Published November 10, 2012
"Draw a magic circle," Fantine sang, tracing a circle on Cosette's back. The toddler giggled as her mother poked a finger at her back. "Place two eyes, a nose, and a dot." Cosette turned around, and Fantine held up her hand, extending all five fingers. "Which finger did it?"
Cosette pointed to the middle finger. "This one?"
"No!" Even when she guessed wrong, the game caused them both to laugh.
"This one?" She pointed to Fantine's index finger.
"That's right! Very good, Cosette!"
Cosette leaned over the edge of Gavroche's cradle. The baby was lying on his stomach, half asleep. Cosette reached out and traced a circle on his back, murmuring the words that she could hear so clearly in her mind. "Draw a magic circle. Place two eyes, a nose, and a dot."
Gavroche opened his eyes slightly, looking dazed. Cosette held up her hand for him to see. "Which finger did it?"
"He's too stupid to know what you're saying," Eponine informed her from her spot at the dinner table.
Cosette merely glanced at the other girl, and then looked back at the baby. Gavroche was her favorite Thénardier, because he never scolded her or teased her or made her do chores.
"He's not stupid," Cosette said softly to herself. "He just hasn't had a chance to prove it."
Gavroche started to whimper, and Cosette rubbed his back soothingly, only to find herself drawing a circle again and thinking of her mother.
Author's Note: My grandmother used to play that game when my sisters and I were toddlers. I know it's kind of silly but it's a nice childhood memory of mine, and I could imagine Fantine making up games like that to play with Cosette.