The hanging tree EDITING IN PROGESS

chapter 2

"Peeta, come here." I tell him. He sets a timer on the microwave then walks over.

"What?" He asks.

"Gale hawthorne called." I pause. "He said he needed tot talk to us." I tell him.

"Thats odd." Peeta says.

"Who's Gale?" Hayley asks with her sweet 4 year old voice.

"Gale is an old friend." I reply to her.

"Like as old as Nanny Everdeen?" She asks sitting down now on the kitchen floor. me and peeta laugh.

"No hayley." I say laughing.

"Oh." she says getting up to walk away. Peeta looks at me, continuing the Gale case. Suddenly the doorbell rings. I go to answer it. A girl in a light blue dress and flats stood there. She looked as if she was 13. "Hello. Are you Katniss Mellark? I'm Melissa Hawthorne. It's nice to finally meet you. What a lovely home you have! Is that the new blouse they have at the stores your wearing? My father sent me here! I really needed to meet you! So where was I?" she says. This must be Gale's child. But I needed to be sure. " Yes, thank you and yes. Who is your father?" I ask with a smile. "Gale, duh." she says. Gale was her father. Gale was her father. I repeat over in my head. He had a child, and a wife.

"Mellisa please come in. Peeta is cooking supper. Do you care to join us?" I politely ask.

"Oh! I would be happy to but I must get home after you answer my question." she exclaims. " Why does everyone think my dad killed prim?" she says.

"They probably think that because." I pause. This was to hard. " Because Gale designed the bombs." A tear tickles down my cheek. Melissa slowly walks out the door, and closes it behind her. "Peeta I'm going out on a walk. I'll be back for supper." I tell him slipping on my muddy boots over my jeans. "Okay! Be safe." He tells me as I head out the door.