A Different Light Read Online Free PDF

documentation to back up …”
    John frowned and cut her off with a wave of the paste brush.
    “I know, I know. I’m aware that everything he said was true. I just didn’t need to hear it all night Christmas Eve and all Christmas Day. I’m glad Meg’s not bringing him back with her this time.”
    “Frankly, I’d rather see Callie present the truth in her report.”
    “Whatever. Anyway, it’ll be great to have the old Meg back for a few days instead of the political activist she turns into whenever he’s around.”
    “What makes you think she only turns it on for Clinton’s sake?”
    “Because I know my sister. Changes her commitments every time she changes men. Been doing it all her adult life.”
    “Well, since she isn’t seeing him anymore, it really doesn’t matter.”
    Athen watched him climb the ladder and press the paper onto the wall, expertly smoothing it out with the long flat brush and eliminating tiny ripples with his fingers, pushing it firmly into place with his hands.
    “What do you think? Think the room will be done by next weekend?” He stepped back to admire his work.
    “I think so. It looks wonderful. The furniture will look great in here, don’t you think?” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, visualizing for the hundredth time the way the room would look once it was completed.
    “I do.” He nodded as he replaced the earbuds.
    The pale butter yellow paper dotted with white roses would be the perfect backdrop for the bedroom set stored in the attic. They’d brought the furniture from her father’shouse before it was sold two years ago, after Ari suffered his second stroke and Athen had to face the fact that he would never leave Woodside Manor. The 1930s walnut bed, two dressers, and two bedside tables had been polished and readied to be moved downstairs.
    “Do you need me to pick up anything for you?” A glance at her watch told her she needed to leave if all her errands were to be accomplished in time to meet the school bus.
    John stood on the ladder, looking down at her, singing along with the song playing on the iPod.
    “You say something?”
    “I asked if you wanted me to pick up anything for you while I’m out.”
    “We’re running dangerously low on Doritos.”
    “Message received.” She turned to go.
    “Hey, Thena,” he called to her as she reached the top of the steps.
    She went back to the room and stuck her head through the doorway.
    “Wait up for me tonight,” he said.
    “What’s in it for me?”
    John smirked.
    “Well, then.” She smiled up at him and blew him a kiss. “I guess I’ll see you when you get home.”
    John put the headset back on and resumed singing, his voice following her through the hall and down the stairwell.
    “Damn you, John Moran. Damn you for dying.” Standing alone in the room where she had last seen him alive, she spoke aloud to the apparition. “Damn you …”
    The wind blew up again suddenly, sending a cold chill of rain into the room. Athen closed the window asthe thunder began to roll with renewed vigor, the sky beyond the trees now bright as midday, the lightning now a frenzied dance across the sky. She turned the light off, unable to bear another second in the room. She leaned against the wall in the hallway, wiping her face with the hem of her nightshirt.
    A brilliant flash illuminated the entire house. A deafening crash like nothing she’d ever heard split the night, and was followed by the terrible tearing of wood. The house seemed to shake to the foundation, as if sitting upon an earthquake’s fault.
    “Mommy!” Callie screamed in terror.
    “I’m right here, baby.” Athen went quickly to the bedroom and collided with Callie in the doorway. “Lightning struck something very nearby. I think it might have hit one of the trees in the backyard.”
    Callie clung to her in fright. Hannah howled as sirens screamed above the storm.
    “Come on, Callie. Let’s take a look.”
    Athen turned on the hall