A Slender Thread by Katharine Davis

college. The school had a world-class athletic center, with swimming pools and a hockey rink, an art museum, a performing arts center, and hiking trails in the adjacent woods. The years seemed to unfold before Kate and Hugh in a predictable progression where little could go wrong.
    Alex had loved history like Hugh did, but instead of becoming a teacher, he had decided to get his MBA after college. His family had expected him to work in the family business, George Manufacturing. The company, which made movable window seals for car manufacturers, had grown larger over the years and his father had seemed less and less able to cope in the changing world market. Alex’s older brother, Daniel, was already entrenched in his scientific career on the West Coast and uninterested in helping. Fortunately, Alex had been able to sell the company before the threat of foreign competition forced them out of business. He now consulted for other family businesses caught in similar situations. The work could be lucrative, but it was not always steady.
    The grandfather clock chimed in the hallway. Time to get changed. Alex took a last look at the sideboard, the wine, and the empty chairs where they would soon gather. He felt weary. He had thought he was used to life’s hurdles.
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    â€œSo, Georgie, how’s the company cleanup business going?” Hugh asked. Hugh liked to joke about Alex’s name, reversing the order.
    Everyone was gathered in the dining room. One of Lacey’s colorful handwoven tapestries ran the length of the table and on it she had arranged gourds and pinecones interlaced with bittersweet. Margot had polished the antique silver candelabra that had belonged to Alex’s mother. The candlelight illuminated their faces in the growing dark. They had been at the table for over an hour already.
    â€œI haven’t had to travel too much lately,” he said. As a consultant, Alex often had to accept jobs that took him to far-flung parts of the country. Lacey, always busy and independent, had never minded his trips. But what about now? Margot wondered. Would his time away from home be harder for her to endure? And next fall when the girls left for college?
    â€œI had two projects in the Boston area this fall. I like being close to home.”
    â€œI’ll agree with that,” Lacey said. While Lacey had not spoken at any length that evening, she laughed easily and made plenty of short comments. “Who’d like more?” She started to get up.
    â€œNo, let me,” Margot said quickly and went to the sideboard. “There’s lots more Pot of Gold,” she said, referring to the puree of root vegetables, a longtime family favorite. She handed the dish to Kate to pass around the table. “I’ll get more turkey.” She picked up the serving platter and headed to the kitchen.
    Margot was in awe of the way Lacey put on a beautiful meal seemingly without effort. The turkey had emerged from the oven browned to a golden perfection. Lacey had whisked the gravy while the side dishes warmed—mounds of creamy mashed potatoes, bright green beans, and the corn-bread stuffing, its buttery aroma laced with sage. Kate had brought a casserole of creamed onions and a platter of crudités to have as hors d’oeuvres. Just before sitting down for the meal, Lacey had put the pies in the oven to warm. She had timed the meal perfectly. Yet the timing of her words was already less than perfect. Margot could feel the start of tears as she refilled the platter. No. She’d promised Lacey. She wasn’t going to fall apart. She squared her shoulders, pushed her face into a pleasant expression, and went back to the dining room.
    â€œI’d love to travel for my job,” Kate said. “Dorm duty every other weekend this year is killing me. We’re getting too old for this.” Kate and Hugh’s apartment was in a girls’ dormitory at Warner Academy. Kate was in the