Today would be the day! Happiness bubbled inside Philippe as he
scurried out of the little room his mother owned. The sun was just rising
over the sea. Drawing the salty-sweet air in, the boy leap down the wooden
steps into the galleys of Toulon. Today his father would be freed. After
serving eight years, his theft would be pardoned, and life would become
peaceful again.
Picking his way through the broken shells and smooth stones,
Philippe watched as the ship that carried his father came near. It docked,
and off the man stepped. His dark skin had turned to a rich mahogany under
the sun. His long limbs were corded with muscled and his hair hung loosely
past his shoulders. A bright yellow Ticket of Leave rippled in the wind,
grasped tightly in Honoré's hand.
The little boy bounded toward him, untidy hair streaming out behind him.
"You are free, papa!"
"That I am, mon petite, that I am."
"So, where are we going first?" The two headed toward the iron gates that led to the world outside of the prison. After a long pause, the Honoré answered. They had reached the end of the path. "Why do you say we?
Philippe looked back, startled. "Mama and I stayed here in the galleys while you worked. I even crept out to see you when I wasn't supposed to, just to see you."
The man sighed. "You stayed because your mother needed some place to stay, and following me into the galleys, to do what works she could, gave her that place. You were taken along because you were very young. Your mother raised you, and now your mother will decide when you leave. I, on the other hand, have earned my freedom, and shall how take it. Good bye, Philippe..."
~ ~ ~ * * * * ~ ~ ~
Javert sat up with a start, trembling. Pushing aside the sheets, he slid out of bed. The moonlight fell softly into the room, landing sleepily on the few pieces of furniture there. The pale silver light soothed the Inspector as he stood beside the window, still quivering from the dream. Though he never viewed himself as superstitious, he was unnerved by the dreams he had been having. They were reflections of what he had down when he was young, hotheaded, and foolish. With a heavy sigh, Javert sank back into his bed, and reluctantly let sleep return.
"You are free, papa!"
"That I am, mon petite, that I am."
"So, where are we going first?" The two headed toward the iron gates that led to the world outside of the prison. After a long pause, the Honoré answered. They had reached the end of the path. "Why do you say we?
Philippe looked back, startled. "Mama and I stayed here in the galleys while you worked. I even crept out to see you when I wasn't supposed to, just to see you."
The man sighed. "You stayed because your mother needed some place to stay, and following me into the galleys, to do what works she could, gave her that place. You were taken along because you were very young. Your mother raised you, and now your mother will decide when you leave. I, on the other hand, have earned my freedom, and shall how take it. Good bye, Philippe..."
~ ~ ~ * * * * ~ ~ ~
Javert sat up with a start, trembling. Pushing aside the sheets, he slid out of bed. The moonlight fell softly into the room, landing sleepily on the few pieces of furniture there. The pale silver light soothed the Inspector as he stood beside the window, still quivering from the dream. Though he never viewed himself as superstitious, he was unnerved by the dreams he had been having. They were reflections of what he had down when he was young, hotheaded, and foolish. With a heavy sigh, Javert sank back into his bed, and reluctantly let sleep return.