Little Book,
showed this little book to Marius today. He was very impressed with my writing. Enjolras over heard our conversation about my book. I thought h would be angry that I was wasting my time with something so trivial, but he also seemed impressed. He began to lecture me about how I should write my story so that one day when France is free people will read it and remember the struggles of the oppressed.
I will write the story of my life and all it's brutal truths, not for Enjolras, but for myself. One day I hope that someone will read this and see I am not some animal to be thrown out on the streets but a person who has fears and feels the pains of starvation and poverty.
So to begin with my story I will give you a peek into my life at home. Our name is Thénardier but we use the name Jondrette among other aliases to hide from debt collectors.
My father is a drunkard and a gambler. He is a cruel and impatient man whom I have come to despise. My father was not always so horrible. Our family used to own an inn. Back then we where quite wealthy and my father was a happy man. Eventually it was discovered that my parents had been stealing from guests and out inn fell to ruin.
We adopted the name Jondrette and moved to Paris. I had hoped that we would regain our fortunes and return to our affluent lifestyle but Father discovered to joys of liquor and gambling. What ever money is brought home now is thrown away to the massive collection of debts my father has obtained.
As the debts grow the less and less my daily earnings are worth. He now threatens to sell me to the men that come and go through our apartment.
Speak of the devil. I can see my father lurking in the alleyways. I best be off before he spots me.
À bientôt!
~Éponine