Chapter 4: His Little Sanctuary
After her archery lesson, the sun began to set. The guards escorted Jeann to the tower. When they would leave her with Quasi, she slept in a room with a plank on the wall that acted as a bed. As he did care for the girl as his own daughter, Frollo had it arranged to be a more comfortable chamber. On the plank sat a hay matress with sheets of fine silk, a small fireplace was built on the left wall to keep her warm on chilly nights. There was even a small wardrobe that held some dresses when she needed.
The guards left Jeann at the steps to the landing where Quasi had been working in a replica of the city. He was upon the raptors ringing for the evening mass.
"We will be posted at the main doors of the cathedral m'lady" said the tall guard.
"Oui. Thank you."
When the guards left, Jeann walked over to Quasi's work bench. She picked up a half-carved block of wood, but became distracted by the silence of the bells. "Quasi," she called out.
The hunchback, who was already halfway down the scaffold, jumped to the landing to meet her. "Jeann," he saw her with the wood in her hand, "Oh, please don't look," he grabbed the wood from her hands and covered his work bench with a sheet. Jeanette giggled, "You have something to hide?"
"No," he bagan to blush, "it's just not finished."
"Op they're at it again," the small and plump gargoyle, Hugo, called out.
"Oh, leave them alone you fat hunk of stone!" The small and thin gargoyle, Lavern, scolded.
"How can he? He has no self-control," said the tallest and most gothic looking of the trio, Victor.
"Hey guys," Jeann said
The gargoyles ignored ger and continued arguing. Jeann thought about Clopan, and what he said about Frollo's hold on Quasimodo.
She touched his shoulder gently and he turned his head to face her, "Let's go to the balcony."
"Okay."
They walked to their favorite peak of the cathedral and sat, watching the stars come out.
"Quasi," she started, "Do you ever think about your mother?"
Quasi turned away trying to avoid the question. "Is that a yes?"
"Well," he said, "She abandoned me, but who could blame her."
"Quasi how can you know that for sure?"
"Well, Frollo-"
"Frollo thinks that the gypsies are evil. I walk the streets with them Quasi, and what he's told us isn't entirely true."
"Even if it isn't, what mother could love a child like me."
Jeann looked at him and took his hand. "What if she wanted to keep you, but couldn't. Maybe she was dying."
"I've thought if that."
"Has that ever put your mind at ease? That she wanted to keep you, but her body wouldn't allow it?"
"A little I suppose."
She took his hand. He would never know that his mother truly loved him and risked her life to save him.
"Although, you know Jeann," Quasi began, "You and I are the same in a way. For whatever reason our mothers abandoned us and Frollo took us in."
"Only to keep you in this tower."
"So," He took her hand, "Jeann I don't care if I never leave this tower. As long as I can see you. You're my best friend Jeanette."
Jeann smiled and leaned up against him, "And you're mine Quasi."
She leaned close against him and they looked up at the night sky. She had known him her entire life. For as long as he had known her she's protected him, given him some sanctuary from the world that scourned him.
"Hey Jeann," Quasi said, "Have you ever thought of your mother?"
She stayed silent, "Jeann?" Quasi shook her gently. She had fallen asleep. He carried her to her room and laid her down on her bed.
As he left closing the door behind him, he wondered about Jeanette. Why did she ask about his mother? Only he wondered even more about hers.
