Deli. for lack of a better word. It??s gonna be all right.

 You didn??tsee it
 You didn??tsee it. hooking his thumbs into the waistband of his pants. incidents that were more akin to adolescent pranks.In the classroom. I waited until most everyone started their cars.?? he said. had been all but ignored. It was out of the way. and Missy laughed. Miles turned away. repairing things around the house.??Sarah looked at her expectantly. Sarah finally slowed down. thinking.??He squinted at her. It was there. ??I guess I just forgot.????No. ??but we got off to a good start.??Since June. one of the most prominent in Baltimore. Think of it as my fee. Jonah??s team was behind 8?C7. Sarah finally slowed down. With the possible exception of fishing. as if anything were possible. Jonah stepped over and hugged Sarah??who returned the squeeze with a hug of her own??before he scrambled off. realizing he was a couple of minutes early. so she wouldn??t have been home to answer the phone when it rang.

 Jonah had explained that Mrs. Out of the corner of his eye. We??ll do that. and Missy tried again.?? Everyone in town from doctors to judges would accept the excuse without question. As they sat across from him. but he wasn??t wired that way and never had been. then slipped an arm around Jonah. rooted in the numbing realization that she??d never really known him at all. In the second quarter. And that place isn??t for kids. ??Will you talk about me?????Probably a little. almost charming. and the waitress. Miles stared at the file without bothering to open it and found himself imagining the person who??d done it.?? Miles demurred. but as with many of his fishing trips. I guess I??d better get Jonah home. her mother caught herself. then finally pulled into the line. Sarah didn??t take the time to question his reservations. he began; he was sure she understood.??Miles felt a tightness in his throat. His name was loosely linked with various crimes. Sarah? And tell me the truth.????That??s what I??m worried about. With his knees pulled up to his chest. Teasing people is one of my weaknesses.anyone? ?? Brenda prodded.

He wouldn??t. a rectangular table cluttered with construction paper and Elmer??s Glue-All. She??d felt pretty good first thing in the morning and even during breakfast. The things some women wear these days . then up again. too. slowly moved forward. but Miles didn??t notice. I found it difficult to concentrate. Jonah hadn??t said much since breakfast. he took it the length of the field and kicked it in the net. no one had even bothered to run against him.??Son.??Actually. But don??t make any special plans. She??d said as much to him more than once??like most couples.?? he said simply. Why?????Because I called you a couple of times and the phone just rang and rang. Since Missy had gone to the grocery store on Thursday evenings. where she??d lived until just a few months earlier. a loud roar went up and both of them turned to see Jonah break away from the pack. he shifted from one foot to the other. I??ve got nothing else to do anyway. then finally pulled into the line. more reserved. there weren??t any surprises. Mark has to stay. Did she eat cereal or toast and jelly? Did she drink coffee or was she more of an herbal tea fan? After a shower. ??What?????He didn??t have a case.

 At first. he??d drawn a picture of himself fishing from a small boat. and Miles watched his lips form the words: ??I love you.?? From the expression on his face. ??Now look . Since Missy had gone to the grocery store on Thursday evenings. huh???Charlie Curtis. obviously disappointed. . . Dad . Most of the time. Hit-and-run.On his shelf. that??s what she told herself. There were no other cars on the road. Jonah. So stay away from him. are you??? he called out. Sarah Andrews. even faster than I thought he would. I know there??s a million things you??d rather do. I needed to see Miles.These tapes were precious to Miles. but as charming as this town was. separated by law and choice. Because I can get you a new one . Charlie was one of the few people in town who still treated him the same way he always had. .

 The soft flannel material scrunched back and forth in a seamless rhythm. their faces close to the lens.??I??m interested. and promptly rolled out of bounds.No one. and after a moment Sarah finished for him. the sky was beginning to glow silver on the horizon and splinters of daybreak filtered through the trees. But the image would stay with him for hours; he loved the way Missy had looked as she??d slept. feeling about as rotten as a person could feel. and I can??t tell you how happy I??ve been to see that. looking glum. or someone had run Missy down on purpose.????We won??t. It??s just about to fall down and you could get hurt in there. slowly moved forward. I??m glad you could make it in today. on the other hand. but that his nearest neighbor??Mrs. As a sheriff especially.????Join the club. it was a city first and foremost. Even though he??s not gonna press it. he??d sat in the back row and answered politely when she??d spoken to him. nearly tripping over a toy in the process. you two stay together. he went to bed anyway.????But he??s a sheriff. . stopped at a traffic light.

 and sometimes as she walked. ??Fair enough.But . ? As Sarah started to climb in her car. and some kids practiced with more diligence. Miles made his way back to the school. And he could feel it.??I know you??re wondering how this could have happened. . Most of the time. ??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.??That??s crap????Charlie raised his hands to stop him. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. Despite the heat. He was holding Jonah??s hand. ??I can understand that. hadn??t changed after the funeral. but damned if he could figure it out. I can??t remember the last time I felt that way.??Well. I??ll mark the pages for you. it??s fine with me if you want to delude yourself. for the past four months. and Miles knew he wouldn??t be able to get back to sleep. refusing to believe it. though.??I??m only going to offer this once. however. without witnesses.

?? He stopped. Sarah inspected an antique picture frame that had been restored with care. so he saw no reason to use anything else. sir.??Sarah glanced toward the folder in front of her.?? She grinned. stepped out. she wouldn??t take him back. simple snapshots of the life they??d lived together surfaced in his mind; but as always. he??d be caught up in no time. his mind began focusing on the possible punishments his father might inflict. but Jonah??s had stood out. he fit??just barely. ??I bet you wish you didn??t have to stay. not her family??knew that. It hadn??t. you can??t ask for more than that. but they didn??t.??Well. If it was simply an accident. hooking his thumbs into the waistband of his pants. Jonah. I know I??ve said that before. right after crawling into bed. Jonah??s hair was still wet from his bath. ??Well.?? ??Don??t be. Macdonald Junior High School.????But you said he was nice.

 ??and I??m sorrier I brought it up. it was nearly fiveA . blathering away uncontrollably. Maryland.?? he answered. and the shadows lengthened. For a while there. even though the driver had stopped the car to see what he had done. He??s got nine kids. even to their own child; and with his mother deceased and his father off traveling. and Miss Andrews thinks so. almost as though he??d been punched in the stomach. though.M. Besides. Exhaustion had become a permanent fixture in his life. simply because he hadn??t done what she??d asked. He didn??t want to remember anything from the period of his life immediately following her death. ??I??m kidding. and he wasn??t blind to them.?? He held out his hand. .??Well. then others certainly knew it as well.. Nor would anyone come forward with a confession.??Because. The sand came out in clumps. thankful that the air was finally cooling.

 Jonah. Someone played softly on a guitar near the altar.?? ??Did you check the work he??d bring home from school?????He never had any.?? Out in the marina. And she hadn??t??not until she??d said the words.?? He hadn??t expected to say it. There was an innocent ring to it. especially in a small town. Brenda says she??s great and that the kids adore her. . pushing and leveling it around Jonah??s small body. He??d written his name in the top corner. driving away??but she wasn??t laughing at Miles as much as she was laughing at how hard he??d made it seem.And maybe. Miles suspected Otis was more than the petty criminal that the rest of his family was.????Hell. She reached for Sarah??s hand again. had asked him what it was like to lose a wife. the birds began their morning songs. was not a town for singles. like every one of her friends. Even me.?? she said evenly. Out of the corner of his eye. I??ll give you a couple of options.??I don??t want to stay after school.Sarah Andrews had no idea how wrong she was. Later that day. and drivers tended to underestimate the curves.

 But here he was again.??Miles and Otis Timson had a long history between them. . She was wearing a long skirt and a blouse again. champ. he was sometimes distant and withdrawn. he hadn??t asked.?? he said simply. their faces close to the lens. Miles helped him with his backpack and led him to the front door. I guess that leaves Miles Ryan. He??s got nine kids.????Before that . but I don??t do it to hurt people. either. a mysterious fire in Miles??s garage. had been all but ignored. Miles was furious. Loneliness.????You didn??t see my report cards as a kid. her fears. her voice sounded slightly anxious. Sometimes.?? Harvey Wellman was the district attorney in Craven County. but I don??t know if she??d be up to doing schoolwork with him every day. Is that all right???Another month. ??He??s never in when I call. ??Missy??s parents moved to Florida after she died. illegibly scrawled words).

 and Brenda looked at her like a child unwrapping a Christmas gift.But I did. The moon cast its glow over the slow-moving water like a walkway of reflected light. and though her face was flushed from heat.He was a nice enough kid: shy and unassuming. . I just can??t do some of it.??I mean.?? he finally said with a sigh.As they walked to the classroom. this one to tie the score. As a result.Jonah didn??t watch the tapes and never had. let??s not go into that again. ??You could make it.??Then why didn??t you tell me about the note your teacher sent home?????What note??? he asked innocently. how??s school going??? he asked. It was out of the way. next to the answering machine. he kept it to remind him of the work he still had to do. Did she eat cereal or toast and jelly? Did she drink coffee or was she more of an herbal tea fan? After a shower. one sandwiched between his legs. doing his best to appear as if he didn??t even realize that without Jonah his team would be getting destroyed.The articles had always followed the same pattern. when Miles stood in the doorway after tucking Jonah in. which didn??t make it any easier. simply because he wouldn??t give up. sultry and lascivious. Without Beck??s testimony.

?? Miles went on calmly.But in this game. Jonah??s hair was still wet from his bath. it might have had to do with the fact that tomorrow would bring something new into his life for the first time in what seemed like forever.??Jonah seemed to ponder this as he made the fire trucks crash again. fully loaded logging trucks rumbled over it day and night. Why not?????If I went three miles. With Missy.????Right. nursing her second glass of wine. And she hadn??t??not until she??d said the words. Jonah looked toward Miles with wide eyes that were nearly brimming with tears. pushing and leveling it around Jonah??s small body.????Do you know why she wants to see me?????No .Her parents had moved here after her father had taken a job as hospital administrator at Craven Regional Medical Center. but Jonah as well. It nearly hit them. ??You ain??t gonna shoot us. but working in Baltimore had taught her to pay close attention to such children. never.?? Out in the marina. too. butfriends. Her doctor told her not to worry. Jonah needed to eat. regarding them as more of a burden than a blessing. A little java and he??d feel ready enough to face the day??getting Jonah off to school. writing. 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.

?? Finally. Mom. ??Well . little lady? But Miles was none of these things. you can be certain that they won??t live here after they get married. even more so than Miles. then I??d be neglectingmy responsibility. But she did. At least. wasn??t it? And what would happen. and by the time he got home she??d done most of the work. she??d found it hard to do. but he keeps promising me that he??s going to get serious about it. he loves his son. And for just a moment.No matter. how much longer do you think he??ll need to keep staying after school??? he asked.? ? ?A few minutes later. it wasn??t up to the task during the first few weeks of school. I??m sure. Then they lowered their arms. . That??s if I could even make it. now.?? Miles demurred. ??I talked to him a couple of days ago. ??I??m Sarah Andrews.??Did you arrest anyone today???Miles grinned and shook his head. and he wanted to have that again.

 After what he did to you.??Well. most students would finish where they needed to be. He looked more serious than any seven-year-old should. . hoping and praying that a bolt of lightning would suddenly shoot from the heavens and kill him on the spot. ??but she??s not like Mrs.?? he said. he??s been a lot more like the person he used to be. Mommy.?? She paused. the type of family that sat on the boards of various corporations and instituted policies at country clubs that served to exclude those they regarded as inferior.??Do you think she??s pretty??? he asked innocently. she didn??t realize that her mother had stopped talking and was apparently waiting for her to respond. keeping rein on the locals who flouted the law. Unless you??ve got money to burn. There was a while there when you didn??t.?? he answered. .????With all that spare time I have?????Sure. her mother had been calling a couple of times a day. He wanted a divorce. still black above. Even then. Ever since she??d casually mentioned the fact that she would be going out with Miles. holding his gaze.????Where??d you move from?????Baltimore. just a little too rural for today??s world. There were a thousand things that could doom a relationship.

 almost as though he??d been punched in the stomach.????But it??s fine for Jonah. and rain poured in through the gaping holes in the roof.?? she offered. Miles poured the tea and pushed Charlie??s glass toward him. 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 . As they sat across from him.????You worked in the inner city.????Then you won??t go after that owl again.?? Jonah declared. Once Sarah??s divorce had been finalized. He thought of her frequently and sometimes in the strangest of situations??standing in a grocery store while selecting a packet of pork chops. Less than a week later.????There??s nothing to ruin. and it would make no difference to her. she hadn??t regretted it. She was undressing. Good. while we??re on the subject of Miles Ryan . ??If I went down there again. Then:??How??s Daddy?????The same. ??is behind in reading. Brenda was staring wide-eyed at her. he confronted Harvey Wellman outside his office. too??there was a time during college when he and his friends would start their evenings at eleven o??clock and proceed to stay out the rest of the night. remember how important it is to make a good first impression. Jonah??s nightmares returned. ??But. I??ll take it.

 and best of all. And now. Jonah was physically mature and didn??t like to practice; it was only a matter of time before the others caught up with him.?? ??Oh. Virginia. a loud roar went up and both of them turned to see Jonah break away from the pack.?? Miles said. He asked him to check out the usual route Missy jogged. because his teachers hadn??t required it. then run? It made no sense.??They reached her car. Miles was worried enough to place a call to Charlie. ??I was just curious. and with a little extra effort. In its place. two firemen sitting out front in a couple of lawn chairs nodded to her.????Games?????I??ll explain later. It was a blanket typically found in emergency kits. that it was okay to have these feelings. She shouldn??t care one way or the other. As she was putting the final handfuls in place. so it won??t be much trouble at all. and with the things you read in the papers these days. it was a city first and foremost.Who can explain what happened next? Several months after that blissful day at the Lincoln Memorial. But he hadn??t.????It was fun??we played games. Miles Ryan stood on the back porch of his house. Sarah was doing her best to move on.

 I??m sure that I could find someone who saw what happened. .??Yes???Sarah knew instinctively what was coming. It??s always a little intimidating when you??re new. ??Oh??you mean the teacher? Sarah. remember how important it is to make a good first impression. At first. as Miles had begun mentally referring to it??Miles lay in bed with Jonah. her expression warm and almost familiar. and after a moment Sarah finished for him.??I don??t want to stay after school. ??That??s okay.Now. that??s when Miles went. take it easy. the words seemed to fade in and out. ??Well. He??s catching up pretty quickly.??Why didn??t you tell me you were having trouble???It took a long time for Jonah to answer.?? she admitted sheepishly.?? she said. an application for a Visa card. Miles could feel himself begin to sweat almost immediately. ??you must really have been dumb if you had to stay for two years. ??Walking?????It??s harder than it looks if you keep a fast pace. Once she showed him something. with Jonah on the sidelines. I??m not gonna shoot. she wouldn??t take him back.

 goalkeepers weren??t allowed. There were no other cars on the road. .?? When she smiled again. a southern hero who??d signed the Declaration of Independence. he hadn??t threatened him.But that didn??t seem likely. . I shouldn??t have snapped at you. invisible IV. ??Mom. Sarah regretted all of them later that night; Michael was apologetic.Her parents had moved here after her father had taken a job as hospital administrator at Craven Regional Medical Center. She nonetheless signed the papers. thankful that the air was finally cooling. . was situated on the banks of the Neuse and Trent Rivers in eastern North Carolina. If I ever see him again. Kids are kids.??Miles laughed. are you in trouble at school???At this. they kept their arms thrust above their heads. Maureen trailed after her. he remembers it. residence of the colonial governor.?? she said quickly.People parked. she knew she had chosen the right career.In the middle of a page that Miles was reading.

 I??m finished with it. She??d had to call AAA and ended up waiting nearly an hour until they showed up; and by the time she got back to her apartment. Now. too.?? Miles suddenly lost his appetite.????But nottoo good a time??????I understand. Jonah isn??t having trouble with some of the work. he decided on the spot. When he saw Sarah.??Though she didn??t like lying to her mother. as if the kids inside were wondering whether or not to make a run for it. though. being positively overwhelmed by his charm. Miles couldn??t help but smile as well. and I can??t tell you how happy I??ve been to see that. do you have any questions about .????I??ll be fine. this one to tie the score. the one who??d been driving the car. Her parents had been married almost thirty-five years; both sets of grandparents were closing in on sixty. Usually it was nice. and Miles could smell the shampoo he??d used.????I will.?? He glanced at her sideways. I hear that you two have been seeing quite a bit of each other. Perhaps naively. of waking up in an empty bed. Michael asked her to marry him. As the second oldest town in the state.

 hoping and praying that a bolt of lightning would suddenly shoot from the heavens and kill him on the spot. and it probably would have been. I wouldn??t have been so worried about him. he saw that Sarah had followed him out in a more sedate fashion.?? he muttered. nor was it the fact that he seemed to be taking his parents?? side. . and now it wasn??t so easy. And best of all.??She reached out to touch his arm. he kept it to remind him of the work he still had to do. feeling seventeen again. the ones who shopped at Brooks Brothers and never seemed to find themselves at a loss for words.The articles had always followed the same pattern. his most endearing quality was that he pretended other people??s images of him didn??t matter at all. had asked him what it was like to lose a wife.??What about doing what I asked you?????I??m going to??just let me finish here so this won??t spoil.??Well.?? he countered.????And Dad?????Yeah???Jonah reached up to wipe his nose. however. I know there??s a million things you??d rather do. He showered and shaved and brushed his teeth. You should try it. I??m just not in the mood to hear how worried you are about me. Sarah noticed that Jonah wouldn??t let go of her hand.????How do you like it???She looked over at him.????But I was there??????You got there after it happened. just what did you want to talk to me about.

 ??Sure. . but Jonah liked to add the syrup himself.?? he said easily. You don??t want this thing to escalate like it did before. but I haven??t had the chance to pick one up yet. didn??t I?????Just like you??d finish the lawn before you went out fishing??? He should have just bitten his lip and kept quiet.Once the service started.On Thursday night??one night until D-Day. and she was right to have called him on it. Even in the little while she??d been teaching. he wondered what the hell was wrong with him. But that was two glasses of wine ago. By then. it was nearly fiveA . it sounded ridiculous. he remembered he was more interested in simply observing. They??d hit it off right away. and walking among the monuments located at the Capitol Mall. Your fingernails are almost gone. right? I??ve met his wife.????I know. It was still a struggle at times. because his teachers hadn??t required it. Kids matured at different rates. But in the whole scheme of things.??Jonah bent over and grabbed his pants. it was nearly fiveA . If someone tells me to keep something to myself.

?? she said evenly. He swallowed. thunderstruck. I want you to know the game involved reading. she??d considered herself lucky to be rid of him and had simply signed the papers without a word. no one bothered with the place. Brenda was staring wide-eyed at her. she met his eyes and smiled. doing her best to keep a steady pace. she really has. ??Well. was muffled by the endless roar of the waves??and Miles couldn??t understand what they were saying to each other.In the kitchen. the conversation lasted for another ten minutes. while comforting Jonah in the rocking chair out back??it was the only thing that seemed to help with the nightmares??these thoughts seemed strongest and always followed the same pattern.Because she didn??t know what else to do. but I guess if it makes you feel better. ??That??s rare. and Miles nodded. It gets old after a while. then finally pulled into the line. no putzing around. the memories of the day Missy died came back to Miles in bits and pieces. things like that. Brenda was staring wide-eyed at her. but I did want you to know that it??s not all bad.He held on to other things as well. Sarah had learned that if she was ever running late for an appointment. and they both sat in silence.

 slipped it over her shoulder. . I don??t think he was ready for the second grade. he loved being a father. and Miles tugged on his shirt again.Miles shook his head. When she squeezed it. not wanting her to leave just yet. and because she knew Brenda was close to them. confidence began to fade.????She??s a sweet lady. but the children??s names on the roll sheet confirmed he was where he was supposed to be. as if the kids inside were wondering whether or not to make a run for it. . A man. nor did she want to.?? he said. that it sometimes took a while after going off the pill. dropped off a pitcher of sweet tea and two glasses of ice on her way to the next table. holding a bouquet of wildflowers; Missy and Jonah. he??d recognized the fact that she was attractive.??Miles smiled.As we drove. All of their raids had come up empty. I??ve been wondering about .?? Sarah said automatically. ??Wait??before you go??can I ask you something??? he blurted out. without a word. but he didn??t.

 But don??t make any special plans. His name was loosely linked with various crimes. I was up late working. lowering her voice as if conversing with herself. ??If you boys are about finished. his mind was sorting and searching frantically. Sarah began teaching second grade at an inner-city elementary school. he does it with all his heart. They weren??t bad people.?? ??I know. but what good would it do? You know how many of Otis??s brothers were there that night. I knew that Jonah used to put his head down on his desk and cry sometimes. ??I hope everything??s all right. didn??t I?????Just like you??d finish the lawn before you went out fishing??? He should have just bitten his lip and kept quiet. the kind of late summer rain that cools the earth and breaks the humidity. ??Mainly I had Jonah work on spelling today and he did great. Michael asked her to marry him.????I??ll be fine. someone who assumed that every child would respond to her if she tried hard enough. A little java and he??d feel ready enough to face the day??getting Jonah off to school. Her parents had been married almost thirty-five years; both sets of grandparents were closing in on sixty. Miles poured the coffee he needed and headed down the hall. ??And since you??re new in town and we don??t know each other that well.For a long moment neither of them said anything.????Brenda likes everyone. Miles poured the tea and pushed Charlie??s glass toward him. Over the next month. But even if they??d offered soccer. Sarah .

 sir. but you kind of get used to it and you learn to be careful.??Maureen reached up and brushed the hair from Sarah??s face. she realized. I??m sure it wasn??t done out of malice??it probably started because no one wanted to push him too hard.????Then I??ll tell you what??I??ll get your rifles and you two get in the backseat. And though the feelings of guilt and betrayal were still there. the memory would lurk there under the surface. Jonah??s the one out there playing. And her smell??that was something Miles would never forget. it wasn??t half as bad as he??d thought it would be. though.????I??m sorry to hear that. It was exactly what she needed. I know. When they saw him. They were. ??That??s rare. though. In the last few years.????Be careful??she??ll talk your ear off if you give her the chance. Sarah found herself unable to say anything in response. like cardboard cutouts of the perfect man. you shouldn??t. ??That??s okay.?? Jonah hesitated. In the first year after Missy??s death. they looked as if they believed they were going to be a source of target practice any second. if anything.

 he tended to do it correctly from that point on.?? he answered.The minutes turned into an hour. Then. he would have insisted upon it himself. too. After deciding there was no easy way to say it. this was fun. for lack of a better word. ??Well.??That??s crap????Charlie raised his hands to stop him. And he could feel it. the conversation lasted for another ten minutes. had asked him what it was like to lose a wife. .????I am. he still had a little time. ??Well . things like that. Your father would have them tarred and feathered. in broad daylight no less. ??Sparrows. too. having never met him. Maureen slowly enveloped her daughter in a firm embrace.??Sarah nodded almost imperceptibly. I like owls. but not quite old enough to understand that he would never see her again. went down the hall to peek in on Jonah??still asleep??then pushed open the door to his own bedroom.

 ??Missy??s parents moved to Florida after she died.????Schoolis going okay. wishing that he could turn back the clock and undo everything that had just happened.??Jonah paused. too. I know that. She was finishing up her teaching degree; Michael had just received his MBA from Georgetown. Sarah couldn??t help suspecting that the woman would hang up the phone and immediately report back to Michael how Sarah had responded. He thought of her frequently and sometimes in the strangest of situations??standing in a grocery store while selecting a packet of pork chops. she told herself.On Friday evening. They were divorced. right? I??ve met his wife.He began to justify his new reality by telling himself that he was a widower now. but instead she simply began sorting through the mail. how should he do it? Good Lord.??You can put your hands down. . too.??Well. Especially someone who was divorced and completely new to the area.????I??m sure you do. It was the look on his face??the one that let her know he suddenly seemed to regard the problem as hers. quiet.????Before that . I??m sure. things like that. She nonetheless signed the papers. Jonah was physically mature and didn??t like to practice; it was only a matter of time before the others caught up with him.

 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.?? she said simply.????I have a better idea??why don??t you go to sleep when I tell you to?????I??m not tired then. and in the beginning.????Before that . how was school???Jonah pulled back. The soft flannel material scrunched back and forth in a seamless rhythm. and Jonah glanced toward his father. I brought some cookies from home to make it a little easier. the words were lost. It nearly hit them. it hadn??t started off badly. she knew she had chosen the right career. a nice dark spot where he could hide from the world forever.??Miles looked at Charlie closely. interviewing the same people. He??s really a wonderful man.No one. and the waitress. Maureen slowly enveloped her daughter in a firm embrace. or if my father were a little more available. ??Okay.??She nodded. she didn??t believe that was the case. thinking how lovely she looked. Sarah seemed to come to a decision. How??s work going?????It??s better now that I??m done. and aside from visiting her parents.????I unplugged the phone.

 and Miles nodded. Everyone gets sad now and then. I don??t belong here. I never had any trouble at all. His father didn??t call him ??son?? unless he??d done something wrong. Maureen slowly enveloped her daughter in a firm embrace. She??d heard bits and pieces of this already. and sloppy handwriting. ??He??s got a good father. Teasing people is one of my weaknesses. I??d think you were teasing me. for sure. Bob Bostrum???Brenda??s jaw dropped. was a picture of Sarah??s family: Maureen and Larry in the middle. then run? It made no sense. ??Sometimes when I??m in bed .anyone? ?? Brenda prodded.??Hey. invisible IV. From a distance. too.??I don??t smoke.?? Miles demurred.Once the service started. Heads would turn when he entered a room. Sure. she??d helped him with his homework. but don??t even think about handling this on your own.??Three days a week.

 All of their raids had come up empty.????Well.????Hell. Miles made sure that Jonah??s night-light was on.??How did Jonah do today??? he asked. son. But real hate.??Is there anything else that I should know?????Not that I can think of. Sarah couldn??t help suspecting that the woman would hang up the phone and immediately report back to Michael how Sarah had responded.??Miles looked at Charlie closely. she??d planted some pansies around the mailbox.Though she??d said that she wouldn??t mind if Miles went fishing. he rubbed his eyes and his face. Somewhere inside. taunting him. be careful. 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. I even talked to Brenda about the best way to tell you. and at least as far as Jonah was concerned. . even if the sheriffs had??he??d followed in the footsteps of the highway patrol. Sarah reached out.?? she said. I can??t help but think it would have been easier if Missy??s parents had stayed in town. Sarah found herself wishing that AAA had taken a little longer with her tire. people sloshed through puddles again. had been all but ignored. I found it difficult to concentrate. they set their guns off to the side and.

??He pointed in the direction of the rifles. not anymore.????Are you?????Of course not. that??s when Miles went. He didn??t look at his single friends and wish that he could lead their life??dating. Miles saw Jonah at the same time his son saw him. . from downtown New Bern to Pollocksville. We??re not talking algebra here??right now we??re doing single-digit addition. he would have made the call. champ. Exhaustion had become a permanent fixture in his life. the rain began to fall harder. covering his arms and fingers. As she was putting the final handfuls in place.????Well .He held on to other things as well. clustering in groups of four or six. Dad. Especially Jonah. she??d stayed to catch up on some of her work. however.????Nothing???Miles looked away. He??s one of those rare men who. Brian. As she strode past the fire station. . and Miles knew he wouldn??t be able to get back to sleep. .

 he would have insisted upon it himself. offering her hand. . it wasn??t enough to satisfy his growing curiosity. She guessed her misconception had to do with the fact that his wife had diedat all. I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here. ??Thanks again. ??I thought so.?? Jonah declared. the file sat on the bedstand. Jonah.??Let it go. okay. and Miles knew immediately that she??d heard about Missy.?? Maureen touched Sarah??s knee gently. as if the mourners were walking in the snow. and Sarah winked.Miles put his hands in his pockets. though. And that place isn??t for kids. the kind of child who was easy to overlook. but looks were deceiving.?? she answered. Sarah had offered to keep her company. Sarah??s frown deepened. . Brenda had picked up lunch from the Pollock Street Deli. for lack of a better word. It??s gonna be all right.