Chapter 48, Kettles and fruitcake
The playful September breeze lifted the yellow leaves off the street. Made them whirl. Dance, across from Effie's window.
One of them, dry and withered, landed in the middle of the pond.
"Haymitch's pond" as she'd come to call it, ever since that fateful night when he made his wish. His two wishes.
The leaf made rings on the surface. A ship fit for a beetle. Or maybe a family of fleas, sailing for the promised land.
The mid-morning sun filled every corner of the living room. Basking in its light, Effie set a plate of finger sandwiches on the coffee table. Found herself humming along with the radio.
It was a relatively new station. A group of ladies and gems who played music, mainly nursery rhymes, certain hours of the day.
They weren't the first in that field, but they were the first to play more than just Capitol songs, approved by President Snow.
It'd been quite the project. A two years-long enterprise – supervised by someone other than Plutarch for a change – where they'd set out to collect folksongs and melodies from all around the nation.
Out in the districts of course, but also by digging in Capitol archives and through the mouths of the aging generation who still remembered the songs of old.
They had broadcasted throughout Panem for a couple of months now. For anyone who owned a radio and a curious mind.
Could've turned out tacky, only it didn't. Caused something of a controversy, sure. A few Capitol stuck ups who wanted the show shut down, both before and after it first aired.
But those negative voices were soon drowned out, as the station grew increasingly popular. Here of course, and in District 4 and – out of all places – District 13.
No surprise there really. Not to Effie. Finnick's district had always been a home for singing. And the latter: just starved for entertainment and fun after all those years in isolation.
If I replace Haymitch's demolished radio, she thought, he might enjoy listening as well. Anything is possible. He's such a music lover at heart. Could easily find these melodies on the piano. Play the twins something live.
Hands on her hips, Effie eyed the table critically – set with her finest bone china.
Plump, elegant coffee cups. Matching plates with gilded rims. All decorated with the same hand-painted flowers as the pot out in the kitchen, waiting to be filled.
"My family heirloom", she could've told Haymitch. A wedding gift that once belonged to her grandparents.
Over the course of the years, the pretty coffee set had survived two rebellions, four toddlers (back to back) and one drunken Abernathy.
"What do you think?" Effie asked. "Will this do?"
Harnessed up, safely secured in their doorways, Amy and Ian bounced in response. Like the world's tiniest skydivers. Dressed for play. Their toes just touching the floor.
Jolly jumpers, Annabel called them. It was a birthday gift from her and June.
What better way to dance with the beat, while you were still figuring out the art of standing?
"We should've gotten some fresh flowers", Effie thought out loud. "Pity."
She hummed along with the music. Adjusted one of the spoons. The linen napkins.
"Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true", she sang. "Here is the place where I love you." She kissed Amy. "And you", she smiled and kissed Ian. "Yes", she nodded to herself. "I am not in the least tone deaf. Your father doesn't know what he's talking about."
The boy grasped for the flowing skirt of her dress. A creation layered with autumn leaves in shades of orange, yellow and red. Not real ones but real enough. She hardly ever indulged in such fancy fashion anymore – fancy and toddlers didn't go well in hand – but sometimes she just couldn't help herself.
Low rumbles of a car engine broke her thoughts. Effie looked up. Just in time to see the cab roll up to her curb. The sky turned the side windows into mirrors and no sooner had the driver slowed to a stop before the doors opened.
One, two three.
The sight, their tell-tale chatter, high heels against gravel, curved Effie's lips.
Moments later, the front door gave a merry tinkle.
"Who can that be?" Effie smiled the twins's way.
"We're here!" Venia thrilled, out in the hallway – seconds before they all burst into the living room. A carnival of big smiles and colors.
Orange, green and aqua taking the lead.
"Look who it is!" Flavius spread his arms out, like a circus director. "Your favorite uncle!"
The twins bounced like mad in their jolly jumpers. Like popcorn in a saucepan. Kicking their arms and legs, they both let out ecstatic little squeak-breaths at the sight of the three.
"Aaw! You've missed us terribly, haven't you? Sweet darlings!" Venia bounded straight for Amy. The sunlight glinted off her gold tattoos when she smiled. "Hi, precious! Are you training for your bungee jump certificate, today?"
"How was breakfast?" Flavius smiled, over by the boy's side. "What did you eat, young master Ian? Anything good?"
"Oh, look at you! You match the flowers, dear!" Octavia kissed Effie on the cheeks, holding a bouquet of bountiful blooms. "This is for you", she beamed. "It was Venia's idea. To take the route through Heaven's Square. Flavius loves tiger lilies you see, and I simply adore sunflowers. We couldn't decide on one, so we got you both!"
"Why, thank you." Effie gave the bouquet a tentative sniff. "They're gorgeous."
Octavia nodded eagerly.
"We are such thoughtful friends, aren't we?" she said, half overcome with emotion. "Oh, what would you do without us?"
Effie smiled. She gestured toward the coffee table.
"Please, help yourself while I get some water for these."
"I'm glad we didn't miss the concert", Flavius beamed. He'd taken a seat on the rug, across from the boy while Ian bounced, bounced, bounced with the music. More or less in-sync. "Oh", the man giggled next, pointing a well-manicured finger in the air. "I remember this one! An all-time favorite! We played it by my crib day and night!"
He cleared his throat behind a fist, opened his mouth and sang – in a fair and surprisingly beautiful voice:
"The people on the bus go up and down. Up and down. Up and down. The people on the bus go up and down. Throough the Capitoool!"
It was hilarious how fast the prep team had warmed up to the twins.
During that surprise first visit post-elevator, Octavia brought lidded mugs of hot chocolate and her two friends along.
And, kid you not, it took less than an hour. Not only did they melt like popsicles in August. They seemed to have forgotten they ever even had a negative opinion to begin with. Not about "borderless lovers" and certainly not "half breeds".
The twins won them over in no time at all.
Cinna would have been proud. Katniss and Peeta too.
Since then, the three Capitolians checked in every other day or so. Brought food and iced tea, laughter and stories from town.
A welcome distraction. Their presence, their bright and sunny positivity couldn't help but rub off. Lift her spirit for the first time in … she didn't even know when.
Everything just fell into place. No need to sit down and talk things through. And frankly: it was a relief.
To just leave the past in the past. Look ahead.
"Are those Peeta's work?" gasped Octavia, brown eyes on the table. The three-tier cookie stand. "I recognize the frosting!"
"It is." Effie set the vase of flowers in the center of the cloth. "He mailed a crate full, the day before yesterday. Have one."
Octavia smiled and plucked a sugar cookie, frosted with a bright green four-leaf clover. She had herself a small bite. Groaned.
"It's divine! Venia, you have to try this!"
"How is our precious painter?" the older woman asked, once nibbling on a cookie of her own. "And Katniss too, the sweet dear. Is she still designing women's fashion? We've been dying to visit, but life's been so hectic. Something always comes up. Like just the other day!"
"Yes", Octavia said. Voice low, almost conspiratory. "We finally told her. Not, not Katniss of course. Gloria. We put a foot down and kept it down. Didn't we, Flavius?"
"Oh yes", the man said, still on the floor, nodding his orange corkscrew curls.
"We explained how much we love you and Amy and Ian", Venia said. "And Haymitch too of course. In his … best moments. We simply laid down the law and told her if she didn't have anything nice to say, she shouldn't speak at all. Or else, she cannot get her nails done at our salon."
"She was livid", Octavia whispered. "She pushed over a mannequin. And then she said … tell her what she said!"
Venia mimicked her voice:
"'I don't need you, do I? Go to hell, for all I care! You're crap at your job anyway!'"
"Ha!" Flavius laughed, as if the very thought was too ridiculous to ever be taken to heart. "Honestly, I feel sorry for her. Don't you? I mean, think about it! Her nails will look absolutely dreadful from now on."
"Why don't we all take a seat?" Effie gestured toward the table. "The coffee will be ready any minute now."
"Oh, that reminds me." Flavius got to his feet, a real spring in his step. "You know, Effie, we were thinking. Since there is something of a breath of fall in the air today. How about, we celebrate? By brewing ourselves a pot of nice, hot tea."
Effie's heart sank.
And not just to her stomach. Down down down it went. All the way down to the very soles of her feet.
It must have shown, for Octavia quickly reassured her:
"Not that we don't appreciate your coffee making skills. We simply adore it!"
"Absolutely", said Venia. "Especially your con panna. It's to die for!"
"I don't really drink tea anymore", said Effie, heat rising to her cheeks by their curious gazes. "It's just not for me."
"But why?" asked Octavia. "You had it during the Games. Plenty of times."
"It's complicated", Effie said, hoping they'd leave it at that. "I had a bad experience with tea a while back. Lost my taste for it."
"Oh!" said Flavius, hand against his heart. "I know exactly what you mean, love! I once indulged myself at a Pick & Cheese. A fine restaurant, they said. Trustworthy. What a joke!" He drew a heavy sigh, eyes on the ceiling. "I wound up", he said, "with the worst food poisoning of my entire life! Shooting out both ends, if you know what I mean? God, I thought I was DYING! For years to come I couldn't even look at a slice of gouda without feeling queasy."
He patted Effie's shoulder. Hand heavy with sympathy.
"You just have to tell yourself the same thing I did last year, that one time I fell off a carousel horse. 'Flavius', I said. 'Now is the time for courage. Don't let fear creep into your heart. If you do, you won't ever try anything daring ever again. Dust yourself off and get right back in the saddle. Don't worry. It will all be OK in the end.'"
"It's not quite that simple", Effie said. "Besides, I don't even have any tea."
"That's alright!" Octavia beamed. She darted for her bag, bringing with her a fancy box of organic, flavored green tea. "We bought it downtown", she said. "Just to be safe. Some people's teas are simply awful! Even the best of people. But this, this is what Cinna and Portia always drank. Remember? Very tasty and it boosts the immune system."
"Let's get the kettle on!" sing-songed Flavius and Venia in chorus and before Effie knew it, the three of them bounded into the kitchen.
Ten minutes later they all returned. Carrying her plump china pot, heavy with something other than coffee for the first time in ages.
"Now don't you worry, love", Flavius interjected her weak protests. "We will cure this unfortunate mental block of yours in a heartbeat!"
They ushered her toward the couch. Planted her on the middle seat with Flavius and Venia on her left. Octavia on the right.
"Don't be scared", the latter smiled. "We are here for you."
"No need for thanks either." Venia patted her hand. "Just relax and let us provide with some much-needed tea therapy."
"You know, this is something we could have charged you for", said Flavius lightly, armed with the tea pot. "But of course - since it's you – it's on the house." A steady stream, the color of fall itself, poured into her cup when he tilted the pot.
"How about a nip of milk?" Venia lifted the cream pitcher. "For extra flavor."
"And one of sweet Peeta's sweet creations to nibble on in between", said Octavia and placed a pink-frosted cookie on her plate. She lifted the cup off the table. "There you go", she said sweetly. "Nice and hot."
Effie had no choice but to accept.
Holding it by the ear, she stirred with the silver spoon. Buying herself more time. The scent swirled into her nostrils. This tea – Cinna and Portia's tea – smelled nothing like her last time, but the lump still grew in her throat.
Her eyes flitted to the twins, bouncing in their jolly jumpers. As if making sure they hadn't disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Octavia saw her look.
"Yes, there's Amy and there's Ian." Despite the aching in Effie's chest, the softness of the woman's voice coaxed a smile out of her. Octavia gave the children a flickering wave of her fingers. "Hello little dears! Look at your mama. So brave."
Effie focused back on the tea. Drew a deep breath. Let the air out slowly. She lifted the cup to her mouth. Misty heat warmed her upper lip as she took the tiniest of sips.
As the beverage touched her tongue, flavor spreading across her taste buds, Mrs Q – relentless, tight-lipped, eyes hard as the gemstones in her hollow cheeks – flashed before her mind.
"You should never have let him into your bed."
A choked sound came over Effie's lips and, unable to stop them, tears welled up in her eyes.
"Oh, honey!" Venia gasped.
"Don't cry!" said Octavia and in an instant, they hugged her from all sides. Three sets of arms, cocooning her in their embrace.
"It's OK." Flavius gingerly removed the cup from her hands. Set it on the table. "It's only tea. Just tea. It won't hurt you." Patting her hair ever so softly, he said: "Don't you worry, darling. We'll bring you a different flavor every single visit and the more you drink it, the easier it'll become."
"Absolutely", Venia said.
"We will help you. We promise", said Octavia, cheek against her cheek. "That's what friends do. How about, we braid your hair now? Would you like that, sweetie? Let's braid your hair."
"Mama."
The sudden sound turned every head. Effie's. The prep's. Four pair of eyes glued to the same spot.
Amy waved her little arms about.
"Mama!" she repeated. Firmer now.
"Oh my God", whispered Octavia.
"Did she just …?" Venia stared, arms still around Effie.
"Was that her first word?" Flavius asked under his breath.
"Yes", Effie said, just as stunned. "I mean, they've strung together different vowels and consonants. Tried them out, for some time now, but … this is the first real word."
"Oh, my God!"
The prep team jumped from the couch, as one. Octavia heading for Amy. Venia and Flavius for Ian.
"That was so beautiful!" Octavia had already broken into sobs. "Can I hold her? Oh, please, can I?"
"Go ahead", said Effie.
Ever so gently, the girl lifted Amy out of her sling. Tears rolled down her emerald-green cheeks as she cradles her close.
"Oh, precious, I'm so proud of you", she sobbed, rocking her. "Goodness, that's the most amazing thing I've seen since Venia's last birthday!"
"Can you say 'Flavius', young master Ian? 'Flaavius'!"
"Come, angel." Venia smiled and lifted the boy out. Propped him against one hip, so naturally you'd think she'd done nothing else all her life. "Let's get you to mama."
The two women resumed their seats around Effie. And Amy, she immediately climbed onto her mother's lap, like: "enough's enough".
Octavia just couldn't stop smiling. Caressing the girl's silky hair with the back of her fingers she said,
"We must take them to the Aquarium soon. Celebrate! Jellyfish are such magical creatures. Do you think the twins will find them magical?"
Riing!
Effie nearly jumped at the unexpected sound.
"Oh, allow me", said Flavius, the only one still on his feet. And before Effie could stop him, he snatched the cordless telephone.
"Hello!" he thrilled. "Trinket residence!"
"Oh, um", Effie said. You'd think she sat on an ant hill, by the way she moved. "Please Venia, can you scooch over?"
"Haymitch Abernathy! As I live and breathe!" Flavius exclaimed. "My, my, do I have news!"
"Flavius, hold on." Effie struggled past Venia, and Ian sitting on her lap. All whilst Amy kept a firm hold on her mama's body, dress, hair. "Please, the call's for me. I'll take that …"
"Your daughter", the man nearly bounced on his feet, deaf to her words, "just said her first word! She said 'mama'! Loud and clear! Oh, it was so incredible! Extraordinary! I could've kicked myself I didn't bring a camera!"
"Flavius, let me talk to him."
"Well, old man", Flavius went on, "it was so good hearing from you again but as you probably guessed, we're a little bit busy at the moment. Octavia and Venia and Effie and I – and the little ones of course! – are just about to have ourselves a green tea o'clock. Don't mind if we call you back? OK, then. Take care. Bye!"
And before Effie could stop him, he ended the call.
xXx
*ring ring*
…
Hello? Haymitch? Are you there?
My stars. Good ol' Effs Trinket. To what do I owe the pleasure?
I'm sorry. I wanted to get back to you sooner. But we had something of a full house before and then I needed to get the twins down for their nap. Took longer than expected.
You didn't have to call at all.
No, of course I do! I wanted to. I'm so glad you rang us up. Flavius just beat me to it. Sorry about that. He gets a little over-excited sometimes. You know how he is.
*scoffs*
So … how is everything in District 12? Are you still living at Sae's?
What's it to you?
Um, nothing … I guess. It was just a question.
Well, use your imagination. How do you think it's been?
Fair enough.
Sorry I missed the party. From what I hear, it was quite the talk of the town.
Oh, no. Not a party. Far from it. And we only had tea.
Yeah, well. Must be marvelous to have such all-weather friends. You're one lucky girl, aren't you?
… what?
I mean, who am I to judge? If you wanna hang out with the people who threw you under the bus a minute ago, that's on you. I mean, fuck, knock yourself out. But as the father, one would think I deserve to at least be consulted about what kind of people you expose our children to.
Expose?
You heard me. I may be a drunk but I'm not that drunk. Did you honestly think I'd let you get away with it? That I'd sit here quietly? I know all about your fucked up city's fucked up ideas! Plastic surgery. Neurotoxins. Puking your guts on purpose! And now those … those … "friends" of yours are gonna pollute my children's young minds with all that Capitol horseshit? Over my dead body!
They don't! Not at all! What kind of a mother do you think I am?
Well, you welcomed them back with open arms, didn't you? I bet they never even apologized for the way they treated you. They ganged up with Gloria for fuck's sake! Remember? I certainly do. I mean, hell Effs! Where's your self-respect?
It's different now.
How? What changed? How do you know it isn't just some ploy to get an inside scoop? Gossip material for later. Extra, extra, hear all about it!
Stop it! They wouldn't! They'd never! They've been nothing but good to me …
For a precious few weeks …
… and the twins! I chose to forgive. To let bygones be bygones and trust my own heart in this matter. And that should be enough for you too! If you ever knew me at all …
*snorts* Well, don't come weeping on my doorstep when they discard you. And trust me, sweetheart. They will.
Oh, don't you worry! And don't call me sweetheart! I can take care of myself, thank you very much! *inhales a shaky breath* You're mad about earlier. And I get that but … you don't have to be mean. I know the prep team far better than you do and you … you wouldn't even be saying those things, had you seen them today. They adore the twins.
Yeah, they love 'em. Same way Octavia loves her pet rats. Amy and Ian are little more than dolls to them. The moment something else piques their interest, they'll toss them aside without a second thought.
Who are you?! You sound just like Gloria!
I d…
Yes, you do! You're being vicious and prejudiced when you don't even have a clue! Nothing improper goes on under my roof and I cannot believe you think I'd even allow it! The only thing the prep team's done is bring happiness back into this house. They make me laugh. Make me feel … hopeful. They even promised to help with my tea anxiety.
Your … what?
I … I mean. They make things better, OK. Easier. Whenever I need help with the children or just need a few minutes for myself to breathe or take a shower, they're always there. They help me, Haymitch!
Yah, unlike me.
I didn't say …
Cause last time I checked, princess, you already have a support system. Right here! You didn't have to break the family up.
I didn't!
You fucking did, Effs! I didn't up and leave! Not once! Not even when you dropped your twin pregnancy on me like a fucking nuclear bomb. I always remained loyal to you. To our family. No matter what! You're the one who saw fit to pack your bags. Who decided to put a whole fucking country between us!
Because you left me no choice! What else could I do?
Like … not leave! Get a place nearby.
Right. And when you come stumbling through the door at night, wasted out of your mind, what then?
Fuck you! I offered to go! Offered my whole goddamn house on a silver platter! I would've been fine stayin' at your fancy-ass place. If it meant that you and the …
No, you wouldn't! You wouldn't be fine at all! I wanted to come home! More than anything! But you in the Capitol? Alone with your ghosts and no one checking up on you. You'd drink yourself to death for sure!
I don't need a fucking babysitter!
Since when?! I can't be in charge of everything, Haymitch! The twins already claim me day and night. I can't be in charge of everything all the time! It's too much!
Well, if things are so taxing for you, then come the fuck home! Your village isn't the prep team, you hear! It's Sae. It's Hazelle. Katniss. Peeta. Fine, I'm just some big and scary monster, so to hell with me, right? But those people, they love you! They care for you deeply and every single one of them is a far better influence than your trio of …
Don't you dare say it!
Well, they're nutty as a fruitcake, on that we can all agree!
Better nutty than callous! Callous and unkind! At least they are here! Part of their lives. There's nothing wrong with that! All they do is read stories to them, sing a song every once in a while, put on puppet shows …
Yeah? 'bout what? The history of the Hunger Games?
Go to hell, Haymitch! I haven't heard from you in a month. More than a month! Don't you think I wanted to tell you about the prep team? Or anything concerning the twins, for that matter? But how can I, when you never pick up the phone? When you refuse to return my calls. It's been weeks and weeks of worrying and caring for the children without you and now, here you are, after all this time, intoxicated …
Oh, that is so you! Effie Trinket in a nutshell! Yeah, maybe I did have a snifter or two, just to take the edge off things. Of course you'll hold it over my head forever! Never mind I missed my daughter's first word. Never mind you took my own flesh and blood away from me! Little Ms. Perfect Mama of the Year … Go, then. Go on! Have a ball with your nutty little friends. You already ruined everything else and if you're too dense to realize they're not good for you, then …
You ever stopped to think that maybe you're the one who's not good for me?!
So file for sole custody then! Be done with it! *SLAM!*
*toot toot*