After the Retreat {Tom}

Poppy Greenslade
District Six | Thirty-Four | Female

When I awoke that morning, the first thing that popped into my mind was that the house had to be clean. If it wasn't in good shape, I wouldn't be able to make a good impression on the boy who would be helping me out with the kids and other such things around the house. I got up immediately when my alarm went off, and after getting ready for the day, I started making sure things were tidy around the house. Luckily, that wouldn't take long, as our home was rather small, and we didn't have a lot of things to our name.

I made sure that by noon, all three kids were up, out of bed and that I had given them a sufficient breakfast. They were all in good moods that morning, which was certainly a good sign. Terra, as a fifteen year old girl, often seemed to find something to complain about. Surprisingly, she didn't seem to be doing that today. This was going to be a good day. I had a feeling everything would work out. I hadn't had that feeling for a long time, ever since Harrison left.

Life has been difficult without Harrison around. Ever since he killed that man that he claimed was after me and got turned into an Avox, it's been very difficult to raise the kids on my own. Therefore, I decided that I should get some help. There was a boy in the District who was a bit older than my own kids, that had agreed to helping me out around the house. Terra and Colton didn't have school that day, since it was the Sunday right after the reaping. Harry, the youngest of the three kids, was home, not with a babysitter like he sometimes was, since I was able to be there. It was Colton's first reaping this year, and he was still rather shaken from it. Although, he was relieved that it wasn't him, of course.

The boy that was going to be helping me out went by the name of 'Teddy'. He didn't seem to have a last name, as far as he knew, either. I gladly welcomed the boy into my home when he had told me that he would help me out. I was extremely grateful for this, as I hadn't had much help since Harrison left. It was really difficult for one woman to care for three children without any assistance. When Teddy arrived at my home, I opened the door with a smile.

"Hello! It's great to have your help. I really appreciate it." I said, welcoming him in. Right then, Colton came running to the door.

"Mom, who's here?" he asked me. Then, he spotted Teddy. He didn't recognize him, since the two of them had never met before, but he smiled regardless. Colton loved to meet new people, which was more than could be said for Terra. I wasn't sure how Terra would react to having someone else around the house, helping out. Harry on the other hand, didn't have much of an opinion on anything, as he was only two years old. That could certainly be a good thing, and would make things easier.

"Colton, this is Teddy." I explained to my son. Teddy looked at me and then at Teddy. He then waved at his new acquaintance.

"Hi!" Colton exclaimed. I laughed a bit. Leave it to Colton to make things cheery. I always loved that part about him.