Jack & Erica

"So was I, I always felt like an outsider up there."

"I knew you would. As horrible as District 5 was, it was home. This, here, feels more like home though. Though it still feels strange after all this time."

"It feels strange having someone...Jack is so...he's so patient with me. I don't know how he does it."

I smiled. "I know. Brett is the same way. All this time and I still don't understand it. I keep... waiting... just thinking that one of these days... he's just gonna get tired of it and leave. God I hope that doesn't happen. I... I love him so much it's crazy Erica."

"He loves you too, I wouldn't worry about him going anywhere. He loves the kids too."

"He loves you too, I wouldn't worry about him going anywhere. He loves the kids too."

"I know he does. He is so good with them too. You know he... he asked if he could raise Zoey as his own," I said and smiled.

"What did you say?" I smiled.

I smiled. "What else could I say. It made my heart damn near melt. I told him yes. God Erica he makes me happier than I've ever been. Sometimes I feel like this is all just a dream."

"You deserve to be happy, he'll be a great Father to her and a step Father to Quin and Raine."

"I know he will. He's so wonderful. I just wish Quin would let him in, though I understand why he won't. He's gotten better though."

"I'm sure Brett understands why Quin has his guard up."

"He does. I know it's hard on him though. He just wants to be there for Quin too and he feels like he can't be."

I was about to say something else when a knock sounded at the door "That's probably Brett, do you want to get it?"

"Yeah I'll get it," I said and went to open the door. I just stared when I saw who it was, feeling all the blood drain from my face.

"Yeah...Hi. I was just passing through the neighborhood and thought I would see how you've been doing and all."

I just stared at him for a minute, trying to get my mouth to work. "P-Parker?" I whispered. "What... How...? What?"

"Selma, are you alright?" I asked and went over to the door and my mouth dropped "What the fuck, we were just...talking about you...speak of the devil."


"It's good to see you too, Erica."

"What the hell are you doing here?" I finally managed to get out.

"It's an interesting story, can I come in? If you two are over the shock that is."


I shook my head "Of course, you can. What a stupid question." I said and brought him inside and then closed the door.

I went in the kitchen and put some tea together then brought it in the front room. "So. What is this story?" I asked as I sat down by Erica.

"The Capitol forced me out...it was either that or they threatened Quin. He was just a boy, I wasn't going to let him punish for my mistakes. From what I've heard he's been through the mill..." I sighed "I went North. I stumbled up on a young man who had been attacked by a damn bear so I took him with me and patched him up. I wanted to learn more about where he came from so I followed him down here."

I didn't say anything for a minute. "That's all you have to say? Threatened him how? And what mistakes did you make that the Capitol forced you out? There's more to that story and I want to know all of it."

"All that's important is that I left to keep him alive...which apparently hasn't done a lot of good because Brady told me what happened."

"You don't know anything Parker," I said, my shock at seeing him making me sound angry. "You made me promises, you made him promises, and then you disappeared. And now all you can say is it's not important? That's bullshit."