Голодные игры

           It’sspring-fed,bubblingupoutofacreviceinsomerocks,andblissfullycool.Iplungemyhandsintotheshallowwaterandfeelinstantrelief.Isn’tthatwhatmymotheralwayssays?Thefirsttreatmentforaburniscoldwater?Thatitdrawsouttheheat?Butshemeansminorburns.Probablyshe’drecommenditformyhands.Butwhatofmycalf?AlthoughIhavenotyethadthecouragetoexamineit,I’mguessingthatit’saninjuryinawholedifferentclass.

           Ilieonmystomachatedgeofthepoolforawhile,danglingmyhandsinthewater,examiningthelittleflamesonmyfingernailsthatarebeginningtochipoff.Good.I’vehadenoughfireforalifetime.

           Ibathethebloodandashfrommyface.ItrytorecallallIknowaboutburns.TheyarecommoninjuriesintheSeamwherewecookandheatourhomeswithcoal.Thentherearethemineaccidents.Afamilyoncebroughtinanunconsciousyoungmanpleadingwithmymothertohelphim.Thedistrictdoctorwho’sresponsiblefortreatingtheminershadwrittenhimoff,toldthefamilytotakehimhometodie.Buttheywouldn’tacceptthis.Helayonourkitchentable,senselesstotheworld.Igotaglimpseofthewoundonhisthigh,gaping,charredflesh,burnedcleardowntothebone,beforeIranfromthehouse.Iwenttothewoodsandhuntedtheentireday,hauntedbythegruesomeleg,memoriesofmyfather’sdeath.What’sfunnywas,Prim,who’sscaredofherownshadow,stayedandhelped.Mymothersayshealersareborn,notmade.