A Promise

Chapter Six

        I leaned against Enjolras' arm as he helped me hobble to his house. The pain in my ankle was excruciating, but, of course, I did not let that pain show on my face. Neither of us said a word as we walked, each of us lost in our own thoughts. I glanced over at the Marble Man. He seemed just as cold and detached as always, but there was something about him that felt almost warm and welcoming. I could not stop wondering why he was doing this for me. I was nothing to him. Why did he care what happened to me?

        Suddenly, I saw my little brother Gavroche come trotting toward us. I grinned happily. I had not seen my brother since he had run away a few days ago.

        "Hello, Gav," I said. At the same time, Enjolras said, "Good afternoon, Gavroche."

        I stared at Enjolras in astonishment. "You know my brother?" I asked, stunned.

        "Gavroche is your brother? He's a Thenardier?" Enjolras said, equally as shocked. "Then I suppose not all the Thenardiers are bad."

        The words stung. Did he really see me as bad? His words should not have cut me so deep, but they did. I had almost thought for a moment that Enjolras had seen past all my thievery and lying to the good that lay beneath, but, based on these words, he had not. Who was I kidding? There was no good left in me for Enjolras to see.

        Enjolras seemed to notice how much his words affected me. "Sorry," he mumbled. "I didn't mean it like that."

        "That's all right," I said, rather curtly. "You're right. Gavroche is a good little boy. He will grow up to be a good, kind man, not a dirty thief like his sister."

        Enjolras did not meet my eyes. We stood in an awkward silence for a moment, then, thankfully, Gavroche broke the silence.

        "What are you doing with my sister, Monsieur?" Gavroche asked Enjolras. "Is she your new girlfriend?"

        "Gavroche!" I protested as Enjolras turned red. "Monsieur Enjolras is simply being a gentleman and helping me out. I hurt my ankle and his friend Joly is going to take a look at it."

        "Oh," Gavroche said, sounding disappointed. "That's too bad. Enjolras would make a better husband than 'Parnasse."

        "Who's 'Parnasse?" Enjolras asked, clearly eager to change the subject.

        "'Parnasse is none of your business," I said sharply. After the fight I had gotten into with my fiance, I did not want to talk about him with anyone.

        "Oh, okay," Enjolras said, still sounding uncomfortable. "Gavroche, would you do me a favor? Can you fetch Joly and ask him to come to my house?"

        "I sure will, for one franc," Gavroche said with a toothy grin.

        Enjolras dug through his pockets and pulled out the desired franc. Gavroche snatched it up greedily. "Something for you, something for me," Gavroche said cheekily.

        "Au revoir, Gav," I said, giving him a quick embrace. "Take good care of your brothers."

        "Don't worry about them," Gavroche said with a wink. "I am a good Papa to them."

        "I'm sure you are," I replied warmly. "Better than our Papa."

        Gavroche grinned and darted off to find Joly, pocketing the franc as he left.

        "So, how do you know my brother?" I asked Enjolras.

        "He's good friends with Courfeyrac, one of Les Amis de'l ABC," Enjolras explained.