A Promise

Chapter Twelve

        As I passed through the slums of St. Michel, I saw a young woman holding a small child, not yet two years old. The child was coughing and its skin was a pale, sickly yellow. The young woman rocked the child back and forth, stroking its hair and trying to comfort it. I stopped and stared at them with pity in my eyes. I wanted so badly to help the poor child. The young woman glanced up, and our eyes met. For a moment, she gave me only a blank stare, but then her eyes widened with recognition and fear. "Thenardier," she hissed, pulling the child to her breast protectively. I didn't know how she knew me, nor did I want to know. I turned away and walked down the street towards my apartment, or rather Papa's apartment. All around me, people gave me wary glances. I was more aware of my bad reputation then ever. It was just another reason why I didn't belong among Les Amis.

        I strolled down the street and the shabby apartment building appeared. Far from feeling at home, my heart raced nervously. What would Papa do to me when I showed up? Surely he would be furious that I had temporarily abandoned the Patron Minette, not to mention the fact that I had not earned any money the past couple days. I bit back my fear and bravely marched to the front door of the building.

        "Hey, Eponine. Why don't you give 'Parnasse a proper greeting?"

        I stopped in my tracks and turned towards the direction of Montparnasse's voice. There he stood, one arm wrapped around the waist of a skinny blonde girl. He gave the girl a peck on the cheek. "Run along now, " he told her, giving her a wink. The girl gave a high-pitched giggle, wiggled her fingers at him, and ran off. I raised an eyebrow.

        "Who was that? "I demanded.

        Montparnasse shrugged. "Some girl I met off the streets. Pretty little thing, but not very smart. She was... keeping me company while you were away," he said with a wink. "I knew you'd come back. I knew you would never succeed at your little 'goody-goody' routine. People like you and me, we're good for one thing and one thing only: taking as much as we can get. There's no way to change that. It's our nature. The sooner you learn that, the better."

        I cringed at his words, but I didn't deny them. It was all true, or so I thought. There was no redemption for me. In the words of my fiance, I was good for only one thing: taking what I could get. No, stealing what I could take. Enjolras' face appeared in my mind, and for a second, I was tempted to go back, to run away from Montparnasse and take another shot at an honest life. I was tempted, but I resisted the temptation. I thought of the way that young woman with the sick child had looked at me with such fear and contempt. There was no way I could change my reputation. I would only endanger Enjolras by staying with him. After all, I was wanted by the police. Enjolras could easily be arrested for harboring a fugitive if I were to stay with him. Ignoring my qualms, I smiled at 'Parnasse and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "It's good to be back," I said, grinning, although on the inside, I was far from happy.

        "It's good to have you back," he said, and gave me a long kiss on the lips. I tried not to pull away. I tried to enjoy it, but my heart felt empty. 

        "So," I said, breaking apart our kiss, "Is my father angry at me for leaving?"

        Surprisingly, 'Parnasse laughed. "Of course not!" he said with a chuckle. "He didn't even notice you were missing. He is never cognizant of the world around him. As long as he gets his money, he's happy."

        I tried to pretend it didn't bother me that my own father did not even notice my disappearance. "I don't have any money for him," I said.

        "Then you'd better get some," 'Parnasse replied. "Brujon, Babet, and I are raiding a house tonight. If you want you can tag along."

        Funny, I thought. Before meeting Enjolras, the prospect of raiding a house would have excited me a great deal. Now, however, I felt repulsed at the thought of performing such an evil task. It's funny how one person can change your heart so drastically. Pretty funny.