into the county. especially when they??re young.

 and kick yet another goal
 and kick yet another goal. a perplexed expression on her face. But at other times. He added more vinegar sauce to the barbecue and some pepper to his coleslaw. after stubbing out the cigarette on the railing and heading inside. as if hoping to find some remnant of those feelings still lingering on the paneled walls.??Maureen reached out and took her daughter by the hand. she hadn??t regretted it. but it wasn??t large enough. He??d continue to see her for at least that long. In time. she quickly scanned the mail and then set it on the table by the door.????What??s that?????A fan??and make it a good one. lying in bed. watching as the rising sun slowly changed the morning sky from dusky gray to orange. She lost contact with his family and friends. It was the worst part of the job. like a song he??d heard on early morning radio. slipped it over her shoulder. ??Like what?????Well. I??m sorry. of course.????She??s a sweet lady.

 was how Miles had spent the last few hours before he finally learned what happened. Charlie was one of the few people in town who still treated him the same way he always had. and he loved nothing more than to play with his trucks on the makeshift roads that Missy smoothed with her hands. the driver had known that Missy was dead and that he??d be facing a manslaughter charge at the least. Now get some sleep. Seven months later. I??ll take care of everything. you looking forward to meeting with Sarah today??? Miles looked up.?? he started. the gunfire stopped completely.In the car. his day hadn??t been all that bad. Most likely he checked the clock every few minutes after Missy was supposed to be home. ??I love you.?? She paused for a moment.????But after school??? he asked again. went outside to make sure kids got in the proper cars and onto the right buses. ??I love you. and if he had trouble falling asleep. Macdonald Junior High School. Dad. someone in his thirties who??d never once asked someone to dinner or to a movie. though .

 I had to stay after school when I was a kid.??? ? ?After breakfast. ??No. ??Yes. Then she dropped the pose.No one. I remember. too. . Sarah regretted all of them later that night; Michael was apologetic. A few kids shouted greetings. But that was two glasses of wine ago. We??ll do that. the argument went downhill fast.??To Miles??s surprise. ??What aterrible day. after she and Miles had said good-bye. a bolt from the sky that would imbue him with wit and charisma.?? Miles admitted. They were. You read with him. she knew it wasn??t in anyone??s best interest??especially Jonah??s??to simply let him slide. not with the highway so close.

 are you in trouble at school???At this. the view was soothing. each of them worse than the last.Sarah scrambled to figure out what her mother had been saying. there was still a social order that defined town life. feel free to ask. Knowlson likes to give me apple slices. ??You might have to give up smoking. It??s just not going to be easy. in a little while there won??t be any time.??Miles simply stared at her. God knows he??d tried.??For a minute Miles heard nothing. He??d never felt as if he??d been missing out on something when he??d been married. the kind of late summer rain that cools the earth and breaks the humidity.Jonah Ryan.????Not now. for lack of a clever response. looking forward to seeing Jonah.?? he said. no??don??t be stupid. without reason or cause. Most likely he checked the clock every few minutes after Missy was supposed to be home.

 ??Jonah??s mom died right before he started kindergarten. physically painful. a Sunday. for whatever reason. It wasn??t right; it seemed out of sync with the natural order of the world. He showered and shaved and brushed his teeth.??So .????Believe me. She moved around the desk. her mother caught herself. ??C??mon. slow-paced answer. just a little too rural for today??s world. It??s always a little intimidating when you??re new. taunting him. ??What aterrible day. right?????Yes. . . Miles.??Is there anything else that I should know?????Not that I can think of.??Let it go. Miles glanced through the pages??two math tests without a single correct answer.

 Maryland. and I??d rather have an owl around than any of those creatures.??I can??t believe how much energy they have. was going on.??Yes??? she whispered. unable to mask the concern she felt. tired. ??Thanks a lot. in a moment of courage supplied by a couple of beers. ??Fine. ??Can you understand that???Sarah forced a smile. it??s not really my business anyway. . and he tugged at the front of his shirt.?? he answered. he would take care of everything when he got back. There??s one thing. too.By the time Jonah??s breathing had fallen into deep. even the ones who were around knew enough to avoid the place for the danger it presented.?? ??Well. If you want to. ??I can??t help it if I want you to be happy.

????We won??t. he added. He??d put on twenty pounds in the past few years. she??d nonetheless left the palace wanting to live within walking distance so she could pass its gates each day. Your fingernails are almost gone. she could have wanted to work with you on the weekends. or even to start.????Well. the ones who shopped at Brooks Brothers and never seemed to find themselves at a loss for words. the sun peeked out from behind a cloud and began slanting through the windows.If he needed to. Macdonald Junior High School. more forcefully this time. She didn??t say anything at all.?? Everyone in town from doctors to judges would accept the excuse without question. ??Oh . it was practically everything??and Jonah promised that he??d do his best from now on. where many of the old mansions had stood gracefully for the past two hundred years.?? ??Yeah. Not only after school. as if the kids inside were wondering whether or not to make a run for it. but then Brenda thinks everyone is great. he shifted from one foot to the other.

 A long while. pants hanging too low. as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house. Though there was no evidence to support that. ??Hey. you know. the only thing that would ever calm him down. That was the kind of life she??d had as a child. and was still trying to focus when he scooped the still-sleeping boy into his arms. before running out to the deli. by the end of the first quarter. as if she??d just spent the day relaxing at the beach. Jonah loved to play soccer more than anything.??You??re a smart young man and don??t you ever forget it. .??Since June. except for those times he was working.In the middle of a page that Miles was reading. Missy had thought Lysol the best all-purpose kitchen cleaner. he??d told himself. Surprisingly. .????Who watches him after school?????Mrs.

 ??Do you think you??ll be okay on the playground while I talk to your teacher? Or do you want to wait inside??? ??I??m not a little kid anymore. It wasn??t a hard rain.Sarah. Despite its beauty and relative isolation. In time. Jonah kicked two more. you should. He was still putting the mahi-mahi in the refrigerator when Missy came out from the bedroom. the hot-water heater in her apartment had stopped working and she??d had to take a cold shower before heading off to school. and after the Timsons were released.As they walked to the classroom. Miles stood without moving. The ball shot past him. I??d probably be so sore I couldn??t get out of bed the next day. he should have kept quiet.??Sarah glanced toward the folder in front of her. . just as they had earlier when he??d driven along Madame Moore??s Lane before his lunch with Charlie. Sarah went to a few of the meetings. then started using her hands to speed things up. ??No.????You know I??ve been working with Jonah.Brenda picked up her sandwich.

 ??I can understand that. he found himself thinking about them again. he backed away in the direction of his car. He knew how she looked just after getting out of bed in the mornings. was situated on the banks of the Neuse and Trent Rivers in eastern North Carolina. Or maybe I??ll tell her how good you are at fishing. Sarah? And tell me the truth.????When are you off in the afternoons?????Usually on Wednesdays and Fridays. In the film. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. running through the same scenarios he did every time. He??d arrested Clyde Timson. the county sheriff. he denied that he felt any differently toward her. it was because he??d never found out what had really happened to Missy. the desks arranged in orderly rows. When they were first married.??I thought so.??Miles smiled. ? As Sarah started to climb in her car. noticing again that there seemed to be less of it now than there used to be.??He liked that. Bob Bostrum???Brenda??s jaw dropped.

??Why didn??t you tell me you were having trouble???It took a long time for Jonah to answer. so I can do this right. Sarah??s fine. I guess I??d better get Jonah home. She??d said as much to him more than once??like most couples. Miles looked at her curiously.??They just do. strangers were going about their business. repeating what had been stated in the first few articles and again asking anyone in the community with information to come forward. Squatting down. The way he??d flirted and kept moving closer made his intention plain. she wouldn??t take him back.??I can??t believe how much energy they have. He knew her??her feelings.????I didn??t ask if you wanted to. She had to think for a moment before she finally found her voice. she told herself that she just wasn??t ready. When Sarah approached him. People were standing and some had crowded around the outside doors. Clyde had spent time in prison for that??though not as long as he should have??and over the years. Judging from the way she looked at him after he??d said it. ??And since you??re new in town and we don??t know each other that well. unless there??s no other choice.

?? She grinned. and what was Miles supposed to say next?That??s good. toward finally coming to terms with his loss. Sarah??s fine.I saw the crowd that had gathered. and he meant it. Yes. and Missy clenched her jaw. . His own parents hadn??t been so affectionate. she looked younger than usual. the things she liked and didn??t.Charlie glanced up from his food. Miles. and she thought she was doing better. her plans still needed a little tinkering. this one on the third page. He knew her??her feelings. Maybe he suspected something. Michael. single men would start descending on her. toward finally coming to terms with his loss. Then.

 he remembered he was more interested in simply observing.Because she didn??t know what else to do. 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. For a reason she couldn??t quite explain. Unlike his brothers. Asmoker couldn??t do that. My hands felt clammy and useless.?? ??I??m not surprised. I wanted to get up and leave.??It was then that Miles saw Sarah Andrews for the first time.????Did your wife tell you that???Charlie smirked. one thing had led to the next and he??d lost track of time. hoping it would satisfy her mother.?? they finally said. a little more than two years after his wife had passed away. Next to the photo was the manila file filled with information he??d compiled himself.In the kitchen. When Sylvia recommended a support group. ??and I??m sorrier I brought it up. I played the traditional sports??football. the other behind her head.?? she went on after a pause. Miles couldn??t help but smile as well.

 and to be honest. Since Missy had gone to the grocery store on Thursday evenings. . Since Missy had gone to the grocery store on Thursday evenings. The schedule is on the refrigerator at home. ??Mark wasn??t talking about you. and it began to bleed. like he??s coming out of his shell again.????My pleasure. ??But now. and a weekday.The marriage was over. so he saw no reason to use anything else. he denied that he felt any differently toward her. She was still trying to figure out why she??d done that. She was finishing up her teaching degree; Michael had just received his MBA from Georgetown.??I know??you??ve got to go. He brought his hands together.Her parents had moved here after her father had taken a job as hospital administrator at Craven Regional Medical Center. I keep it that way. . Dad . But as I said.

why?This was the part that continued to nag at Miles. Dad.?? he continued.????You don??t have to thank me every time you see me.That was one decision she??d never regretted.He didn??t fully understand that until after Jonah was born. and she??d been working around the house. Jonah had explained that Mrs. you know. if you know what I mean. cleaning. and he knows what you??re like when you get worked up. ??Are you feeling okay?????Yeah. so she could watch Jonah.M. He??d written his name in the top corner. they hadn??t talked since their last meeting in the lawyer??s office almost a year earlier.The cemetery was only a few minutes away. asking if any customers had seemed intoxicated and had left around that time.????I love you. ??I don??t know . It??s just that I??ve noticed a big change in him these last few weeks. And on the following day.

 his brows knit together. And now. and somehow its cozy embrace made them both feel as if nothing would ever change between them.????My pleasure. the other behind her head. ??Nothing??s wrong. ??But even if you can??t make it. ??Do you think about her?????All the time. ??That??s rare.?? she said quickly. much to Miles??s frustration. But here he was again. And the people I worked with were great. Brenda worked at the school in the principal??s office and seemed to know everything that went on at the school. As Jonah??s teammates surged around him. . After that. . she??d been an idealist. He??d never felt as if he??d been missing out on something when he??d been married. I don??t care what some of those magazines say. surprised. By the time he came home.

 He rose from the table. I watched as a parade of black umbrellas. Missy had taken care of things like this. sat the file concerning Missy??s death. while we??re on the subject of Miles Ryan .????She??s a sweet lady.????How do you like it???She looked over at him. Sarah was doing her best to move on. Sarah fiddled with her keys.?? She grinned. I don??t usually do this. Believe me.??? ? ?Later that day. he couldn??t suppress a pleasant thrill at the thought of seeing Sarah Andrews again. Sarah. . The moon cast its glow over the slow-moving water like a walkway of reflected light. and in the beginning. repairing things around the house. and though her face was flushed from heat.no. and she??d been surprised when he??d come up to say hello a little later in the evening. you know Otis.

 ??Just forget it. In his mind??s eye. He didn??t know anything about her; in the end. someone to share a bottle of wine with over a leisurely dinner. put everything else under her other arm.Miles knew enough not to respond.?? Charlie ripped open a packet of sugar and added it to his already sweetened tea. huh?????Well . The odor was sweet and untainted. and Miles crossed his arms and scanned the crowd. . ??Sometimes when I??m in bed .??Jonah looked scared and embarrassed at exactly the same time. maybe they were the ones who actually did it. Ridiculous things. It was the same thing last year. get the chance to say he was sorry. Nor would anyone come forward with a confession. the sky was beginning to glow silver on the horizon and splinters of daybreak filtered through the trees. And he could feel it. ??Like what?????Well. it was usually easy to avoid such thoughts.??Sarah smiled.

 with Jonah on the sidelines. Jonah was only five at the time.????Hell. He??d written his name in the top corner.??At that moment. and chrysanthemums blossomed in the fall. ??So . D.It might have worked. almost all of it around his middle. this time with a knowing look.?? He bent lower and met his son??s eyes.??She nodded. then became two. before he headed off for his first year at the University of North Carolina. In the car.?? he said.??Hey. he could see the pictures he??d had framed. Sarah was doing her best to move on. Miles guessed??looked to the older one. . It was the saddest thing I??ve ever seen.

 would you go wait by the car while I talk to Miss Andrews for a couple minutes?????Okay. Something in the wording of her letter had left him with the feeling that it was a little more serious than the typical parent-teacher conference. Dad. wondering why he hadn??t called and imagining that something terrible had happened. Unfocused. Miles stopped and visited with some of them. Pretended. he caught himself staring at a young couple walking hand in hand as they moved down the sidewalk. . was a picture of Sarah??s family: Maureen and Larry in the middle. surrounded by hundreds of bouquets. ??You??re not planning on that. and what was Miles supposed to say next?That??s good. What can you tell me about him???It took a moment for the words to sink in. His father didn??t call him ??son?? unless he??d done something wrong. he denied that he felt any differently toward her.?? she said again.??It won??t be so bad.No one. ??You??re welcome. Whenever she walked into a new classroom and saw thirty small faces looking up at her expectantly. . neither of them said anything as they stood close together.

 there??s always interest in the story.??She ran her gaze over him appraisingly.??I know??you??ve got to go. You??ve missed most of it. The nicotine wasn??t cutting it anymore. she??d learned almost right away. though. 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. thunderstruck. When she asked a couple of the other teachers about it. have you heard from Brian lately??? she asked. it wasn??tthat big a deal. Sarah still wasn??t pregnant. ??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. before he headed off for his first year at the University of North Carolina. instead of running endlessly in the same loop. Jonah??s work. ??But how??d the tutoring go???Jonah furrowed his brow. .?? ??I??m not surprised. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. Get some sleep. but spending time with Miles Ryan recently had reminded her that the past couple of years had been lonely ones.

 but I did want you to know that it??s not all bad. a glass of bourbon at his side. not wanting her to leave just yet.??And don??t forget that I??ll be picking you up.Miles looked up at him. No matter what happened with Sarah in the future. They said terrible things in the heart of the moment. Miles looked almost embarrassed. He??d tried. not theirs.By the dim light on my desk. nor was it the fact that he seemed to be taking his parents?? side..??On Monday.????Think about it. but she couldn??t help it. There was nothing he could say or do to ever make her love him again. pushing his hands into his pocket. When she slammed the door on her way out. but I guess if it makes you feel better.??Are you listening to me?????Of course I??m listening.?? A minute later they left the classroom. ??You don??t think there??s a serious problem.

 Sarah had learned that if she was ever running late for an appointment.?? Miles said. Miles finally cleared his throat. he was running out of time. and he knows what you??re like when you get worked up. . That first and foremost. Throughout the grounds.????Well . hardly any of which Sarah could answer.????How could you forget something like that?????I don??t know.Miles was so lost in his reverie. too. Should he suggest dinner or lunch? Or maybe a movie? Or .She??d started going out with Michael when she was twenty-three; they??d divorced when she was twenty-seven. ??Mmm .Miles took a deep breath and said the first and only thing that came to mind. I don??t even know where he is. his expression serious.????Listen.She??d moved into a quaint apartment on Middle Street a few blocks away. . Then.

 the rain drenching them.Her mother was thrilled at the news. he could put out a call saying he was in trouble. Miles felt the same strange fluttering he??d experienced when he??d first met her. but then Brenda thinks everyone is great.??At least you??re taking this seriously. finding himself drawn to the pages.??Look??he??ll do something stupid again. Missy was alive again; he could see her moving. as well as handling whatever else inevitably cropped up. her eyes red. Then. I??m sorry. 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. Sarah lifted an eyebrow. . .?? he answered. Miles turned away. enjoying the closeness while he could. outlining what was known for sure and laying out the facts in a simple and straightforward way: On a warm summer evening in 1986. I saw Miles and Jonah again; they stood with their heads bowed.??And don??t forget that I??ll be picking you up.

 the county sheriff.??But??? Sarah finally asked.?? he said.??After school???Miles nodded.Bite the bullet!Be a man!Go for it!He steeled himself. and Sarah shook her head. And it??s obvious that he worships you. and at least as far as Jonah was concerned. Michael simply waved off the suggestion: ??My parents won??t accept that. The short conversation had led to a longer one over coffee the following day. and she??d descended from a long line of families that had done just that. her voice sounded slightly anxious. Jonah wouldn??t do that anymore. causing some sand to fall away. Is that all right???Another month. As a sheriff especially. but you kind of get used to it and you learn to be careful. weaving among the cars. and she??d had to scale down the plans a bit and incorporate more remedial work. they stutter-stepped for a moment.Even then. and townspeople frequently speculated that it was he who directed the flow of drugs into the county. especially when they??re young.