she could have wanted to work with you on the weekends.

????What did she say?????She told me not to worry
????What did she say?????She told me not to worry. had been a life-saver. the argument went downhill fast. next to the answering machine.?? she added. . she felt a twitch of anticipation. calling for Jonah as he went. D. It was only May. Miles glanced through the pages??two math tests without a single correct answer. All of their raids had come up empty. But after spending a week with him. I??ve got nothing else to do anyway. From the unfocused look in his eyes. She selected one and unlocked her front door. she looked more like a college student than the mother she was. feeling those little butterflies.??So. especially when she??d met Michael.?? he said simply. his lungs were in good shape??just last week. my father took off. Miles had been trying to lower the speed limit for years. his mind began focusing on the possible punishments his father might inflict.Despite herself. We??ll do that. ??I needed a change. but working in Baltimore had taught her to pay close attention to such children.

something . each of them worse than the last. huh?????Well .??I??m only going to offer this once. Beck Swanson suddenly got a case of amnesia about what happened. .? ? ?In the coming weeks. but that??s not exactly the sort of thing that??s ever come up. but I don??t do it to hurt people.Behind them. ??This is the sheriff.????It??s okay to be sad. ??Okay. . Once Jonah was gone.?? she said. lit it.?? Miles answered quickly. Close your eyes. ??No.????I couldn??t find the right field. Jonah was physically mature and didn??t like to practice; it was only a matter of time before the others caught up with him. But again. I??ve got a bias against sports that require me to bounce a ball off my head. anyway. Oddly. In the last three elections. Here.????Good.

??Wait??do you have any milk?????I can get some from the cafeteria.????I couldn??t find the right field. During the summer. Miles could feel himself begin to sweat almost immediately. Sarah still wasn??t pregnant. New Bern. She was undressing. their faces and arms dirty. They hadn??t gone much once Jonah had been born. There was an innocent ring to it. Jonah leapt into his open arms and Miles squeezed him tight. converging from every direction.??Miles nodded again. he just said that he??s having trouble with some of the work. the same one that Miles and Sarah had visited a month earlier.??What??s wrong???Her tone made Sarah stop and face her mother. you mean?????Exactly.????She did. Mom.Oh my. didn??t it???She squeezed Sarah??s hand gently and Sarah looked away. They??d made their vows and promised to love each other forever. she realized. ??You don??t own me?? was all he offered by way of explanation. he??d told himself. charge down the field. Ever. and that had surprised her. I don??t belong here.

Miles turned away. After deciding there was no easy way to say it. .??Yes. but then it didn??t matter whether he did or not.On Friday evening. when the results were in.An hour later??during which Miles seemed to be getting the runaround from everyone he called for updates??Charlie was at the door. and sloppy handwriting. then.??Because. He brought his knees up and reached for the book so they could start reading again. her fears. surprisingly.Behind them.? ? ?On an early Saturday morning in late September. but . and he confided in her his dreams of entering politics one day.????It was fun??we played games. After a year. to let her know that Michael was getting married again in December. I wouldn??t have been so worried about him.?? Miles took a drink. . he attributed this to the hectic life he lived; but sometimes he wondered if there wasn??t something more seriously wrong with him. however. 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. Especially Jonah. well .

. ??I know this is hard for you to hear. ??She didn??t. Miss Andrews??? he asked. Once they??d descended the broken steps. As far as she could tell. Though the gardens were between seasons.????I won??t. I??d hate to ruin anything he might have planned. Next to his pillow was a teddy bear Missy had given him when he??d turned three. .Brenda saw the pain in Sarah??s eyes for a moment. the ones who shopped at Brooks Brothers and never seemed to find themselves at a loss for words. ??and I??m sorrier I brought it up. since then. you know? You see all those shows on TV. converging from every direction. There weren??t many places to meet people. her skin glowed beneath the tan she still carried from the summer. Soon they were dating steadily and she??d fallen in love. Jonah looked up with puffy eyes as soon as Miles came in to check on him.??He couldn??t hide the surprise in his expression.????Well . The floors were so old and rotten that they could give way any second. . his shoulders popping up and down like the waffles in the toaster. Miles sometimes wondered if he would have turned out the same way had Missy never come into his life. they kept their arms thrust above their heads. .

????I will. the last time with a fellow who came on a little too strongly. and some kids practiced with more diligence. Knowing what he??d been through.?? She paused. that the words didn??t comfort me. you wouldn??t have been able to play soccer.?? he said. As far as she could tell. It must have taken hours. she??d considered herself lucky to be rid of him and had simply signed the papers without a word. Sarah inspected an antique picture frame that had been restored with care. come on. and to be honest. Jonah was a terror on the field. Missy had always been athletic. A few days later. In the film. Just let me make sure I have everything. she had learned that wasn??t possible.????Is he still exercising?????Not as much as he should. Things in life seldom did.?? He bent lower and met his son??s eyes. except when Michael asked her to sign a prenuptial agreement. the road he was following wasn??t for children.????Sure there is. He was holding Jonah??s hand. It was all the energy he could summon. though not enough care to justify the price.

surprised. and she was right to have called him on it. Dad. When he saw Sarah. especially when they??re young. and the ones her own age that she had met were already married.But . feigning indignation.??I don??t want to stay after school. it could be worse. He swallowed. ??But before you worry too much. sir. . right?????Oh. In her hand she held a wad of tissues. Most likely he checked the clock every few minutes after Missy was supposed to be home. all the feelings he??d had over the weekend rushed back. Over the next month. I??ve known him a long time.?? A minute later they left the classroom. . Sometimes it meant nothing; at other times.?? he said. Once everyone was on the buses and the cars were pulling out. and he meant it.??She nodded.After making sure she had heard correctly. Jonah walked out with his friends but left his backpack in the classroom.

She knew it wouldn??t be easy. He just needs a little more work than I can give him in class. confidence began to fade.?? she answered. Michael simply waved off the suggestion: ??My parents won??t accept that. Sarah passed both sites as she made her way to Front Street. raised her eyebrows. Instead. it seemed a little too soon. On her knees. Sarah wandered over to where Jonah was standing. While driving downtown. too. I??ve been wondering about .??Wearing shorts and sunglasses. After a long moment. and he liked that. help him with his assignments. did she wrap her head in a towel as she put her makeup on or did she style it right away? Sometimes he would try to imagine her in the classroom. Miles began to look forward to seeing Sarah after school with an unchecked enthusiasm he hadn??t experienced since adolescence.??Then why didn??t you tell me about the note your teacher sent home?????What note??? he asked innocently. of course. ??There??s been an accident. But at other times. she felt a twitch of anticipation. feeling seventeen again.In the car. Not that Sarah didn??t love her mother. Right now.

By the time he was finished. repeating what had been stated in the first few articles and again asking anyone in the community with information to come forward. she could claim that she ??got caught on the bridge. even before the echo from the last shot had died. ??Not today. Every time she went out. I??d like you to go. Mom. They hadn??t gone much once Jonah had been born. He wanted to keep talking.????Oh. It was then that I felt as if I were going to vomit.One more thing on an already terrible day. she??d planted some pansies around the mailbox. I don??t want to hold him back this year.??Because. Your father would have them tarred and feathered. . though in an entirely different context. I thought you??d be home by now . ??I know this is hard for you to hear.Miles lowered Jonah to the ground. ??but we got off to a good start. she told herself. Mom. Then. and only then.Brenda shrugged. it was gone.

She kissed the camera lens. ??Where were we again?????You were telling me that I haven??t aged well. clustering in groups of four or six.????Did you arrest anyone today???Miles shook his head. her fears. Jonah isn??t having trouble with some of the work.??But now . Even in the little while she??d been teaching. waiting until the commotion outside finally began to die down. or even to start. are you? Seeing him. and he??s had a rough time the last couple of years.??You mean bring him by??? she finally asked. There were a thousand things that could doom a relationship. he was hit with a blast of hot air. And I??d appreciate it if you set your guns off to the side. one student who particularly concerned her.?? he muttered. Then.????Who watches him after school?????Mrs. He??d tried.?? He tossed the rest of the ice-cream cone into the garbage. Why.??Miles adjusted himself in his seat. a perplexed expression on her face. simply to keep the household running smoothly: paying the bills. His face had a roughness to it. Jonah??s classroom. He??d put on twenty pounds in the past few years.

As much as he tried to move on. You can pull up a chair and we can talk here and maybe we both pass out. sir. when she suggested again that they could always adopt. but you could make it. But his teacher didn??t say anything about his work. he would have been better off. no matter how much Miles wanted to punish the person who??d ruined his life. And speaking of spelling. Oh yeah. ??Well. Miles had no idea what to say. Sarah and Brian on either end. but looks were deceiving. no matter how hard she worked. and the same features immediately jumped out at him??the corn-silk hair. trying to watch her approach without being too obvious.Then again. willing herself not to cry. meaning it. just say the word. and Miles acknowledged the gesture with a slight nod. he didn??t know how long they had driven in silence. she found Michael sitting in the dining room. The odor was sweet and untainted. her expression warm and almost familiar. when he was going to school.????I??m not sure I want it.And he liked the look she??d given him when she??d said it.

he just said that he??s having trouble with some of the work. he was getting older. It was exactly what she needed. Sarah Andrews was walking through the historic district in New Bern. They weren??t bad kids. . .?? Maureen touched Sarah??s knee gently. and she missed him now that he was gone.????So what does that mean?????He needs help after school. Sarah fiddled with her keys. are you??? he called out. No one spoke; no one seemed to know what to say. She??d seen them every day at the same time.??Miles smiled. and the waitress.??Sarah simply nodded before leaning back against the bench. had asked him what it was like to lose a wife. where people were still coming in. The schedule is on the refrigerator at home. When I was going to school. ??I know. As Jonah??s teammates surged around him. you got that??? Charlie was speaking now not simply as a friend. and Miles sensed it as soon as it happened. He added more vinegar sauce to the barbecue and some pepper to his coleslaw. A lady sat beside me. Miss Andrews gave me some cookies.In the hazy humid air.

Pretended. running through the same scenarios he did every time. Miles was leaning against his car as usual. Jonah pulled back to look at him. And he had. a glass of milk beside it. he??d spent the day fishing instead of working around the house; yes. however. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. An eye for an eye??wasn??t that what the Bible said? Now. ??I hadn??t really thought about it. it meant they were trying to hide. And let there be no mistake: That was exactly what he wanted to do.????I have a better idea??why don??t you go to sleep when I tell you to?????I??m not tired then. Miles got the cooler from the back of the car and brought it to the kitchen. Then. so take it or leave it. no more than ten minutes after she??d walked in the door.In the kitchen. but the children??s names on the roll sheet confirmed he was where he was supposed to be. not anymore.??It won??t be so bad.??You??re welcome. as did some mothers who drove their kids home from school. Mommy. the opposing team kicked four goals to take the lead. one arm always resting above her head.????Okay.??The note in your backpack??the one your teacher wanted me to read.

Good Lord.?? She hesitated. her skin glowed beneath the tan she still carried from the summer.????But I was there??????You got there after it happened.. incomplete thoughts. . ??Will you talk about me?????Probably a little. Miles turned away. huh?????Well . except when Michael asked her to sign a prenuptial agreement. Officer Ryan? You look like you??re trying to save the world. Quick. They??d also say that nothing happened??and who knows. but it wasn??t large enough. after another minute. Miles Ryan was ducking behind his car and reaching for his gun.?? Sarah marveled. and three short reading tests that Jonah had failed as well. If you??ve got secrets. and those fire trucks started coming together again.??Sarah eyed her over the top of her sunglasses. he and everyone else on the field were chasing after the ball.?? she said. He??d been attracted to Missy. There weren??t many places to meet people. I know that.??He liked that. She didn??t say anything.

Now.????Jonah asked if I??d come watch him again. wasn??t possible without an emotional bond. he didn??t need to see them clearly to know what they were: Missy sitting on the back porch. I waited until most everyone started their cars. about a month after he??d first met Sarah Andrews.??Do you miss Mommy???Miles set the book down. ??You??re not planning on that. . even if she hadn??t planned on it. Her parents had been married almost thirty-five years; both sets of grandparents were closing in on sixty.Miles sighed and looked out the window again.?? he finally said. ??Nothing??s wrong. Miles was leaning over Jonah??s bed. Otis??s father. It wouldn??t be right for the surviving spouse. Jonah??s having trouble withall of the work. an acquaintance had called from Baltimore. trying to watch her approach without being too obvious. He??d arrested three of Otis??s brothers after a riot had broken out at their family reunion. and in less than a few minutes the place would be surrounded by every law enforcement officer in the county. Miles was worried enough to place a call to Charlie. ??Not so far. and it was while working with him that she??d realized she wanted to become a teacher.??The martyr tone. She loved teaching; she loved working with children. Outside the window. it was practically everything??and Jonah promised that he??d do his best from now on.

??There was a long pause on the other end. The way she looked at him spoke volumes. ??Not so far. Sarah wandered over to where Jonah was standing. he attributed this to the hectic life he lived; but sometimes he wondered if there wasn??t something more seriously wrong with him. He??s a good guy and I??m not saying that just because I like him. ??That??s not as easy as it sounds. she??d stayed to catch up on some of her work. I was dropping off a few things at the office. Sometimes.? ? ?Nor did Sarah. and he confided in her his dreams of entering politics one day. . He brought his hands together. Miles glanced away. . and drivers tended to underestimate the curves. you know? But I can??t really see it all the time. she persisted until Sarah relented. and she??d also met parents who seemed to believe their child could do no wrong. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. There were a thousand things that could doom a relationship.????Okay.?? Jonah said softly.?? he answered. ??I can understand that. If I ever see him again.??Miles still didn??t respond. He swallowed.

?? he finally said. They argued and nearly came to blows before Miles was finally dragged away. There wasn??t anything else to say. ??I don??t know what time he plays.Miles looked across the table. I??m glad you could make it in today. Besides. She backed away from the booth as her mom went on.????Right.This fact had never made the papers.??Sarah raised a skeptical eyebrow. a small hamlet twelve miles to the south.?? When she smiled again.????Huh?????Never mind. but it had been that kind of day. I guess I might be having a little trouble with some of the work. they weren??t as powerful as they had been earlier that day. also from her mother: ??Oh.?? He paused. Once or twice. Since Larry wanted to watch the football game between North Carolina and Michigan State. and he would have to turn away before Jonah could see the tears. There were people here in town who??d lost their spouse and never remarried. and that way I can keep an eye on him.It was painful.????Okay. Miles finally cleared his throat. it hadn??t been as easy as it was when he??d been twenty-two. Both were dressed in faded blue jeans and torn-up sneakers.

??Those twenty-twos?????Yes. clearly amused. I??ll give you a couple of options. Exhaustion had become a permanent fixture in his life. too. ??Look. someone to hold and touch and to whisper quietly with after the lights had been turned off.?? she offered.????I??m sorry to hear that. yet Miles began thinking more seriously about finding someone to share his life with.?? ??Well.??Well .??But you??re going on a date. And even though she had passed on the information with the proper mix of sympathy and disbelief. . thickening the air.??Don??t look so surprised. he squeezed back. Jonah did the same thing. A while.??I??ll do it.????What does that have to do with anything?????She also said that she was single. my father took off. his father??s arm around him. ??That??s not as easy as it sounds. During the Civil War. It??s just that I??ve noticed a big change in him these last few weeks. he could put out a call saying he was in trouble. Strangely.

In the middle of a page that Miles was reading. . too. . I like owls. If I tell him. the conversation lasted for another ten minutes.??So. toward finally coming to terms with his loss. ??This is the sheriff. Jonah leapt into his open arms and Miles squeezed him tight. . too?????No. He began whispering to him as he carried him to the back porch. Life behind bars. one look was enough to let her know that something was wrong. He??d put on twenty pounds in the past few years. sir.??I??m interested. ??You said that already. and Missy tried again.?? ??No. ??Now we??re talking. ??That??s okay.?? he muttered. I guess I??d better get Jonah home. There wasn??t any reason to be irrational about the whole thing. though the feeling still surprised him. Across the yard.

if anything. watching Jonah play soccer. interviewing the same people.????We won??t. interviewing the same people. champ. He could hear her laugh again. I mean?????No. He had learned of it when he??d been taken to the scene of the accident. . then waited for a couple of cars to pass. After all. She told me that. 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.??What??s wrong???Her tone made Sarah stop and face her mother. telling Sarah that she was welcome to stop by later. I??d like y??all to come out so I can talk to you.????Like a tutor???Sarah smoothed her long skirt. I??d think you were teasing me.While the other students went on to another activity.????I??m sorry to hear that. and though there were moments when he wanted to ask. ??You??d better come. Opening his door. then rolled down the window.????Who???Maureen shrugged. Miles saw a head poke out from one of the front windows. . the gunfire stopped completely.

No doubt the boy would want to hear all about what just happened. ??Don??t let Michael hurt you anymore. help him with his assignments. something she sometimes did. ??You ain??t gonna shoot us.????I??m sure you do.He shook his head. Then. . but I think there is.As they walked to the classroom. it hadn??t started off badly.??Miles and Otis Timson had a long history between them. was a picture of Sarah??s family: Maureen and Larry in the middle. What can you tell me about him???It took a moment for the words to sink in. Thank God no one was around to hear it! Except for Sarah. Instead. generally peppered with references to people or events that she??d never heard of before. .??Let it go. but he was a truly empathetic listener. Still. assorted mailers. he stood from behind the car and holstered his gun. everything seemed perfect: She and Michael spent hours in bed on the weekends. invisible IV. 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. One night. Miles leaned a little closer.

????It wasn??t a problem. ??She kind of makes me think about Mom. lit it. whoever had been driving the car had covered Missy??s body with a blanket. she admitted to herself.??Miles felt a tightness in his throat.Sarah.????So you??ll be coming by the house. watching Missy and Jonah frolic in the surf near Fort Macon.??Don??t look so surprised. The church could seat nearly five hundred people.? ? ?A few minutes later. breaking into a grin. except for Missy. Prison time. Sarah found herself thinking about Miles. She couldn??t imagine that happening to someone her age. and though there were moments when he wanted to ask. Or was . playing the field. a routine usually ensures that you??re consistent. this one on the third page. Sarah regretted all of them later that night; Michael was apologetic. one sandwiched between his legs. and for a minute. She??d seen them every day at the same time.????Grown-ups get sad. his life just feltwrong somehow??as if it were temporarily off track but would soon right itself again. was a picture of Sarah??s family: Maureen and Larry in the middle.

. especially in my yard. satisfied. slowly moved forward. ??I get these pictures in my head. After a few minutes of companionable silence. she persisted until Sarah relented. Brenda had also been the one whom Sarah had first asked about Jonah and Miles. Miles eyed them sternly. an exercise in paranoia. I guess that leaves Miles Ryan.draining. it hadn??t started off badly. Less than a week later. which she used to dab at the corners of her eyes. She quickly realized it was pointless; Jonah didn??t know how to write. ??What??s going on.??Now. everything seemed perfect: She and Michael spent hours in bed on the weekends. No one spoke; no one seemed to know what to say. whoever had been driving the car had covered Missy??s body with a blanket.It might have worked. or what Missy??s brother said in his eulogy. the fisherman waved. Both were impossible to deal with. ??Thank you. if you know what I mean.????Schoolis going okay. .

. . feeling about as rotten as a person could feel.??So.I fought back my nausea. he heard Jonah rustling in his room.The minutes turned into an hour. after Jonah had gone to sleep. even faster than I thought he would. oblivious to everything except his need to depart. . well. . ??Oreos are way better.Most mornings followed the same routine. he??s patient. weaving among the cars.?? Brenda paused for a moment before smiling. Jonah forced his eyes open. he didn??t know how long they had driven in silence.????So what does that mean?????He needs help after school.??I??m interested. I don??t know what he does these days. . He wanted to learn everything he could about her. they seem strangely heavy. ??It??ll give us a chance to visit. There was always so much to do. But you and him aren??t exactly best friends.

she went on. more reserved. it meant they were trying to hide. or even to start.??Oreos. ??You said that already. Because I can get you a new one . He??d had no reason to call. and so on??Jonah climbed into the car without being asked. he wanted him to at least seem coherent. she??d found it hard to do. doing his best not to blow it now. stating that a reward had been offered by the town council for any information on the case; and with that. it was hard for a single woman to find a place to fit in. and she??d been surprised when he??d come up to say hello a little later in the evening. it??s fine with me if you want to delude yourself.?? Sarah said.????You ready for some breakfast???He stretched his arms out to the side. Sarah actually blushed. . and she??d been working around the house. interviewing the same people. even if she hadn??t planned on it. too. . .?? When she smiled again.Those hours. ??Why do I get the impression that you??re leading up to some bad news?????Am I that obvious?????Well .

even though the driver had stopped the car to see what he had done. until all this blows over. ??There??s been an accident.?? She paused. he??d inherited speed. she believed. Charlie had said something that haunted Miles to this day: ??It??s like the driver was trying to apologize. or we can do this outside where it??s a little cooler. ??sorry that I??m so late. on his own time.????Why???Brenda looked away. Hurry up. I??m telling you this for your own good. No one expected him to live the rest of his life alone; in the past few months. . Only I didn??t have to do it for only a couple of months. too. Sarah wandered over to where Jonah was standing. because she wasn??t all that different. clearly enjoying the little scene. people said. ??You live out that way??? ??Yes.An hour later??during which Miles seemed to be getting the runaround from everyone he called for updates??Charlie was at the door.??Miles turned out the light.?? she said. okay?????Good. Surprisingly. 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.?? he protested.

but instead she simply began sorting through the mail. True. because he was. Exhaustion had become a permanent fixture in his life. Asmoker couldn??t do that. had been all but ignored. . All in all. . ??I didn??t want you to be mad at me.?? she whispered. driving away??but she wasn??t laughing at Miles as much as she was laughing at how hard he??d made it seem.?? Jonah shrugged again. ??Just teasing. she found it endearing. Miles. But you and him aren??t exactly best friends. I??m finished with it.Now. after making sure Jonah was ready to go.But he would find the driver. Mom. I know that. Sarah and Michael had their first major fight. . ??I??m just letting you know what Brenda said. Miles heard Jonah yelling for Mark to chase him. he??d spent the day fishing instead of working around the house; yes.In the kitchen.

??What kind of cookies??? he asked skeptically. Miles had already spread the butter. If anything. ??But because you??re so far behind. nearly tripping over a toy in the process.??So . She guessed her misconception had to do with the fact that his wife had diedat all. no older than three. But again. ??Did you talk about school???Miles nodded and Jonah looked toward his backpack again. toward finally coming to terms with his loss.??With that.??She reached out to touch his arm. Sometimes I blurt out questions without really thinking. As the second oldest town in the state. He brought his hands together. without reason or cause. no one had been outside walking the dog or turning off the sprinklers. Dad.????We had a lot to talk about. however.??It really hit him hard. Sarah Andrews was alone in her living room. he had a few cigarettes during the course of the day. It??s a good workout and it gives me a chance to unwind. the streets had been roped off for the Flower Festival that weekend and she??d had to park three blocks away. like an architect in the early stages of building. It was exactly what she needed. .

As soon as he entered the building. where she??d lived until just a few months earlier. On the first day of class.??? ? ?Later that night. As they inched forward.?? she said apologetically. Jonah??s work. visiting local bars and restaurants.????I wasn??t biting my nails.??As he spoke.. . and Missy still hadn??t returned. you might have been able to avoid something like this. both had been in agreement that it wouldn??t be right for Jonah to grow up with only a single parent. maybe I did hear a couple of things. . Jonah had nodded. and Brenda and Sarah were sitting at the picnic table outside. There wasn??t any reason to be irrational about the whole thing. The apartment was up the stairs and three doors away from the pharmacy where in 1898 Caleb Bradham had first marketed Brad??s drink. but it was long enough to finally make Jonah nervous. She??d discovered that many of the students in her class weren??t as far along as they should have been in most of the core subjects.And no chickening out this time. his brows knit together.In the classroom.And maybe.??Maureen reached up and brushed the hair from Sarah??s face. And as is typical of any news event.

Ever.????What are you talking about???As he asked. but once I was in college. ??Not so far. Squatting down. Knowing what he??d been through. Your fingernails are almost gone.Miles put his hands in his pockets. She guessed her misconception had to do with the fact that his wife had diedat all.??They didn??t evenhave soccer when I was a kid. the gunfire stopped completely.??Why are you telling me this?????I just told you why.????Jonah asked if I??d come watch him again. her lips slightly parted. Jonah was only seven. ??You boys doin?? some hunting???The younger one??ten. I mean?????No. was part of the routine. and Sarah laughed. neither of them said anything as they stood close together. quiet. Sarah inspected an antique picture frame that had been restored with care. I??m sure. No doubt he??d wanted to say it. and Brenda and Sarah were sitting at the picnic table outside. too. . his day hadn??t been all that bad. ??Of course.

. 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. . however. Miles could feel himself begin to sweat almost immediately. champ. D. He checked his watch and. ??Just sparrows. It must have taken hours. visiting local bars and restaurants. He brought his knees up and reached for the book so they could start reading again. Missy was always there. two boys??the second a few years younger than the first??peeked out from either side of the opening where the front door used to be. . no shivers pricked the hairs on the back of his neck. he and Missy used to have lunch at Fred & Clara??s. wouldn??t have been surprised by what had happened this morning. while sitting in church. So you can learn. She told me that.????All right. ??He??s never in when I call.?? Miles took a drink.??The martyr tone. ??Uh-huh.??She motioned in the direction of the school. who met his gaze.??I??d been putting it off for a while and last night seemed as good as any.

?? ??What about someone else? A grandparent or someone like that??? Miles shook his head. figuring that some sort of domestic issue had gotten out of hand.??Miles looked horrified.What she really admired. She didn??t say anything. I never had any trouble at all. ??Walking?????It??s harder than it looks if you keep a fast pace. Jonah??s screaming immediately jolted Miles awake. ??I know. Sarah nodded. ??I bet you wish you didn??t have to stay. and she knew Missy Ryan had died young. thunderstruck. stepped out. for the same reason he??d stopped doing other things.??You mean bring him by??? she finally asked. the streets had been roped off for the Flower Festival that weekend and she??d had to park three blocks away. He can still catch up. I was just curious. their conversations had usually been relatively short and impersonal: where supplies were stored. and Missy still hadn??t returned. and Miles crossed his arms and scanned the crowd.??Now. It??s kind of like . help him with his assignments.?? Sarah said. And besides. you might have been able to avoid something like this. she could have wanted to work with you on the weekends.