She's Gone: A Novel Read Free Page A

there,” Will said.
    She rose up onto her elbows. “Leave? Where would we go?”
    “I have friends all over we can stay with.”
    She glanced at him. “But what would we do?”
    He remained on his back looking up at the sky. “We’ll fight to create a society where misery and poverty are eliminated, a classless society. We’ll abolish capitalism, and socialism will reign.”
    “I want that too, an equal society.”
    “That’s why I love you. You’re not like the other women I know. They’re all so cynical. But you’re not jaded.”
    She laughed and wrapped her arms around him. He was her warrior, but he was also tender. They shared an interest in changing the world. He was smart and captivating. She was drawn to him by his passion for wanting to help the oppressed and his desire to end the evils of capitalism. The world was changing. Anything was possible.
    “I’m speaking at an anti-war rally in San Francisco this weekend. Come with me.”
    “You know I can’t and it’s my birthday. My family is camping at the beach.”
    “We’re expecting over 100,000 people. I’m going to introduce the anti-war crowd to the socialist revolution.”
    She closed her eyes and envisioned him onstage with the crowd. If only she could be there. He wanted a revolution and she wanted her freedom. Freedom from her parents’ rules. Freedom to let her spirit soar.
    Then Saint Mary’s Girls School flashed before her, and her harmonious mood crashed.

    “What do you want for your birthday?” her mom asked at dinner that night.
    Jolie looked around at her family. This was her chance. They were all together and they’d support her. She looked at her dad at the head of the table. “All I want is to not go to Saint Mary’s.” Their eyes met. “That’s all I want.”
    He shook his head. “You’re already enrolled. You need to learn respect for authority and become a proper young lady.”
    And after she became a proper young lady? Then what? Become a proper wife to someone? “What do you mean, proper?”
    He picked up his knife and fork. “Respectful. Know your place in society. Conform to the rules.”
    “Dad, I am not someone you can mold. I have my own thoughts and ideas and my own path to follow.”
    “Well, for the next few years that path is Saint Mary’s.”
    She looked at her brothers to plead for support. They were both focused on passing the basket of French bread.

2
    Run

    Jolie woke to the sound of plates clattering far off down the hall in the kitchen. Today was the day. Adrenaline pulsed through her. She lay in bed and looked around her room, wanting to remember everything. The ceiling sparkled with shiny flecks. Her papier-mâché Jimi Hendrix head sculpture that sat on the dresser. The psychedelic Janis Joplin concert poster that was taped to the pink wall above her record player.
    She took her time getting ready. She stepped into the blue plaid skirt, the hemline exactly three inches above the bend in her knee. She buttoned the white blouse over a white bra. All undergarments were required to be white. She pulled on navy-blue knee socks and slipped into the clunky white-and-black Oxfords.
    Jolie paused in the doorway to the dining room. Her brothers were eating breakfast while her mom stood talking with them, her purse and car keys in hand. Her dad was already at work. The conversation halted. Her brothers gaped at her.
    “Whoa,” James exclaimed. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
    “At least you won’t have to think about what to wear,” Jon said.
    Her mother shot them a look and smiled at Jolie. “I’m going to be late for my Women’s League meeting.” She looked into Jolie’s eyes and gave her a hug. “It’s going to be fine sweetheart. You’ll see. Don’t miss your bus. I want to hear all about it tonight.” And she was gone, out the door.
    Her brothers left shortly after. Jon off to college in his VW Bug and James to high school in her father’s old, green Ford pickup. The