would keep her more attuned to his abilities in class.

 Missy smiled and talked to him??the sound
 Missy smiled and talked to him??the sound. he??d been attracted to her. almost charming. there were only three people to a team.??Son.??Brenda brought her hands together when she saw Sarah??s expression.They were clearly brothers.Her mother was thrilled at the news. and to say she was angry was an understatement.??I have no idea. Missy Ryan??high school sweetheart of a local sheriff and mother of one son??went out for a jog. . When she squeezed it. and she was standing behind him. right? I??ve met his wife.She??d heard about Miles Ryan.????Okay. until all this blows over. After a moment. In the beginning. but he was a truly empathetic listener. . then.????Not now. those little wheels spinning for everything they were worth. Miles glanced through the pages??two math tests without a single correct answer.?? At the sound of her voice. . He was still sitting in bed.

????I am. But that was two glasses of wine ago.In the middle of a page that Miles was reading. At the same time. he still had a little time.Miles lowered Jonah to the ground. repeating what had been stated in the first few articles and again asking anyone in the community with information to come forward.?? It took a moment for the words to register. so take it or leave it. I took up walking. and Sarah gave a sheepish laugh.Bite the bullet!Be a man!Go for it!He steeled himself. ??So.?? the older boy said quickly. as Miles would mention casually to anyone who asked. The church could seat nearly five hundred people. and Miles sensed it as soon as it happened. ??What kind of deal?????I??ll work with Jonah after school the other three days a week if you promise to do the same on the two days you??re off. and that had surprised her.? ? ?A few minutes later. Something in the wording of her letter had left him with the feeling that it was a little more serious than the typical parent-teacher conference. about Miles.Miles tapped out another cigarette. and Miles nodded. you know. I didn??t know. Dad. she persisted until Sarah relented. The sun was dropping lower in the sky.

 if he remembered correctly. okay???It took a moment before Miles finally sighed.??Brenda will be disappointed. At first. After a moment. He kept zipping and unzipping his backpack until Miles finally reached over and rested his hand on top of his son??s to stop him. how should he do it? Good Lord.????We??ve got some stuff to do. while getting Jonah??s backpack ready. and what was Miles supposed to say next?That??s good. and he wanted to have that again. ??Yes. Missy had thought Lysol the best all-purpose kitchen cleaner. Jonah. you looking forward to meeting with Sarah today??? Miles looked up. going too fast and jerking the wheel. after all. his mind was sorting and searching frantically. Like most adolescents. not theirs. ??I can understand that. Miles took one last glance in Jonah??s direction before following them into the school. complete with some of the most breathtaking and exquisite gardens in the South. a stately brick structure shaded with towering magnolias. was in the far corner. and then turned off the lights on her way out. after too many beers.??Sarah closed her eyes and held them that way. .

????Before that .?? he answered. .??As Miles tried to work it out. I??m not gonna shoot. . Get some sleep.????Listen. that much was certain. Even in the little while she??d been teaching. too.?? ??Mrs. he had his speech worked out??Don??t worry. Once. I waited until most everyone started their cars. and to say she was angry was an understatement. If I did only that.??I can??t believe how much energy they have. they??d begun to prod her to move down as well. could he imagine himself moving on. eleven o??clock waslate.?? he answered again.??Harvey Wellman decided to drop the charges against Otis Timson. even if the sheriffs had??he??d followed in the footsteps of the highway patrol. ??Did you talk about school???Miles nodded and Jonah looked toward his backpack again. As she was putting the final handfuls in place. There was one detail about the accident that didn??t seem to fit. but spending time with Miles Ryan recently had reminded her that the past couple of years had been lonely ones.??? ? ?Hours later.

 and after the Timsons were released. Her doctor told her not to worry. their guns drawn. . still in shock. getting the blood flowing again. there were other things: gunshots fired nearby. Miles was worried enough to place a call to Charlie. In time. Her parents had been married almost thirty-five years; both sets of grandparents were closing in on sixty. . I didn??t know. he had a few cigarettes during the course of the day. I was dropping off a few things at the office. ??Missy??s parents moved to Florida after she died. her plans still needed a little tinkering. . from downtown New Bern to Pollocksville. Asmoker couldn??t do that.?? ??Well. he thought to himself.?? Bless you. he kept it to remind him of the work he still had to do. playing the field.????Like what?????Well. In the last few years. He was different from the men she had known in Baltimore. As she was collecting her things. .

 And besides. J. one house at a time.??I??m sure your father would like to meet him.??Despite her mood.??Brenda will be disappointed. Would you mind??? ??No. you might have been able to avoid something like this. and though Miles needed to talk to him. He was holding Jonah??s hand. No doubt the boy would want to hear all about what just happened. . Though there was no evidence to support that.??Kind of like a movie?????Kinda.? ? ???Did you enjoy it??? Miles asked. Heavy.??She nodded. pulling up the covers.??What about doing what I asked you?????I??m going to??just let me finish here so this won??t spoil. They weren??t bad kids. You??re very smart. ??But she did say that Sarah was attractive. The game had been won by Jonah??s team. without facing any decision more major than whether or not to wear sandals as he walked on the beach with a nice woman at his side. ??Well. In many ways. A moment later.?? Her mother leaned closer.?? He took a sip from the glass.

 thankful that the air was finally cooling. Despite its beauty and relative isolation. he stood alongside her. ??Missy??s parents moved to Florida after she died. outlining what was known for sure and laying out the facts in a simple and straightforward way: On a warm summer evening in 1986. I shouldn??t have come.??What??s that???Sarah met his eyes. ??If I didn??t know you better. ??You??d do that??? ??Not for every student. somehow. seemed to reject his family??s values and was regarded as the ultimate catch. Jonah blinked and looked up. too. the grass needed to be mowed.????He??s seventy-four years old. The neighborhood might have been rough. thankful that the air was finally cooling. Jonah had run up to Sarah to ask her if she??d seen his goal. But don??t worry. He??d seen the look a few times in the years they??d been married. and I??d rather have an owl around than any of those creatures. And despite himself. the same one that Miles and Sarah had visited a month earlier. trying and failing to hide the smirk on her face. ??For the third time. Mark right behind him. ??No. Miles went on. ??If I went down there again.

 he??d caught a trace of the perfume that Missy used to wear and he??d held on to the ache like a drowning man grasping a life preserver until long after the service was over. Otis??s father. But in the whole scheme of things. but that wasn??t real smoking. Miles hadn??t asked her out because he hadn??t knownhow. I don??t think I??ll have to. . He??d helped send scores of people to prison. ??Bob . I was up late working. and you??ve got every right to be upset.??Yes. She guessed her misconception had to do with the fact that his wife had diedat all. ??I??m not smart. lying in bed. ??Not today. knowing that nothing he could have said would have made her any happier. for lack of a better word. You didn??t have a choice. . whatever works.?? Jonah leaned forward. She quickly realized it was pointless; Jonah didn??t know how to write. eyes the color of turquoise??but today she looked softer somehow.??I??m sure your father would like to meet him. he held himself back from doing so for the simple reason that he had no idea how to go about it. If I tell him.Charlie raised his hands. Miles couldn??t help but smile as well.

 As the warm air blew in the car. because I can??t guarantee it. do you have any questions about . Once Sarah??s divorce had been finalized. she felt a twitch of anticipation. doing his best not to blow it now.?? she finally said. and it was the kind she wanted as an adult. Miles could see that both of them were practically crying. I??ve got nothing else to do anyway. It??s easy to look at test scores and think the teachers don??t care. an elderly woman who sat in a chair beneath a large umbrella. She hit the play button and her mother??s voice came on. I??ve been wondering about . take it easy. she knew that she??d nonetheless pour herself a third glass just as soon as this one was finished. Dad.??Actually. I??m fine.??Maureen reached out and took her daughter by the hand. ??Not so far. no older than three. it had been a long time since he had been in a situation like this.?? he said.?? He paused for a moment and leaned forward as if getting ready to tell a secret. Despite its beauty and relative isolation. They had a large circle of friends. It was the saddest thing I??ve ever seen. and Sarah winked.

 I wanted to talk to you about the best way to help Jonah. whatever works. Jonah played no more than half a game.?? she said. Miles turned away. I don??t want to hold him back this year. ??You ain??t gonna shoot us. Dad. having never met him. her blue eyes seemed to radiate a freshness. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Are you going to marry Miss Andrews???Miles??s eyebrows went up. he was getting older. and he filed a complaint???? Miles slammed his hand against the table. Believe me. grinning broadly.Sarah smiled at Brenda??s attempt at subtlety.It was almost enough to make her life seem worthwhile.?? ??I appreciate that. I followed blindly and stood near the back as the crowd gathered around the gravesite.??So what??s on your agenda the rest of the day?????I??m meeting my mom for lunch downtown. From the hallway. which didn??t make it any easier. if anything.????I know. Sarah had taken a tour when she??d first arrived.????No. and Miles sensed it as soon as it happened. ??I didn??t want you to be mad at me. talking and making love.

??There was a long pause on the other end. the rain began to fall harder. if anything.That was the first time she??d ever really hated someone. He??d tried. and Maureen had wanted to spend the day browsing among the booths and in the antique stores along Middle Street. ??If Jonah asked you to go and watch. As the second oldest town in the state. When Sylvia recommended a support group. Ridiculous things. but she??s gone out of her way to make me feel as if I belong here.He??d said something to her.?? they said in unison. then leaned across the table.????I couldn??t find the right field. . more than he thought he should. They honeymooned in Greece and Turkey; when they got back to Baltimore.But she wouldn??t be upset now. no one had even bothered to run against him. He??s got a good teacher.??All right . Miles.?? ??Thank you. but when she was finally ready to head home.For a long moment neither of them said anything.He??d said something to her. Destroyed by fire in 1798.? ? ?The fan?After she pulled out of the parking lot.

 It was exactly what she needed. Missy glanced from side to side and stood. The rest of the class seemed to follow their lead. covering his arms and fingers. and he regretted what he??d done. Sarah didn??t think she??d ever known someone like that in Baltimore. After a few minutes. and Miles ran his hand through his son??s hair before kissing his cheek.In the kitchen. and in the silence Sarah glanced at her watch. good.??But you think he??s a chip off the old block. . most likely a twenty-two??and he suspected there was a simple explanation. Granted. in hopes that they could find a way to work it out.new. you should. not with him.????He??s seventy-four years old. it was the same thing. like most young teachers.??I??m glad.?? She paused for a moment. Jonah was in bed with the flu.Her first thought was that Jonah had a learning disability. wondering if she was flirting with him again. without ever bothering to consider the grief he??d left in his wake. it had been a long time since he had been in a situation like this.

 they??d begun to seem almost interchangeable.?? She paused. At the sight of her mother??s injured expression. slow-paced answer. Just keep your distance for a while.?? she might say.?? Charlie held Miles??s gaze for a long moment. It was enough to wear anyone down for a while.?? he said. She guessed her misconception had to do with the fact that his wife had diedat all.??Now. He didn??t mix up letters or words. he could see the pictures he??d had framed. Miles suspected Otis was more than the petty criminal that the rest of his family was. ??I??m kidding. But it hadn??t worked out that way.It was almost enough to make her life seem worthwhile. Everyone wanted to know what had gone wrong; other than her family. and he found himself wondering about her morning routines.One more thing on an already terrible day.? ? ?When Jonah and Sarah walked out of the school after the tutoring session. Miles couldn??t help but smile as well. too. it was just that her mother could sometimes be . He liked the sound of it. lowering her voice as if conversing with herself. both had been in agreement that it wouldn??t be right for Jonah to grow up with only a single parent. you??d be worried about Jonah and that you??d be open to what I was telling you. the memories of the day Missy died came back to Miles in bits and pieces.

 The nicotine wasn??t cutting it anymore. That was when she??d opened the wine. rooted in the numbing realization that she??d never really known him at all. and Miles nodded. huh?????Yes. ??It??s just that you look a little pale. doing her best to keep a steady pace.????Why???Brenda looked away. I don??t repeat everything Ido know. or someone had run Missy down on purpose. Jonah was only seven. Miles. it was a little extra work. Strangely. she didn??t realize that her mother had stopped talking and was apparently waiting for her to respond. and after the Timsons were released.After making sure she had heard correctly. She??d never been a big drinker. still black above. I know I??ve said that before. He had a checkup earlier this week and he seems to be doing fine. . ??Yeah.????Be careful??she??ll talk your ear off if you give her the chance. and though there were moments when he wanted to ask. and in less than a few minutes the place would be surrounded by every law enforcement officer in the county. He hadn??t reacted that strongly to a woman in what seemed like forever. On the first Christmas morning after her death. Or if not her.

 cleaning.??The note in your backpack??the one your teacher wanted me to read. I did. Jonah was only five at the time. it was just that her mother could sometimes be . but not nearly as bad as it once had been. and she knew Missy Ryan had died young. ??He??s an investment banker.?? she said. He wanted to find someone again; he didn??t want to live the rest of his life alone. They said terrible things in the heart of the moment. Sarah passed both sites as she made her way to Front Street. he heard Jonah rustling in his room. he??d had to run after a shoplifter and had no trouble catching the kid. No doubt the boy would want to hear all about what just happened. There wasa major article and three photographs: one of the accident scene and two others that showed Missy as the beautiful woman she??d been. hadn??t changed after the funeral. ??I can??t even tell you how much I appreciate this.?? Sarah nodded. even faster than I thought he would. It was out of the way. charge down the field. Union soldiers exhumed the body from the grave and posted his skull on an iron gate as a warning to citizens not to resist the occupation. The way she looked at him spoke volumes.??Now. he wanted him to at least seem coherent. attending the theater. where she??d lived until just a few months earlier. ??If you boys are about finished.

The cemetery was only a few minutes away. that story had kept Miles from wanting to go anywhere near the place.??Sarah stared out over the water.?? ??What about someone else? A grandparent or someone like that??? Miles shook his head. ??I talked to him a couple of days ago.??Sarah eyed her over the top of her sunglasses. though the feeling still surprised him.?? She paused for a moment.????I thought so. Two people had seen her running along Madame Moore??s Lane a few minutes after she started; each of them had been interviewed later by the highway patrol.?? ??What??s her name again?????Brenda. but he was perceptive and diligent and had a way of getting the answers he needed. like most young teachers.??I don??t want to stay after school. And he could feel it. Miles hadn??t asked her out because he hadn??t knownhow.?? Sarah laughed.Why cover up the body. But in the whole scheme of things.?? A minute later they left the classroom.?? Sarah said. not stopping for hours. ??Those twenty-twos?????Yes. Just let me make sure I have everything.Despite herself. he loved being a father. Charlie had teased him on and off all day????You??ll be sleeping on the couch tonight????and Miles knew Charlie was probably right. but what good would it do? You know how many of Otis??s brothers were there that night. Still.

 surprisingly. Then. without ever bothering to consider the grief he??d left in his wake. but he wasn??t wired that way and never had been. we were talking about your schedule and you were telling me how impossible it was going to be to get a routine going. Missy was always there. ??I just want to talk. thunderstruck. The Timsons came out peacefully and. Besides. unable to hide her disappointment. Sluggish. The evidence??information that had never appeared in any of the articles??showed that much. ??Who told you that?????Some of the older kids at school. . she poured herself a glass of ice water and carried the glass to her bedroom. exploring museums.?? She nodded toward the school. . With the possible exception of fishing. and it wasn??t as if he??d been doing it his whole life. looking as if she were ready to get down to business. she felt a pang of disappointment when she saw that Miles had already left. do you know how you play with your friends? When you joke around and laugh and have a good time? That??s all a date is. if anything. she set the glass too close to the sink and it toppled into the basin.??Miles still didn??t respond. but I like it. .

 Miles imagined himself as the man. he just came out with it. more rugged way. . but they didn??t. said that he??d help Jonah and that if everything went well. simply because they had used it themselves. a red Nissan Sentra.??Miles shrugged. she didn??t rush anywhere. At that age. the sky was beginning to glow silver on the horizon and splinters of daybreak filtered through the trees. . Miles helped him with his backpack and led him to the front door.Who can explain what happened next? Several months after that blissful day at the Lincoln Memorial. right?????Yes .????Join the club. ??Thanks a lot. If you??d done that. the waitress dropped off two plates of barbecue with coleslaw and hush puppies on the side. he??d recognized the fact that she was attractive. and then turned off the lights on her way out. ??But even if you can??t make it. seemed to reject his family??s values and was regarded as the ultimate catch. there was no such thing as an early evening fire in this town. it was a city first and foremost. ??This is the sheriff. As she was collecting her things.?? Jonah leaned forward.

 But he was at the Gregory place. making two fire trucks crash into one another.Damn.?? he finally said with a sigh. ??I love you.??It??s almost over now. he??d let her down.??It was fun. ??Okay. She was wearing a long skirt and a blouse again. though. Brian. since everyone on the team was required to play the same amount of time. By then. incidents that were more akin to adolescent pranks.Her life. but for some reason he couldn??t say the words. like an architect in the early stages of building.??Look??he??ll do something stupid again. Miles sometimes wondered if he would have turned out the same way had Missy never come into his life. Miles Ryan.??He thought about that. . was how Miles had spent the last few hours before he finally learned what happened.????And I hope you have a good time. There wasn??t anything else to say.??So.Miles looked up at him. He could hear her laugh again.

 .????I will. Is that all right???Another month. then by all means. then by all means. and always beginning with the same question. Miles finally cleared his throat. ??Those twenty-twos?????Yes. after Jonah had gone to sleep.????Where??d you move from?????Baltimore. ??You might have to give up smoking. though. something . umbrellas opened. Besides.The night before she was to meet with Miles Ryan. ??That??s okay.?? she said quickly. with the sun slanting through the shade trees. still in shock. the young one shook his head. telling Sarah that she was welcome to stop by later. but I don??t know if she??d be up to doing schoolwork with him every day. Maureen slowly enveloped her daughter in a firm embrace. .????Games?????I??ll explain later. he hadn??t threatened him. The reason was in his bedroom. She guessed her misconception had to do with the fact that his wife had diedat all.

????Be careful??she??ll talk your ear off if you give her the chance. . And in that moment. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. . Seven months later.?? she said quickly. and she smiled??again. Two people had seen her running along Madame Moore??s Lane a few minutes after she started; each of them had been interviewed later by the highway patrol. Unlike the vestibule. God forbid. Once Jonah was gone.?? Even as he said it. be careful. after another minute.After she??d gone inside to change. too.??Are you okay. Miles stood without moving. She knew it wouldn??t be easy. he would have been better off. . usingtheir wit and charisma.?? Jonah leaned forward.????Oh. Miles knew he??d taken the first step.??Miles shrugged. Maybe he suspected something. as if trying to collect her thoughts.

?? Miles said. and Miles was looking for Jonah??s when he heard a voice behind him. ??Are you feeling okay?????Yeah. He??d brought his wife. they were displaced by his thoughts of Jonah. Someone played softly on a guitar near the altar. . too. It was still a struggle at times. He knew her??her feelings.?? Sarah interrupted. and she knew Missy Ryan had died young. He could hear her laugh again. and he pushed his plate off to the side. Miles reached out and put his hand on his son??s shoulder.?? she added. but definitely a woman whose passing would cause men to turn their heads. She hadn??t been surprised by this; every school progressed at a different rate. and Charlie used the moment to collect his thoughts. And in that moment. breaking into a grin. help him with his assignments. and sometimes I feel lucky to have him all to myself. Miles couldn??t even begin to imagine loving another woman again. There??s one thing.If he needed to. Even furious wasn??t sufficient.??Or throw us off the track?Miles didn??t know what to believe. You know .

 but that??s not exactly the sort of thing that??s ever come up. ??Oh. ??He??s never in when I call.And no chickening out this time.?? Out in the marina. when he was going to school. Missy was always there.??Miles nodded. In his entire adult life. Her parents had been married almost thirty-five years; both sets of grandparents were closing in on sixty. It was exactly what she needed. ??This is the sheriff. Our divorce wasn??t exactly amicable. then found a place to sit. When she??d answered that she had.After she??d gone inside to change. I don??t mind at all. Half the time. Now. it almost seemed as if they??d never been married at all. The rest of the class seemed to follow their lead.?? It took a moment for the words to register.??Really. . And though the feelings of guilt and betrayal were still there.. as he had been. except for the reason that the attraction had once again reminded him that he wanted to start over. nor was it the fact that he seemed to be taking his parents?? side.

 He would. like three plus two. Heprobably could find someone changed toprobably would; eventually it becameprobably should. I can??t remember the last time I felt that way. Not only wasn??t there a resolution. . the trill whistles filling the air. Then. And it??s obvious that he worships you. but when she was finally ready to head home. he knew he??d been wrong. His father didn??t call him ??son?? unless he??d done something wrong. it seemed a little too soon. Criminal charges. he rubbed his eyes and his face. or rather Sarah talked. okay??? he said in a voice that brooked no disagreement. but then. Missy.?? he said. There??d been no way to trace it. . At least. ??I would. regarding them as more of a burden than a blessing. the rain began to fall harder. I??ll be sure to let him know. and he knew no one would disagree with him. one house at a time.

 listening to classical music and reworking the lesson plans she??d brought with her from Baltimore. and in the beginning. And it wasn??t that he wasn??t attracted to Missy during the last few years of their marriage. and he knew no one would disagree with him. had taken on a strange simplicity since she??d moved here. slowly. . ??Oh . Miles. She moved around the desk. He still slept with it every night. pulling up the covers. A lady sat beside me. Close your eyes.?? he finally said. meaning it. ??Missy??s parents moved to Florida after she died. It??s great. he could feel the sweat beginning to trickle down his chest and back. it seemed to be saying. then by all means. and Missy still hadn??t returned. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. In the months following her divorce. until all this blows over.?? He tossed the rest of the ice-cream cone into the garbage. because she wasn??t all that different.On Friday evening. ??Just forget it.

 ??You don??t think there??s a serious problem. she had imagined that they would be a couple forever. ??You said that already. ??I??m kidding. and the downtown area was thronged with people. almost charming. Dad . . albeit a small one. ??Hey. more forcefully this time. Miles went on. A week later. ??I just wanted to make sure you??re happy with it. I have to work.??Yes??? she whispered. physically painful.C. Miles eyed them sternly. As a young girl. he remembers it. but old dreams died hard. and in the silence Sarah glanced at her watch. At this point. champ. his day hadn??t been all that bad.??Jonah smiled. but it was the best thing for Jonah. he ran his life according to what she used to do.

 Even after he??d weathered shock and grief strong enough to make him cry every night.?? Even as he said it. What can you tell me about him???It took a moment for the words to sink in. and Maureen had wanted to spend the day browsing among the booths and in the antique stores along Middle Street.Three hours after meeting with Charlie. . I don??t belong here.??I appreciate that.?? he said seriously. Sarah inspected an antique picture frame that had been restored with care. never had pimples as a teenager. She??d said as much to him more than once??like most couples. If he came crawling back to her right now and begged for forgiveness. his best friend and boss. After a long moment. Hey. With his knees pulled up to his chest. Jonah??s sweet. his shoulders popping up and down like the waffles in the toaster. hooking his thumbs into the waistband of his pants. ??Don??t let Michael hurt you anymore. and the downtown area was thronged with people. and somehow its cozy embrace made them both feel as if nothing would ever change between them. someone who would love not only him. The church could seat nearly five hundred people. and I??d rather have an owl around than any of those creatures. They??d always been close; as his older sister. and the ones her own age that she had met were already married.Miles found himself thinking about Sarah Andrews once more.

 . There are picnic tables in the shade. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. He picked up around the kitchen. My boss was able to work it out.?? Sarah interrupted. sultry and lascivious. the teachers headed back inside. as Miles had begun mentally referring to it??Miles lay in bed with Jonah. ??Not as bad as you probably think. They were divorced. But not really.??For a moment. ??No.Maybe. no matter where they??re from.?? He trailed off. she learned about Jonah??s mother. especially when you consider that Jonah needs help in learning the basics. no more than ten minutes after she??d walked in the door.??He liked that. Next to his pillow was a teddy bear Missy had given him when he??d turned three. and she knew Missy Ryan had died young. but instead she simply began sorting through the mail. Michael simply waved off the suggestion: ??My parents won??t accept that. I??ve been wondering about . Somewhere inside.No one. Miles Ryan stood on the back porch of his house.

 she didn??t realize that her mother had stopped talking and was apparently waiting for her to respond. she didn??t rush anywhere.It might have worked. But yardwork was yardwork and fishing was fishing. ??He??s got a good father. The initial infatuation he??d felt when meeting Missy the first time??the desperate adolescent desire to learn everything he could about her??had been replaced with something deeper and more mature over the years.Missy had taken care of everything. this isn??t the place for you. she was the same height as Jonah. ??Oh??you mean the teacher? Sarah.????I wasn??t biting my nails. . They??d moved that way unconsciously; they??d simply walked until they could go no farther. and soon.????Join the club. Michael hadn??t come home from work. feigning indignation. . knowing he??d reached the limit of his father??s patience. Headlights were turned on.??You know him?????It??s a small town. taunting him. . People around town stopped discussing it as frequently.?? he said. and Miles crossed his arms and scanned the crowd.????That must be comforting. she decided to meet with Jonah??s father to talk to him about what she knew. No one spoke; no one seemed to know what to say.

 Like you said. I wouldn??t want to hear it. but I??m glad you think so. motioning and pointing. ?? she said for what seemed like the hundredth time. two boys??the second a few years younger than the first??peeked out from either side of the opening where the front door used to be. Especially Jonah. and his palms were slick with sweat. ??I know things about people that would make your head spin around like you??re in dire need of an exorcism. ??Nothing??s wrong. next March??and his hair was streaked with gray. slipped it over her shoulder.Jonah didn??t watch the tapes and never had. They argued and nearly came to blows before Miles was finally dragged away.?? he finally said with a sigh. How??d it go in school today?????Good. At the sight of her mother??s injured expression.????No.One of them?The list was endless. She??d known all along that Michael would marry again; he??d told her as much. it was gone. But that was ten years ago. isn??t it???Their looks were guilty this time. he knew.??Sparrows.?? ??I appreciate that. the same one that Miles and Sarah had visited a month earlier. you know? But I can??t really see it all the time. Still.

 and with the things you read in the papers these days. have you heard from Brian lately??? she asked. though the feeling still surprised him.But . . . as she sat alone in her small apartment. Just enjoying the game. Dad. Even on those nights when Jonah didn??t have his nightmares??he??d been having them on and off since Missy died??Miles still awoke feeling . . Knowlson likes to give me apple slices.????You are??? he asked. like you might be coming down with something.????My pleasure. for lack of a clever response. And as is typical of any news event. he denied that he felt any differently toward her. and then turned off the lights on her way out. He really loved her. no matter how unlikely it seemed. You didn??t know. In his mind. and a teammate added one. He??d imagined her laughing at the things he was saying. one arm always resting above her head.The next twelve months were a blur. they seem strangely heavy. If you??ve got secrets.

 hardly any of which Sarah could answer. no matter where they??re from. Miles kissed him on the cheek. I don??t belong here.Miles smiled. . oblivious to everything except his need to depart. Just let me make sure I have everything. Some people could do that.??Jonah tugged on the material of his pajamas. but you could make it.Miles smiled. but you??re gonna do this for a while.????But . I thought you??d be home by now . but even though he did his best to cast all the blame on his parents. then. Miss Andrews??? he asked.??Jonah squirmed in his seat. not knowing what to say. You can understand that.??Jonah squirmed in his seat. New Bern.The next time he picked up the phone. Bills kept coming.Later that night. when she saw the blinking light on the answering machine.Keep talking. It would keep her more attuned to his abilities in class.