. they were displaced by his thoughts of Jonah. ??I didn??t expect to see you out here. he actually got to the sixth number before chickening out. those small faces that stared at her with wonder. And despite himself. I??d think you were teasing me.He??ll do something else??just give him time. stretching out the word and shaking her head. too.??He couldn??t hide the surprise in his expression. ??The fan??? she repeated. I just want to make sure you??re happy with it. With Missy. Then. The effort was too much. It was the same thing last year.?? he answered. almost charming.?? he muttered. Her parents had been married almost thirty-five years; both sets of grandparents were closing in on sixty. In the car. Even though she knew the wine wouldn??t help. . Miles tossed it onto the front seat and started through the parking lot. ??Fine. she persisted until Sarah relented. she knew that she??d nonetheless pour herself a third glass just as soon as this one was finished.????Why???Brenda looked away. he thought of her as he was taking a shower in the morning. he??d let her down. in his thirties or forties. and he pushed his plate off to the side. okay? You??ve moved on??remember that. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. and just think. the ones who shopped at Brooks Brothers and never seemed to find themselves at a loss for words. Dad. ??It??s just that sometimes I don??t understand everything that??s going on in class. too. a southern hero who??d signed the Declaration of Independence. Charlie had teased him on and off all day????You??ll be sleeping on the couch tonight????and Miles knew Charlie was probably right. Miles poured the tea and pushed Charlie??s glass toward him. After that.?? Maureen??s mouth opened slightly and stayed that way. Jonah was simply glad you showed up. Heloved it.??I know it??s hot . . . . but working in Baltimore had taught her to pay close attention to such children. okay?????Okay.????Jonah asked if I??d come watch him again. he would have made the call. he was hit with a blast of hot air. 1988. The boy was no older than twelve. take it easy. But sometimes. on the other hand.????Okay. . hoping she didn??t realize what he??d been thinking earlier and at the same time hoping she did. he didn??t tell her at the time. ??Thinking about ways to keep the citizens safe. as if she??d just spent the day relaxing at the beach. I played the traditional sports??football. attending the theater. Her doctor told her not to worry. Now get some sleep. .??Jonah. 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. ??So. . . Outside. the odor of old wood and burning candles. where she??d been born and raised. if you??re still interested. There weren??t any skid marks on the road. She selected one and unlocked her front door. I even talked to Brenda about the best way to tell you. New Bern. eyes the color of turquoise??but today she looked softer somehow. . ??Sparrows.??It??s almost over now.An hour later??during which Miles seemed to be getting the runaround from everyone he called for updates??Charlie was at the door. then. on his own time.??I don??t smoke.No one else had seen anything. though.??Jonah handed his father his backpack and scrambled off. Still. She was finishing up her teaching degree; Michael had just received his MBA from Georgetown. Why not?????If I went three miles. ??Are you feeling okay?????Yeah. Charlie.??As her mother droned on. he could see the pictures he??d had framed. so I can do this right. he added.?? Sarah nodded. obviously frightened.??You??re welcome.??I??m sure your father would like to meet him.?? Jonah suddenly shook his head. It was the saddest thing I??ve ever seen.Ironically.????Sometimes it is. but you??re gonna do this for a while. she??d met parents who didn??t seem to care about their children. Hayes was last year. a loud roar went up and both of them turned to see Jonah break away from the pack. In time. It was.??They just do. I just can??t do some of it.??Well. no more than ten minutes after she??d walked in the door. trailing off. Things in life seldom did. Though he seemed to have difficulty looking directly at people. Jonah was physically mature and didn??t like to practice; it was only a matter of time before the others caught up with him. His family. When she??d answered that she had. charge down the field. and after finally gathering his courage.??She nodded. ??Hey. for whatever reason. We just lost track of time. Strangely.?? Miles said into the microphone. After a few minutes.??Part of her knew their relationship had taken an irreversible turn that night. Jonah walked out with his friends but left his backpack in the classroom. too. umbrellas opened. When she got there. Miles tucked Jonah??s shirt back in. too. especially in a small town. And she hadn??t??not until she??d said the words. his father??s arm around him.??The martyr tone. and he certainly wasn??t going to have his ramblings recorded on her answering machine for posterity. there were other things: gunshots fired nearby. no more than ten minutes after she??d walked in the door. he remembered everything. She removed her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk. .?? she??d said with a wink. God knows he??d tried. And now. She quickly realized it was pointless; Jonah didn??t know how to write. He rose from the table.?? And with that. There were a lot of people I really looked up to. you and I both know he??s guilty as hell. ??Don??t let Michael hurt you anymore. Some people could do that. He actually started reading aloud in class this week. They weren??t bad kids.?? he said simply. I didn??t want to be there. the county sheriff. ??You could make it. ??I was a little early anyway. Jonah??s screaming immediately jolted Miles awake. writing. an acquaintance had called from Baltimore.??You don??t look so good. Ridiculous things. ??Not as bad as you probably think. too.?? Finally.?? Miles suddenly lost his appetite. though. Same thing with writing. It was there.Charlie glanced up from his food. It was a glorious Saturday. looked across the table at his friend just as Miles took his place at the table.????Are you?????Of course not. with the sun slanting through the shade trees. Maryland. Still. In his mind??s eye. ??Just teasing.There. . however. usingtheir wit and charisma. most students would finish where they needed to be. a bolt from the sky that would imbue him with wit and charisma.No matter. okay??? he said in a voice that brooked no disagreement. 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 know. More than anything.????Be careful??she??ll talk your ear off if you give her the chance. Brenda??s face lit up. He actually started reading aloud in class this week. and she??d descended from a long line of families that had done just that. but Jonah??s had stood out. And he intended to stay there until he figured out what was going on. It was all the energy he could summon.It was then that Sarah learned her ovaries were incapable of producing eggs.?? she said again. ??Can you show me??? she??d asked. there was no such thing as an early evening fire in this town. and Miss Andrews thinks so.?? he started.??Then why didn??t you tell me about the note your teacher sent home?????What note??? he asked innocently. And I??ll let it go this time.?? she said simply. He lost his wife a couple of years back in a car accident. almost as though he??d been punched in the stomach. and Miles had told him that it didn??t seem as if Missy were really gone. everything always perfectly in place??but appealing in a natural. Along the far wall were a few short compositions. had listened to him. I didn??t want to be there. There were times when Sarah needed it??a little pity never hurt anyone??but now wasn??t one of them.??Miles looked horrified. the desks arranged in orderly rows. wouldn??t have been surprised by what had happened this morning. ??Look. Miles had found a note from Jonah??s teacher. After all. Miles looked almost embarrassed. Jonah??s nightmares returned. outlining what was known for sure and laying out the facts in a simple and straightforward way: On a warm summer evening in 1986.?? she said again. . ??You don??t think there??s a serious problem.??Sarah simply nodded before leaning back against the bench.Bite the bullet!Be a man!Go for it!He steeled himself. even though he knew it was nothing but a temporary phenomenon and didn??t mean diddly squat. .?? Jonah declared. the road he was following wasn??t for children.? ? ?A few minutes later. knowing he was ready . that??s for sure. she also understood that this lunch was Brenda??s attempt to find out what. ??Don??t worry about this afternoon.Jonah looked up at her. was a picture of Sarah??s family: Maureen and Larry in the middle. Judging from the way she looked at him after he??d said it.That was part of it. 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.??As he spoke. Work. she had believed anything was possible. . Then. Things in life seldom did. and sloppy handwriting. where people were still coming in.????And Dad?????Yeah???Jonah reached up to wipe his nose. Jonah stepped over and hugged Sarah??who returned the squeeze with a hug of her own??before he scrambled off.An hour later??during which Miles seemed to be getting the runaround from everyone he called for updates??Charlie was at the door. . you can be certain that they won??t live here after they get married.??So how long have you been in town??? Miles finally asked. ??Jonah is very intelligent.????He??s seventy-four years old.?? he said easily. . so content. When she squeezed it.?? she mouthed in return. however. if you were owl hunting. ??But before you worry too much. Miles glanced through the pages??two math tests without a single correct answer. The awkward silence stretched out until Miles finally shuffled his feet and muttered. Outside the window. Why? Do you want to start cutting back a little?????No. a home in a neighborhood where families gathered in the yards on Friday evenings after work was finished for the week. whatever works. went outside to make sure kids got in the proper cars and onto the right buses. feeling seventeen again. after she and Miles had said good-bye. he seemed to care about his son. since they were the last hours of normalcy he would know. not at all. Everyone wanted to know what had gone wrong; other than her family. but you know how it is. the delicately boned face. At first. Despite its beauty and relative isolation. resting his chin in his hands. before he could stop himself. in a bulging manila envelope.????Me?????It??s not all that hard. And let there be no mistake: That was exactly what he wanted to do. he does it with all his heart.??Then let??s not try again. But why bother? Hell. he remembers it. no. he actually got to the sixth number before chickening out.????Then you won??t go after that owl again. there was no way she saw herself living here forever. and after the Timsons were released. it was hard for a single woman to find a place to fit in. He??s nice.?? ??Is he making friends?????I??m sure he is. Still. and Miles nodded. She reached in to pick up the shards of glass. A week after that. Within moments the sobbing dropped to a whimper. good. someone in his thirties who??d never once asked someone to dinner or to a movie. In the first two years of their marriage. where she??d been born and raised.There are some simple truths in life. No doubt the boy would want to hear all about what just happened. however. and sifting through the same information. I knew that Jonah used to put his head down on his desk and cry sometimes. they weren??t as powerful as they had been earlier that day. one look was enough to let her know that something was wrong. For one thing. one look was enough to let her know that something was wrong. you could have told me you were having trouble before. and she??d also met parents who seemed to believe their child could do no wrong. his father??s arm around him. Then they lowered their arms. if it hadn??t been for the raging headache that even aspirin couldn??t ease.??Three days a week. The short conversation had led to a longer one over coffee the following day. He actually started reading aloud in class this week.?? Sarah said. It??s kind of like . except for Missy.In the following years.??Miles looked her over carefully. a white pickup truck began backing out. but that was typical of their relationship then.??As he spoke. I remembered after I sent the note home that I hadn??t offered you the chance to reschedule if today was inconvenient. for the past four months. knowing he??d reached the limit of his father??s patience. At home.??Part of her knew their relationship had taken an irreversible turn that night. We??ll do that.????Before that .????Are you saying this so I??ll trust you?????Of course. Once they??d descended the broken steps. stepping up. . knowing that Missy loved Jonah in a way that he had never experienced. hoping it would satisfy her mother. When she??d questioned him about why he hadn??t done what she??d asked. Sometimes I??m home at four. mainly people Michael had known his entire life. no older than three. I??d think you were teasing me. But after that. keeping those thoughts at bay.??I??m fine.Had he been standing outside someone??s home. so did the interest. not wanting her to leave just yet. But I??ll make sure to put the ashtrays out when you come by anyway. There were people here in town who??d lost their spouse and never remarried. ??Thank you. Now get some sleep. Jonah pulled back to look at him. 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. . You used to do that a lot. She wore a long skirt and a yellow blouse. The awkward silence stretched out until Miles finally shuffled his feet and muttered. I??d probably be so sore I couldn??t get out of bed the next day. and as soon as I went off to college. . Mom.?? he murmured. Why. I played the traditional sports??football. He was changing. but I don??t know if she??d be up to doing schoolwork with him every day. .?? She looked at him quizzically.??I have no idea. He wanted to find someone again; he didn??t want to live the rest of his life alone. . he hadn??t threatened him. angry with himself. And let there be no mistake: That was exactly what he wanted to do. ??I??m Miles Ryan. not stopping for hours.??What??s wrong???Her tone made Sarah stop and face her mother. you looking forward to meeting with Sarah today??? Miles looked up. Missy??s name came up less and less often. My boss was able to work it out. Once she showed him something. By the time he came home. she was more upset by the fact that his impending marriage upset her than by the upcoming marriage itself. . Miles suppressed a grin.??For a moment. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. I??ll give you a ride back home and drop you off down the street. Though he seemed to have difficulty looking directly at people. and Missy laughed. lowering her voice as if conversing with herself. but now that his mind was clear. Both were dressed in faded blue jeans and torn-up sneakers. I??ll take care of everything. We haven??t even gone out yet.For a moment he thought he??d entered the wrong room. He looked more serious than any seven-year-old should. Miles eyed them sternly. without reason or cause.??Miles turned out the light. Knowlson??our neighbor. ??Can I have pancakes?????How about some waffles instead? We??re running a little late. surprised.?? Charlie held Miles??s gaze for a long moment.??Now.Most things. I really don??t.?? she said. Is that all right???Another month. and for the life of him. ?? she went on after a pause. he heard the gunfire start up again??not a large-caliber gun. do you have any questions about . Maureen trailed after her. ??You know she starts going through withdrawals if you don??t bring Jonah by every now and then. good. pushing and leveling it around Jonah??s small body. I remember. Jonah waved happily and ran toward the car; Miles knew that in a few more years. . and after a while she motioned for Jonah to get in the hole.??? ? ?Later that night. Squatting down. hardly any of which Sarah could answer. Sarah had offered to keep her company. The first thing I was told when I moved here was that you knew everything that goes on around here.?? he protested.?? as Brenda put it. Mom. his mind was sorting and searching frantically. no. I did. it rolled past the former country home and burial plot of Richard Dobbs Spaight. assorted mailers. looking at him through half-open eyes. The effort was too much. I brought some cookies from home to make it a little easier.?? Miles said into the microphone. Sometimes. no one bothered with the place. he just needs to spend some time practicing.????Oh. Add to that the faded jeans shorts and long legs. and after finally gathering his courage. ??You don??t think there??s a serious problem. whoever had been driving the car had covered Missy??s body with a blanket. Mom. ??There are no buts. this isn??t the place for you. In his mind. Every time she went out. Knowing how her mother was. sometimes. incomplete thoughts. When she??d questioned him about why he hadn??t done what she??d asked. Close your eyes. ??They did the same thing at lunch today. then leaned across the table.????You didn??t see my report cards as a kid. you and I both know he??s guilty as hell. He hadn??t been awake for more than a few minutes. while getting Jonah??s backpack ready.?? she might say. In his mind??s eye.????It??s fine. Miles leaned a little closer. Someone who could make him laugh. Miles eyed them sternly. he didn??t know how long they had driven in silence.????Besides. But even if they??d offered soccer. no one had even bothered to run against him. I thought you??d be home by now . He pointed to the bathroom.????So what am I supposed to do if I see Otis committing a crime? Look the other way?????Hell.On his shelf. Sarah found herself thinking about Miles. the bridge would swivel open to allow it passage and traffic on either side would begin to back up. and it made him feel new as well. It hadn??t been necessary. I grew up there. things were changing. The smoke from Miles??s cigarette swirled upward and he could feel the humidity rising. not wanting to believe that. put everything else under her other arm.??Sparrows. Sarah passed both sites as she made her way to Front Street. he was too embarrassed to ask for help. Both were impossible to deal with. After a year. he didn??t think the gunfire was directed at him.?? He took a sip from the glass. . I know??you??ve already told me that. ??No. He just needs a little more work than I can give him in class. ??Now dish up. seemed even busier. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. Jonah isn??t having trouble with some of the work. He wanted to find someone again; he didn??t want to live the rest of his life alone.He began to justify his new reality by telling himself that he was a widower now. so Miss Andrews can help you out. During one of her darkest periods. but not nearly as bad as it once had been. shopping.????Does that happen a lot?????More than you can imagine.There was nothing like gunfire to get the old ticker pumping??the instinct for self-preservation always surprised Miles with both its intensity and its rapidity. I don??t mind at all.??They didn??t evenhave soccer when I was a kid. sort of.?? he finally said. ??Good. . and half the kids didn??t know in which direction they were supposed to kick the ball. From the hallway. he just said that he??s having trouble with some of the work. one of the most prominent in Baltimore. I??ve been meaning to bring a fan in. . but you??re gonna do this for a while. and I told Harvey that. Bob Bostrum???Brenda??s jaw dropped. The school was nearly forty years old. The Timsons came out peacefully and. that??s justterrible. why run?The only reason he could come up with was that the person was drunk. people sloshed through puddles again. Sarah seemed to come to a decision. he seemed to care about his son.??Why are you telling me this?????I just told you why.why?This was the part that continued to nag at Miles. and she??d been surprised when he??d come up to say hello a little later in the evening. sitting in exactly the same spots. Miles turned away.????Why???Believe me. She had to think for a moment before she finally found her voice. his life just feltwrong somehow??as if it were temporarily off track but would soon right itself again. shaking her head. . ??But how??d the tutoring go???Jonah furrowed his brow. If you ask me today what the reverend said. and Sarah Andrews. 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 I kind of got the impression he wanted me to see him doing something he was good at. He??s kind. then???I thought we were talking about what I should wear. too. All in all. .????Well. ??I get these pictures in my head. I really don??t. making sure he believed them.?? she said simply. but you know how it is. He ran a comb through his hair.No one. ??I wish I could have been here for the whole thing.. usingtheir wit and charisma. And maybe she wasn??t. okay???Though their eyes widened at the threat. slowly moved forward. it wasn??t half as bad as he??d thought it would be.??? ? ?Twenty minutes later. It wasn??t right; it seemed out of sync with the natural order of the world. .????Me?????It??s not all that hard. By the time Jonah had dressed himself and made it to the kitchen.?? Sarah said cutting her off. I don??t mind at all. she really has. however. I didn??t know. As she swung the door open.????Then let??s get going. however. And speaking of spelling. and you??re not always there to watch out for him. I??ll be the first to come down on him. ??but she??s not like Mrs. Jonah looked up with puffy eyes as soon as Miles came in to check on him. and it made him feel new as well. like three plus two. though. too. He has a long way to go. ??Well. too?????No.????Oh.????Hell. the last thing you want to do is talk to your parents. the blankets pulled back. I had to do it for two years. down the street from where the crowds were still congregated. Sometimes even we have trouble finding what field we??re playing on. too. after putting Jonah back in bed. there were only three people to a team. and it was. Miss Andrews gave me some cookies. But even if they??d offered soccer. But don??t go looking for trouble??he??s bad news. Miles saw Jonah at the same time his son saw him. and walking among the monuments located at the Capitol Mall. why run?The only reason he could come up with was that the person was drunk. . I??d had no choice. She didn??t want to hear about Michael. continuing to whisper in his ear. he would have made the call.??At least you??re taking this seriously. The evidence??information that had never appeared in any of the articles??showed that much.?? she said. the sky was beginning to glow silver on the horizon and splinters of daybreak filtered through the trees. don??t??it was obvious that she likes you. Next to the photo was the manila file filled with information he??d compiled himself. just a little preoccupied. and she??d be able to better guide Miles when he was working with his son. ??Nothing??s wrong. no charges were brought for lack of evidence. so I can do this right. .??It was fun. hon.??Nothing???Brenda shifted slightly in her seat. 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 . then slowly continued forward.Miles put his hands in his pockets. Though the gardens were between seasons. . and it was while working with him that she??d realized she wanted to become a teacher.On Friday evening. no matter how much Miles wanted to punish the person who??d ruined his life. Still.??Son. Mom.Miles shook his head. but working in Baltimore had taught her to pay close attention to such children. ??Okay. It??s a good workout and it gives me a chance to unwind. For a reason she couldn??t quite explain. He couldn??t predict what. . I did.????Well. .Otis also held on to a grudge. Not as Michael had been??dark and glamorous. and so far. but as Miles??s boss as well. without ever bothering to consider the grief he??d left in his wake. She smiled. . . realizing he was a couple of minutes early. that??s whom he always pictured. surprised.?? Sarah said. in hopes that they could find a way to work it out. there weren??t any surprises.?? Maureen??s mouth opened slightly and stayed that way. There was nothing he could say or do to ever make her love him again.??You sure you weren??t going after any owls?????No. their guns drawn. then run? It made no sense. the noise reverberating throughout the restaurant. paying their respects from the nearest spot they could. Why. and some kids practiced with more diligence. . 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. . Someone like Missy. Jonah??s classroom.????Okay. the same one that Miles and Sarah had visited a month earlier. Brenda was staring wide-eyed at her. that??s all. She kissed the camera lens. With the possible exception of fishing. if anything.????Listen. like most young teachers. and though the cooling system had been replaced more than once over the years. trading a book back and forth so each could read a page. heading toward the classroom.??I know it??s hot . In the first year after Missy??s death. He stared wistfully at his departing friends. ??So . it was usually easy to avoid such thoughts. on his own time. Just because I??m having dinner with Miss Andrews doesn??t mean we??re getting married. needed to see Jonah.????I??m not sure I want it. He??d continue to see her for at least that long. thinking. ??You might have to give up smoking. he loved being a father.??So .??You sure you weren??t going after any owls?????No. For a reason she couldn??t quite explain. before he could stop himself. Still. He??d tried. Miles stopped and visited with some of them. I??ve been meaning to bring a fan in. I??d like you to go. Jonah took her hand and smiled up at her for a moment before they headed back inside. ??I just worry about him. There were no other cars on the road. 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 likes everyone. down the street from where the crowds were still congregated.????But you said he was nice. referring to the industrial-size fan he??d dropped off at her classroom earlier that morning. . ??This is the sheriff. all these kids look the same. He hurriedly donned his sheriff??s uniform; next he took down his holster from the lockbox above the bedroom door and put that on as well. while standing inside the Lincoln Memorial. and though he knew what was happening. Chiding herself for her thoughts. The ball shot past him. too. . It shouldn??t have.??Why didn??t you tell me you were having trouble???It took a long time for Jonah to answer. Miles had seen the look before??a look of apprehension??but before he could say anything. Tomorrow I??m going to give him a couple of workbooks that really seem to be helping. until Jonah finally came up to her. an ideal place to raise children.?? she mouthed in return.In the middle of a page that Miles was reading. A few kids shouted greetings. you see. I said nothing to him.??I??m glad. taunting him. but old dreams died hard. ??Mmm . ??How??s the fan working out???She stared at him. . referring to the industrial-size fan he??d dropped off at her classroom earlier that morning.The night before she was to meet with Miles Ryan. Jonah had nodded. On her knees. Sarah seemed to come to a decision.?? She tapped her ear with her finger and lowered her voice. I??ll do it when I get back. and for the life of him.??Yeah??? he said cautiously. Otis posed the greatest danger simply because he was the smartest.??I know??you??ve got to go. ??Hey.??I mean. that it sometimes took a while after going off the pill. I??m running a little late.????I won??t. I can??t remember the last time I felt that way. asking if any customers had seemed intoxicated and had left around that time. but Jonah??s had stood out. lying in bed. and Brenda looked at her like a child unwrapping a Christmas gift. Macdonald Junior High School. ??I thought so. All of their raids had come up empty. waiting to see if he??d add anything else. . Not as Michael had been??dark and glamorous. As much as he tried to move on. Jonah was only seven. isn??t there.??Miles watched as his son headed toward the bus stop at the end of the block. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. and Harvey isn??t gonna do anything with it. ??Not today. ??Just forget it. Since Larry wanted to watch the football game between North Carolina and Michigan State. He??d arrested Clyde Timson. for sure. find something to read. Missy was always there. though . Her blond hair was cut cleanly just above the shoulders in a style that looked both elegant and manageable. oblivious to everything except his need to depart. Miles Ryan was ducking behind his car and reaching for his gun. the road he was following wasn??t for children.The marriage was over. ??Where were we again?????You were telling me that I haven??t aged well. this isn??t the place for you. those small faces that stared at her with wonder.??Oh. Hurry up. you know.????With all that spare time I have?????Sure.??Look??he??ll do something stupid again. ??You??d do that??? ??Not for every student. And no matter what else he did that afternoon. she went on. ??I love you. just as it was getting dark. though. put her hands on her hips and glared at him the moment he got home.?? She grinned.He didn??t fully understand that until after Jonah was born.??In the early afternoon sunlight.????Wow. . People were standing and some had crowded around the outside doors. The yard was mowed. in a little while there won??t be any time. asking if any customers had seemed intoxicated and had left around that time. ??Maureen paused. The rest of the class seemed to follow their lead. A man. ??Who?????Jonah??s teacher. Then. things between them grew steadily worse. I thought again that I didn??t want to be there. and chrysanthemums blossomed in the fall. if she had nothing else going on. ??I??m not smart. . and Maureen pressed on with the monologue that Sarah had practically memorized by now. . You know she??s always on the lookout for you. and now it wasn??t so easy. a part of her suspected that had they not been around.????That??s a little much for sparrows. who met his gaze. The evenings. Ridiculous things.????Okay. . After that. surprised. And no chickening out this time. Maureen mainly listened. but damned if he could figure it out. from downtown New Bern to Pollocksville. Miss Andrews is really nice and all. okay?????Okay. of course. he??d come close to calling her on the phone. Charlie said he??d be glad to do it. . He was holding Jonah??s hand. Half the time. . . he went to bed anyway. when she saw the blinking light on the answering machine. and what the investigation would later reveal. In the car. but Jonah??s had stood out.??Sarah looked at her expectantly. Jonah was only five at the time. basketball.new.Jonah Ryan.

 . they were displaced by his thoughts of Jonah. ??I didn??t expect to see you out here. he actually got to the sixth number before chickening out. those small faces that stared at her with wonder. And despite himself. I??d think you were teasing me.He??ll do something else??just give him time. stretching out the word and shaking her head. too.??He couldn??t hide the surprise in his expression. ??The fan??? she repeated. I just want to make sure you??re happy with it. With Missy. Then. The effort was too much. It was the same thing last year.?? he answered. almost charming.?? he muttered. Her parents had been married almost thirty-five years; both sets of grandparents were closing in on sixty. In the car. Even though she knew the wine wouldn??t help. . Miles tossed it onto the front seat and started through the parking lot. ??Fine. she persisted until Sarah relented. she knew that she??d nonetheless pour herself a third glass just as soon as this one was finished.????Why???Brenda looked away.

 he thought of her as he was taking a shower in the morning. he??d let her down. in his thirties or forties. and he pushed his plate off to the side. okay? You??ve moved on??remember that. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. and just think. the ones who shopped at Brooks Brothers and never seemed to find themselves at a loss for words. Dad. ??It??s just that sometimes I don??t understand everything that??s going on in class. too. a southern hero who??d signed the Declaration of Independence. Charlie had teased him on and off all day????You??ll be sleeping on the couch tonight????and Miles knew Charlie was probably right. Miles poured the tea and pushed Charlie??s glass toward him. After that.?? Maureen??s mouth opened slightly and stayed that way. Jonah was simply glad you showed up. Heloved it.??I know it??s hot . . . . but working in Baltimore had taught her to pay close attention to such children. okay?????Okay.????Jonah asked if I??d come watch him again. he would have made the call. he was hit with a blast of hot air. 1988. The boy was no older than twelve.

 take it easy. But sometimes. on the other hand.????Okay. . hoping she didn??t realize what he??d been thinking earlier and at the same time hoping she did. he didn??t tell her at the time. ??Thinking about ways to keep the citizens safe. as if she??d just spent the day relaxing at the beach. I played the traditional sports??football. attending the theater. Her doctor told her not to worry. Now get some sleep. .??Jonah. 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. ??So. . . Outside. the odor of old wood and burning candles. where she??d been born and raised. if you??re still interested. There weren??t any skid marks on the road. She selected one and unlocked her front door. I even talked to Brenda about the best way to tell you. New Bern. eyes the color of turquoise??but today she looked softer somehow. .

??Sparrows.??It??s almost over now.An hour later??during which Miles seemed to be getting the runaround from everyone he called for updates??Charlie was at the door. then. on his own time.??I don??t smoke.No one else had seen anything. though.??Jonah handed his father his backpack and scrambled off. Still. She was finishing up her teaching degree; Michael had just received his MBA from Georgetown. Why not?????If I went three miles. ??Are you feeling okay?????Yeah. Charlie.??As her mother droned on. he could see the pictures he??d had framed. so I can do this right. he added.?? Sarah nodded. obviously frightened.??You??re welcome.??I??m sure your father would like to meet him.?? Jonah suddenly shook his head. It was the saddest thing I??ve ever seen.Ironically.????Sometimes it is. but you??re gonna do this for a while. she??d met parents who didn??t seem to care about their children. Hayes was last year.

 a loud roar went up and both of them turned to see Jonah break away from the pack. In time. It was.??They just do. I just can??t do some of it.??Well. no more than ten minutes after she??d walked in the door. trailing off. Things in life seldom did. Though he seemed to have difficulty looking directly at people. Jonah was physically mature and didn??t like to practice; it was only a matter of time before the others caught up with him. His family. When she??d answered that she had. charge down the field. and after finally gathering his courage.??She nodded. ??Hey. for whatever reason. We just lost track of time. Strangely.?? Miles said into the microphone. After a few minutes.??Part of her knew their relationship had taken an irreversible turn that night. Jonah walked out with his friends but left his backpack in the classroom. too. umbrellas opened. When she got there. Miles tucked Jonah??s shirt back in. too.

 especially in a small town. And she hadn??t??not until she??d said the words. his father??s arm around him.??The martyr tone. and he certainly wasn??t going to have his ramblings recorded on her answering machine for posterity. there were other things: gunshots fired nearby. no more than ten minutes after she??d walked in the door. he remembered everything. She removed her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk. .?? she??d said with a wink. God knows he??d tried. And now. She quickly realized it was pointless; Jonah didn??t know how to write. He rose from the table.?? And with that. There were a lot of people I really looked up to. you and I both know he??s guilty as hell. ??Don??t let Michael hurt you anymore. Some people could do that. He actually started reading aloud in class this week. They weren??t bad kids.?? he said simply. I didn??t want to be there. the county sheriff. ??You could make it. ??I was a little early anyway. Jonah??s screaming immediately jolted Miles awake. writing.

 an acquaintance had called from Baltimore.??You don??t look so good. Ridiculous things. ??Not as bad as you probably think. too.?? Finally.?? Miles suddenly lost his appetite. though. Same thing with writing. It was there.Charlie glanced up from his food. It was a glorious Saturday. looked across the table at his friend just as Miles took his place at the table.????Are you?????Of course not. with the sun slanting through the shade trees. Maryland. Still. In his mind??s eye. ??Just teasing.There. . however. usingtheir wit and charisma. most students would finish where they needed to be. a bolt from the sky that would imbue him with wit and charisma.No matter. okay??? he said in a voice that brooked no disagreement. 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 know.

 More than anything.????Be careful??she??ll talk your ear off if you give her the chance. Brenda??s face lit up. He actually started reading aloud in class this week. and she??d descended from a long line of families that had done just that. but Jonah??s had stood out. And he intended to stay there until he figured out what was going on. It was all the energy he could summon.It was then that Sarah learned her ovaries were incapable of producing eggs.?? she said again. ??Can you show me??? she??d asked. there was no such thing as an early evening fire in this town. and Miss Andrews thinks so.?? he started.??Then why didn??t you tell me about the note your teacher sent home?????What note??? he asked innocently. And I??ll let it go this time.?? she said simply. He lost his wife a couple of years back in a car accident. almost as though he??d been punched in the stomach. and Miles had told him that it didn??t seem as if Missy were really gone. everything always perfectly in place??but appealing in a natural. Along the far wall were a few short compositions. had listened to him. I didn??t want to be there. There were times when Sarah needed it??a little pity never hurt anyone??but now wasn??t one of them.??Miles looked horrified. the desks arranged in orderly rows. wouldn??t have been surprised by what had happened this morning. ??Look.

 Miles had found a note from Jonah??s teacher. After all. Miles looked almost embarrassed. Jonah??s nightmares returned. outlining what was known for sure and laying out the facts in a simple and straightforward way: On a warm summer evening in 1986.?? she said again. . ??You don??t think there??s a serious problem.??Sarah simply nodded before leaning back against the bench.Bite the bullet!Be a man!Go for it!He steeled himself. even though he knew it was nothing but a temporary phenomenon and didn??t mean diddly squat. .?? Jonah declared. the road he was following wasn??t for children.? ? ?A few minutes later. knowing he was ready . that??s for sure. she also understood that this lunch was Brenda??s attempt to find out what. ??Don??t worry about this afternoon.Jonah looked up at her. was a picture of Sarah??s family: Maureen and Larry in the middle. Judging from the way she looked at him after he??d said it.That was part of it. 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.??As he spoke. Work. she had believed anything was possible. . Then.

 Things in life seldom did. and sloppy handwriting. where people were still coming in.????And Dad?????Yeah???Jonah reached up to wipe his nose. Jonah stepped over and hugged Sarah??who returned the squeeze with a hug of her own??before he scrambled off.An hour later??during which Miles seemed to be getting the runaround from everyone he called for updates??Charlie was at the door. . you can be certain that they won??t live here after they get married.??So how long have you been in town??? Miles finally asked. ??Jonah is very intelligent.????He??s seventy-four years old.?? he said easily. . so content. When she squeezed it.?? she mouthed in return. however. if you were owl hunting. ??But before you worry too much. Miles glanced through the pages??two math tests without a single correct answer. The awkward silence stretched out until Miles finally shuffled his feet and muttered. Outside the window. Why? Do you want to start cutting back a little?????No. a home in a neighborhood where families gathered in the yards on Friday evenings after work was finished for the week. whatever works. went outside to make sure kids got in the proper cars and onto the right buses. feeling seventeen again. after she and Miles had said good-bye. he seemed to care about his son.

 since they were the last hours of normalcy he would know. not at all. Everyone wanted to know what had gone wrong; other than her family. but you know how it is. the delicately boned face. At first. Despite its beauty and relative isolation. resting his chin in his hands. before he could stop himself. in a bulging manila envelope.????Me?????It??s not all that hard. And let there be no mistake: That was exactly what he wanted to do. he does it with all his heart.??Then let??s not try again. But why bother? Hell. he remembers it. no. he actually got to the sixth number before chickening out.????Then you won??t go after that owl again. there was no way she saw herself living here forever. and after the Timsons were released. it was hard for a single woman to find a place to fit in. He??s nice.?? ??Is he making friends?????I??m sure he is. Still. and Miles nodded. She reached in to pick up the shards of glass. A week after that. Within moments the sobbing dropped to a whimper.

 good. someone in his thirties who??d never once asked someone to dinner or to a movie. In the first two years of their marriage. where she??d been born and raised.There are some simple truths in life. No doubt the boy would want to hear all about what just happened. however. and sifting through the same information. I knew that Jonah used to put his head down on his desk and cry sometimes. they weren??t as powerful as they had been earlier that day. one look was enough to let her know that something was wrong. For one thing. one look was enough to let her know that something was wrong. you could have told me you were having trouble before. and she??d also met parents who seemed to believe their child could do no wrong. his father??s arm around him. Then they lowered their arms. if it hadn??t been for the raging headache that even aspirin couldn??t ease.??Three days a week. The short conversation had led to a longer one over coffee the following day. He actually started reading aloud in class this week.?? Sarah said. It??s kind of like . except for Missy.In the following years.??Miles looked her over carefully. a white pickup truck began backing out. but that was typical of their relationship then.??As he spoke.

 I remembered after I sent the note home that I hadn??t offered you the chance to reschedule if today was inconvenient. for the past four months. knowing he??d reached the limit of his father??s patience. At home.??Part of her knew their relationship had taken an irreversible turn that night. We??ll do that.????Before that .????Are you saying this so I??ll trust you?????Of course. Once they??d descended the broken steps. stepping up. . knowing that Missy loved Jonah in a way that he had never experienced. hoping it would satisfy her mother. When she??d questioned him about why he hadn??t done what she??d asked. Sometimes I??m home at four. mainly people Michael had known his entire life. no older than three. I??d think you were teasing me. But after that. keeping those thoughts at bay.??I??m fine.Had he been standing outside someone??s home. so did the interest. not wanting her to leave just yet. But I??ll make sure to put the ashtrays out when you come by anyway. There were people here in town who??d lost their spouse and never remarried. ??Thank you. Now get some sleep. Jonah pulled back to look at him.

 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. . You used to do that a lot. She wore a long skirt and a yellow blouse. The awkward silence stretched out until Miles finally shuffled his feet and muttered. I??d probably be so sore I couldn??t get out of bed the next day. and as soon as I went off to college. . Mom.?? he murmured. Why. I played the traditional sports??football. He was changing. but I don??t know if she??d be up to doing schoolwork with him every day. .?? She looked at him quizzically.??I have no idea. He wanted to find someone again; he didn??t want to live the rest of his life alone. . he hadn??t threatened him. angry with himself. And let there be no mistake: That was exactly what he wanted to do. ??I??m Miles Ryan. not stopping for hours.??What??s wrong???Her tone made Sarah stop and face her mother. you looking forward to meeting with Sarah today??? Miles looked up. Missy??s name came up less and less often. My boss was able to work it out. Once she showed him something.

 By the time he came home. she was more upset by the fact that his impending marriage upset her than by the upcoming marriage itself. . Miles suppressed a grin.??For a moment. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. I??ll give you a ride back home and drop you off down the street. Though he seemed to have difficulty looking directly at people. and Missy laughed. lowering her voice as if conversing with herself. but now that his mind was clear. Both were dressed in faded blue jeans and torn-up sneakers. I??ll take care of everything. We haven??t even gone out yet.For a moment he thought he??d entered the wrong room. He looked more serious than any seven-year-old should. Miles eyed them sternly. without reason or cause.??Miles turned out the light. Knowlson??our neighbor. ??Can I have pancakes?????How about some waffles instead? We??re running a little late. surprised.?? Charlie held Miles??s gaze for a long moment.??Now.Most things. I really don??t.?? she said. Is that all right???Another month. and for the life of him.

?? she went on after a pause. he heard the gunfire start up again??not a large-caliber gun. do you have any questions about . Maureen trailed after her. ??You know she starts going through withdrawals if you don??t bring Jonah by every now and then. good. pushing and leveling it around Jonah??s small body. I remember. Jonah waved happily and ran toward the car; Miles knew that in a few more years. . and after a while she motioned for Jonah to get in the hole.??? ? ?Later that night. Squatting down. hardly any of which Sarah could answer. Sarah had offered to keep her company. The first thing I was told when I moved here was that you knew everything that goes on around here.?? he protested.?? as Brenda put it. Mom. his mind was sorting and searching frantically. no. I did. it rolled past the former country home and burial plot of Richard Dobbs Spaight. assorted mailers. looking at him through half-open eyes. The effort was too much. I brought some cookies from home to make it a little easier.?? Miles said into the microphone. Sometimes.

 no one bothered with the place. he just needs to spend some time practicing.????Oh. Add to that the faded jeans shorts and long legs. and after finally gathering his courage. ??You don??t think there??s a serious problem. whoever had been driving the car had covered Missy??s body with a blanket. Mom. ??There are no buts. this isn??t the place for you. In his mind. Every time she went out. Knowing how her mother was. sometimes. incomplete thoughts. When she??d questioned him about why he hadn??t done what she??d asked. Close your eyes. ??They did the same thing at lunch today. then leaned across the table.????You didn??t see my report cards as a kid. you and I both know he??s guilty as hell. He hadn??t been awake for more than a few minutes. while getting Jonah??s backpack ready.?? she might say. In his mind??s eye.????It??s fine. Miles leaned a little closer. Someone who could make him laugh. Miles eyed them sternly.

 he didn??t know how long they had driven in silence.????Besides. But even if they??d offered soccer. no one had even bothered to run against him. I thought you??d be home by now . He pointed to the bathroom.????So what am I supposed to do if I see Otis committing a crime? Look the other way?????Hell.On his shelf. Sarah found herself thinking about Miles. the bridge would swivel open to allow it passage and traffic on either side would begin to back up. and it made him feel new as well. It hadn??t been necessary. I grew up there. things were changing. The smoke from Miles??s cigarette swirled upward and he could feel the humidity rising. not wanting to believe that. put everything else under her other arm.??Sparrows. Sarah passed both sites as she made her way to Front Street. he was too embarrassed to ask for help. Both were impossible to deal with. After a year. he didn??t think the gunfire was directed at him.?? He took a sip from the glass. . I know??you??ve already told me that. ??No. He just needs a little more work than I can give him in class. ??Now dish up.

 seemed even busier. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. Jonah isn??t having trouble with some of the work. He wanted to find someone again; he didn??t want to live the rest of his life alone.He began to justify his new reality by telling himself that he was a widower now. so Miss Andrews can help you out. During one of her darkest periods. but not nearly as bad as it once had been. shopping.????Does that happen a lot?????More than you can imagine.There was nothing like gunfire to get the old ticker pumping??the instinct for self-preservation always surprised Miles with both its intensity and its rapidity. I don??t mind at all.??They didn??t evenhave soccer when I was a kid. sort of.?? he finally said. ??Good. . and half the kids didn??t know in which direction they were supposed to kick the ball. From the hallway. he just said that he??s having trouble with some of the work. one of the most prominent in Baltimore. I??ve been meaning to bring a fan in. . but you??re gonna do this for a while. and I told Harvey that. Bob Bostrum???Brenda??s jaw dropped. The school was nearly forty years old. The Timsons came out peacefully and. that??s justterrible.

 why run?The only reason he could come up with was that the person was drunk. people sloshed through puddles again. Sarah seemed to come to a decision. he seemed to care about his son.??Why are you telling me this?????I just told you why.why?This was the part that continued to nag at Miles. and she??d been surprised when he??d come up to say hello a little later in the evening. sitting in exactly the same spots. Miles turned away.????Why???Believe me. She had to think for a moment before she finally found her voice. his life just feltwrong somehow??as if it were temporarily off track but would soon right itself again. shaking her head. . ??But how??d the tutoring go???Jonah furrowed his brow. If you ask me today what the reverend said. and Sarah Andrews. 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 I kind of got the impression he wanted me to see him doing something he was good at. He??s kind. then???I thought we were talking about what I should wear. too. All in all. .????Well. ??I get these pictures in my head. I really don??t. making sure he believed them.?? she said simply.

 but you know how it is. He ran a comb through his hair.No one. ??I wish I could have been here for the whole thing.. usingtheir wit and charisma. And maybe she wasn??t. okay???Though their eyes widened at the threat. slowly moved forward. it wasn??t half as bad as he??d thought it would be.??? ? ?Twenty minutes later. It wasn??t right; it seemed out of sync with the natural order of the world. .????Me?????It??s not all that hard. By the time Jonah had dressed himself and made it to the kitchen.?? Sarah said cutting her off. I don??t mind at all. she really has. however. I didn??t know. As she swung the door open.????Then let??s get going. however. And speaking of spelling. and you??re not always there to watch out for him. I??ll be the first to come down on him. ??but she??s not like Mrs. Jonah looked up with puffy eyes as soon as Miles came in to check on him. and it made him feel new as well.

 like three plus two. though. too. He has a long way to go. ??Well. too?????No.????Oh.????Hell. the last thing you want to do is talk to your parents. the blankets pulled back. I had to do it for two years. down the street from where the crowds were still congregated. Sometimes even we have trouble finding what field we??re playing on. too. after putting Jonah back in bed. there were only three people to a team. and it was. Miss Andrews gave me some cookies. But even if they??d offered soccer. But don??t go looking for trouble??he??s bad news. Miles saw Jonah at the same time his son saw him. and walking among the monuments located at the Capitol Mall. why run?The only reason he could come up with was that the person was drunk. . I??d had no choice. She didn??t want to hear about Michael. continuing to whisper in his ear. he would have made the call.??At least you??re taking this seriously.

 The evidence??information that had never appeared in any of the articles??showed that much.?? she said. the sky was beginning to glow silver on the horizon and splinters of daybreak filtered through the trees. don??t??it was obvious that she likes you. Next to the photo was the manila file filled with information he??d compiled himself. just a little preoccupied. and she??d be able to better guide Miles when he was working with his son. ??Nothing??s wrong. no charges were brought for lack of evidence. so I can do this right. .??It was fun. hon.??Nothing???Brenda shifted slightly in her seat. 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 . then slowly continued forward.Miles put his hands in his pockets. Though the gardens were between seasons. . and it was while working with him that she??d realized she wanted to become a teacher.On Friday evening. no matter how much Miles wanted to punish the person who??d ruined his life. Still.??Son. Mom.Miles shook his head. but working in Baltimore had taught her to pay close attention to such children. ??Okay. It??s a good workout and it gives me a chance to unwind.

 For a reason she couldn??t quite explain. He couldn??t predict what. . I did.????Well. .Otis also held on to a grudge. Not as Michael had been??dark and glamorous. and so far. but as Miles??s boss as well. without ever bothering to consider the grief he??d left in his wake. She smiled. . . realizing he was a couple of minutes early. that??s whom he always pictured. surprised.?? Sarah said. in hopes that they could find a way to work it out. there weren??t any surprises.?? Maureen??s mouth opened slightly and stayed that way. There was nothing he could say or do to ever make her love him again.??You sure you weren??t going after any owls?????No. their guns drawn. then run? It made no sense. the noise reverberating throughout the restaurant. paying their respects from the nearest spot they could. Why. and some kids practiced with more diligence.

 . 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. . Someone like Missy. Jonah??s classroom.????Okay. the same one that Miles and Sarah had visited a month earlier. Brenda was staring wide-eyed at her. that??s all. She kissed the camera lens. With the possible exception of fishing. if anything.????Listen. like most young teachers. and though the cooling system had been replaced more than once over the years. trading a book back and forth so each could read a page. heading toward the classroom.??I know it??s hot . In the first year after Missy??s death. He stared wistfully at his departing friends. ??So . it was usually easy to avoid such thoughts. on his own time. Just because I??m having dinner with Miss Andrews doesn??t mean we??re getting married.

 needed to see Jonah.????I??m not sure I want it. He??d continue to see her for at least that long. thinking. ??You might have to give up smoking. he loved being a father.??So .??You sure you weren??t going after any owls?????No. For a reason she couldn??t quite explain. before he could stop himself. Still. He??d tried. Miles stopped and visited with some of them. I??ve been meaning to bring a fan in. I??d like you to go. Jonah took her hand and smiled up at her for a moment before they headed back inside. ??I just worry about him. There were no other cars on the road. 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 likes everyone. down the street from where the crowds were still congregated.????But you said he was nice. referring to the industrial-size fan he??d dropped off at her classroom earlier that morning. .

 ??This is the sheriff. all these kids look the same. He hurriedly donned his sheriff??s uniform; next he took down his holster from the lockbox above the bedroom door and put that on as well. while standing inside the Lincoln Memorial. and though he knew what was happening. Chiding herself for her thoughts. The ball shot past him. too. . It shouldn??t have.??Why didn??t you tell me you were having trouble???It took a long time for Jonah to answer. Miles had seen the look before??a look of apprehension??but before he could say anything. Tomorrow I??m going to give him a couple of workbooks that really seem to be helping. until Jonah finally came up to her. an ideal place to raise children.?? she mouthed in return.In the middle of a page that Miles was reading. A few kids shouted greetings. you see. I said nothing to him.??I??m glad. taunting him. but old dreams died hard. ??Mmm .

??How??s the fan working out???She stared at him. . referring to the industrial-size fan he??d dropped off at her classroom earlier that morning.The night before she was to meet with Miles Ryan. Jonah had nodded. On her knees. Sarah seemed to come to a decision.?? She tapped her ear with her finger and lowered her voice. I??ll do it when I get back. and for the life of him.??Yeah??? he said cautiously. Otis posed the greatest danger simply because he was the smartest.??I know??you??ve got to go. ??Hey.??I mean. that it sometimes took a while after going off the pill. I??m running a little late.????I won??t. I can??t remember the last time I felt that way. asking if any customers had seemed intoxicated and had left around that time. but Jonah??s had stood out. lying in bed. and Brenda looked at her like a child unwrapping a Christmas gift. Macdonald Junior High School.

 ??I thought so. All of their raids had come up empty. waiting to see if he??d add anything else. . Not as Michael had been??dark and glamorous. As much as he tried to move on. Jonah was only seven. isn??t there.??Miles watched as his son headed toward the bus stop at the end of the block. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. and Harvey isn??t gonna do anything with it. ??Not today. ??Just forget it. Since Larry wanted to watch the football game between North Carolina and Michigan State. He??d arrested Clyde Timson. for sure. find something to read. Missy was always there. though . Her blond hair was cut cleanly just above the shoulders in a style that looked both elegant and manageable. oblivious to everything except his need to depart. Miles Ryan was ducking behind his car and reaching for his gun. the road he was following wasn??t for children.The marriage was over.

 ??Where were we again?????You were telling me that I haven??t aged well. this isn??t the place for you. those small faces that stared at her with wonder.??Oh. Hurry up. you know.????With all that spare time I have?????Sure.??Look??he??ll do something stupid again. ??You??d do that??? ??Not for every student. And no matter what else he did that afternoon. she went on. ??I love you. just as it was getting dark. though. put her hands on her hips and glared at him the moment he got home.?? She grinned.He didn??t fully understand that until after Jonah was born.??In the early afternoon sunlight.????Wow. . People were standing and some had crowded around the outside doors. The yard was mowed. in a little while there won??t be any time. asking if any customers had seemed intoxicated and had left around that time.

??Maureen paused. The rest of the class seemed to follow their lead. A man. ??Who?????Jonah??s teacher. Then. things between them grew steadily worse. I thought again that I didn??t want to be there. and chrysanthemums blossomed in the fall. if she had nothing else going on. ??I??m not smart. . and Maureen pressed on with the monologue that Sarah had practically memorized by now. . You know she??s always on the lookout for you. and now it wasn??t so easy. a part of her suspected that had they not been around.????That??s a little much for sparrows. who met his gaze. The evenings. Ridiculous things.????Okay. . After that. surprised.

And no chickening out this time. Maureen mainly listened. but damned if he could figure it out. from downtown New Bern to Pollocksville. Miss Andrews is really nice and all. okay?????Okay. of course. he??d come close to calling her on the phone. Charlie said he??d be glad to do it. . He was holding Jonah??s hand. Half the time. . . he went to bed anyway. when she saw the blinking light on the answering machine. and what the investigation would later reveal. In the car. but Jonah??s had stood out.??Sarah looked at her expectantly. Jonah was only five at the time. basketball.new.Jonah Ryan.