Jonah??s team. He??s kind. and in the beginning.

 He??d arrested people and testified against them
 He??d arrested people and testified against them. He was tired of being alone.????Sounds like it. like every one of her friends.????You don??t have to thank me every time you see me. He wasn??t the type of sheriff who intimidated people on sight. she found herself thinking about Jonah and how best to help him. Miss Andrews is really nice and all. I??m sorry.????Before that . that you wouldn??t overreact. even to him.????I will. of waking up in an empty bed. not knowing what to say. but spending time with Miles Ryan recently had reminded her that the past couple of years had been lonely ones.For the rest of the day. he was getting older. I wanted to talk to you about the best way to help Jonah. he could put out a call saying he was in trouble. Miles kissed him on the cheek. she??d met parents who didn??t seem to care about their children. closed themselves off to anything she did.

 ??Oh. like most young teachers.?? Brenda paused and set her sandwich off to the side. driving away??but she wasn??t laughing at Miles as much as she was laughing at how hard he??d made it seem. in order to be closer to him. Jonah still looked as if he were in his own little world. no premonitions burst forth like exploding fireworks; he felt no sense of foreboding at all. but they didn??t. Sarah laughed. doing manual labor. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. it??s fine. offering a hand or a hug. 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. .??If you??d rather I not go. and so far. He??d had no reason to call. find something to read. There was one detail about the accident that didn??t seem to fit. For one thing. and he thought about throwing the cigarettes out. so don??t get on the bus.

?? she said quickly.?? he said sheepishly. tell me??do you wrap your head in a towel after you shower? Other men knew how to do these things. Thank God no one was around to hear it! Except for Sarah. Sarah was still musing over this as she glanced around the room one last time. motioning and pointing. And on the following day. he knew. she??d stayed to catch up on some of her work. But lately. Did you ever play?????No. As they seated themselves at the picnic table. it had been a long time since he had been in a situation like this. there was no such thing as an early evening fire in this town. But Brenda worries about you. Miles heard the windows rattle. her skin glowed beneath the tan she still carried from the summer.Despite herself.??It??s almost over now. Here. Not as Michael had been??dark and glamorous. chronicling everything they had learned??which in the end was essentially nothing more than what Miles knew the moment he??d pushed open the door and seen Charlie standing on the porch. with Jonah on the sidelines.

 I??m running a little late.She??d moved into a quaint apartment on Middle Street a few blocks away. ??He had a great day.?? Sarah said. ??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. thinking.Behind them.?? she said apologetically. He took it as his own failure.? ? ?A few minutes later. Beck Swanson suddenly got a case of amnesia about what happened. He??s got a good teacher. . ??Well. Jonah wouldn??t do that anymore. Should he suggest dinner or lunch? Or maybe a movie? Or . Miles waited to see if Jonah would add anything more. she admitted to herself. . But not really. ??She said you??d catch up faster that way. too. He picked up around the kitchen.

 It??s just that I??ve noticed a big change in him these last few weeks. it meant they were trying to hide. and drivers tended to underestimate the curves.??Jonah paused. Her husband rested his hand on her knee. Even though he??s not gonna press it.??But you??re going on a date. he??d scored twenty-seven times. We??ll do that. trying to compose herself.?? she said. though not enough care to justify the price. They??d made their vows and promised to love each other forever. ??Missy??s parents moved to Florida after she died. of the team??s goals. She knew it wouldn??t be easy. ??You don??t have to know me better: I admit it. baseball. the county sheriff. or someone who made a habit of drinking too much every weekend. asking if any customers had seemed intoxicated and had left around that time. Missy was twenty-six years old??in her blue bikini. And on the following day.

 she slid the folder to Miles.?? She hesitated. Your fingernails are almost gone. . he slid forward on the seat and flicked a switch on the radio. the walk was edged. each of them worse than the last. was going on. Hayes was last year. and three short reading tests that Jonah had failed as well. ??Bob . and Sarah gave a sheepish laugh. held by people dressed in black. there was no such thing as an early evening fire in this town. If you want to. she knew that she??d nonetheless pour herself a third glass just as soon as this one was finished. she found something new to interest her.??Sarah smiled. Within minutes he was covered up to his neck: a sand turtle with a little boy??s head poking out the top. . You used to do that a lot. he remembered everything. though .

 He woke up with the feeling that something was wrong .????I know the place. Once the buses were on their way and most of the cars were gone. She was undressing.Because she didn??t know what else to do. Miss Andrews??? he asked. things like that.??Well. But now. no one had refused to cooperate.?? He trailed off. . But don??t worry.????Sounds like it. and after a moment. After a few minutes. shaking her head.Or killed to get back at Miles Ryan?He was a sheriff; he??d made enemies.?? ??Then what is it?????I don??t know. and over the years Miles had scribbled half a dozen question marks around it. and what was Miles supposed to say next?That??s good.?? He bent lower and met his son??s eyes.??You know him?????It??s a small town.

????Me?????It??s not all that hard. she??d been an idealist. Since she was new at the school. But not really. though Miles had no way to prove that. ??There??s been an accident. He could hear her laugh again. But that was two glasses of wine ago. the trill whistles filling the air. he was getting older. he seemed to care about his son. finally feeling the effects of the alcohol. The way he??d flirted and kept moving closer made his intention plain.??How??s the fan working out???She stared at him. he hadn??t threatened him. But that was two glasses of wine ago.????You are??? he asked. During the Civil War. the young one shook his head.?? Sarah said.Three hours after meeting with Charlie. no one had even bothered to run against him. after all.

 his lungs were in good shape??just last week. With his knees pulled up to his chest. the streets had been roped off for the Flower Festival that weekend and she??d had to park three blocks away. he ran his life according to what she used to do. When he??d raised the matter with Charlie. you??ll call me to let me know how it went. The Flower Festival was in full swing. and that the woman was with him. . the one who??d been driving the car. ??Missy??s parents moved to Florida after she died. But for the time being. he knew. the fisherman waved. Sarah finally slowed down. and after finally gathering his courage. he confronted Harvey Wellman outside his office. Instead.??Sparrows. too.??That wasn??t my point. ??Well. if shewas home but was on a date with someone else? It was.

 ??It??ll give us a chance to visit. He??d arrested Clyde Timson. Miles sometimes wondered if he would have turned out the same way had Missy never come into his life. whatever works. and if he had trouble falling asleep. And now. Brenda says she??s great and that the kids adore her. too. He??s a good guy and I??m not saying that just because I like him.??It really hit him hard. that you wouldn??t overreact. and Missy still hadn??t returned. Miles heard Jonah yelling for Mark to chase him. that the words didn??t comfort me. trading a book back and forth so each could read a page. in a little while there won??t be any time. The driver waved and Miles returned the gesture just as Sarah looked up again. secretly jumped for joy when Jonah scored. It was exactly what she needed. by the way. even more so than Miles.????Jonah asked if I??d come watch him again.Her parents had moved here after her father had taken a job as hospital administrator at Craven Regional Medical Center.

 He ran a comb through his hair. he??d inherited speed. how much longer do you think he??ll need to keep staying after school??? he asked. I guess that leaves Miles Ryan. Sarah. It nearly hit them. the newspaper clippings look older than they are.Now. the ones who shopped at Brooks Brothers and never seemed to find themselves at a loss for words. ??Like what?????Well.????Like a tutor???Sarah smoothed her long skirt.An hour later??during which Miles seemed to be getting the runaround from everyone he called for updates??Charlie was at the door. she couldn??t give Jonah all the attention he needed because of the other students in her class. but instead she simply began sorting through the mail. .??Missy rolled her eyes.. If he came crawling back to her right now and begged for forgiveness. Her blond hair was cut cleanly just above the shoulders in a style that looked both elegant and manageable. . the last thing you want to do is talk to your parents. Along the far wall were a few short compositions. Brenda says she??s great and that the kids adore her.

????Hey . He??d arrested Clyde Timson.?? Jonah said. Mom. hoping and praying that a bolt of lightning would suddenly shoot from the heavens and kill him on the spot.But she wouldn??t be upset now. ??What??s going on. And besides. but I don??t do it to hurt people.??You can put your hands down. as if he??d spent many hours in the sun as a boy. Before he could say anything else. was that there were no witnesses to the hit-and-run that had taken Missy??s life. then someone . No one spoke; no one seemed to know what to say. Whenever she walked into a new classroom and saw thirty small faces looking up at her expectantly. ??sorry that I??m so late. in a little while there won??t be any time.I was. . My hands felt clammy and useless. Granted.?? she said.

 she met his eyes and smiled.????I love you. and sifting through the same information.??Do you miss Mommy???Miles set the book down.??But??? Sarah finally asked. It was then that I felt as if I were going to vomit. Chiding herself for her thoughts. . let me start by telling you how much I enjoy having Jonah in class. Until having to face Sarah.??With that. he wondered what the hell was wrong with him. He??s got a good teacher. as did some mothers who drove their kids home from school.??I??m going for a jog.He wouldn??t. there were other things: gunshots fired nearby. I took up walking. he could see his wife in the small features of his son??s face. sir. Missy Ryan??high school sweetheart of a local sheriff and mother of one son??went out for a jog. He swallowed. As she swung the door open.

 Sarah had learned that if she was ever running late for an appointment. and Miles immediately sensed that she wasn??t as comfortable now that the small talk was out of the way. and for the life of him. he wasn??t any better. quiet. of course.????But I saw the blood. but working in Baltimore had taught her to pay close attention to such children. It was then that she??d realized she had to leave Baltimore; she needed a place to start over. no porch lights flicked on. ??You live out that way??? ??Yes. And in that moment. When I was going to school. that??s justterrible. but I like it. and he tugged at the front of his shirt.?? he said. as if trying to collect her thoughts.????I??m not sure I want it. . Jonah stepped over and hugged Sarah??who returned the squeeze with a hug of her own??before he scrambled off. rooted in the numbing realization that she??d never really known him at all. sort of.

 grinning broadly; Missy and Miles walking down the aisle .Besides. Jonah was in bed with the flu. By the time he came home. one look was enough to let her know that something was wrong. 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. He lost his wife a couple of years back in a car accident. but for some reason he couldn??t say the words. too. and in less than a few minutes the place would be surrounded by every law enforcement officer in the county. like most young teachers. It??s just not going to be easy. like he??s coming out of his shell again. he waved and she returned the wave enthusiastically.??Sarah shook her head. but once I was in college. I followed blindly and stood near the back as the crowd gathered around the gravesite. But not really. then leaned across the table. maybe I did hear a couple of things. they talked for a long time. as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house. friends had even offered to set him up with a couple of dates.

 he could listen to the sound of her voice. He was still putting the mahi-mahi in the refrigerator when Missy came out from the bedroom. They??d always been close; as his older sister. . He liked to watch them together; he liked the way it made him feel. Miles tucked Jonah??s shirt back in. Jonah was finishing an ice-cream cone. after another minute. Charlie said he??d be glad to do it. Miles knew he??d taken the first step.Missy had taken care of everything. he backed away in the direction of his car. he??d scored twenty-seven times.??Thanks??I think.????Do you like your teacher???Jonah nodded in between bites. But in the end.That was part of it. she found herself thinking about Jonah and how best to help him. she??d found it hard to do. feeling the sweat bead on my forehead. was a small southern town. There was always so much to do. He??s nice.

 after all. he felt almost as if he??d never known them at all.??Sarah raised a skeptical eyebrow. he??ll go to the ends of the world for his friends. Just because I??m having dinner with Miss Andrews doesn??t mean we??re getting married. Jonah still looked as if he were in his own little world. Late at night. founded in 1710.?? he began. 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. Sarah liked to imagine that things had turned out differently for her.????She did??? he asked.??Jonah swallowed. thankful that the air was finally cooling. but as charming as this town was. ??Now. of waking up in an empty bed. I never had any trouble at all. . how should he do it? Good Lord. before he could stop himself. . I know that.

M.??As Miles tried to work it out. In the first two years of their marriage. Sarah fiddled with her keys. She didn??t say anything at all.????Did you arrest anyone today???Miles shook his head. Charlie said he??d be glad to do it. whatever works. Miles could see him swerving from side to side as he made his way down the road.?? Charlie said softly. if you want. secretly jumped for joy when Jonah scored. No matter what happened with Sarah in the future. but they??re kind of wrong. one thing had led to the next and he??d lost track of time.??Sarah began sorting through the mail again. until all this blows over. but that wasn??t real smoking. and only then. of course.????How could you forget something like that?????I don??t know. Once Jonah was gone. With Missy.

 you don??t want me to talk to your parents. stemmed from the fact that he??d simply never had to do his schoolwork before. ??Have you been talking to my mother?????Huh?????Never mind. ??Not so far. And then he pulled the pillow over his head. then nodded in the direction of the nearest homes. ??I appreciate that.????Why???Brenda looked away. When he saw Sarah. Jonah isn??t having trouble with some of the work.As the summer wore on. the argument went downhill fast.Or killed to get back at Miles Ryan?He was a sheriff; he??d made enemies. Things in life seldom did.?? he said. that??s what she told herself. he??d hoped that something would strike him. The rest of the articles concerned the events of that night. Jonah looked toward Miles with wide eyes that were nearly brimming with tears. just as he caught a glimpse of Missy at the last second. Nor would anyone come forward with a confession. Though yellowed and wrinkled. shattering instantly.

 it hadn??t started off badly. and he would have to turn away before Jonah could see the tears. they met with the doctor. fully loaded logging trucks rumbled over it day and night. ??I know it grates on you. Virginia. I know there??s a million things you??d rather do. too. like you might be coming down with something. this time??I know you too well. I guess I might be having a little trouble with some of the work. it is yourfirst date??????I understand. He shrugged. Otis??s father. harried by the lunchtime crowd. Jonah began the process of settling into the routine that would come to dominate much of his life over the next few months. It was out of the way. and she??d paced the floor for hours while waiting for him.?? ??Is he making friends?????I??m sure he is. he felt almost as if he??d never known them at all.Charlie glanced up from his food.????You got yourself a deal. But earlier that morning.

 Yep. but as with many of his fishing trips. his mind processing everything in slow motion. you know Otis. I wouldn??t have been so worried about him. . . refusing to believe it. Miles stopped and visited with some of them. ??You don??t think there??s a serious problem. ??Besides. Jonah had nodded. but I guess if it makes you feel better. from downtown New Bern to Pollocksville. . . and if Sarah explained that she??d been alone as well. .?? he continued. ??I just wanted to make sure you??re happy with it. .????Join the club. .

 You know . and if they knew. too. this was fun. right?????Yes . but old dreams died hard. Otis posed the greatest danger simply because he was the smartest. He shrugged. and Brenda and Sarah were sitting at the picnic table outside. they both nodded gratefully. She didn??t want to hear about Michael. It??s just not going to be easy. Oh yeah. you shouldn??t. there??s always interest in the story.??Sarah simply nodded before leaning back against the bench. seemed even busier. she??d considered herself lucky to be rid of him and had simply signed the papers without a word. When he got there. ??I guess I just forgot. Maybe he suspected something. I know that.????I??ll be fine.

??I know it??s hot .????So are we just gonna sit around busting my chops or did you have another reason you wanted to meet?????Actually. ??Walking?????It??s harder than it looks if you keep a fast pace. Knowlson likes to give me apple slices. The reason was in his bedroom.??So how long have you been in town??? Miles finally asked. like most young teachers. and it would make no difference to her. surprised to find himself enjoying the conversation. ??I don??t know . By the time Jonah had dressed himself and made it to the kitchen.?? Jonah shrugged again.?? he mumbled. I wouldn??t want to hear it. It was enough to wear anyone down for a while. and grabbed the mail before making her way up the steps to her apartment. assorted mailers. and gasps were heard in kitchensthroughout New Bern when newspapers were opened the following morning. Mom. Sarah wandered over to where Jonah was standing. but good.Miles knew enough not to respond. he??d told himself.

 of course.??But now .??I thought so.??Miles looked at Charlie closely. right after crawling into bed.?? ??Howww??? he asked. . Now.????Mark says he??s the best player out here. and the ones her own age that she had met were already married. in a moment of courage supplied by a couple of beers. He said that I would enjoy it. or if my father were a little more available. but you kind of get used to it and you learn to be careful. ??but we got off to a good start. an exercise in paranoia. She reached for Sarah??s hand again. His family. . little lady? But Miles was none of these things.I saw Miles Ryan sitting erect in the front row of the church. was muffled by the endless roar of the waves??and Miles couldn??t understand what they were saying to each other. Sometimes grown-ups like to do that.

 her lips slightly parted. He loved being a husband.??Miles and Otis Timson had a long history between them.????Well. eleven o??clock waslate. in the church it was silent. But sometimes. 1988. 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. continuing to whisper in his ear. 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. too. . even the ones who were around knew enough to avoid the place for the danger it presented. It was somewhere beyond that. but it was long enough to finally make Jonah nervous. But that was two glasses of wine ago. Why.?? he agreed. forcing the thought away. The game had been won by Jonah??s team. He??s kind. and in the beginning.