Chapter 3
Cosette woke up trying to remember where she was, it was warm and soft beneath her, a bed. It was not her cold room at the inn. Then she remembered last night's strange events. Was she supposed to stay in this bed or do as she used to at the inn, stay on the floor? As if to answer her question, Sister Marie Denis entered the room.
"Good morning, dear. Let's have some breakfast and then I'll help you get ready for the day. The Sister opened the drapes and Cosette squinted at the brightness outside, only used to her dark room at the inn.
Jean had just arrived from his home nearby, to greet his new daughter. He smiled seeing she was up. He sat beside her on the bed and asked a question.
"Hello, Cossette. Would you like it if I became your Papa?"
"My Papa? Papa was a bad man and my Mama was bad."
"Is that what you were told? Your Mamma was good, she loved you."
"Good?"
Very good! When she died she wanted me to find you. I will be a very good father to you, Cosette."
"He will, Cosette . He will take you to school" said Sister Marie Denis.
"No school for freaks", Cosette said parroting what she had been told before.
"Those people you lived with were the bad people, Cosette. Sister has told me of a very special school that you can go to. You can go."
"I can go?" Cosette was surprised; she always wanted to go to school like the other children.
"Yes."
"Before you go anywhere, you must eat something. Come on, dear." The Sister took Cosette by the hand and gently led her to the kitchen. Have you eaten?" She asked Jean.
"No, Sister Marie Denis."
"Please, join us."
As soon as they entered the dining room, Fr. Tolbert smiled at Cosette and was about to give her a kindly pat on the head when the frightened child jerked away.
"Don't be afraid, dear. I wanted to say hello." The priest remembered what he was told last night from Jean and Sister about her horrible scars and fears Cosette had and decided she wasn't going to accept affection from strangers, yet.
"Hello" mumbled Cosette.
"Sit down and have some food, dear", said Sr. Marie Denis placing some fruit and a croissant on Cosette's plate.
Cosette took the plate and sat down by the fire place in the kitchen, while the Sister went after her.
"Cosette, do you want to eat at the table with me, Fr. Tolbert and your new Papa?"
Cosette went and sat under the table following the old way she knew. Sister Marie Denis didn't have the time or patience, so she gently picked her and placed Cosette on the chair.
Sit here Cosette and eat, alright?"
The surprised girl ate fast as if someone might take her food away. By the time she was finished, her face was full of jam.
Oh dear, let me help you wash up", said Sr. Marie Denis.
"Let me, Sister", said Jean gently leading Cosette to the kitchen after getting directions from Sister Marie Denis.
He gently washed Cosette's face, smiling at the little girl before him. She was somewhat tense, but gradually relaxed.
"I'm going to take you to school today. Sr. Marie Denis is coming too."
Cosette smiled again. She had a feeling she might be able to trust these kind people.
"Would you like me to put a ribbon in your hair?", asked Sr. Marie Denis coming in the kitchen, holding a ribbon.
Costette touched the pretty pink ribbon and nodded. It was like the ribbons the inkeeper's girls had worn. She didn't think she could ever wear one, but always wanted to. Sr. Marie Denis then led her to the spare bedroom showing Cosette the mirror and placing the ribbon in her hair.
"Are you ready to go to the school?" asked the Sister.
"Will they take her today?" asked Jean.
"I think so", replied the Sister.
Jean was glad that Cosette would have a better life now, but planed on spending lots of time with his new daughter. If only Fantine could see her daughter now.
"Come on Cosette, let's go to school. You want to go, don't you?"
"Yay, school!" Cosette quickly and eagerly followed her new Poppa out the door.
Fr. Tolbert was on his way to daily Mass and smiled as he watched the three get into Jean's carriage. He prayed Cosette would have a wonderful new life.