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

would come into the bedroom carrying a pot of tea for her on a tray. She would drink it while he took the first turn in the shower. She would have coffee later after eating breakfast. Oliver would leave the bathroom door open and, across the steam, call out his plans for the day—going straight to the studio, stopping to see a dealer, meeting up with someone for lunch. Oliver put in long hours at his studio, but like a European, he liked to indulge in a leisurely lunch.
    Early in their courtship, they had met most frequently for a meal in the middle of the day. Margot would slip out of the gallery, pick up some take-out food, and ride the freight elevator up to the loft where Oliver worked. It was there, in Oliver’s studio, amid the crumbs from a baguette and the remnants of some country-style pâté, that they had made love for the first time. After the mess of her marriage to Teddy, Margot couldn’t quite believe the simple joy that came from being so desired.
    Margot hadn’t reached Oliver in Atlanta last night. It didn’t matter now. She would see him tomorrow at home.
    She must have fallen back asleep, since the next thing she knew, a pale swath of sun was pouring into her room at the top of the house. A few minutes later she heard footsteps on the stairs, but instead of coming to her room the steps continued into Lacey’s studio, followed by the door closing. Lacey had told her that she was trying to finish weaving a set of place mats that she was donating to a charity auction.
    Margot got up and hurried to the shower. They were all going to Kate and Hugh’s house for a chili lunch and an afternoon hike, an annual tradition rain or shine. Margot smiled, thinking how if Oliver were here he would tease her, saying that he didn’t appreciate having to go on a forced march.
    After getting dressed she went down to the kitchen. Toni sat slumped at the counter eating an English muffin.
    â€œAm I the last up?” Margot asked, trying to be cheerful.
    â€œWink’s out already. Dad’s in his office and Mom’s up in her studio.”
    â€œYou don’t sound too happy.”
    â€œThanks to me, everyone’s in a pissy mood.”
    Margot took a mug from the cupboard and poured herself the last of the coffee. It was only lukewarm and had simmered down to a dark sludge. “Is it really that bad?”
    â€œI went out with Ryan last night.”
    â€œBut your parents told you not to,” Margot said. It struck her how she sounded like her own father thirty years before, who would admonish her for what he called her “disappointing behavior.”
    â€œI was gone for an hour. I was home before midnight. I’m eighteen. God, Aunt Margot. Don’t you think they’re ridiculous?”
    â€œIt’s not for me to say, really.”
    â€œI know. You have to take their side.”
    â€œIt’s just that your mother told you—”
    â€œShe’s the one. She’s so controlling. It’s because Ryan is older and already at UNH. She wants me to go to Columbia. Their journalism program is famous. Blah, blah, blah. She says I shouldn’t pick a school to be with a guy.”
    â€œColumbia is a great place.”
    â€œI probably won’t get in. But she keeps throwing it in my face. What’s with her these days?”
    â€œTell me more about Ryan,” Margot said. “Is he worth all the parental bad vibes you seem to be getting?”
    â€œMom’s so unreasonable.” Toni pushed back her hair, an unruly tangle that made her look both childlike and vampish. “I met him at a play. Over at UNH. And okay, he’s a couple of years older. He’s twenty-one, a junior. Mom acts like he’s thirty or something.”
    â€œHe’s almost through college and you’re still in high school.”
    â€œBut that’s what’s so great. The guys in my class are such jerks. They never listen. It’s