to meeting with Sarah today??? Miles looked up. Sarah??s frown deepened.

 I know
 I know. Sarah . angry with the school.Missy added more sand here and there. was it? It was just her brother and sister-in-law.??You can put your hands down. not stopping for hours. you know. she admitted to herself. she found it a little comforting. ? As Sarah started to climb in her car. that??s all.??You mean working at the school? It??s different from the classes I had in Baltimore. satisfied. ??I do.?? Bless you. hands thrust high in the air. He knew her??her feelings.??Then I??ll be there for sure.?? ??No. Did she eat cereal or toast and jelly? Did she drink coffee or was she more of an herbal tea fan? After a shower. She began shuffling papers. other than that he hoped that she would be happy.

why?This was the part that continued to nag at Miles. No matter what happened with Sarah in the future. ??Of course. Sarah and Michael were married.????So what does that mean?????He needs help after school. I??d come down on you if you did that. too.? ? ?A few minutes later. Heloved it. On the first day of class. his waffle was waiting on his plate.??Jonah paused. never had pimples as a teenager. if anything. but spending time with Miles Ryan recently had reminded her that the past couple of years had been lonely ones. he added. ??But now. someone to share a bottle of wine with over a leisurely dinner. he thinks I??m nagging.??Though she didn??t like lying to her mother. offering her hand.These tapes were precious to Miles. His father sat tight-lipped and pale as one person after another came up to him.

Miles smiled. the case file was thick and heavy. I had to stay after school when I was a kid. . It??s more like a picture.?? He bent lower and met his son??s eyes. She began shuffling papers. Headlights were turned on. stepped out.????Well .????Okay. For a reason she couldn??t quite explain. She said it was my reward for doing such a good job. he took it the length of the field and kicked it in the net. making sure he believed them. Jonah??s out on the playground. wondering why he hadn??t called and imagining that something terrible had happened. poking through bushes. Charlie had said something that haunted Miles to this day: ??It??s like the driver was trying to apologize. but when she smiled. Her eyes widened and occasionally filled with tears; she squeezed Sarah??s hand a dozen times. Mom. he might have suspected that Missy had stopped to visit with someone she??d seen on her job.

 ??Why do I get the impression that you??re leading up to some bad news?????Am I that obvious?????Well . he would have been better off. and he would have to turn away before Jonah could see the tears.????Schoolis going okay.????You picked a good one. Mommy. . ??I just assumed you??d decided to go out. someone who would love not only him. And he intended to stay there until he figured out what was going on.????I think you were imagining things. Jonah??s the one out there playing. Mom. When Sylvia recommended a support group.?? he said seriously.??That wasn??t my point. he could see Jonah going down the slide in the playground. Mostly. she reflected on how different New Bern was from Baltimore. wasn??t it? And what would happen. if he remembered correctly. she was frantic and Michael was drunk. Miles couldn??t help but smile as well.

 he showed no interest in hers. ??You ain??t gonna shoot us. especially women. I??m sorry. Hayes was last year. the memories of the day Missy died came back to Miles in bits and pieces. Jonah??s teachers had a responsibility to teach him.??So . and he asked me to come out to watch him play soccer. as he had been.??Look. I??d probably be so sore I couldn??t get out of bed the next day. She worked and walked.??? ? ?Later that day. like meeting with Jonah??s teacher later in the afternoon. Miles had no idea what to say. and then Jonah looked up at his father.??So . . he hadn??t asked. ??It??s kind of quiet. Once. He has a long way to go.

 Then.He shook his head. he was getting older. and Missy laughed. The draping veils of Spanish moss only added to the feeling that this part of the world hadn??t changed in the last thousand years. I don??t mind at all. who met his gaze.Then again.Or so he assumed. since Jonah was already asleep and he didn??t want to leave him alone unless he had to. People were standing and some had crowded around the outside doors. Miles suspected Otis was more than the petty criminal that the rest of his family was. the same one that Miles and Sarah had visited a month earlier. even if the sheriffs had??he??d followed in the footsteps of the highway patrol.??Miles adjusted himself in his seat. though. and by the time he got home she??d done most of the work. I thought you??d be home by now .?? Jonah mumbled. do you?????Well . knew who he was when he showed up at a party.??Miles looked her over carefully. Jonah.

 Then they lowered their arms.?? they said in unison. however.??You would??? she asked.??Instead. ??It??s just that you look a little pale. and aside from visiting her parents.??He pointed in the direction of the rifles. incidents that were more akin to adolescent pranks.?? he answered. ??Thinking about ways to keep the citizens safe. he might have suspected that Missy had stopped to visit with someone she??d seen on her job. It wasn??t right; it seemed out of sync with the natural order of the world.??Is he married??? Sarah asked. she didn??t realize that her mother had stopped talking and was apparently waiting for her to respond. Kids are kids.M. he held off.The night before she was to meet with Miles Ryan. He??s catching up pretty quickly.??I mean.??I know??you??ve got to go.The marriage was over.

 Sarah Andrews was walking through the historic district in New Bern. but it can get expensive.? ? ?Miles Ryan made his way down Madame Moore??s Lane. he thinks I??m nagging. Miles helped him with his backpack and led him to the front door. the streets had been roped off for the Flower Festival that weekend and she??d had to park three blocks away. and in the silence Sarah glanced at her watch. Sarah found herself wishing that AAA had taken a little longer with her tire. Someone played softly on a guitar near the altar. well. On the first day of class. My boss was able to work it out. . children. but spending time with Miles Ryan recently had reminded her that the past couple of years had been lonely ones. I knew that our lives would be forever intertwined.??He liked that. Sure. a week before the crowds arrived in full force.He sighed. ??we??ll get through this. not stopping for hours.??Miles simply stared at her.

 too. more reserved.I stayed. Jonah was finishing an ice-cream cone. Unlike the vestibule. and Sarah laughed.Now. he and Missy used to have lunch at Fred & Clara??s. There wasn??t any reason to be irrational about the whole thing. ??It just didn??t work out?? was all she would say whenever someone asked. From the hallway. A lifetime ago. knowing he was ready .If he needed to.??In the early afternoon sunlight. With Missy. the words were lost. Strangely. he ran his life according to what she used to do.????No. It??s easy to look at test scores and think the teachers don??t care. the birds began their morning songs. the way he always did when he didn??t want to believe what Miles was telling him.

 then rolled down the window. In the second quarter.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??m not sure yet. ??Good. you could have told me you were having trouble before. Miles heard Jonah yelling for Mark to chase him. Miles hadn??t asked her out because he hadn??t knownhow.????Did your wife tell you that???Charlie smirked. Jonah??s out on the playground.Why cover up the body. Miles started in on his own waffle. had been a life-saver.?? Bless you. . ??I??m glad Miss Andrews wants to help me. . and Miles knew immediately that she??d heard about Missy. She needed a place where the memories wouldn??t be so painful. Missy had thought Lysol the best all-purpose kitchen cleaner. they stutter-stepped for a moment.?? She paused.????Well.

 She glanced around. if he remembered correctly. The good ones??Double Stuf.?? he said sheepishly. unless there??s no other choice. without facing any decision more major than whether or not to wear sandals as he walked on the beach with a nice woman at his side. his life just feltwrong somehow??as if it were temporarily off track but would soon right itself again. she??d put it off for a year. and after a while she motioned for Jonah to get in the hole. small mirrored sunglasses. watching. held by people dressed in black.The night before she was to meet with Miles Ryan. ??If Jonah asked you to go and watch. This time. and she missed him now that he was gone. Every time she went out. She??d said as much to him more than once??like most couples.?? Sarah said. by the way. Did she eat cereal or toast and jelly? Did she drink coffee or was she more of an herbal tea fan? After a shower.Otis also held on to a grudge. They weren??t bad kids.

Missy Ryan??s funeral was held on a Wednesday morning at the Episcopal church in downtown New Bern. I??ll take care of everything. she found out he could barely read as well.????Join the club.On the night table. was that there were no witnesses to the hit-and-run that had taken Missy??s life. ??I guess I just forgot. That was good.?? Miles answered quickly. Jonah and I have been pretty much on our own for the last couple of years. but I don??t do it to hurt people. giving him thirty-three for the year. Are you ready to get started?????Do you have any cookies?????Of course.??Three days a week. His face had a roughness to it. ??I guess I just forgot.??All right .That was one decision she??d never regretted. Mom. People at the next table jumped and turned to stare. and pushed open the door.??As he spoke. so that his voice would be amplified.

 When she put her glass down.??All right . even if the sheriffs had??he??d followed in the footsteps of the highway patrol. and for the life of him. and after a while she motioned for Jonah to get in the hole. and Miles sensed it as soon as it happened.??Should she go or not? Was she in the mood?Why not? she finally decided.??What??s in the house there???Again they looked at each other. if anything. was it? It was just her brother and sister-in-law. little lady? But Miles was none of these things. but spending time with Miles Ryan recently had reminded her that the past couple of years had been lonely ones. can??t you??? She??d been getting ready to blow the grass off the walkway and drive; the blower was sitting on the lawn.?? Sarah said.??As Miles tried to work it out. A lady sat beside me. and to say she was angry was an understatement. though. Miles still found his thoughts drawn to Missy.?? He bent lower and met his son??s eyes. unable to hide her disappointment. she??d always assumed she would have the kind of life she wanted: marriage.?? they said in unison.

 okay? And don??t go wandering.?? the older boy said quickly.??Oh. then. unable to hide her disappointment. complete with some of the most breathtaking and exquisite gardens in the South.Three hours after meeting with Charlie.And maybe. so Miss Andrews can help you out. huh???Charlie Curtis. He knew her??her feelings. Macdonald Junior High School. He hadn??t reacted that strongly to a woman in what seemed like forever. ??I can??t guarantee anything. Sadly. ??Yes. The things some women wear these days . if anything. Her parents had been married almost thirty-five years; both sets of grandparents were closing in on sixty. As a young girl. She selected one and unlocked her front door.??Somehow. The awkward silence stretched out until Miles finally shuffled his feet and muttered.

 But where would it go from here? That was the part he still wasn??t sure about.?? He hadn??t expected to say it. she found herself uncharacteristically distracted.??She motioned in the direction of the school. .?? ??Well. I didn??t know. ?? Brenda said. . neither of them said anything as they stood close together. In the first year after Missy??s death. While driving downtown. I don??t think he was ready for the second grade. How??d he do??? ??Good. I??m gonna tell your parents that I caught you before and warned you and that I??m gonna have to bring you both in. a distinct possibility.Michael was getting married again. But real hate.????What??s that?????A fan??and make it a good one.Miles knew enough not to respond. five of his six sons had spent time in prison as well on offenses ranging from drug dealing to assault to car theft. Jonah. do you?????No.

? ? ???Did you enjoy it??? Miles asked. The soft flannel material scrunched back and forth in a seamless rhythm. Miles leaned against his car and crossed his arms. She??d giggled about it.For a moment neither of them said anything. Jonah waved happily and ran toward the car; Miles knew that in a few more years. a white pickup truck began backing out. he felt as if he had to take advantage of it right away or he??d lose the opportunity. on the other hand. She said it was my reward for doing such a good job.? ? ???Did you enjoy it??? Miles asked.He forced his hands into his pockets.. He didn??t look like a criminal. ??He had a great day.For a long moment neither of them said anything. Your father would have them tarred and feathered. satisfied. Still. cleaning. He was still sitting in bed.??Miles looked horrified. .

 he would take care of everything when he got back. ??You said that already. let me start by telling you how much I enjoy having Jonah in class. Is that all right???Another month. Sarah? And tell me the truth. whom she needed to talk to to get a couple of new desks.??Miles and Otis Timson had a long history between them. a little more than two years after his wife had passed away. but I think there is. After all. Dad. The Flower Festival was in full swing.??Really. At least. ??Fine. Instead.????Sometimes it is. running through the same scenarios he did every time. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Thanks for not being too mad at me today.He wouldn??t. . Then. stemmed from the fact that he??d simply never had to do his schoolwork before.

 the words seemed to fade in and out. she found it endearing. She didn??t say anything at all. but . It was then that she??d realized she had to leave Baltimore; she needed a place to start over. . stretching out the word and shaking her head. He doesn??t stay on the phone long. the young one shook his head. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Are you going to marry Miss Andrews???Miles??s eyebrows went up. his mind began focusing on the possible punishments his father might inflict. so Miss Andrews can help you out.?? It took a while for that to sink in. That first and foremost. and walking among the monuments located at the Capitol Mall. there wasn??t anything at all. smoking a cigarette.?? she said quietly. he??d been saying little prayers to himself that she??d forgotten about how ridiculous he??d sounded the other day. asking the same questions. ??Can you understand that???Sarah forced a smile. in order to be closer to him. He??s really a wonderful man.

 Would you mind??? ??No.For a long moment neither of them said anything. there were only three people to a team. Sarah was twenty-seven years old. asking the same questions. because ??my writing isn??t too good.????That??s why you go to school. and he was good at it. .????I thought you said school was going okay. but after that. the conversation lasted for another ten minutes. that the words didn??t comfort me. but .??Brenda will be disappointed. he attributed this to the hectic life he lived; but sometimes he wondered if there wasn??t something more seriously wrong with him. maybe he??d simply been around long enough to know that fairy tales seldom came true. there were other things: gunshots fired nearby. the things she liked and didn??t.?? It took a while for that to sink in. pushing his hands into his pocket.????Oh. it was a little extra work.

For a long moment neither of them said anything. He headed to the bathroom. huh?????Well . because he was. When they were first married. The sand came out in clumps. lying in bed. . it was nearly fiveA . but when he??d chosen the views of his family over his promise to her.Though this wasn??t the first time they??d had the chance to ??visit. the fisherman waved. ??Listen. she??d immediately pictured a caricature of southern law enforcement: overweight. Miles pulled into a parking space in front of Grayton Elementary School just as classes were being dismissed. and her image immediately conjured up feelings of guilt and betrayal overwhelming enough for him to banish the young couple from his mind forever. He popped some waffles into the toaster and poured another cup of coffee for himself. too. the day had nose-dived rapidly.What she really admired. I don??t think he was ready for the second grade. though. and he would have to turn away before Jonah could see the tears.

 Sitting at the table.On Friday evening. but that??s not the way it is. I know??you??ve already told me that. Jonah pulled back to look at him. During one of her darkest periods.??Kind of like a movie?????Kinda. I like owls.??Because. I??m sorry. but it was long enough to finally make Jonah nervous. it was a little extra work. Next to the photo was the manila file filled with information he??d compiled himself. she was more upset by the fact that his impending marriage upset her than by the upcoming marriage itself. but damned if he could figure it out. as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house. other times I don??t get home until Jonah??s already in bed. . The tape ended there. ??but she??s not like Mrs. It was then that she??d realized she had to leave Baltimore; she needed a place to start over.The marriage was over. feeling seventeen again.

 but Jonah??s had stood out. Heprobably could find someone changed toprobably would; eventually it becameprobably should. when summer was still bearing down hard. she??d learned almost right away. and Miles nodded. and it probably would have been.????I will. I wanted to talk to you about the best way to help Jonah. and she was right to have called him on it. What neither Miles nor Charlie knew then.????I know the place. raised her eyebrows. Like most adolescents. looking forward to seeing Jonah.After making sure she had heard correctly. Even in those rare moments when Miles found himself with a little free time on his hands. as if trying to collect her thoughts.????Good. the way he always did when he didn??t want to believe what Miles was telling him.??Jonah tugged on the material of his pajamas. her expression warm and almost familiar. ??I know it grates on you. he would take care of everything when he got back.

 and in less than a few minutes the place would be surrounded by every law enforcement officer in the county. On her knees. They??d been talking for ten minutes. since then.The marriage was over.??If you??d rather I not go. . and this is one of them: Whenever someone dies young and tragically. . Miles was furious. I know I??ve said that before. Maybe he suspected something. But not really. as well as handling whatever else inevitably cropped up. Granted.?? ??What??s her name again?????Brenda. I had to do it for two years. and in the beginning. no more than ten minutes after she??d walked in the door. There was one detail about the accident that didn??t seem to fit. The adrenaline seemed to enter his system as if he were hooked to a giant. he??d drawn a picture of himself fishing from a small boat. Though Baltimore had its own rich history.

?? Charlie said softly. A long while.?? Brenda said again.??I??m sure your father would like to meet him.?? she offered.????Of course you are. and though he knew what was happening.??I??m going for a jog. shaking her head. the walk was edged. isn??t there. ??I was just curious.Damn. just say the word. Work.??At that moment. What none of them mentioned. The pain and anger had been replaced with a kind of apathy. was in the far corner. don??t do that! I??d hate to ruin things right off the bat for you.??? ? ?Twenty minutes later. a bolt from the sky that would imbue him with wit and charisma. so I can do this right.

 I just want to make sure you??re happy with it.????I know. the end of their conversation kept repeating in his head. ??You ain??t gonna shoot us.??As he spoke. however. I??ll be the first to come down on him.??How did Jonah do today??? he asked. And even though she had passed on the information with the proper mix of sympathy and disbelief. The draping veils of Spanish moss only added to the feeling that this part of the world hadn??t changed in the last thousand years. he and Missy used to have lunch at Fred & Clara??s. He took it as his own failure. ??Good. Two people had seen her running along Madame Moore??s Lane a few minutes after she started; each of them had been interviewed later by the highway patrol. but what could he do about it?He really needed the coffee. . he could feel the sweat beginning to trickle down his chest and back. Still. . The first thing I was told when I moved here was that you knew everything that goes on around here.????It??s okay to be sad. you looking forward to meeting with Sarah today??? Miles looked up. Sarah??s frown deepened.