She's Gone: A Novel Read Free

the screen. He rose, turned off the TV, and stared down at her. Her brothers slipped out of the living room. They’d be hovering nearby, within earshot. Her mom sat silent on the couch.
    “I will not allow my daughter to protest the oil industry.” His tone waivered as he fought to stay calm. “It’s a personal affront. Why can’t you conform?”
    Why couldn’t she conform? It wasn’t in her nature for one thing and voicing her opinion wasn’t a crime. She didn’t respond.
    “Answer me.” Frustration broke through in his voice.
    “I’m sorry but I feel strongly about the oil spill.”
    “I don’t like it any more than the rest of the town, but I asked you not to get involved with that group. You’re too young for this.”
    “No, I’m not.” Her eyes locked with his before she lowered her gaze. He knew she was mentally mature. It was built into her character. She couldn’t help it. He’d read the comments from her teachers on report cards that repeatedly stated she was precocious and advanced for her age. They said it wasn’t a bad thing, only an observation.
    Her mom’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Who is that man you were with?”
    Jolie hesitated. She couldn’t tell them about Will. They would never understand.
    “He looks like a long haired...a long haired...” Her mom hesitated, at a loss for words.
    “A long-haired radical. They’re all radicals,” her dad said.
    “Not hardly Dad. The group is led by an ex-senator.”
    “I’m enrolling you in Saint Mary’s on Monday. You need to learn discipline.”
    Her brows furrowed. How could he say that? She was disciplined in everything she did. “Discipline? I’ve already skipped a grade and I still get straight A’s. How’s that for discipline?” Her eyes darted wildly to her mother, who sat silent, looking apologetic. Please Mom, stand up to him for once!
    Her mom met her gaze. “She isn’t going to change schools in April. Besides, there’s an application process to get in.”
    “Fine, I want you to get the ball rolling Monday and enroll her in the fall.”
    This could not be happening. Her heart pounded. She would not go to Saint Mary’s.

    Summer came and the shroud of Saint Mary’s hovered over her. She had to work on her dad to change his mind, but he would come around. She’d enlist her mom to help. In the meantime, she did everything she could to be helpful at home, doing more than her share of the chores and cooking her dad’s favorite desserts, the exemplary daughter. Away from home, she and Will became inseparable.
    One day in July, Will picked her up a few blocks from her house in his friend’s Volkswagen Bug.
    “Today you’re going to learn to drive,” he said.
    Jolie laughed. “Okay, I’m game.”
    Will drove to a grassy meadow by the beach and taught her how to shift. After numerous jerks and stalls, she mastered the clutch, laughing with each lurch. After the driving session they sat on the grass on a blanket. Will tuned his guitar and played Jimi Hendrix’s Little Wing . He sang softly, his long fingers flying over the frets. Jolie lay back captivated by his voice and the clear notes of the guitar.
    After a few more songs he lay back and stroked Jolie’s cheek. “I’ve got it bad.”
    She turned on her side. “What do you mean?”
    He cupped her chin in his hand. “I can’t get enough of you.” He gently pushed her onto her back and kissed her neck and face. Small kisses that became more hungry and warm and moist. When his lips met hers, he pulled back and traced them with his finger. “Jolie, my sweet Little Wing. Soon you’ll be riding with the wind.”
    His eyes were soft with longing and then his mouth was on hers, salty, musky, and warm. She closed her eyes and melted into him and let herself go in the warm crush of love. Nothing had ever felt this good.
    Will rolled onto his back and she rested her head on his shoulder.
    “We can leave here and start a new life. There’s a whole world out