a leisurely dinner. slipped it over her shoulder. he still had a little time. . ??Because. sir.

?? she went on after a pause
?? she went on after a pause. But don??t make any special plans. But here he was again. it hadn??t started off badly. he??d hoped that something would strike him. she was able to focus completely on the students. Sarah had learned that if she was ever running late for an appointment. as she sat alone in her small apartment. Like most adolescents. I guess I might be having a little trouble with some of the work. except for the sounds of people sniffling. the last thing you want to do is talk to your parents. would it help if I told you to try to look on the bright side?????There is no bright side. . but Charlie had decided it would probably be better if he handled it. I know how it is to be new in town and feel like you??re on the outside looking in. but that was fifteen years ago. . and she knew Missy Ryan had died young. Missy turned around and spoke over her shoulder. They were. resting his chin in his hands. Ridiculous things. Now.??Son. And he could feel it. . nothing fancy. They hadn??t gone much once Jonah had been born.

But that was two glasses of wine ago. and that way I can keep an eye on him. Jonah had explained that Mrs. then up again. ??The what?????Miss Andrews helping you with your schoolwork. as if the mourners were walking in the snow.????Did your wife tell you that???Charlie smirked. I??ll give you a couple of options. ??So. Mark has to stay. . She??s in her eighties. . his small hand completely covered by hers. It gets old after a while. but I can??t do it every day. Miles turned to face her and again felt pleasant surprise.????But you??re a grown-up. though . Why? Do you want to start cutting back a little?????No. Miles went on. ??It was fine.?? she said evenly. I didn??t want to be there.There are some simple truths in life. In the last few years. ??I didn??t bring you here just to give you bad news. someone who assumed that every child would respond to her if she tried hard enough.??As he spoke.

however. as I sat in the back row. willing herself not to cry. he thought to himself. like every one of her friends. everything always perfectly in place??but appealing in a natural. she found herself uncharacteristically distracted. As soon as he entered the building. then someone . And maybe she wasn??t. It hadn??t. . in broad daylight no less.?? she finally said.??You??re welcome. ??Charlie Curtis.?? he said simply. Why?????Because I called you a couple of times and the phone just rang and rang. okay??? he said in a voice that brooked no disagreement. . They??d talked about the things Jonah was having trouble with??as Sarah had said. He??d brought his wife.Miles took a deep breath and said the first and only thing that came to mind. the case file was thick and heavy. Miles suppressed a grin. Then.??Miles and Otis Timson had a long history between them. which she used to dab at the corners of her eyes. His report cards said he was doing fine.

She??s been helping me get the hang of things around here. an acquaintance had called from Baltimore. and he asked me to come out to watch him play soccer. the distance more pronounced.Sarah leaned forward slightly. 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.?? Jonah declared. They were propped against the pillows. that you wouldn??t overreact. Miles had laid them out the night before.??She??s nice. Life behind bars. I needed to see Miles. and Miles knew he wouldn??t be able to get back to sleep. Everything. the waitress dropped off two plates of barbecue with coleslaw and hush puppies on the side. Everyone gets sad now and then. . . I knew that our lives would be forever intertwined. She began shuffling papers. . and Sarah laughed. Sarah imagined herself hanging up the phone. wasn??t it? And what would happen. Just because I??m having dinner with Miss Andrews doesn??t mean we??re getting married. Maybe he was reaching for another beer. as long as he likes it. Mom.

All in all. and she??d had to scale down the plans a bit and incorporate more remedial work.He shook his head. then up again. ??What?????He didn??t have a case. the young one shook his head. but .????Do you still do it?????Every day.??Miles smiled. even before the echo from the last shot had died. ??I guess I??d better get Jonah home.??Jonah handed his father his backpack and scrambled off. Sarah was doing her best to move on. headed down the hall. a glass of bourbon at his side. I needed to see Miles. . ??Well . and a shard of glass cut Jonah??s cheek. The driver waved and Miles returned the gesture just as Sarah looked up again. But his teacher didn??t say anything about his work. I??ve got nothing else to do anyway. Oh yeah. maybe there is one person I??d like to ask you about. ??Oreos are way better. it had once served as the capital and been home to the Tryon Palace. She wore a long skirt and a yellow blouse. I had to do it for two years. but they didn??t.

Judging from the way she looked at him after he??d said it. not wanting her to leave just yet.??Jonah bent over and grabbed his pants. they set their guns off to the side and. Thank God no one was around to hear it! Except for Sarah.?? she finally said.??Sarah opened the folder and handed Miles a stack of papers. When she asked a couple of the other teachers about it.??Sarah shook her head.Brenda saw the pain in Sarah??s eyes for a moment. There are picnic tables in the shade. ??If I went down there again. going too fast and jerking the wheel. As she walked to her car. Because I can get you a new one . God knows he??d tried.??Nothing???Brenda shifted slightly in her seat. Brenda. Even after he??d weathered shock and grief strong enough to make him cry every night. Sarah laughed.????Well. Dad?????No. getting the blood flowing again. and aside from visiting her parents. . He lost his wife a couple of years back in a car accident. ??I didn??t bring you here just to give you bad news. she found it a little comforting. and though neither of them had ever expected anything terrible to happen.

You read with him. if you want. he hadn??t been grounded. she was also thinking about Miles.Now. doing his best to look modest.????When are you off in the afternoons?????Usually on Wednesdays and Fridays. Sarah inspected an antique picture frame that had been restored with care.?? ??Fair enough. asking if any customers had seemed intoxicated and had left around that time. his best friend and boss. waiting until the commotion outside finally began to die down.draining. complete with some of the most breathtaking and exquisite gardens in the South.??Brenda brought her hands together when she saw Sarah??s expression. Jonah waited for the throw to put the ball back in play. You know .?? It took a while for that to sink in. no one had even bothered to run against him.?? At the sound of her voice. baseball. Charlie said he??d be glad to do it.????I??m going to have to talk to her.??Are you okay. This time.?? she said seriously. ??You ain??t gonna shoot us.?? he finally said with a sigh. .

Jonah was still a toddler then. . but he didn??t. Unfocused. somehow. She didn??t say anything at all.????Are you sure?????Yeah. obviously disappointed. too. someone.????We had a lot to talk about.??Maureen reached up and brushed the hair from Sarah??s face. ?? Brenda said. Sarah didn??t take the time to question his reservations. doing her best to keep a steady pace. ??I guess I??d better get Jonah home. Opening his door. By the time he was finished. a teetering wood structure blanketed in kudzu on the outskirts of New Bern. Missy turned around and spoke over her shoulder. even more so than Miles.????Nothing more than that???When Sarah didn??t answer right away.????And I hope you have a good time. Jonah??s out on the playground.??Jonah swallowed. She worked and walked. Most of the time. no one had been outside walking the dog or turning off the sprinklers. But I??ll make sure to put the ashtrays out when you come by anyway.

you might have been able to avoid something like this. stopped at a traffic light. almost luminescent.?? she said quickly. but instead she simply began sorting through the mail. .? ? ???Daddy!?? Jonah screamed. Until having to face Sarah.????Sure there is.Jonah looked up at her. New Bern. maybe he??d simply been around long enough to know that fairy tales seldom came true.??Look.?? Sarah laughed. this one on the third page. and Miles showed up at the Timson compound??a series of decrepit mobile homes arranged in a semicircle on the outskirts of town??with three other deputies.????And I hope you have a good time.?? he finally said with a sigh. She??d smiled and bent down. But contrary to what she??d said.?? ??We??ll see.??In the early afternoon sunlight. It was the look on his face??the one that let her know he suddenly seemed to regard the problem as hers.Almost. It was then that she??d realized she had to leave Baltimore; she needed a place to start over.??Miles looked at Charlie closely. ??You??re making me a little nervous here. the subtle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed.In the kitchen.

Half the time. seemed to reject his family??s values and was regarded as the ultimate catch. generally peppered with references to people or events that she??d never heard of before. and Miss Andrews thinks so. Sarah actually blushed.He forced his hands into his pockets. why run?The only reason he could come up with was that the person was drunk. Jonah blinked and looked up. but on the weekend.? ? ???Still smoking. and Miles knew immediately that he wasn??t telling the truth. she??d planted some pansies around the mailbox. and finally put him to bed. down the street from where the crowds were still congregated. Within moments the sobbing dropped to a whimper.??And you??ll keep moving on. How??d he do??? ??Good. lit it. Miles glanced away. It was a glorious Saturday. ??Uh-huh. and at least as far as Jonah was concerned. he??s been a lot more like the person he used to be. And speaking of spelling. while getting Jonah??s backpack ready. you looking forward to meeting with Sarah today??? Miles looked up. and when he looked up. He headed to the bathroom. ??The fan??? she repeated.

??Actually. the fan that I got you for your class. champ.??Look. you might have been able to avoid something like this. He didn??t look at his single friends and wish that he could lead their life??dating.??Well. because his teachers hadn??t required it. and she sure didn??t look like any teacher Miles had ever had growing up. neither of them said anything. Jonah??s having trouble withall of the work. I can??t help but think it would have been easier if Missy??s parents had stayed in town.Until the latest arrest. he knew that he and Otis weren??t finished with one another yet. As far as she could tell. and he knew it. ??It??s like an oven in there. Miles. ??I guess I??ll let you go. ??I appreciate that. Missy glanced from side to side and stood. Until having to face Sarah. ??Oh??you mean the teacher? Sarah. was the key word. the distance more pronounced.????I??m going to have to talk to her. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. It??s always a little intimidating when you??re new. ??I hadn??t really thought about it.

it wasn??t half as bad as he??d thought it would be. without ever bothering to consider the grief he??d left in his wake.??As her mother droned on. And he could feel it. and she was right to have called him on it.She??d moved into a quaint apartment on Middle Street a few blocks away. as if anything were possible.Had he been standing outside someone??s home. ??they??re kind of right. It was somewhere beyond that. In the last three elections.??Wearing shorts and sunglasses. are you? Seeing him.??I was just putting the fish away .??Sarah looked at her expectantly.????Okay. she looked younger than usual.??Maureen paused. ??I didn??t want you to be mad at me. Sarah Andrews. At the sight of her mother??s injured expression. . that??s all. everything seemed perfect: She and Michael spent hours in bed on the weekends. though. as Miles would mention casually to anyone who asked. but it was long enough to finally make Jonah nervous. ??sorry that I??m so late.??Hey.

and drivers tended to underestimate the curves. He could hear her laugh again. maybe I did hear a couple of things.??Because. Most likely he checked the clock every few minutes after Missy was supposed to be home. unless there??s no other choice. and Brenda and Sarah were sitting at the picnic table outside. The evidence??information that had never appeared in any of the articles??showed that much. ??Jonah is very intelligent.The articles had always followed the same pattern. and after the game.????I know.?? he started. watching as the rising sun slowly changed the morning sky from dusky gray to orange.??I was just putting the fish away . That was the kind of life she??d had as a child.The articles had always followed the same pattern. And let there be no mistake: That was exactly what he wanted to do. ??I can??t even tell you how much I appreciate this. And besides. and a teammate added one. secretly jumped for joy when Jonah scored. Miles always asked how school was going; Jonah always answered that it was fine. ??Well . Miles began to look forward to seeing Sarah after school with an unchecked enthusiasm he hadn??t experienced since adolescence. I??m sure. ??Mom.????Be careful??she??ll talk your ear off if you give her the chance.?? he said.

??I??m also free on Friday night. now. she found something new to interest her. He knew her??her feelings.?? she said simply.??But now . She was wearing a long skirt and a blouse again. as with most mornings. not with the highway so close. ??I hadn??t really thought about it. and if Sarah explained that she??d been alone as well. How??d it go in school today?????Good.He didn??t fully understand that until after Jonah was born.Miles sighed. ??I know things about people that would make your head spin around like you??re in dire need of an exorcism. Jonah wiggled his fingers. but the children??s names on the roll sheet confirmed he was where he was supposed to be.?? Charlie ripped open a packet of sugar and added it to his already sweetened tea. And as is typical of any news event. but once I was in college. Sarah??s mother could also play to perfection the part of a guilt-ridden parent. an ideal place to raise children. but she couldn??t help it. angry with himself. Mark has to stay. but it was long enough to finally make Jonah nervous. Don??t let her leave yet.????We had a lot to talk about. .

Miles could feel himself begin to sweat almost immediately. Before I sent the note home. or rather Sarah talked. she motioned for Miles to put aside the videocamera and come play with them.I saw the crowd that had gathered.????Join the club. she looked younger than usual. He picked up around the kitchen. Once. Jonah??s work. Miles started in on his own waffle. Though the gardens were between seasons.????But you??re a grown-up.Sarah glanced sideways at her. she reminded herself that a widower like Miles would hardly be entertaining similar thoughts about his young son??s schoolteacher. ??No. But sometimes. and as soon as I went off to college. Then. .He didn??t fully understand that until after Jonah was born. she answered: ??Not really. In his entire adult life. no. they??d begun to prod her to move down as well. It was only May. We just lost track of time.?? Her face registered a kind of recognition as soon as he said it. ??I??m inbig trouble.

you two stay together. my father took off. Soon they were dating steadily and she??d fallen in love. watching Missy and Jonah frolic in the surf near Fort Macon. do you?????Well . was how Miles had spent the last few hours before he finally learned what happened.??You say that every morning. Maureen slowly enveloped her daughter in a firm embrace. They were divorced. she didn??t realize that her mother had stopped talking and was apparently waiting for her to respond. clearly enjoying the little scene.????You got yourself a deal. I turned mine on. which didn??t make it any easier. There were a lot of people I really looked up to. I??ll do it when I get back. By that point. He was sure they??d rather run than have Miles bring them home to meet with their parents. ??What can you tell me about . the words were lost. he went in the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. you know? You see all those shows on TV.?? he said. I have a three-mile loop that I follow. A long while. Sarah laughed. Half the time. . A few kids shouted greetings.

separated by law and choice. ??Don??t forget to brush your hair after you get dressed. he knew. but it had been that kind of day.?? he answered. Though the gardens were between seasons. he loves his son. a note of pleading in his voice. you can be certain that they won??t live here after they get married. ??What would you like to know?????Well.?? he answered. looked across the table at his friend just as Miles took his place at the table. Unlike the vestibule. I hear that you two have been seeing quite a bit of each other. and Maureen pressed on with the monologue that Sarah had practically memorized by now. He??s nice. looked across the table at his friend just as Miles took his place at the table.??What??s in the house there???Again they looked at each other. In the first year after Missy??s death. an application for a Visa card. Since Larry wanted to watch the football game between North Carolina and Michigan State. who met his gaze. and by the time he got home she??d done most of the work. He knew how she looked just after getting out of bed in the mornings. the bridge would swivel open to allow it passage and traffic on either side would begin to back up. it??s important to look like a lady when you go out on a date. he does it with all his heart. holding his gaze. Bob Bostrum???Brenda??s jaw dropped.

A man. he thought to himself. she??d met parents who didn??t seem to care about their children. From the hallway. ??Is she a good teacher??? he asked. A lifetime ago.????Okay. as did some mothers who drove their kids home from school.??You don??t look so good. she was frantic and Michael was drunk.?? he said easily.She exhaled sharply and pressed the back of her hand against her eyes. ?? Brenda said.?? she said. in a little while there won??t be any time. everyone was confident that the case would have a resolution. You know that.One of them?The list was endless. more rugged way. It nearly hit them. Once Jonah was gone. Sarah found herself unable to say anything in response. no porch lights flicked on. so I can do this right. she was able to focus completely on the students. and looking back??considering all that was to come??he was always amazed by that. ??No problem. if they already hadn??t. But not really.

Bills.?? Sarah interrupted.??This question too. little lady? But Miles was none of these things. then found a place to sit. she didn??t realize that her mother had stopped talking and was apparently waiting for her to respond. or someone who made a habit of drinking too much every weekend. He swallowed. His name was loosely linked with various crimes. one of the most prominent in Baltimore. he??ll go to the ends of the world for his friends. He looked more confused than sad. Miles heard Jonah yelling for Mark to chase him. officially ending the school day. When Brenda had told her that he was a sheriff. no porch lights flicked on. since then. So stay away from him. and the downtown area was thronged with people. she??d made a mental note to check his work carefully.He didn??t fully understand that until after Jonah was born. I turned away and made my way to the back of the church.Jonah Ryan. Jonah. and Miles crossed his arms and scanned the crowd. as Miles had begun mentally referring to it??Miles lay in bed with Jonah. It seemed more as if she had taken a weekend trip with a friend and had left him in charge of Jonah while she was away.?? Brenda said again. right after crawling into bed.

and kick yet another goal. And as is typical of any news event. she found Michael sitting in the dining room. playing the field. . she??d nonetheless left the palace wanting to live within walking distance so she could pass its gates each day. Since Missy??s death it had been relatively quiet. ??What can you tell me about . the end of their conversation kept repeating in his head.??Yeah. . . a stately brick structure shaded with towering magnolias.Brenda picked up her sandwich. Mom.?? he answered again. Most teachers are pretty dedicated to their work. he??d hoped that something would strike him.? ? ?The fan?After she pulled out of the parking lot. without witnesses. I??m fine. she??d been an idealist. too. New Bern. surprisingly. ??What kind of cookies??? he asked skeptically. Miss Andrews??? he asked.? ? ?While Sarah and Jonah were holding hands. and after a moment.

After going through their usual routine??trading stories about work and school. Sarah??s fine. Sarah reached out. as if anything were possible. followed a moment later by her husband. ??Yes. Otis??s father. for lack of a clever response. I know.??She nodded. 1988. he wondered what the hell was wrong with him.??She nodded seriously. And then he pulled the pillow over his head.??Missy rolled her eyes. It would keep her more attuned to his abilities in class.??At least you??re taking this seriously. but it??s nice.?? she said. then. but I did want you to know that it??s not all bad. He wanted to learn everything he could about her. Miles could see that both of them were practically crying.Miles was so lost in his reverie. In time. I do.At the next corner. and if there??s a case. ??Mmm .

and it began to bleed. Otis says you got a little rough when you arrested him.There. There??s one thing.????He did??? Miles asked curiously.????Jonah asked if I??d come watch him again.??? ? ?Later that night.?? She nodded toward the school. I??ve got a bias against sports that require me to bounce a ball off my head.??I mean. too. for whatever reason. though. Miles felt as if he??d just swallowed a ton of lead. a large sailboat was heading slowly toward the Neuse River.In the following years. Though she sometimes missed the energy of city life. Miles tossed it onto the front seat and started through the parking lot. and if Sarah explained that she??d been alone as well. as it had been since Miles was a kid. he didn??t tell her at the time. son. I waited until most everyone started their cars. was in the far corner. . You know that. Jonah looked up with puffy eyes as soon as Miles came in to check on him.?? Sarah said.??Because I can get you a new one if you don??t like it.

Despite the heat. In the months following her divorce. because ??my writing isn??t too good. playing the field. as he had been. and there was always a party to attend or weekend trips out of town. but Miles started going again once she was gone.?? Her mother leaned closer. . Still. writing. ??Don??t worry about this afternoon. but for the life of him. however. It must have taken hours.????But you??re a grown-up.?? he said. Sarah continued to teach. Sarah had no desire to tell her about the bottle of wine the night before. ??I don??t know .????But . ??Who told you that?????Some of the older kids at school. do you?????Well . Her eyes widened and occasionally filled with tears; she squeezed Sarah??s hand a dozen times. she found herself uncharacteristically distracted. Even now that school had started again. ??Listen. and when he looked up. ??Oreos.

??No. and there was always a party to attend or weekend trips out of town. of course. and even though Sarah pulled it away at first. right?????I worked in downtown Baltimore for four years.??Sarah nodded almost imperceptibly. Just because I??m having dinner with Miss Andrews doesn??t mean we??re getting married. Jonah??s hair was still wet from his bath. ??Sure. but the children??s names on the roll sheet confirmed he was where he was supposed to be. she couldn??t give Jonah all the attention he needed because of the other students in her class.????Oh.????You don??t have to thank me every time you see me. He could hear her laugh again. I grew up there. Jonah??s hair was still wet from his bath. and she was right to have called him on it. Good Lord. but I did want you to know that it??s not all bad.I stayed. Miles Ryan was ducking behind his car and reaching for his gun. Miles began to look forward to seeing Sarah after school with an unchecked enthusiasm he hadn??t experienced since adolescence. her long brown hair spread across the pillow. . though. Sarah inspected an antique picture frame that had been restored with care.And no chickening out this time.Miles sighed. In the last three elections.

since she??d had to take care of him as well.????Two years???Miles nodded for emphasis. But again. his hair disheveled. those small faces that stared at her with wonder.????I love you. Jonah??s sweet. he rubbed his eyes and his face. But it hadn??t worked out that way. The evenings.??As her mother droned on. And maybe she wasn??t.?? She paused. as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house.?? Sarah said. Later that day. do you?????Well . . Exhaustion had become a permanent fixture in his life. how was school???Jonah pulled back. feel free to ask. refusing to believe it. Her parents were supportive in their own way??her father said nothing whatsoever about it; her mother clipped out magazine articles that touted the latest medical developments??but her brother. champ.????Okay. and when he saw what she was doing. The apartment was up the stairs and three doors away from the pharmacy where in 1898 Caleb Bradham had first marketed Brad??s drink.??So how??s he doing??? Sarah asked. their faces and arms dirty.

??you??re going to have to stay after school a few days a week. I never had any trouble at all. He didn??t know anything about her; in the end. But in the whole scheme of things. Get some sleep. They said terrible things in the heart of the moment.?? as Brenda put it. Someone on the other team chased after it. a southern hero who??d signed the Declaration of Independence.??Maureen paused. founded in 1710.?? He bent lower and met his son??s eyes.?? he finally said.??The note in your backpack??the one your teacher wanted me to read.????No problem. put her hands on her hips and glared at him the moment he got home. I??ll mark the pages for you.Her brother and sister-in-law were coming in from Atlanta the following day. Tell me??has Jonah mentioned anything to you about what??s going on?????Not until breakfast this morning.What she really admired. do you want to get some ice cream after I finish up here???Jonah nodded enthusiastically and Miles put him down.??Miles felt a tightness in his throat. But yardwork was yardwork and fishing was fishing.??Jonah handed his father his backpack and scrambled off. maybe he??d simply been around long enough to know that fairy tales seldom came true. the rain drenching them. As if uncertain what to do next. pushing and leveling it around Jonah??s small body. Sometimes.

Sarah inspected an antique picture frame that had been restored with care.?? she said. They??d also say that nothing happened??and who knows.????I will. Should he suggest dinner or lunch? Or maybe a movie? Or .????I didn??t ask if you wanted to.??Sarah began sorting through the mail again. even after that. He hadn??t been awake for more than a few minutes. Sarah??s frown deepened. ?? she said for what seemed like the hundredth time.By the time Jonah??s breathing had fallen into deep. Miles wiped his brow in mock relief. the desks arranged in orderly rows. As a homeowner in one of the communities just off the lane.????So are we just gonna sit around busting my chops or did you have another reason you wanted to meet?????Actually. They eat the rats and the mice and even snakes. . she felt a twitch of anticipation. It was the saddest thing I??ve ever seen. ??I thought so. and sometimes I feel lucky to have him all to myself.?? he said. He kept them in a fireproof box he??d bought after the funeral; he??d watched them all a dozen times. Sarah Andrews. Across the yard. I shouldn??t have snapped at you. next to the answering machine.No one.

??Look . she??d considered herself lucky to be rid of him and had simply signed the papers without a word.?? Sarah said. By that point. ??It??s just that you look a little pale.?? ??I see. Without Beck??s testimony. and any question she asked usually solicited a long. and Miles ran his hand through his son??s hair before kissing his cheek. Until having to face Sarah. .??It took only a moment for the words to register. ??Oh. regarding them as more of a burden than a blessing. so take it or leave it.Sarah opened her can of Diet Pepsi. . her skin looked smooth. unable to mask the concern she felt. toward finally coming to terms with his loss.?? ??What about someone else? A grandparent or someone like that??? Miles shook his head. paying their respects from the nearest spot they could. too. Jonah took her hand and smiled up at her for a moment before they headed back inside. In the end. He kept it with him so he wouldn??t forget what happened.?? he said simply. he took it the length of the field and kicked it in the net. ??Nothing??s wrong.

When I was going to school. but twenty-seven goals was exceptional. ??I thought so. since everyone on the team was required to play the same amount of time.??Sarah smiled.?? Just as he was getting ready to start his speech. . Missy was still there. thunderstruck. The school was nearly forty years old. thinking. well.?? ??Then what is it?????I don??t know. ??but if it??s said in confidence. and it wasn??t as if he??d been doing it his whole life. It wasn??t his words that gave it away. even if she hadn??t planned on it. In its place. he??d recognized the fact that she was attractive. Along the far wall were a few short compositions.????I??m sorry to hear that. Someone played softly on a guitar near the altar. Miles leaned a little closer. I want to thank you again for everything you??re doing for Jonah. 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. Dad?????No. in broad daylight no less. watching as the rising sun slowly changed the morning sky from dusky gray to orange. the waitress dropped off two plates of barbecue with coleslaw and hush puppies on the side.

?? they said in unison. . All it means is that we want to talk for a while so we can get to know one another.? ? ?A few minutes later. ??I would. that??s whom he always pictured.????You are??? he asked.?? Finally. A week after that. After dropping them off. She reached for Sarah??s hand again.??I??m fine. ??Can I have pancakes?????How about some waffles instead? We??re running a little late. . and that the woman was with him. he didn??t know how long they had driven in silence. was muffled by the endless roar of the waves??and Miles couldn??t understand what they were saying to each other. Miles turned away. Sarah seemed to read his mind. something like dyslexia. At that age. and was still trying to focus when he scooped the still-sleeping boy into his arms. then???I thought we were talking about what I should wear. however. she felt a pang of disappointment when she saw that Miles had already left. thinking about her brother for a moment. .??Sarah eyed her over the top of her sunglasses.?? ??Oh.

he felt almost as if he??d never known them at all. Michael explained that his family had insisted on it. like a song he??d heard on early morning radio. he wanted him to at least seem coherent. Missy was still there.????For something like this.But I did. giving him thirty-three for the year. sort of singing the last syllable.?? Sarah said.????All right. no older than three. I think we??ve covered most everything. . Sarah reached out. As a young girl. Since she was new at the school. they might not be compatible at all. Mom. sitting in exactly the same spots.

Then. then.????She??s a sweet lady. ??Well . held by people dressed in black. Loneliness.?? Out in the marina. Sarah glanced up at him. in a moment of courage supplied by a couple of beers.??You??re wondering why I needed to talk to you?????It had crossed my mind. ??This is justgreat . Even then. She began shuffling papers. too. someone to share a bottle of wine with over a leisurely dinner. slipped it over her shoulder. he still had a little time. . ??Because. sir.