A Better Future [Jaime Laws' Speech]

"It's too soon, Mr. Laws"

His adviser says with eyes that could tear through anyone.

Luckily for him, Jaime Laws was never someone to break under emotional stress. A hum from his lips as the years flash past. The same words had been said to him during the Seventy Fifth Hunger Games and the election that followed. Too soon because Mitchell's life was lost. A wound that never truly healed for him. Memories of showing Mitchell the queen of hearts and making it reappear somewhere else. Days spent helping Mitchell with his homework on the old sofa that had once belonged to his belated mother. The same sofa that got him through the business side of District Twelve.

Too soon of a loss that he didn't run that election.

Carter was home now. Despite everything, Carter Laws was home with him. Remembering the tears his wife and him spilled in front of a screen watching their little boy get torn apart by capitol mutts. His son, always the wannabe hero who sacrificed himself for others. Except, he was home as if ripred blessed them with a miracle. Adjusting to this was hard. Carter wasn't that little boy who left to the capitol. Things have changed and Jaime Laws can see the suffering on his son's mind.

That's why it was never going to be soon enough to run for Mayor.

It wasn't just for his own name's sake, but for Carter's too.

A smile as he passes his adviser and moves on stage with that friendly atmosphere that always seems to surround him.

"Welcome District Twelve to this year's Mayor Elections." A wave and the bright smile on his face. "Most of you probably know me by now. I'm Jaime Laws, your candidate for Mayor here in District Twelve." A deep breath as he lets his smile fall and focuses on the rest of his speech that's been planned out by him and practiced in front of many of his kids, including Carter, despite his son giving him a glare the entire time. A moody boy who had seen too much and lost so much. His heart aches as he finally looks up again.

"As a father, I've always been my kid's number one fans since they were born. I was always the one cheering them on as they took their first steps. I always was the one to support them in whatever activities that they decided they wanted to pursue. I've always been there for my children. That's why when Mitchell died, I backed down from running during the 75th Hunger Games. I wasn't ready to take on Mayor because I didn't know what to do. I lost myself. I lost everything I thought I could do for them. I lost a piece of my heart with Mitchell. I see him everywhere as many of you do here in Twelve. You see all of the lost children among the streets, every home, and every person in Twelve."

A pause for air and a glance to see if the crowd is taking it in.

"That's why I want to focus on remembrance of those lost here in Twelve. The comfort that those lost would want you to do amazing things and continue living for them. I understand what many of you are going through and I want you to know you aren't alone. I've already decided to follow Mayor Pierre Hope's example in District Eight. I will be holding groups for all of those families that are broken apart because of these losses. You are not alone."

A hum under his breath as he notices Carter off in a corner behind the edge of a building listening.

"I'm lucky enough to have my son here with me today. Carter gave it all that he could and I'm grateful that he's still here with us, but I know many of us aren't as lucky. I will be here for you. As for the rest of Twelve, we have numerous of problems that have never been helped for years. Starvation is still a major struggle for many of the citizens here in Twelve. I plan to create multiple chains of soup kitchens to feed the hungry in our effort to fend off starvation. I plan to work with Twelve to create better working conditions and higher pay for the citizens. We need to stand together for a better future. Vote Jaime Laws for Mayor. Thank you!"

A quick wave to the crowd as he no longer can see Carter.

I'm doing this for you