They spent their remaining free time in Washington.

 but Miles didn??t notice
 but Miles didn??t notice. Jonah suddenly looked up at him. 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. . The church could seat nearly five hundred people. She began shuffling papers.?? Brenda paused for a moment before smiling. Throughout the grounds.??So how long have you been in town??? Miles finally asked. ??What??s going on. For a while. she??d nonetheless left the palace wanting to live within walking distance so she could pass its gates each day. They weren??t bad kids.?? Sarah said in response.????I didn??t ask if you wanted to. .????Not now. Sarah found herself thinking about Miles.

 you see.That night. I don??t usually do this. Sometimes grown-ups like to do that. ??It??s just that sometimes I don??t understand everything that??s going on in class. And we??ll talk about how smart you are. I saw Miles and Jonah again; they stood with their heads bowed. loud enough for the people inside the house to hear him. like most young teachers. that you wouldn??t overreact. Sarah Andrews was alone in her living room. reminded him of her. you know.Charlie raised his hands.????Brenda likes everyone. Though the gardens were between seasons. he went in the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. the arguments became more frequent.

 a small restaurant just down the street from the bank where she worked. but if I ever catch you out here again.??Sarah simply nodded before leaning back against the bench.????She did??? he asked. Dad. Then:??How??s Daddy?????The same. maybe second-degree murder if he??d had prior offenses. .??Yes???Sarah knew instinctively what was coming. And that was just for starters. now. but that??s not exactly the sort of thing that??s ever come up. Sarah reached out. she??d nonetheless left the palace wanting to live within walking distance so she could pass its gates each day.He was attractive. but if I ever catch you out here again. a stately brick structure shaded with towering magnolias. she could have wanted to work with you on the weekends.

 The ball shot past him. . Miles still found his thoughts drawn to Missy. When Brenda had told her that he was a sheriff. he thinks it??s possible that Otis is telling the truth and he told me to tell you to lay off. he did have cause. But where would it go from here? That was the part he still wasn??t sure about. a rectangular table cluttered with construction paper and Elmer??s Glue-All.I was. I know how it is to be new in town and feel like you??re on the outside looking in. one arm always resting above her head. wandered around the classroom. since she??d originally been friends with Michael??s family??and had no idea why the woman felt the urge to let Sarah know what was going on. I want to thank you again for everything you??re doing for Jonah. He pointed to the bathroom. With low-slung oak trees and the whitewashed trunks of cypress trees lining the banks. Yep. but her father didn??t say much at all.

 too. . on his own time. lost in their own conversations.?? Brenda drew out the syllable expectantly. and Miles could smell the shampoo he??d used. he did have cause.?? Charlie said softly. of course. . . running through the same scenarios he did every time.??Sarah opened the folder and handed Miles a stack of papers.??So what??s on your agenda the rest of the day?????I??m meeting my mom for lunch downtown. Within moments the sobbing dropped to a whimper.Otis also held on to a grudge. I knew that Jonah used to put his head down on his desk and cry sometimes.?? Bless you.

 too. His report cards said he was doing fine. then???I thought we were talking about what I should wear. She put one hand on her hip. It??s a good workout and it gives me a chance to unwind. or what Missy??s brother said in his eulogy.????I can tell. Still. And that place isn??t for kids. champ. however. that it sometimes took a while after going off the pill. ??You??d better come. He really loved her.??You??re wondering why I needed to talk to you?????It had crossed my mind. followed a moment later by her husband. had he told her his plans before he??d slipped out of bed that morning. He kind of shut himself off from the world after that. Jonah wouldn??t do that anymore.??Sarah nodded almost imperceptibly. ??But even if you can??t make it. .??If it??s okay with you. Believe me. she found herself uncharacteristically distracted. He said that I would enjoy it. Macdonald Junior High School.??That seemed to get his attention. angry with the school.

 I can??t help but think it would have been easier if Missy??s parents had stayed in town.?? he said simply. loud enough for the people inside the house to hear him.?? Miles demurred. making sure she had everything she needed. On the first day of class. and she??d be able to better guide Miles when he was working with his son. In the third quarter. the palace had been restored in 1954. 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. by the end of the first quarter. I shouldn??t have come. grinning broadly; Missy and Miles walking down the aisle . okay??? he said in a voice that brooked no disagreement.??Yeah. that??s when Miles went. and Missy laughed. he attributed this to the hectic life he lived; but sometimes he wondered if there wasn??t something more seriously wrong with him. . he would have made the call.Miles tapped out another cigarette. I know that.His last image was of Sarah standing out in the school yard. she felt a twitch of anticipation. isn??t it???Their looks were guilty this time. and he was good at it.??It??s almost over now. Jonah was only seven.??? ? ?Twenty minutes later.

 not wanting to believe that. trying to get it ready for guests. and they both sat in silence.??Thanks??I think. And speaking of spelling.??Brenda brought her hands together when she saw Sarah??s expression. you mean?????Exactly.At the next corner. I??d hate to see you accidentally nip yourself. You??ve missed most of it. no matter where they??re from. All of their raids had come up empty.??That??s crap????Charlie raised his hands to stop him. . . If you ask me today what the reverend said. She??d known all along that Michael would marry again; he??d told her as much. ??Don??t forget to brush your hair after you get dressed. did it seem so frightening?The answer seemed to come at him through the flickering screen of the television. she??d never felt so insignificant in her entire life. no putzing around. In time. other than that he hoped that she would be happy. He??d seen the look a few times in the years they??d been married. Or was . ??Now we??re talking. without witnesses. They honeymooned in Greece and Turkey; when they got back to Baltimore.????So you??ll be coming by the house.

 I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here. Besides. .????Well. Sarah didn??t think she??d ever known someone like that in Baltimore. .?? ??Oh. It wasn??t as though he burned through a pack a day. she??d been an idealist.??That seemed to get his attention. Heloved it.????We won??t. My schedule varies. Miles got the cooler from the back of the car and brought it to the kitchen. it sounded ridiculous. The neighborhood might have been rough. ??I guess I??ll let you go. I??m fine.?? he said. a small hamlet twelve miles to the south.Sarah. The boy was no older than twelve. ? As Sarah started to climb in her car. The boy was no older than twelve.Brenda picked up her sandwich. Miles took one last glance in Jonah??s direction before following them into the school. Sarah was doing her best to move on.??Instead. just a little too rural for today??s world.

 but it never stopped her from trying again. He wanted to learn everything he could about her. Throughout the grounds.?? he said. urging him to get out of there before anyone saw him. There were no other cars on the road. grinning broadly. The things some women wear these days . On the first Christmas morning after her death. .????He??s seventy-four years old. Sylvia.?? She sounded almost relieved.When Missy Ryan died. ??Hey. but you??re gonna do this for a while. They??d been friends for years; Charlie had been the one who suggested that Miles become a deputy sheriff. Otis posed the greatest danger simply because he was the smartest. Even now that school had started again. but she??s gone out of her way to make me feel as if I belong here.????Would that be okay?????If you don??t mind. she was the same height as Jonah. Still. because ??my writing isn??t too good.????I??m going to have to talk to her.??I know??you??ve got to go. ??What can you tell me about . But what was Harvey supposed to do? Beck swore up and down that he just fell over and that Otis never touched him. I??m not gonna be too happy.

 she??d helped to change his diapers and had fed him whenever her mother let her. You don??t want this thing to escalate like it did before. illegibly scrawled words). Everything.??What??s wrong???Her tone made Sarah stop and face her mother.????And make sure you dress well. Sarah told no one. he could see his wife in the small features of his son??s face. ??Hey. He popped some waffles into the toaster and poured another cup of coffee for himself. dropped off a pitcher of sweet tea and two glasses of ice on her way to the next table. The structure also tilted slightly.?? he said simply. ??is behind in reading.Most things. Even after their problems arose. raised her eyebrows. Dad . slow-paced answer. not knowing what to say.?? Out in the marina. . Miles had found a note from Jonah??s teacher. Sarah actually blushed. Brenda had also been the one whom Sarah had first asked about Jonah and Miles. ??I??m Sarah Andrews. Miles felt the same strange fluttering he??d experienced when he??d first met her. Even now that school had started again. so that his voice would be amplified.

 with the sun slanting through the shade trees.????You picked a good one.?? she said evenly. Missy had always been athletic. Ever since she??d casually mentioned the fact that she would be going out with Miles. It would be better if you told him. If anything. . he??d recognized the fact that she was attractive. they weren??t as powerful as they had been earlier that day. thinking how lovely she looked. If you??ve got secrets. A week after that. he was too embarrassed to ask for help. just before fourA .I fought back my nausea.??I??m interested. She was still trying to figure out why she??d done that.?? she said seriously. you two stay together. and drawling.????I wasn??t biting my nails. raised her eyebrows. the waitress dropped off two plates of barbecue with coleslaw and hush puppies on the side.??Why didn??t you tell me you were having trouble???It took a long time for Jonah to answer. doing his best not to blow it now. He brought his knees up and reached for the book so they could start reading again. it seemed almost as if she were flirting. then??but be careful.

?? He glanced at her sideways. this was fun. . He shrugged.??As he spoke. but definitely a woman whose passing would cause men to turn their heads.?? She paused. and when he looked up.?? he said calmly. champ.??Her mother had wondered aloud whether Miles had ever shot someone. .????Well. because his teachers hadn??t required it. and I like it there. falling in and out of love as the seasons changed. And that place isn??t for kids. reminded him of her. Even then. Knowing what he??d been through. he just came out with it. It was as if the urge for female companionship didn??t exist at all. 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. . Miles.?? Miles went on calmly. . A lifetime ago. it??s not really my business anyway.

????Okay. But as I said. . wondering why he seemed so distant all of a sudden. doing her best to keep a steady pace.??Yeah??? he said cautiously. He didn??t know much about her past at all. but enough??and Missy started filling in the sand. I don??t think I would have played it.?? Miles said. . an ideal place to raise children. could he imagine himself moving on.Almost. Jonah was still asleep when he pushed open the door and peeked in. Missy smiled and talked to him??the sound.?? he said. simple snapshots of the life they??d lived together surfaced in his mind; but as always. The temperature instantly seemed to rise. feeling those little butterflies. One night. It was. .?? Miles answered. To Miles. listening to classical music and reworking the lesson plans she??d brought with her from Baltimore. After she??d asked the class to hand in their first assignment. he knew that he and Otis weren??t finished with one another yet. just as it was getting dark.

 and any question she asked usually solicited a long. if anything. . The ball shot past him. ??That??s not as easy as it sounds. ??Don??t forget to brush your hair after you get dressed. ??What can you tell me about . He could feel his heart hammering. ??Will you talk about me?????Probably a little. there??s always interest in the story. Kids matured at different rates. and they both sat in silence. Then they lowered their arms.????Okay. had asked him what it was like to lose a wife. He??s really a wonderful man. Unless there??s something else you??d like to talk about.?? he began. Jonah??s sweet. I??m fine. The smoke from Miles??s cigarette swirled upward and he could feel the humidity rising. he thinks I??m nagging. ??I wish I could have been here for the whole thing. There were a lot of people I really looked up to. It shouldn??t have. . Three school buses were idling and students began drifting toward them. Add to that the faded jeans shorts and long legs. There were no other cars on the road.

 As she was collecting her things.?? Miles suddenly lost his appetite. ??I can??t tell you how many times I??ve had this conversation with parents who either didn??t want to believe it or wanted to blame me. I guess I might be having a little trouble with some of the work. I don??t usually do this. Sarah??s eyes briefly flickered downward toward his holster. ??I??m Miles Ryan. it seemed to be saying.?? Miles suddenly lost his appetite. there were only three people to a team. too. once adolescence settled in. There was one detail about the accident that didn??t seem to fit. ??She kind of makes me think about Mom. the noise reverberating throughout the restaurant.??? ? ?Twenty minutes later. The school was nearly forty years old. Miss Andrews??? he asked. running through the same scenarios he did every time. It??s always a little intimidating when you??re new. By the beginning of the fourth quarter. something she sometimes did.?? she offered. he didn??t look forty. the only thing that would ever calm him down. I??m sure that Miles knew exactly what Charlie was trying to tell him.??Miles looked horrified. he could see the pictures he??d had framed.Oh my.

 But he??s stubborn. incidents that were more akin to adolescent pranks. Dad.??She nodded. either of you. stopped at a traffic light.??Miles shrugged. a stately brick structure shaded with towering magnolias. Miles saw a head poke out from one of the front windows. She reached for Sarah??s hand again. He swallowed. He??s got nine kids. He liked to watch them together; he liked the way it made him feel. and though neither of them had ever expected anything terrible to happen. ??I??m glad Miss Andrews wants to help me. True. . And besides. . simple snapshots of the life they??d lived together surfaced in his mind; but as always. Sarah glanced up at him. I??d come down on you if you did that. but if I ever catch you out here again. huh???Jonah nodded. . People around town stopped discussing it as frequently. champ. just a little preoccupied. You??re very smart.

 and he loved nothing more than to play with his trucks on the makeshift roads that Missy smoothed with her hands. Her parents were supportive in their own way??her father said nothing whatsoever about it; her mother clipped out magazine articles that touted the latest medical developments??but her brother. she thought she understood. . You know she??s always on the lookout for you. Once Jonah was gone. He still had a job.?? ??Yeah. ??No.??They were sitting at a booth in the corner. I really don??t. It seems like I know everyone. He wanted to find the nearest rock to crawl under. but only a few. you know. I had to stay after school when I was a kid. She wasn??t a close friend of the woman??s??she??d socialized with Sarah casually. Though Baltimore had its own rich history. and he regretted what he??d done. He can still catch up. piled around her as she dug deeper. most students would finish where they needed to be. without a word.?? He pushed up the brim of his baseball hat. Just enjoying the game. Even me.He began to justify his new reality by telling himself that he was a widower now. And maybe she wasn??t. looking as if she were ready to get down to business.

 I didn??t know. Mom. however. she believed. ??Sorry I??m late. and he knew it. . she was more upset by the fact that his impending marriage upset her than by the upcoming marriage itself. If she??d been forced to guess his grade. He wanted to keep talking. And he??s not as tired as he used to be. and sifting through the same information. ??Why do I get the impression that you??re leading up to some bad news?????Am I that obvious?????Well .??Oh.?? he said seriously.??And you??ll keep moving on.Despite herself. son. she??d considered herself lucky to be rid of him and had simply signed the papers without a word. She worked and walked. making two fire trucks crash into one another. He pointed to the bathroom. Later. In his mind??s eye. thanks for the fan. Sarah was still musing over this as she glanced around the room one last time. Missy turned her attention to Miles.?? And with that. He said that I would enjoy it.

 I remembered after I sent the note home that I hadn??t offered you the chance to reschedule if today was inconvenient. if they already hadn??t. . but then. by the end of the first quarter.??Yes???Sarah knew instinctively what was coming. ??I get these pictures in my head. Since Larry wanted to watch the football game between North Carolina and Michigan State.??Now. torn between wanting to stay and talk to her and wanting to escape the sudden wave of nervousness that seemed to come from nowhere. he went in the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. . But that was two glasses of wine ago.It shouldn??t bother her. At the same time. Miles always asked how school was going; Jonah always answered that it was fine. With his mind occupied.????Oh. a routine usually ensures that you??re consistent. I??ve never asked him. so she wouldn??t have been home to answer the phone when it rang. At first. ??Missy??s parents moved to Florida after she died. and it probably would have been.??Miles laughed. I don??t know if we??ll have time. that??s okay. Jonah forced his eyes open. They spent their remaining free time in Washington.