Daughters Read Online Free Page B

were lucky to get out when you did. Otherwise who knows what he would have done to you.”
    Marie hoped Claire’s comment stemmed from concern for her well-being and not wishful thinking. “You know, Claire, in spite of what happened during our marriage, I know Richard truly loved me, and when he told me earlier this year he had never stopped loving me and wanted me to go back to him, I believed him. I really think he just doesn’t know how to balance things in his life. His business, his family, his wife. Somehow everything loses perspective with him when it comes to money. And when he threatened that something might happen to Jonathan…well, I think he said that because he didn’t know any other way to convey how he felt about me. I know that sounds illogical, but...”
    Claire’s expression took on a sudden change. “Just what threats were made against Jonathan?”
    What had brought Jonathan and Marie together in the first place was when Richard threatened to expose Jonathan. Two months had passed since that threat, and nothing had happened, but Marie and Jonathan knew it was just a matter of time before something did. While Marie took Richard’s threats seriously, she also didn’t want to alarm Claire, who apparently was hearing this for the first time.
    “Oh, nothing specific. I shouldn’t have worded it that way.”
    Jonathan jumped into the conversation. “As I told you before, Claire, we all think he may expose the fact that I fathered an illegitimate child and try to ruin me, my family, and my business. And now that Marie has told us more about what he has done in the past and how he thinks, I’m thinking that even more.” He turned toward Marie. “I had house alarms installed on all the windows and doors a couple of weeks ago. Don’t let me forget to show you how they work.”
    Claire let out a decisive sigh. “Well, I’m getting tired. I think I’ll go to bed. You two stay up and continue talking if you want.” She walked to the other end of the living room, and without turning around said, “I’ve heard enough for one night.”
    Marie waited until Claire was out of earshot. She gave Jonathan a helpless look.
    “It’ll take time. Just be patient and give her time.”
    “I can’t seem to say anything right.”
    “Just be yourself. You’ll be fine.”
    Marie sighed. “I think I’ll go to bed too. It’s been a long day.” She got up and headed toward the bedrooms. “Good night, Dad.”
    “Good night, sweetheart.”
    Lying in bed, Marie mentally relived every moment of her visit, until a tear made its way down her cheek and onto the pillowcase. She feared tomorrow was going to be an even longer day.

    The next day, one by one, Jonathan and Claire’s children, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren arrived for supper. Melvin resembled his father the most: tall, light-skinned, and built like an athlete. His wife, Yolanda, had thin facial features and light skin but was unmistakably a Negro. Jonathan’s twin sons had softer, broader features, darker skin, and were a good four inches shorter than their younger brother and their father. Marie was grateful for Arthur’s mustache; otherwise, even though they were fraternal twins, she would have had a hard time telling them apart.
    At dinner, Jonathan sat at one end of the long table and Claire at the other. Marie had been shown a seat between the older of Melvin’s daughters and Arthur, the twin who practiced law on the south side of Chicago. Marie was pretty certain her place at the table had been discussed beforehand.
    Marie struggled to appreciate all the conversation and interaction at the dining room table. Jonathan must have noticed and shot her a comforting look periodically throughout the meal. Claire appeared to be enjoying herself more now that her “real” family was all around her, or at least that’s what went through Marie’s mind.
    The chatter of supper conversation was casual and alive. Occasionally Marie was brought into