I couldn't really sleep last night. The fear of the unknown is constantly bugging me and I have to display a tough face for the sake of my family and Sally. I quickly get myself up and put on my father's old dress clothes. Dress clothes nowadays is expensive around District 10 and there's no point of wasting money on that when we need the essentials.
I hear my mother prepping up some breakfast my siblings and I. My mother usually doesn't make breakfast for us as she has to be at the dairy farm before the sun comes out. I begin to wake up my siblings and get Sally's reaping clothes out from her closet and put my father's ring on top of the dress.
"Sally, I laid out your clothes for today. Mom is making breakfast for us and we can't be late for the reaping. I'll wake up Daisy, Meadow, and Levi in the meantime."
As I leave Sally's room, I shed a small tear and wipe it off before I get to Levi's room. Levi is 11 and I know he looks up to me since our father died. Levi is smart, charming, and determined and I do think he has the capability to make it to the better part of District 10 when he is older and live a happy life with his future wife and kids. To my surprise, Kobe is already up and ready for the day.
"Kobe, I'll go wake up Daisy and Meadow and help Sally get ready. Go eat breakfast before it gets cold, I'll meet you down in a few."
I nod in agreement and make my way downstairs and my eyes are glued to my mother's breakfast. I know it had to be a lot of money to purchase fresh eggs, bacon, bread, and fresh fruit from the market around here. We usually skip breakfast or have some grits or plain oatmeal for breakfast as it's only a couple of dollars for a week supply of breakfast for my family.
"Mom, you didn't have to do all this..." as my mom cuts me off - "Kobe, hurry up and eat before it gets cold. I don't need you worrying about money today."
I reluctantly agree as I begin to chow down the eggs and bacon. Eggs and bacon were my Dad's favorite and I guess you can say they are also mine. Just as I take my last bite of bacon, I hear Levi and Sally make their way to the kitchen.
"Mom, Meadow and Daisy will be down in a minute." Levi informs my mother and I. Sally looks beautiful today, I love the dress she is wearing. I also see my fathers ring on her left ring finger. I must admit I am a bit sad I no longer have it for todays reaping, but I know it will give comfort to Sally that her Dad is with her during today as we will be separated by gender at the reaping.
"Sally, go eat your breakfast and once your done, we will head out to the reaping in a few minutes." My mom says as she begins to clean up the kitchen. I can tell my mom is putting on a brave face today and it's even more obvious when she sees Sally.
We converse for the next few minutes together and we begin to make our way to the town square for the reaping shortly after. I know Levi knows my mother and I are putting on a brave face today and I really hope I can keep it together by the time we reach town square.