Lacy's End Read Online Free PDF Page A

but significant slash—apparently sutured—over her left eye. There was heavy bruising around both eyes...and was that—she walked closer to Lacy, squinting her eyes in disbelief. Coming to stand immediately before Lacy, she reached out and moved a piece of a scarf, which Lacy had tied around her neck, to hide an ugly purple bruise.
    She gasped. “Come with me, Lacy.” She put an arm around her shoulders and led her out the door.
    “Where are we going?” Lacy asked.
    “To the office.” She turned back to the class. “I’ll only be a minute.” She pointed at Jacoby. “You’re in charge,” she said, and then narrowed her eyes at him. “I’ll know if you screw off.” The threat was so high that she knew she could count on him.
    As they walked to the office, Lacy grew nervous. Mrs. Horton’s high heels made a click-clack noise with every step she took, intensifying Lacy’s already agitated state. They were striding so fast that when they rounded a corner, they nearly knocked over a kid on his way to the bathroom. Lacy flinched.
    Mrs. Horton, sensing Lacy’s uneasiness, sighed and slowed her pace. “It’s okay, Lacy. You don’t have to worry.”
    Lacy shrugged. Whatever. She knew this wasn’t true, but how could she tell Mrs. Horton that a phone call home from the office would surely mean a beating for her when she got home.
    They rounded another corner and the ominous sign directing them to the office came into sight. Lacy’s heart raced. Blood rushed through her ears in a whooshing sound. Lacy hesitated, but Mrs. Horton’s arm only grew tighter. “Come on, Lacy. I told you it was going to be okay.”
    Mrs. Horton pushed open the door and gave Glenda, the principal’s secretary, a hundred-watt smile. “Good morning, Glenda. I have Lacy here, again,” she said as if the woman couldn’t see Lacy standing there beside her.
    Glenda frowned, noting the bruising and lacerations on Lacy’s face. “Let me guess, you walked into a wall. No, wait—a dish popped out of the cupboard and you caught it with your face.”
    The sarcasm cut like a knife through Lacy’s heart. Mrs. Horton, not acknowledging Glenda’s comment said, “I think it’s time we spoke with Mr. Walker. It’s a bad one this time.” She gestured at Lacy, pulling down the scarf and pointing out the bruising around her neck.
    “What for, it won’t do any good,” Glenda said.
    “How can you say that?” Mrs. Horton asked.
    Glenda pointed at Lacy, causing her to shrink back. “Because that little one there protects him, and unless she’s willing to stand up against him, nothing will improve. Isn’t that right, Lacy?”
    Mrs. Horton and Glenda both looked at her with accusing glares.
    Mr. Walker walked in, saw Lacy standing there and sighed. “What did you do to provoke him this time?” he asked.
    “Mr. Walker!” Mrs. Horton exclaimed, anger seeping up her neck and into her face. “I hardly think that’s an appropriate question.”
    Lacy, who had remained silent up to this point, spoke in a wee voice, “I didn’t do anything.” She turned her back to them, sinking into a chair and hiding her face, hoping to shut out the entire world.
    Mrs. Horton, finally recovering from the shock, rocked back on her heels and crossed her arms over her chest. She said, “I think it’s time we called the authorities.”
    Lacy’s head snapped up, and her eyes flew open wide. “No! You can’t do that,” she pleaded. “I’ve been to the hospital. Nothing’s broken. It was an accident, really.” Tears stained her cheeks as her pleas became an agonizing demand.
    Mrs. Horton placed an arm around Lacy’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Lacy. We’ll figure this out.” She looked at Mr. Walker, jerking her chin upward in indignation. “Apparently, you aren’t going to be any help. I’ll handle this on my own.”
    She and Lacy walked back to the classroom. To her surprise, Jacoby was standing in front of the blackboard teaching the other