milk beside it.?? ??Don??t be. neither of them said anything.

 Still
 Still.?? ??Thank you. the last thing you want to do is talk to your parents.????I think you were imagining things.Missy had taken care of everything. . it is yourfirst date??????I understand. the things she liked and didn??t. watching as the rising sun slowly changed the morning sky from dusky gray to orange. Sometimes grown-ups like to do that. He??d been a jerk. When she got there. somewhere she??d never lived before. In many ways.?? Even as he said it. she was able to focus completely on the students. but enough??and Missy started filling in the sand. there was no way she saw herself living here forever. ??Wait??before you go??can I ask you something??? he blurted out. I??ve known him a long time.While the other students went on to another activity. if it was my son.??Her mother had wondered aloud whether Miles had ever shot someone.??I??m sure your father would like to meet him. after another minute. The temperature instantly seemed to rise. He??d seen the look a few times in the years they??d been married. Then. that feeling began to change.

 No one spoke; no one seemed to know what to say. Mark right behind him. I wouldn??t be surprised. True. someone who would love not only him. ??I hope everything??s all right. toward finally coming to terms with his loss. He was older??sixty-five. holding a bouquet of wildflowers; Missy and Jonah.? ? ?When Jonah and Sarah walked out of the school after the tutoring session. of course. And even though she had passed on the information with the proper mix of sympathy and disbelief. his mind was sorting and searching frantically. He wasn??t the type of sheriff who intimidated people on sight.????Grown-ups get sad. . ??I guess I??d better get Jonah home. its brackish waters partially hidden by the cypress trees clustered at the water??s edge.????Is he still exercising?????Not as much as he should.?? She paused before forming a lazy smile.?? She grinned. . after all. he just needs to do it. I suppose. if he remembered correctly.?? he said. Miles had gone fishing with Charlie Curtis. He hadn??t intended to be gone all day.

 laughed again as if embarrassed. His father didn??t call him ??son?? unless he??d done something wrong.??Miles smiled. Miles entered and sat on the bed. I guess that leaves Miles Ryan.Brenda??s eyes widened. Miles had simply asked Jonah about his previous teachers and what they had??and hadn??t??made him do;Jonah explained honestly that once he??d fallen behind. though Miles had no way to prove that. He brought his hands together.??Then let??s not try again. You??ve missed most of it.????She did.Brenda picked up her sandwich. God forbid.?? he said again. And Dad?????Yeah?????I love you. when he was going to school. if they already hadn??t. Yes. while we??re on the subject of Miles Ryan .No one else had seen anything. Jonah was finishing an ice-cream cone. I remember that it had begun to rain that morning. then rolled down the window. Like a robot.??? ? ?Later that day. Jonah??s out on the playground. it??ll make sense in a couple of years.?? he answered again.

Miles tapped out another cigarette.?? she said. Usually it was nice. Up close. 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. His mind was racing. thinking how lovely she looked. He??s kind. especially in a small town. they stutter-stepped for a moment. Before I sent the note home.??Now. a part of her suspected that had they not been around. goalkeepers weren??t allowed. ??It??ll give us a chance to visit. ??I didn??t want you to be mad at me. he could listen to the sound of her voice. for lack of a better word. Still. ??Well. . though in an entirely different context. .??Hey. because ??my writing isn??t too good. If you??ve got secrets. she??d nonetheless left the palace wanting to live within walking distance so she could pass its gates each day.Miles was so lost in his reverie. and she was standing behind him.

?? Sarah said.????Who???Maureen shrugged. from downtown New Bern to Pollocksville. it seemed.??She nodded.?? He bent lower and met his son??s eyes. Miles reached out and put his hand on his son??s shoulder. but it never stopped her from trying again.?? she went on after a pause. Miss Andrews is really nice and all. ??Besides. and it would make no difference to her. How??d it go in school today?????Good. but you have to have been there when she said it. Without Beck??s testimony. As she walked to her car. however. ??That??s not as easy as it sounds.??Is there anything else that I should know?????Not that I can think of. he still had a little time.?? she said easily. a southern hero who??d signed the Declaration of Independence. then leaned across the table. . Jonah stepped over and hugged Sarah??who returned the squeeze with a hug of her own??before he scrambled off. Everyone wanted to know what had gone wrong; other than her family. He headed to the bathroom. he??d let her down. then.

 Sarah??s mother could also play to perfection the part of a guilt-ridden parent. elbows locked.?? Sarah said. surprisingly. neither of them said anything as they stood close together. After a year. and some kids practiced with more diligence. Maybe he suspected something.?? she said quickly. After that. For a while there. Kids are kids. Missy would always be there . ??Look. Since Missy??s death it had been relatively quiet. It touched her to know that Miles had people in his life who cared so much about him.?? Miles went on calmly. Miles saw Jonah at the same time his son saw him.????So you??ll be coming by the house. she??d learned almost right away. . slipped it over her shoulder. a loud roar went up and both of them turned to see Jonah break away from the pack.?? he mumbled. of course. then???I thought we were talking about what I should wear. and though the cooling system had been replaced more than once over the years. but I don??t know if she??d be up to doing schoolwork with him every day. too.

??With that.?? he said. and after the game. As Jonah??s teammates surged around him. she looked more like a college student than the mother she was. she had imagined that they would be a couple forever. That was good.??Somehow. No reason to dwell on it. driving away??but she wasn??t laughing at Miles as much as she was laughing at how hard he??d made it seem. went outside to make sure kids got in the proper cars and onto the right buses. The sun was dropping lower in the sky. and Sarah laughed again. said that he??d help Jonah and that if everything went well.As we drove. He didn??t know much about her past at all. Jonah was in bed with the flu. Whenever she??d needed to talk. Sometimes. the bridge would swivel open to allow it passage and traffic on either side would begin to back up. No doubt he??d wanted to say it. . and he tugged at the front of his shirt. rooted in the numbing realization that she??d never really known him at all. a Sunday. you two stay together. how should he do it? Good Lord. It??s more like a picture.That was one decision she??d never regretted.

 Sarah Andrews was walking through the historic district in New Bern. after all. but she knew that people for the most part both liked and respected him and that more than anything. ??I know it grates on you. She put a clump of wet sand on his head and he stopped moving. he could listen to the sound of her voice. lowering her voice as if conversing with herself.M. he does it with all his heart. .??As he spoke.??After school???Miles nodded. . no. His own parents hadn??t been so affectionate. had intervened. of course. ??I??m Miles Ryan. Here we go. and Sarah shook her head. Miles could see that both of them were practically crying. Sarah??s frown deepened. one student who particularly concerned her. 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.??Brenda paused before taking a bite. followed a moment later by her husband. except for the sounds of people sniffling.??Jonah tugged on the material of his pajamas. over her shoulder.

 and drawling. too.??Because I can get you a new one if you don??t like it. his father said nothing. Tomorrow I??m going to give him a couple of workbooks that really seem to be helping. Instead.why?This was the part that continued to nag at Miles. she??d learned almost right away. Tomorrow I??m going to give him a couple of workbooks that really seem to be helping.?? She paused for a moment.??So how??s he doing??? Sarah asked. too. He??d tried. At the sight of her mother??s injured expression. I grew up there. I??ve been wondering about .??She looked at him carefully. . . But at other times. she was frantic and Michael was drunk. he went to bed anyway. and Missy clenched her jaw. By that point. Hit-and-run. 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.??I have no idea. But where would it go from here? That was the part he still wasn??t sure about. his hair disheveled.

 It was the look on his face??the one that let her know he suddenly seemed to regard the problem as hers. while we??re on the subject of Miles Ryan . He saw some work scribbled on the chalkboard. But not really. Sarah had taken a tour when she??d first arrived. he remembers it. he??d told himself. she looked more like the city girl she was than someone from the country. like most young teachers. Hayes was last year.??So . now. Otis says you got a little rough when you arrested him. . Missy glanced from side to side and stood. ??There??s been an accident. While driving downtown. offering a hand or a hug. thankful that the air was finally cooling. since they were the last hours of normalcy he would know. After a moment. .Brenda saw the pain in Sarah??s eyes for a moment. and she thought she was doing better.????What are you talking about???As he asked. more rugged way. as if trying to collect her thoughts.. A small bass boat passed by.

 Jonah had run up to Sarah to ask her if she??d seen his goal. I??ll do it when I get back. nor did she. pushing his hands into his pocket. Miles kissed him on the cheek. I saw Miles and Jonah again; they stood with their heads bowed. since everyone on the team was required to play the same amount of time.Sarah. more rugged way.?? ??Mrs. oblivious to everything except his need to depart. . she??d planted some pansies around the mailbox.Most mornings followed the same routine. she told herself. he didn??t think the gunfire was directed at him. fully loaded logging trucks rumbled over it day and night. it seemed. trading a book back and forth so each could read a page. had taken on a strange simplicity since she??d moved here. and she??d had to scale down the plans a bit and incorporate more remedial work. not stopping for hours. Jonah was only seven. Even though she knew the wine wouldn??t help. ??But she did say that Sarah was attractive.????But I??m the only one in my class who has to stay after school. . He??d gone so far as to look up her name in the phone book and dial the first three numbers before his nerves got the better of him and he??d hung up. I didn??t want to be there.

 I??m fine. he stood from behind the car and holstered his gun. and the waitress. She knew it wouldn??t be easy. . One night. one house at a time. ??She didn??t. She moved around the desk. ??Yes. as Miles would mention casually to anyone who asked. regarding them as more of a burden than a blessing. He was older??sixty-five. that it was okay to have these feelings. help him with his assignments. slowly moved forward. . He loved being a husband. . the reality of the situation would bear down hard and she would begin to cry again. . if anything.????Why???Brenda looked away. D. would you go wait by the car while I talk to Miss Andrews for a couple minutes?????Okay. Miles went on. but it never stopped her from trying again. ??It??s just that you look a little pale. He??d arrested Clyde Timson.

 And in the future??since we do work together??keep in mind that I won??t get my feelings hurt if you tell me I??ve gone too far. Not family.????Then wake me up sooner. but you kind of get used to it and you learn to be careful. those little wheels spinning for everything they were worth.????Besides.??Hey. he??d recognized the fact that she was attractive.Her brother and sister-in-law were coming in from Atlanta the following day. all the feelings he??d had over the weekend rushed back. Hayes had always let him draw.??Now.??She nodded.Then again.That night.????You are??? he asked. Bob Bostrum???Brenda??s jaw dropped. There were times when Sarah needed it??a little pity never hurt anyone??but now wasn??t one of them. forty-five???Miles looked horrified again. where she??d lived until just a few months earlier.??Her mother had wondered aloud whether Miles had ever shot someone. but . yet Miles began thinking more seriously about finding someone to share his life with. He woke up with the feeling that something was wrong . because she wasn??t all that different. however.Brenda saw the pain in Sarah??s eyes for a moment. Not as Michael had been??dark and glamorous. he ran his life according to what she used to do.

 and to say she was angry was an understatement. I guess I??d better get Jonah home. For one thing. however. he??s patient.??Jonah told me he had a game this weekend and asked if I??d come. He couldn??t imagine any reason strong enough to make him want to stay up. secretly jumped for joy when Jonah scored. Though New Bern didn??t have a big problem with vagrants. Sarah finished her glass and rose from the couch. forty-five???Miles looked horrified again. I think we??ve covered most everything. Maybe he was reaching for another beer. it??s fine. I??ve got a bias against sports that require me to bounce a ball off my head. Beck Swanson suddenly got a case of amnesia about what happened.????I figured there was more to the story. but damned if he could figure it out. . I don??t want to hold him back this year. He lost his wife a couple of years back in a car accident.?? Miles said. and he??s had a rough time the last couple of years.Her life. she knew it wasn??t in anyone??s best interest??especially Jonah??s??to simply let him slide. And we??ll talk about how smart you are.??So . she went on. too.

 By the time he came home. his mind was sorting and searching frantically. Jonah still looked as if he were in his own little world. this time with a knowing look. She??d felt pretty good first thing in the morning and even during breakfast. Macdonald Junior High School. After that. however.Miles lowered Jonah to the ground. ??You don??t own me?? was all he offered by way of explanation. But why bother? Hell. ??Don??t forget to brush your hair after you get dressed. Sarah??s fine.Jonah Ryan. and Maureen had wanted to spend the day browsing among the booths and in the antique stores along Middle Street. the view was soothing. meaning it. . but that was fifteen years ago. Now get some sleep. . he shied away from tattoos and kept his hair cut short; there were times he actually held down odd jobs. With the possible exception of fishing. And as is typical of any news event. had been all but ignored. he shifted from one foot to the other.????Nothing more than that???When Sarah didn??t answer right away. There was nothing he could say or do to ever make her love him again. I don??t mind at all.

 ??It??ll be okay. waving at the retreating car with a faintly bemused smile on her face.Miles took a deep breath and said the first and only thing that came to mind.????Good.?? Miles suddenly lost his appetite. Though New Bern didn??t have a big problem with vagrants. maybe they were the ones who actually did it. but for some reason he couldn??t say the words.??I??m going for a jog. And that was fine with her. she poured her third glass of wine.????I wasn??t biting my nails. ??I??m sorry. Hurry up. the blankets pulled back.??? ? ?After breakfast.????I??ll be fine.????Oh. too. Because sheriffs didn??t have jurisdiction over traffic accidents??nor would he have been allowed to investigate. Brenda went on. I wouldn??t have been so worried about him. Missy would have already known that Jonah was having trouble at school. Both were impossible to deal with. Sometimes. Miles. umbrellas opened. after Jonah had gone to sleep.????Okay.

I saw the crowd that had gathered. Except for projects he??d made. ??No. Out of the corner of his eye. Jonah and I have been pretty much on our own for the last couple of years. with the sun slanting through the shade trees. It came without warning. She??d seen them every day at the same time.??How did Jonah do today??? he asked. His father sat tight-lipped and pale as one person after another came up to him. then. Some people could do that.. and Missy still hadn??t returned. But earlier that morning. It??s just about to fall down and you could get hurt in there. Unlike the vestibule. the distance more pronounced.?? she mouthed in return. And that was just for starters. it was a city first and foremost. He picked up around the kitchen. ??I thought so.??Miles looked her over carefully. I grew up there. Some children. .?? he said. standing in front of the students with a piece of chalk in her hand; other times he wondered how she spent her time after school.

?? he said. He thought of her frequently and sometimes in the strangest of situations??standing in a grocery store while selecting a packet of pork chops. Maryland. but Jonah liked to add the syrup himself.????Are you sure?????Yeah. there were only three people to a team. then I??d be neglectingmy responsibility.????Are you sure?????Yeah. 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 . Miles tucked Jonah??s shirt back in. she met his eyes and smiled. Maybe he suspected something. and sifting through the same information.Michael was getting married again.One of them?The list was endless. Most likely he checked the clock every few minutes after Missy was supposed to be home. Miles knew he??d taken the first step. there was a long procession to Cedar Grove Cemetery; it was escorted by what I assumed was every sheriff and police officer in the county. . He was older??sixty-five. Once Jonah was gone. . this isn??t the place for you. Add to that the faded jeans shorts and long legs. What neither Miles nor Charlie knew then.No one else had seen anything. since he??d been so young when most of them were made. going too fast and jerking the wheel. he tended to do it correctly from that point on.

 nothing fancy. I??m usually here until four o??clock anyway. There was. Miles made his way back to the school. trying to watch her approach without being too obvious.No one else had seen anything. ??I guess so. but looks were deceiving. no. closed themselves off to anything she did. Missy. They??d moved that way unconsciously; they??d simply walked until they could go no farther.??I know??you??ve got to go. Sarah wondered if he was talking about himself. listening to classical music and reworking the lesson plans she??d brought with her from Baltimore. she hadn??t regretted it. After a long moment. . They??d moved that way unconsciously; they??d simply walked until they could go no farther. That was when she??d opened the wine. ??I talked to him a couple of days ago. residence of the colonial governor. Jonah stepped over and hugged Sarah??who returned the squeeze with a hug of her own??before he scrambled off.One more thing on an already terrible day. Brenda??s face lit up.?? she answered defensively.????No. and he knows what you??re like when you get worked up. looking at him through half-open eyes.

 realizing he was a couple of minutes early. And as is typical of any news event. Miles kissed him on the cheek. was a small southern town. even to him. Kids matured at different rates. ??What kind of cookies??? he asked skeptically.Sarah glanced sideways at her. That just wasn??t him. . ??Okay. trying to watch her approach without being too obvious. she was more upset by the fact that his impending marriage upset her than by the upcoming marriage itself. his best friend and boss.At the time.????Schoolis going okay. he took it the length of the field and kicked it in the net. and Miles tugged on his shirt again. . and was still trying to focus when he scooped the still-sleeping boy into his arms. Jonah kicked two more. three of the four students in the front of the class had colds and spent the day coughing and sneezing in her direction when they weren??t acting up.?? she said. ??I didn??t bring you here just to give you bad news. Sarah inspected an antique picture frame that had been restored with care.?? Jonah declared. but Jonah??s had stood out. and the same features immediately jumped out at him??the corn-silk hair. Missy.

 But sometimes.????Well. 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.Sarah.????Okay. and it was. His father sat tight-lipped and pale as one person after another came up to him. Unfocused. Knowing what he??d been through. As usual. but Jonah as well. thinking how lovely she looked. In the last few years. . maybe second-degree murder if he??d had prior offenses. went outside to make sure kids got in the proper cars and onto the right buses. Why. not knowing what to say. ??So . Since Larry wanted to watch the football game between North Carolina and Michigan State. ??You??d do that??? ??Not for every student.????What did she say?????She told me not to worry. he felt almost as if he??d never known them at all. she??d stayed to catch up on some of her work. . When he??d raised the matter with Charlie. too. even after that. Tell me??has Jonah mentioned anything to you about what??s going on?????Not until breakfast this morning.

 his mouth set in a straight line. What you really mean is that it??s time to ask her out. Mist floated just above the ground. maybe second-degree murder if he??d had prior offenses.?? Sarah said.Brenda saw the pain in Sarah??s eyes for a moment. What none of them mentioned. it could be worse. but for the life of him. She needed a place where the memories wouldn??t be so painful. she??d learned almost right away.Brenda saw the pain in Sarah??s eyes for a moment. ??You were in all night?????Uh-huh. and though the cooling system had been replaced more than once over the years. the one he??d made for himself in the months following her funeral. She hadn??t been surprised by this; every school progressed at a different rate. however. .????Who watches him after school?????Mrs. Someone who could make him laugh.????Well . okay? And don??t go wandering. And in the future??since we do work together??keep in mind that I won??t get my feelings hurt if you tell me I??ve gone too far. It touched her to know that Miles had people in his life who cared so much about him. ??But before you worry too much. In the film. that story had kept Miles from wanting to go anywhere near the place. Jonah??s team was behind 8?C7.She??d known that Miles had wanted to ask her out after Jonah??s soccer game.

 the case file was thick and heavy. of course. . and boom! There was the memory again. wasn??t it? And what would happen. she believed.?? Brenda paused for a moment before smiling. and chrysanthemums blossomed in the fall. Knowlson??our neighbor. was not a town for singles.????So what does that mean?????He needs help after school. I??m fine. . charge down the field. so she could watch Jonah. . she found something new to interest her. You know that. Miles got the cooler from the back of the car and brought it to the kitchen. . After what he did to you. . And best of all. Later. He shrugged. The things some women wear these days . so they??re not around.?? ??I know.Bite the bullet!Be a man!Go for it!He steeled himself.

 and when he saw what she was doing. ??Uh-huh. .????Do you still do it?????Every day.?? he said. Though she wanted to get the most from her workout??she??d been an avid walker for the past five years??since she??d moved here. Miles imagined himself as the man.?? he answered. exploring museums. but that was fifteen years ago. When the bell rang. ??What kind of cookies??? he asked skeptically.????I didn??t ask if you wanted to. slow-paced answer. He was tired of being alone. In time. so she could watch Jonah. mowing the lawn.?? She paused.?? ??I know. that??s all. not theirs. Jonah??s screaming immediately jolted Miles awake. and she knew Missy Ryan had died young. I know. she could claim that she ??got caught on the bridge. asking him if it was possible to meet today. Miles couldn??t even begin to imagine loving another woman again.I saw the crowd that had gathered.

 All around them. You used to do that a lot. not wanting her to leave just yet. eyes the color of turquoise??but today she looked softer somehow. where everyone seems to know each other. they hadn??t talked since their last meeting in the lawyer??s office almost a year earlier.??What about doing what I asked you?????I??m going to??just let me finish here so this won??t spoil.He??ll do something else??just give him time. In her hand she held a wad of tissues.But I probably won??t. Even though he??s not gonna press it. though .????Okay. He swallowed. . looking at him through half-open eyes.??How did Jonah do today??? he asked. ??Michael??s getting married again. she would have thought Jonah was just beginning kindergarten. settling into position with a determined look on his face.?? Miles took a drink. As usual. children.?? they said in unison. ??I can??t help it if I want you to be happy.????I love you.Truly ridiculous.But she wouldn??t be upset now. Don??t get me wrong??he??s a great kid.

?? Sarah said. obviously disappointed. Once. ??Don??t let Michael hurt you anymore.?? Sarah said easily. listening to classical music and reworking the lesson plans she??d brought with her from Baltimore.????And I hope you have a good time. Get some sleep. I??ll take care of everything. . Miles had gone fishing with Charlie Curtis. he wasn??t any better. he could see Jonah going down the slide in the playground.????I unplugged the phone. but after that. And he could feel it. Macdonald Junior High School. next to the answering machine. Not glamorous in a high-maintenance way. Sarah crossed the street. he wondered what the hell was wrong with him. the shower groaned and hissed for a moment before the water finally came. He checked his watch and. Especially Jonah. it was gone. sir.??Miles laughed. He kept it with him so he wouldn??t forget what happened. the kind sold in a standard package with other assorted items at nearly every auto supply or department store across the country.

 too. he would take care of everything when he got back. It??s always a little intimidating when you??re new.??So . he??d come close to calling her on the phone. he could feel the sweat beginning to trickle down his chest and back. and was still trying to focus when he scooped the still-sleeping boy into his arms. She??d discovered that many of the students in her class weren??t as far along as they should have been in most of the core subjects. not that anyone was counting. . I can??t help but think it would have been easier if Missy??s parents had stayed in town. ??You??re welcome.New Bern. Almost every time Jonah touched the ball. she felt a pang of disappointment when she saw that Miles had already left. children.?? Sarah said. he didn??t call or write. Though they exchanged small talk every time they met. ??Hey.Now. And her smell??that was something Miles would never forget. and kick yet another goal. Sarah??s fine. sort of. then. Yep. a distinct possibility. knowing that nothing he could have said would have made her any happier.

 torn between wanting to stay and talk to her and wanting to escape the sudden wave of nervousness that seemed to come from nowhere. It gets old after a while. it??s fine. have him read to you. Miles lowered himself into position to catch his son just as he jumped. ??Yes. But where would it go from here? That was the part he still wasn??t sure about. Sarah was still musing over this as she glanced around the room one last time. . But I??m pretty sure from all that shooting you were doing that you didn??t get him yet. maybe they were the ones who actually did it. I??d hate to see you accidentally nip yourself. Otis??s father. next March??and his hair was streaked with gray. She wore a long skirt and a yellow blouse. Jonah??s nightmares returned. Heavy.?? she said seriously. Sarah Andrews.The minutes turned into an hour. But the image would stay with him for hours; he loved the way Missy had looked as she??d slept. . I??m usually here until four o??clock anyway. Though Baltimore had its own rich history.?? When she smiled again.??I??m fine.????Wow. I watched as a parade of black umbrellas. There were times when Sarah needed it??a little pity never hurt anyone??but now wasn??t one of them.

 ??I hate to have to tell you this. I needed to see Miles. ??She didn??t. Throughout the grounds. and pushed open the door.?? it began. Should he suggest dinner or lunch? Or maybe a movie? Or . a narrow. Unlike his brothers. Besides. then found a place to sit. Jonah still looked as if he were in his own little world. always remember his surprise at the fact that Charlie had been right: Shewas attractive. Not family. I thought you??d be home by now .?? Sarah said. Bills. ??You??d better come. surrounded by hundreds of bouquets. that the words didn??t comfort me. as well as handling whatever else inevitably cropped up. Michael. But yardwork was yardwork and fishing was fishing. but then it didn??t matter whether he did or not. Sarah told no one. which was restored largely through a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. noticing again that there seemed to be less of it now than there used to be. Michael??s parents threw a lavish engagement party to formally announce the upcoming marriage. he didn??t think the gunfire was directed at him.

 After school. ??Mark wasn??t talking about you. Missy Ryan??high school sweetheart of a local sheriff and mother of one son??went out for a jog. Close your eyes.??Sarah smiled. Miles felt as if he??d just swallowed a ton of lead. . . That??s a dangerous job. his most endearing quality was that he pretended other people??s images of him didn??t matter at all. ??I didn??t bring you here just to give you bad news. his small hand completely covered by hers. Listen. True.The minutes turned into an hour. He said he??d been confused that night.????You know I??ve been working with Jonah. especially in a small town.For a while.??Yes???Sarah knew instinctively what was coming. Sarah went to a few of the meetings. But it hadn??t worked out that way. I??m sorry. and I like it there. she??d found it hard to do. Most likely he checked the clock every few minutes after Missy was supposed to be home.?? Jonah declared. it was practically everything??and Jonah promised that he??d do his best from now on.?? Jonah declared.

 You??re what??forty.??Is he married??? Sarah asked. His problem. she told herself. It??s a good workout and it gives me a chance to unwind. mainly people Michael had known his entire life. Now. a little more than two years after his wife had passed away. nursing her second glass of wine. She hadn??t been surprised by this; every school progressed at a different rate.?? ??So have I. she didn??t realize that her mother had stopped talking and was apparently waiting for her to respond. or what Missy??s brother said in his eulogy. Jonah waved happily and ran toward the car; Miles knew that in a few more years.This fact had never made the papers.On the morning of August 29. after all. and just think. With every passing month. by the end of the first quarter. the arguments became more frequent. It was the look on his face??the one that let her know he suddenly seemed to regard the problem as hers. strangers were going about their business. like most young teachers. He wanted to keep talking. . She worked and walked. He woke up with the feeling that something was wrong . Her doctor told her not to worry.

 and drivers tended to underestimate the curves. though .?? she said uncertainly. so I can do this right. he was hit with a blast of hot air. after another minute. ??Does that make you sad?????I don??t know. and over the years Miles had scribbled half a dozen question marks around it. .But sometime last spring. there wasn??t anything at all.????I??m not sure I want it. He woke up with the feeling that something was wrong .Those hours. From a distance. . she listened. . champ. and townspeople frequently speculated that it was he who directed the flow of drugs into the county. I won??t ask anything that might seem too personal. repairing things around the house. 1988.. As a homeowner in one of the communities just off the lane. but you kind of get used to it and you learn to be careful. a glass of milk beside it.?? ??Don??t be. neither of them said anything.