Eponine, mon amour
It all happened a long time ago. I am an old man now and my memory is starting to fail. All I remember is that she died in my arms. Her name was Eponine, and she was a poor girl, and I felt sorry for her.
Then, I had Cosette. My golden girl, my golden dream. And life was good and I was happy. Everything that happened before – all the friends obliterated, Eponine dying in my arms, the pain, the suffering – was all but a faint memory. But then, dear reader, something happened. Something unnatural, something wonderful.
What was I doing? – I don't remember, maybe reading? – but I thought I was alone in the room, when I heard a lullaby. That voice – I couldn't believe it. A magical, soft voice. I felt like the sailors in the old greek legends – the sailors that would sail to their deaths, chasing the enchanting sound. I would kill for that voice…I would die, too.
When I turned, it was her. Eponine. She looked…different. Well nourished. Her hair was lustrous, her cheeks had the color of a rose. Her red lips….her skin…it all glowed with health and life. She looked so vibrant and alive. How could this be?
Who are you? I asked.
She laughed. – It's me Marius, Eponine. Don't you know me anymore? Don't remember an old friend?
-But…you died. You died in my arms.
She told me a strange story. About a foreign man that was visiting her, every night, a week before the day I thought she died. And how that man retrieved her body and brought it back to life. She said he gave her something to drink – a red medicine, she said. And that she felt stronger, healthier and happier than she ever was before, in her old life.
While I was trying to absorb the meaning of those words, she said she had to go. I turned to her, and she was gone. Vanished into thin air.
Was I afraid, dear reader? Yes! Terrified! I couldn't tell Cosette, or anyone else, for that matter. I thought I had a waking dream. That was, until she came again, and again, and again….
We would talk for hours. I couldn't help but stare at her face… Her eyes were a dark well, a well of dangerous dreams, and I wanted to drown in them. Her voice…she sang to me, and that sound was sweeter than honey. She was my heaven….
When are you coming again? I would ask. She wouldn't answer, just laugh at me and disappear. When she laughed I could see her little sharp, pointy teeth…I never saw teeth like that. But I wasn't afraid…
Sometimes she would ask me to close my eyes, and I would feel something like a needle sticking into my arms, chest or neck.
Don't open your eyes, Marius – she would say…. And then I felt things I couldn't describe, things that would make me blush at confession., unnatural things…things I have never felt before or after, oh Eponine, mon amour…
I grew older, but she remained forever young and beautiful. I would delight in her company, her strength and joy…her beauty, her singing, her laughter, her little pointy teeth…
No, dear reader, I felt no shame or remorse. I wasn't unfaithful to Cosette…not in a carnal way. Cosette had my days, Eponine had my nights…Cosette had my body, Eponine had my mind… and thoughts…
I am an old man now, dear reader, I think I told you this already. I am sick, and bedridden. Yesterday I heard the doctor tell poor Cosette that it wouldn't take long now….
Now Eponine is coming every night, and she gives me something salty and thick to drink. – It's medicine dear, drink it all – she says.
But I am not getting any better…
- You will feel better soon, Marius – she said, smiling at me. With love. I could see it in her eyes …
- When, dear Eponine?
Soon, my dear. You will get worse before you get better.
And will you be with me? - I asked, my voice just a weak whisper.
Yes, Marius. We will be together forever. It won't take long now… -
I saw a tear rolling down her cheek
Eponine, mon amour….
- The End-