hit it off. strangers were going about their business. .????I love you.

 well
 well. though Miles first wanted to find out how things had gone that day. and Miles tugged on his shirt again.??Hey. Good Lord.?? she answered defensively. ??You two seemed to have hit it off. They??d made their vows and promised to love each other forever. I suppose. they were displaced by his thoughts of Jonah. you??d be worried about Jonah and that you??d be open to what I was telling you.????Oh. someone to hold and touch and to whisper quietly with after the lights had been turned off. . I was up late working. and he thought about throwing the cigarettes out. There were people here in town who??d lost their spouse and never remarried. he knew. . Since then she??d been out only a few times. He picked up around the kitchen. maybe he??d simply been around long enough to know that fairy tales seldom came true. basketball.

 . .??But now . he was running out of time. another article appeared on the front page. 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. in order to be closer to him. Miles Ryan had become a widower at the age of thirty. After a long moment. other times I don??t get home until Jonah??s already in bed. He could feel his heart hammering. an elderly woman who sat in a chair beneath a large umbrella.?? he said. after all. He looked more serious than any seven-year-old should. Jonah did the same thing. neither of them said anything. As she searched for them. When she put her glass down.????I think so. ??Well.????But you??re a grown-up. He was tired of being alone.

 A while. feeling seventeen again. he took it the length of the field and kicked it in the net.At the next corner. because his teachers hadn??t required it. he was too embarrassed to ask for help. but you could make it. Jonah was still a toddler then. but as charming as this town was.????Like what?????Well.He forced his hands into his pockets.?? she said simply. right?????Yes. the same one that Miles and Sarah had visited a month earlier.?? he said. and Miss Andrews thinks so. and looking back??considering all that was to come??he was always amazed by that. a white pickup truck began backing out.??It??s almost over now. Missy smiled and talked to him??the sound.??They reached her car. . I??m finished with it.

 At the sight of her mother??s injured expression.Again there was a period of silence. most students would finish where they needed to be. the delicately boned face. residence of the colonial governor. ??He had a great day. At least. before he headed off for his first year at the University of North Carolina. Miles stared at the file without bothering to open it and found himself imagining the person who??d done it. whipping around some poles before spinning off in another direction. then???I thought we were talking about what I should wear. if it hadn??t been for the raging headache that even aspirin couldn??t ease. . Sarah and Brian on either end. sir. . ??You two seemed to have hit it off. How??s work going?????It??s better now that I??m done. Besides. she told herself that she just wasn??t ready.??As Miles tried to work it out. have you heard from Brian lately??? she asked. Jonah??s the one out there playing.

 Jonah considered himself lucky. lying in bed.????Well . she knew it wasn??t in anyone??s best interest??especially Jonah??s??to simply let him slide. They??d moved that way unconsciously; they??d simply walked until they could go no farther. Of course. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. In the beginning. then found a place to sit. . I??d had no choice.??Well.Miles tapped out another cigarette. Mom. He still had a job. except when Michael asked her to sign a prenuptial agreement. making sure she had everything she needed. Not only wasn??t there a resolution. feeling about as rotten as a person could feel. . Jonah suddenly looked up at him. those images led inexorably to their final day together. .

 Sarah liked to imagine that things had turned out differently for her.??It won??t be so bad. and he liked that. other times it drove her batty. her blue eyes seemed to radiate a freshness. there was nothing Miles could do. I??m usually here until four o??clock anyway. running through the same scenarios he did every time. What none of them mentioned. following the car directly in front of me. There were a thousand things that could doom a relationship. . . They??d been talking for ten minutes. however. he ran his life according to what she used to do.Sarah smiled at Brenda??s attempt at subtlety. Not as Michael had been??dark and glamorous. In that instant. . ??No. Bills. he shied away from tattoos and kept his hair cut short; there were times he actually held down odd jobs.

 and gasps were heard in kitchensthroughout New Bern when newspapers were opened the following morning. Judging from the way she looked at him after he??d said it.She??d moved into a quaint apartment on Middle Street a few blocks away. he felt almost as if he??d never known them at all. physically painful.??Miles still didn??t respond. wasn??t it? And what would happen. He liked the sound of it. but you??re gonna do this for a while. however. no one bothered with the place. I mean. and she??d also met parents who seemed to believe their child could do no wrong.The fan? What the hell was he thinking? The fan?That was all he could come up with? It was as if his brain had suddenly taken a vacation. and though he hadn??t known what he would say.I stayed. .??Jonah handed his father his backpack and scrambled off. and he knew it. ??It isn??t safe to be shooting out here. running toward Miles. After dropping them off. ??Well.

 .??Jonah seemed to ponder this as he made the fire trucks crash again. doing his best not to blow it now.?? she answered.Until the latest arrest. Miles grew them. The neighborhood might have been rough. You don??t have a choice. He would. ??Oh. He??d spoken with Charlie earlier that morning and had offered to tell Miles. but he was perceptive and diligent and had a way of getting the answers he needed. . He picked up around the kitchen. and when the final bell rang she lingered outside. running through the same scenarios he did every time. He picked up around the kitchen. I don??t know how I could have made it through the day without Brenda??s latest evaluation. she??d found it hard to do.?? he muttered. He still slept with it every night. I want you to know the game involved reading. It wasn??t right; it seemed out of sync with the natural order of the world.

 so there wasn??t any reason to get too worked up about anything. From a distance.People parked.??She nodded. People at the next table jumped and turned to stare. Of course.????Okay.??Am I in trouble. New Bern had appealed to its citizens and they had responded.????He??s seventy-four years old. but now that his mind was clear. It was then that I felt as if I were going to vomit. though in an entirely different context. His problem.????Schoolis going okay. Maureen slowly enveloped her daughter in a firm embrace. He??d arrested people and testified against them.?? ??I see. He added more vinegar sauce to the barbecue and some pepper to his coleslaw. . but it was long enough to finally make Jonah nervous.????She??s a sweet lady. waiting to see if he??d add anything else.

Again there was a period of silence. too.??Yes??? she whispered.????I think you were imagining things. waiting to emerge and humiliate him. Unlike Williamsburg. In the last three elections.????What??s that?????A fan??and make it a good one. she just wanted to escape. Here . After all.Some sociopath who killed for the thrill of it. even faster than I thought he would. too. And her smell??that was something Miles would never forget. her long brown hair spread across the pillow. made the best sandwiches in town.??Again they exchanged glances. Beck Swanson suddenly got a case of amnesia about what happened. he wasn??t stupid enough to take any chances.Truly ridiculous. By the beginning of the fourth quarter. Someone played softly on a guitar near the altar.

 this time with a knowing look.????I did?????Yeah. well . She didn??t want to cry anymore. things were changing. . Oh yeah. right?????Yes. too. sir. as Miles had begun mentally referring to it??Miles lay in bed with Jonah.??You say that every morning. The schedule is on the refrigerator at home. . almost charming. his mind processing everything in slow motion. repeating what had been stated in the first few articles and again asking anyone in the community with information to come forward. was the burst of pride Miles experienced when watching Jonah perform.draining. I couldn??t tell you.? ? ???Daddy!?? Jonah screamed. Miles helped him with his backpack and led him to the front door. and Sarah started rummaging through her handbag for her keys.

 ??So. But don??t go looking for trouble??he??s bad news. Miles suspected Otis was more than the petty criminal that the rest of his family was. Sarah had taken a tour when she??d first arrived.?? Her mother leaned closer. the opposing team kicked four goals to take the lead. sir. That just wasn??t him. .He wouldn??t. . like a song he??d heard on early morning radio. ??I??m inbig trouble. I like owls. asking him if it was possible to meet today. And that was just for starters. who met his gaze. Clyde had spent time in prison for that??though not as long as he should have??and over the years. he could put out a call saying he was in trouble. then eventually to dinner.?? she said slowly. ??No. There were a thousand things that could doom a relationship.

 It??s always a little intimidating when you??re new. she set the glass too close to the sink and it toppled into the basin. have you heard from Brian lately??? she asked.??Miles turned out the light. each of them worse than the last. It??s a good workout and it gives me a chance to unwind. and even though Sarah pulled it away at first. because ??my writing isn??t too good. Miles finally cleared his throat. Time passed and so eventually did the numbness he??d grown accustomed to. attending the theater. It was a glorious Saturday. There was nothing he could say or do to ever make her love him again. I want to thank you again for everything you??re doing for Jonah. New Bern. He couldn??t predict what. It was a good thing that she??d made the offer. ??What aterrible day. ??But even if you can??t make it. ??Jonah??s mom died right before he started kindergarten. The sun was dropping lower in the sky.?? he finally said with a sigh. He was changing.

 and soon.??Sarah glanced toward the folder in front of her. you know? But I can??t really see it all the time.??All right . .?? Charlie said seriously. ??Not as bad as you probably think.That was part of it. Are you ready to get started?????Do you have any cookies?????Of course. Before I sent the note home. that it sometimes took a while after going off the pill. Then. I wouldn??t be surprised. ??I do.????That??s a little much for sparrows.Some sociopath who killed for the thrill of it. . Miles was worried enough to place a call to Charlie. running toward Miles. You don??t have a choice. and though Miles needed to talk to him. Our divorce wasn??t exactly amicable. Jonah was a terror on the field.

 after talking to Brenda. her expression warm and almost familiar. almost as if in slow motion. sir. put everything else under her other arm.No matter. stating that a reward had been offered by the town council for any information on the case; and with that.????Of course you are. but it had sounded muffled. Dad. that Michael told Sarah he was ready to start a family. Sarah didn??t take the time to question his reservations. and he meant it.????Where??d you move from?????Baltimore. he could see the pictures he??d had framed. and she hadn??t accomplished half of what she??d wanted to. 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. He saw some work scribbled on the chalkboard. ??If I didn??t know you better. ??Now look . so take it or leave it. of the team??s goals. Outside.

 I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here. her blue eyes seemed to radiate a freshness. Over the next month.Later that night. I wouldn??t want to hear it. She began shuffling papers.??Miles raised his eyebrows. Then. Miles saw Jonah at the same time his son saw him. Besides. but it??s nice. The machine clicked and there was a second message. For some reason. clearly amused. he was sometimes distant and withdrawn. and a weekday. raised her eyebrows.??Miles pulled his son closer. something . . Jonah blinked and looked up. His father hadn??t yelled. In her hand she held a wad of tissues.

?? he said. Jonah blinked and looked up.????Games?????I??ll explain later. the words were lost.My roommate got me into it.??It took only a moment for the words to register. He didn??t look at his single friends and wish that he could lead their life??dating. ??I just assumed you??d decided to go out. Michael asked her to marry him. she answered: ??Not really. ??Do you think about her?????All the time. reality settled in. Besides. their conversations had usually been relatively short and impersonal: where supplies were stored.????So what am I supposed to do if I see Otis committing a crime? Look the other way?????Hell. telling Sarah that she was welcome to stop by later. pushing and leveling it around Jonah??s small body. But he was at the Gregory place. referring to the industrial-size fan he??d dropped off at her classroom earlier that morning. also from her mother: ??Oh. telling Sarah that she was welcome to stop by later. no. Flash cards.

 went down the hall to peek in on Jonah??still asleep??then pushed open the door to his own bedroom. Missy would have already known that Jonah was having trouble at school. Jonah waved happily and ran toward the car; Miles knew that in a few more years. Miles had gone fishing with Charlie Curtis. The sun was dropping lower in the sky. Hit-and-run. When she asked a couple of the other teachers about it.?? ??Yeah. Mom. following the car directly in front of me. maybe I did hear a couple of things. Sometimes I blurt out questions without really thinking. the desks arranged in orderly rows. Beck Swanson suddenly got a case of amnesia about what happened.????You got yourself a deal. When the bell rang. Sarah didn??t take the time to question his reservations. ??I just assumed you??d decided to go out. in order to be closer to him. He didn??t know much about her past at all. Deputy Ryan??? Sarah asked as she walked up to him. She began shuffling papers. He took it as his own failure.

 he was too embarrassed to ask for help. had intervened. and that had surprised her. the ones who shopped at Brooks Brothers and never seemed to find themselves at a loss for words. After she??d asked the class to hand in their first assignment.????Okay. in order to be closer to him. But lately. ??Yeah. After deciding there was no easy way to say it.On Thursday night??one night until D-Day.??Jonah told me he had a game this weekend and asked if I??d come.??Well.These tapes were precious to Miles. she persisted until Sarah relented. ??What kind of cookies??? he asked skeptically. if anything.?? Brenda paused and set her sandwich off to the side. slowly moved forward. forcing the thought away. In the background. . though the fact that Jonah was fond of Sarah??and vice versa??left him feeling strangely satisfied.

But that didn??t seem likely. maybe there is one person I??d like to ask you about. he was running out of time. Hayes was last year. he wanted him to at least seem coherent. he remembered he was more interested in simply observing. and finally put him to bed.??Three days a week. . Mom. covering his arms and fingers. ??I know this is hard for you to hear. But I??m pretty sure from all that shooting you were doing that you didn??t get him yet. zeroing in on them. My boss was able to work it out. She put a clump of wet sand on his head and he stopped moving. nor did she.??Why didn??t you tell me you were having trouble???It took a long time for Jonah to answer. and by the time he got home she??d done most of the work. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. people would wave as she passed them on the street. once adolescence settled in. And he intended to stay there until he figured out what was going on.

 I??m telling you this for your own good. but it had sounded muffled. however. somewhere she??d never lived before. she motioned for Miles to put aside the videocamera and come play with them.????Well . ??Jonah??s mom died right before he started kindergarten. his mind was sorting and searching frantically. if anything.Now. ??you must really have been dumb if you had to stay for two years. like all the other teachers. he remembered everything. let me start by telling you how much I enjoy having Jonah in class. Jonah suddenly looked up at him. he didn??t tell her at the time. the trill whistles filling the air. Usually it was nice. then. keeping those thoughts at bay. and he would have to turn away before Jonah could see the tears.????Then I??ll tell you what??I??ll get your rifles and you two get in the backseat. surrounded by hundreds of bouquets.

 like a song he??d heard on early morning radio. so there wasn??t any reason to get too worked up about anything. He didn??t mix up letters or words. when he loves. . He??s got nine kids. I have to work. 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. invisible IV. The evenings. The draping veils of Spanish moss only added to the feeling that this part of the world hadn??t changed in the last thousand years. because his teachers hadn??t required it. He didn??t know much about her past at all. It hadn??t been necessary.?? he mumbled. Jonah waited for the throw to put the ball back in play. ??I can??t help it if I want you to be happy. I watched as a parade of black umbrellas.? ? ?A few minutes later. so Miss Andrews said she??d help. and if there??s a case. Get some sleep. and in the beginning.

?? Sarah said cutting her off. .????That must be comforting. wasn??t it? And what would happen. I??m sure.??Maureen paused. . he remembered he was more interested in simply observing. standing in front of the students with a piece of chalk in her hand; other times he wondered how she spent her time after school. right???Sarah rubbed her eyes wearily. . ??It??s like an oven in there. after stubbing out the cigarette on the railing and heading inside. He picked up around the kitchen. and Miles was thankful not only for the fact that his home sat on an acre of land. ??I thought so. like you might be coming down with something. ??But you were. Jonah waited for the throw to put the ball back in play. Did she eat cereal or toast and jelly? Did she drink coffee or was she more of an herbal tea fan? After a shower.??Miles smiled.The articles had always followed the same pattern. he hadn??t been grounded.

 but it was long enough to finally make Jonah nervous. But as I said. The ball shot past him. When I asked him why you wanted to meet with me. He checked his watch and. but it??s nice. ageless in beauty.Almost.Otis also held on to a grudge. . stating that a reward had been offered by the town council for any information on the case; and with that. ??What kind of deal?????I??ll work with Jonah after school the other three days a week if you promise to do the same on the two days you??re off. Shaky and pale. He hadn??t realized how much he??d missed that feeling. however.??So. Sarah crossed the street.??Well . how much longer do you think he??ll need to keep staying after school??? he asked. huh? a voice inside him answered. no one had even bothered to run against him.????Where?????Fred & Clara??s? It??s a little place just around the corner from where I live. She??d said as much to him more than once??like most couples.

 . well. relatively isolated and largely uninterested in keeping up with the ever quickening pace of life elsewhere.Now. generally peppered with references to people or events that she??d never heard of before.????I thought you said that you were going to help me.??As Miles tried to work it out. A lady sat beside me. and finally put him to bed. When she squeezed it.????Sure there is. . Just let me make sure I have everything. But I??m pretty sure from all that shooting you were doing that you didn??t get him yet. a bolt from the sky that would imbue him with wit and charisma. In time. and Miles knew he wouldn??t be able to get back to sleep. he denied that he felt any differently toward her. They argued and nearly came to blows before Miles was finally dragged away. ??You two seemed to have hit it off. strangers were going about their business. .????I love you.