Read Online A Slender Thread by Katharine Davis - Free Book Online Page A

them to walk hand in hand with their parents, winter or summer, toward the sweep of open water at the far end of the village. Walking in the dark was not the same as walking in the daytime. It was more of an adventure, a time to reveal private thoughts, and the shadows dimming one’s face made it easier to share special secrets.
    â€œAunt Margot,” Wink said, “don’t you see a difference?”
    â€œI haven’t been here very long,” Margot said, avoiding the question. “It’s going to be hard when you guys go off to college. Especially for your mom. She’s used to having you around.”
    â€œShe and Toni aren’t getting along now either.”
    â€œYou mean because of Ryan?”
    â€œMom thinks it’s too serious. She and Dad argue about that. And it’s weird.”
    â€œWhat’s weird?” Margot asked, feeling her heart quicken.
    â€œMom isn’t like she used to be. She seems out of it sometimes. And when she gets upset it’s like she can hardly speak.”
    â€œWe all do that now and then.”
    â€œYeah, but Dad’s not the same either. They don’t seem connected anymore.”
    â€œWink, sweetie, they probably just have a lot on their minds. We all have day-to-day worries.”
    â€œMaybe. I think something’s going on.”
    â€œMaybe you should talk to them, share your concerns.”
    â€œI’m not sure I can. It’s so hard.”
    â€œYour parents love each other very much. You never have to worry about that.” Margot put her arm around her niece and gave her what she hoped was a reassuring hug. She took her arm and began walking. “Come on. They’ll think I’m lagging behind so I won’t have to do the dishes.” Margot looked straight ahead and, once again remembering the small face gazing up into hers, thought about this lovely, serious young woman and how she would react when she knew what had come between her parents, when she knew the truth.
    Margot and Wink reached the others. “Look at that moonlight reflected on the ocean.” Hugh gestured grandly at the water before them.
    Wink pulled away and went to stand by her sister. They all stood silently and looked out at the ocean, vast and dark, under the roaring sound of the waves. Kate leaned against Hugh, and Alex stood behind Lacey. Her hair blew back against his coat.
    Margot stood a little way from the others. She decided to try to reach Oliver as soon as they got back to the house. She wouldn’t tell him all she knew yet. She’d wait until she returned to New York. Pushing her hands deeply into her pockets, she hunched her shoulders against the cold. She imagined the feel of Oliver’s arms around her, his body shielding her from this wind. Even when he’d had a bad session at the studio or rambled on all evening about the lousy art market, there was always that moment at the end of the day when he would hold her, and even if his mind was elsewhere, the warmth of his body against hers made her feel safe and loved. He couldn’t hold her tonight, but right now she just wanted to hear his voice.

    Margot awoke in the dark on Friday morning. It had to be nearly seven, but too early for the sun to rise. In New York, she was less aware of these changes in light. There, it was the noise from the traffic that alerted her that the day was about to start. Giant garbage trucks would roar up the side streets and the clatter of the metal cans was like artillery fire in a war zone. On weekday mornings in New York, Oliver would be up early. He liked to drink coffee and read in the dawn hours. Like Margot, he was not a cook, but he adored strong black coffee and went to great trouble to buy just the right beans. Margot planned to give him the newest coffeemaker this Christmas, an all-in-one machine that even ground the beans.
    Margot thought of the small rituals that she and Oliver shared. A little after seven, he