Chapter 77: The Inspiration

The rest of the day went by smoothly. It wasn't easy for Quasimodo to tell Elaine what was on his mind, but she made it easier by taking the news so calmly. In fact, Elaine seemed to be glad to hear it. Hearing that Quasimodo needed to think for a while was clearly better than whatever she had expected to hear.

Still, Quasimodo was made nervous by the mere task of thinking things through. A distraction seemed better than anything at the moment, and that was thankfully provided by Esmeralda and Claude. The trio spent the afternoon playing card games and making lively conversation in the Palace of Justice. It was good fun.

Quasimodo tried not to talk about Elaine, even though he was thinking quite a lot about her. He was just now realizing how many things he liked about her. The idea of being anything other than friends had never occurred to him before, but now that it did... Well, the idea was becoming more and more interesting. Quasimodo was coming to a conclusion about how it made him feel, but what to do with that conclusion was another question entirely.

He didn't dare consider it until he was alone, lying in bed that night. The image of Elaine wouldn't leave his mind, nor would the question of how he should next approach her. Every possibility was terrifying. Quasimodo agonized over it. What if he made the wrong choice? What if even the right choice was impossible to navigate? What was he supposed to do?

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"May I come in?"

Quasimodo tried to compose himself before he replied, not wanting his struggle to be obvious.

"Sure..."

Claude closed the door behind him when he entered the room. He was glad to find Quasimodo wide awake, but also concerned. Although he was trying to hide it, the boy's sullen expression showed that he'd been pondering something.

"You don't look too happy." Claude noticed.

Quasimodo shrugged.

"I guess not." He admitted.

"Elaine?" Claude questioned.

Quasimodo nodded.

He couldn't stop picturing Elaine's bright red hair and sweet freckled face, nor could he stop remembering the good times he'd had with her. Quasimodo loved everything about Elaine: Her joyful personality, her creativity, her kindness, the way she looked at him just like he was anyone else...

"She's pretty great..." Quasimodo mumbled.

His words didn't match his tone. He sounded sullen and torn. Claude was sorry to see it. Hopefully he could offer some help if he kept the conversation going.

"She certainly is." Claude agreed.

Quasimodo fidgeted with the sheets on the bed.

"I like her a lot..." He said sadly. "I think I could love her..."

"But?" Claude asked.

"But... What if it's a bad idea?"

"And why would that be?"

"I know you don't want me to think this, but I just can't help feeling like I'm not good enough for her."

"Elaine obviously thinks you're good enough."

"But what if I let her down? What if I can't give her everything she wants? What if she meets someone else who can? It makes me so nervous..."

Claude wished with everything inside him that he'd raised this boy to be more confident. His heart ached when he thought of how much he'd done to create this feeling of inferiority. He'd have to do his best to help resolve it.

He came to sit on the edge of the bed, gesturing for Quasimodo to join him so they could have a more proper conversation. Quasimodo sluggishly moved over to Claude and sat next to him, though he only looked down at the floor. Claude looked at the boy with concern.

"What is it you think you can't give her?" He questioned.

"A normal life." Quasimodo replied. "She deserves that, a nice normal life with a nice normal husband... I'm not normal. I don't even know how to talk to people most of the time! The idea of living out there, having a house and a job... I wouldn't know how to manage it."

"That's nothing you can't learn." Claude insisted. "It would be an adjustment, but you are quite hardworking and intelligent. You're capable of doing everything that everyone else does."

"But then there's... You know..."

"Elaine is not bothered by your appearance. She never has been."

"But even if she doesn't mind it, lots of people do. I don't want her to deal with that..."

Claude breathed a regretful sigh.

"Listen to me, Quasimodo." He begged. "Those people tortured you because I let them. I could have stopped it easily, and I'm sorry I didn't. But nothing like that will happen again. Everyone knows I care for you now, so they won't dare mistreat you. And if you live among them, they'll get to know you. Things will get better that way."

Quasimodo's eyes brightened ever so slightly.

"Elaine said that too..." He shared.

"That girl is quite keen on you." Claude assured. "And she knows as well as I do that you can give her all she desires."

"But didn't you say you were concerned before? About me moving out there?"

"Yes, that's only natural. I love you, so I would have to be concerned if you decided to go into something unknown and difficult. But life doesn't change for the better if you never do anything difficult. And more than anything, I want you to be happy."

Quasimodo considered what he was hearing. He quickly knew it was true. There was nothing to gain if one didn't try. And if happiness was to be considered, perhaps risks were worth taking.

If anyone was worth taking a risk for, it was Elaine.

"You know what?" Quasimodo said with a rising smile. "Maybe I will give it a chance with Elaine. I think I will! I'll try something difficult!"

Claude smiled widely.

"Wonderful!" He praised. "I think you two would be excellent for each other."

"I think you're right. Thank you so much!"

"But of course!"

Claude stretched his arm around the boy, patting his back. Quasimodo looked prouder than ever, and Claude was proud to see it.

"It really could work." Quasimodo said dreamily. "Elaine and I could really be happy together."

"Definitely." Claude agreed. "You both deserve it."

Quasimodo started to lose his smile, making Claude wonder if he'd upset the boy.

"Did I say something wrong?" Claude asked.

"Oh, no!" Quasimodo replied. "It's just... I'm sorry you and Esmeralda aren't together and happy. I hope that changes."

Claude slightly frowned.

He didn't have anything to say about the matter, so he only nodded. Then he remembered why he'd come to talk to Quasimodo.

"I have something to tell you." Claude informed.

By now the boy was aware of his planned trip with Phoebus, but there had not yet been an opportunity to explain the true circumstances of it.

"I had to wait until Esmeralda wasn't around." Claude explained. "There is something she doesn't know."

Quasimodo looked at him curiously.

Claude told him about the letter he'd received and the real purpose of the journey. Quasimodo was thoroughly surprised by the information.

"But... This is great news!" Quasimodo said in disbelief. "Why haven't you told Esmeralda?"

"She can't know." Claude insisted. "Right now there is no telling what we'll find. If this turns out to be a dead end... I'm afraid that news would crush her."

"Oh..." Quasimodo murmured. "I guess you're right..."

"I do hope this mission isn't fruitless." Claude said anxiously. "I so want to be able to make her happy."

Quasimodo considered the stakes for a moment, then looked at Claude hopefully.

"I should go with you." He suggested. "I could help!"

"As much as I would appreciate that," Claude started. "I don't think it would be wise."

"Why not?"

"You've never travelled before, and this wouldn't be a good way to start. It will be a long journey, and it could be dangerous. Without any experience, it would be very hard for you."

"But I could manage it. I could do it for Esmeralda!"

"If you want to help her, staying here is the best thing you can do. She'll be missing me, so it would be a great help if you could keep her company."

Quasimodo couldn't argue with that. He certainly didn't want his friend to be lonely.

"You're right," He admitted. "she wouldn't want me to leave..."

"Elaine wouldn't want you to leave either." Claude reminded. "She's already worried about me, as it is."

Quasimodo looked at Claude with concern.

"Should she be worried?" He asked. "How dangerous will this be?"

Claude regretted mentioning danger. Now Quasimodo was worried for him.

"I'll be perfectly fine." Claude assured. "Phoebus is bringing several other men, so there will be enough of us to pass through the countryside safely. And once we get to town, we'll be able to handle ourselves well enough. Everything will be alright."

"You promise?" Quasimodo asked.

"I promise." Claude replied.

Perhaps it wasn't wise to make promises of one's safety, but Claude was confident that he could. Even if the worst happened, he knew he would do everything in his power to get out alive. He would let nothing stop him from returning to the people who loved him.

Quasimodo suddenly started to hug him. Claude was taken off guard, but gratefully hugged him back.

"I'll miss you." Quasimodo whispered.

"I'll miss you as well." Claude said sadly.

He had not yet fully absorbed the fact that he'd be spending about a week without a friend. Claude was getting used to having friends, so he would surely miss them while he was away on this mission with Phoebus.

"I love you, Father." Quasimodo said softly.

Of all the things Claude was getting used to, this was certainly one of the best things.

"I love you too, my boy." He returned.