Innocent Darkness by Suzanne Lazear Read Free Book Online Page B

drew her thumb down Noli’s cheekbone.
    Emotion choked Noli. “I won’t ever become an air pirate, I promise.”
    Her mama’s eyes widened, but she didn’t comment on Jeff. Instead, she gestured to the room. “It does look like a lovely place, such nice girls.”
    Such vapid, pretty dolls. That’s all most society women were.
    Her mama proved a bit of an exception, but she always struggled to hide anything possibly construed as “improper,” or even worse, “madness.”
    “This place is successful only if you cooperate, Noli. I want you to give Miss Gregory your full cooperation.” Officer Davies’ tone held a finality that she felt down to her very core.
    “Yes, Officer.” Casting her eyes down, Noli looked at the toes of her dainty black boots. Before Noli could add anything, the ominous clack of heels brought Miss Gregory’s return. “It’s time for you to go, Officer Davies, Mrs. Braddock.”
    Noli gave her mother one last hug and she choked back a sob. “I love you.”
    Her mother stroked her hair. “I love you too, Noli. Be good so you can come home.”
    “Yes, Mama.” That would be the only way she’d get out of here honorably. Even if her mother hated this place, bringing her back to Los Angeles meant Noli would go before the judge.
    Miss Gregory showed Noli’s mother and Officer Davies to the door. “Thank you again for choosing Findlay, Mrs. Braddock. I’ll send you regular progress reports.”
    “Thank you for fitting Magnolia in, Miss Gregory,” Officer Davies told her.
    “We always have room for a girl in need.” Miss Gregory smiled again. Noli noticed how her smiles never met her eyes.
    “Goodbye, Noli.” Her mama waved sadly, Officer Davies escorting her down the path and through gate to the waiting hired carriage.
    “Goodbye, Mama. Goodbye, Officer Davies.” Noli waved from the doorway. Her heart swelled with sadness and she choked back tears. Two or three years? She’d figured months. How would she manage?
    When the carriage left, Miss Gregory ushered her inside and shut the door. “Come now, Magnolia. We’ll go over the rules and you may meet the other girls.”
    “Yes, Miss Gregory.”
    Miss Gregory’s hand made contact with Noli’s cheek. Pain shot though her face as a loud crack resounded in her ears.
    “That didn’t require an answer,” Miss Gregory scolded. “Your mother wants you educated like a lady, though from the looks of your record, I’m not sure how we’ll manage to reform a hoyden with your temperament. Good daughters only speak when spoken too. Understood?”
    Heart racing, Noli bit her lip and cast her eyes down, shoulders rounding in defeat and humiliation. She nodded.
    Miss Gregory’s bony hand made contact with her face again. “Are you brain-addled besides being disobedient and willful? A question demands an answer.”
    “I … I understand, Miss Gregory,” she whispered. Her cheeks burned where she’d been struck.
    “Good.” Miss Gregory stood in front of her, tall and imposing. “Understanding is another core foundation of Findlay, as is obedience. If you are obedient, your stay at Findlay will be as brief and pleasant as one could expect for this sort of situation. Come now.”
    Turning, Miss Gregory quickly made her way through the foyer, heels clacking on the polished, dark wood of the floor. Noli followed.
    Understanding and obedience? Discipline? Hard work?
    Prickles of foreboding shot up her spine, chilling her through and through until she wanted to wrap her arms around herself and shiver.
    Where in the world had they sent her?

Five
    Charlotte
    Pulling the thin, patched, rough, grey blanket over her head, Noli curled up on the rickety cot, burying her face in the lumpy pillow. Findlay was a reform school, pure and simple. They simply sugarcoated it so society families wouldn’t feel shame for sending their daughters to such a place.
    Had her mama known?
    No. If her mama knew they’d take her things away, she wouldn’t have