prim is fourteen." He smiled proudly. "Our session is done. For your group therapy tomorrow, I want you to say something about this. It's not a comfortable subject, but it's one you should discuss. Some of the other residents have similar issues."
She nodded. "I'll consider it."
"That's good enough." He held out his hand and waited for her to place her own in it. He squeezed. "We're just starting, Effie. There's nowhere else to go but up."
"And up, up, up." She smiled.
Their eyes locked. For many seconds Haymitch couldn't look away and it didn't appear that Effie could either.
Finally she blinked and removed her hand from his. "Could I have a visitor?"
"I think we can arrange it." He stood and motioned for her to leave the room ahead of him. "We'll get you a form to fill out and then the person will have to be cleared. Your first visit will be completely supervised. The second might be as well. If we feel the person won't be bringing anything illegal in to you, we can allow you a little more freedom."
"Can I call him?"
"Sure." He brought her to the common room and sat her down in front of a bank of phones. He had her dial the number while he held the phone. "What's his name?"
"Cinna. He designs dresses." She smiled anxiously.
The phone connected and a smooth voice said, "Hello?"
"Hello, is this Cinna?" Haymitch asked.
"It is." The man said a little skeptically.
"This is Haymitch Abernathy. I'm with The Coriolanus Snow Treatment Facility and I have Effie Trinket here with me. Would you be willing to talk to her?"
"Hell yes." He said happily.
Haymitch handed over the phone and Effie lit up.
"Cinna!"
"Effie! How the hell are you?" He chuckled.
"I'm much better. I've been eating." She was proud of herself.
"Every meal?" He asked.
"Every meal. And I even eat a snack before bed. I didn't want to at first, but I'm so used to it now. And I've gained a few pounds."
"I wish I could see you. And no more pills?"
"Never again." She said resolutely. "Would you like to come visit me? Haymitch said you could. I just have to fill out some papers."
"I would love a visit. Can I bring my latest sketches? I'm working on a new collection."
Effie relayed the question and Haymitch took the phone back. "You will be searched upon arrival. No drugs of any kind or you will never be allowed back."
Cinna said, "I understand, sir. Effie is a really good friend and I want her better. She's also my best model, so I need her healthy."
Haymitch said, "Just so you are aware. I'll give you back to Effie. You have ten minutes to make arrangements and say farewells."
"Thank you." He said.
Effie got back on the phone. "When can you come?"
"Is Saturday okay?" He asked. "I have meetings with some clients and models the rest of the week."
"I wish I could be part of this show." She sighed.
"When you're better maybe." He said. "We'll talk when I come Saturday."
"I can't wait to see you, Cinna."
She could hear his smile when he said, "I can't wait to see you, Effie."
She hung up the phone and looked to Haymitch. "Is it appropriate to hug you?"
He chuckled awkwardly. "No, it isn't. But I can tell you're in much better spirits. I want to warn you, though, that if you get back into modeling once you're better here, you may relapse."
She nodded. "I understand. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes."
"I hope so." He stood and motioned her toward the desk. "I'll get you those papers. Give them to Nurse Coin when you're done and she'll get them to the right place."
"I don't give it to you?" She asked almost innocently.
He smiled. "End of my shift."
"Oh." She deflated a little.
"Your friend will be here in a couple days. And I'll be back tomorrow. We have our group session. Think about what we talked about today."
"Okay." She nodded and held the papers to her chest. "See you tomorrow."
Haymitch gathered his things and left. His first stop was the hospital to visit Iris. He found Katniss and Prim already there. The younger girl sat beside her mother and chattered on and on about school. Katniss looked uncomfortable. Iris just stared off into nothing.
"Hey, guys." He said as he stepped into the room.
Katniss looked up and a relieved smile came across her face. "Haymitch."
"Katniss. How was work today?" He asked.
"I was off today. Did some important errands." She pulled some papers out of her pocket. "Since you're here, we can talk about something. You have power of attorney, Haymitch. Mom is still kind of out of it. But she's still here." She leaned toward her mother. "Mom, I want custody of Prim. I have these papers. Right now all I'll get will be official guardianship. I'm going to have Haymitch sign them if he wants. And then we'll go to court once you're out of here and you can fight me if you want."
Haymitch said, "Hand over that pen."
Prim watched the exchange. She looked to their mother. She said softly, "I know this is a good idea, but I still don't like it."
"What don't you like about it?" Katniss asked.
"She's our mom."
Iris placed her hand on Prim's arm. "It's okay, baby." She gave Katniss a grateful look and then went back to staring off into nothing.
"So have you had a good day, Iris?" Haymitch asked.
She nodded. "We had meatloaf sandwiches for lunch. Mama's was always better."
"Of course it was." He said. "Mama was a fantastic cook. You're good, too."
Iris shook her head. "Not as good as Mama."
"Just as good as Mama. She taught you everything she knew."
His sister nodded.
They sat and talked for a few more minutes until a nurse came in and asked if Iris wanted to eat in the dining room or in her room. She chose the dining room and hugged her family.
The three left together, walking in silence. At their cars, Prim got in and crossed her arms.
Katniss signed. "I don't know what else I was supposed to do. She hasn't been a real mother to Prim for a long time."
"I know. There was nothing else. She can stay at home now. The only other options are to let her go into the foster system or I could petition for custody. You did the best thing for her, Katniss."
"Are you sure?"
"I am." He squeezed her shoulder. "You're doing a good job, kid."
"Thank you." She patted his hand on her shoulder and then got into her car.
He watched her drive away before he got into his own to head to his empty house.