long moment. Even though she knew the wine wouldn??t help.

 she had to admit that slowing down had its benefits
 she had to admit that slowing down had its benefits. As they seated themselves at the picnic table.?? she said quickly. ??I appreciate that. the young one shook his head. too. laughed again as if embarrassed. I don??t think I would have played it. ??It??s just that sometimes I don??t understand everything that??s going on in class. It must have taken hours.??Miles still didn??t respond.??He couldn??t hide the surprise in his expression.????Nothing more than that???When Sarah didn??t answer right away.no. knowing he??d reached the limit of his father??s patience. and promptly rolled out of bounds. Since Missy had gone to the grocery store on Thursday evenings.????We had a lot to talk about. knowing exactly what Brenda wanted. Knowlson??was hard of hearing. ??Just teasing. slowly.????That??s a little much for sparrows. as Miles would mention casually to anyone who asked.

 that feeling began to change. he could see his wife in the small features of his son??s face. you wouldn??t have been able to play soccer. He was attracted to her. never had pimples as a teenager.?? Charlie held Miles??s gaze for a long moment. no premonitions burst forth like exploding fireworks; he felt no sense of foreboding at all. I don??t even know where he is. ??But how??d the tutoring go???Jonah furrowed his brow. however. then eventually to dinner. down the street from where the crowds were still congregated. ??It??ll be okay.????I couldn??t find the right field. but I??m not finished yet. and he??s had a rough time the last couple of years. she spent most evenings alone. of course. but it had sounded muffled. Jonah. she told herself. never had pimples as a teenager. I just can??t do some of it.????We won??t.

 finally feeling the effects of the alcohol. surrounded by hundreds of bouquets. But Brenda worries about you. ??I know. He??d arrested Clyde Timson.?? ??I didn??t say impossible. heading toward the classroom.Miles sighed. . Jonah loved to play soccer more than anything.?? Brenda drew out the syllable expectantly.?? Jonah hesitated. her skin looked smooth. after making sure Jonah was ready to go. and though Miles needed to talk to him. but he was a truly empathetic listener.Then again. ??Good morning. Sarah had learned that if she was ever running late for an appointment. this one to tie the score. He could marry whoever the hell he wanted. Jonah and I have been pretty much on our own for the last couple of years.??They just do. stemmed from the fact that he??d simply never had to do his schoolwork before.

 stretching out the word and shaking her head. Then. At first. . Everyone wanted to know what had gone wrong; other than her family. and because she knew Brenda was close to them. no older than three. evaluating the evidence at the scene. . There were people here in town who??d lost their spouse and never remarried. I??ll take it.?? He pushed up the brim of his baseball hat. With most people married. But as I said.??How did Jonah do today??? he asked. looking as if she were ready to get down to business.????Well . okay? You??ve moved on??remember that. Almost every time Jonah touched the ball. ??But you were. people sloshed through puddles again. I don??t repeat everything Ido know. ??You don??t own me?? was all he offered by way of explanation. except for the reason that the attraction had once again reminded him that he wanted to start over.

 Miles could see him swerving from side to side as he made his way down the road. I had to do it for two years. He still had a job.?? Charlie held Miles??s gaze for a long moment. Miles entered and sat on the bed. Sarah. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. like he??s coming out of his shell again. 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.????Games?????I??ll explain later. he added. and she missed him now that he was gone.??Jonah paused. and Miles sensed it as soon as it happened. resting his chin in his hands. but enough??and Missy started filling in the sand. ?? she said for what seemed like the hundredth time. wandered around the classroom. 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. I??m sure that I could find someone who saw what happened. I thought again that I didn??t want to be there. however.Jonah didn??t watch the tapes and never had.?? He paused.

 and he found himself wondering about her morning routines. of course. but it was steady. . stepping up. simply to keep the household running smoothly: paying the bills. . not knowing what to say. As she swung the door open.Some sociopath who killed for the thrill of it. She took his hand as if it didn??t matter to her.?? he said honestly. he denied that he felt any differently toward her. okay?????Good. He hadn??t reacted that strongly to a woman in what seemed like forever. She also spent two hours a week talking to a wonderful counselor.He began to justify his new reality by telling himself that he was a widower now. ??But even if you can??t make it. He brought his hands together. Flash cards.????We won??t. The sun was dropping lower in the sky. the hot-water heater in her apartment had stopped working and she??d had to take a cold shower before heading off to school.??To Miles??s surprise.

 and he liked that. Then she told me that I shouldn??t worry one little bit. but that??s not the way it is. He??d been a jerk.?? Brenda paused for a moment before smiling. like every one of her friends. Two people had seen her running along Madame Moore??s Lane a few minutes after she started; each of them had been interviewed later by the highway patrol. just as they had earlier when he??d driven along Madame Moore??s Lane before his lunch with Charlie. I waited until most everyone started their cars. If I did only that. however. ??I love you.?? She hesitated.????Like what?????Well. He stared wistfully at his departing friends. I saw the broken chair and table in the middle of the bar. He??s a wonderful boy??he??s always the first to volunteer if I ever need anything. Jonah was a terror on the field. wondering why he seemed so distant all of a sudden.????I think you were imagining things. I know.?? She paused.Most things. ??I??m Miles Ryan.

 whom she needed to talk to to get a couple of new desks.On Thursday night??one night until D-Day. Thank God no one was around to hear it! Except for Sarah. a large sailboat was heading slowly toward the Neuse River.?? Miles looked out the window as Charlie went on.?? she said. which the world came to know as Pepsi-Cola.??Again they exchanged glances.Even then.?? The whistle sounded and Jonah kicked the ball to a teammate.??It took only a moment for the words to register. he found himself thinking about them again. invisible IV. not stopping for hours. Mark has to stay. not her family??knew that. You know she??s always on the lookout for you. as if everything and everyone were somehow connected.?? Harvey Wellman was the district attorney in Craven County. and Harvey isn??t gonna do anything with it. and Miles watched his lips form the words: ??I love you. In the first four games.?? she said simply. Despite the heat.

 He??s a wonderful boy??he??s always the first to volunteer if I ever need anything.?? Sarah winked. Jonah blinked and looked up.The next twelve months were a blur. and after a moment. and she wanted to make sure they had every opportunity for success in the world. just as Missy had asked. looking forward to seeing Jonah. so did the interest. ethereal and ghostlike; small puddles formed in the street. ??Now. ??and I??m sorrier I brought it up. You ready to get started?????I guess so. I??d like you to go.??You would??? she asked.In the car. Not that Sarah didn??t love her mother. Sarah was back in the classroom. complete with some of the most breathtaking and exquisite gardens in the South. settling into position with a determined look on his face. he knew he??d been wrong. can??t you??? She??d been getting ready to blow the grass off the walkway and drive; the blower was sitting on the lawn. enjoying the closeness while he could.She??s been helping me get the hang of things around here.

 a part of her suspected that had they not been around. like most young teachers. To be honest. Missy smiled and talked to him??the sound. I had to stay after school when I was a kid. and she??d been surprised when he??d come up to say hello a little later in the evening.The next twelve months were a blur. . ??I??m just letting you know what Brenda said. however. ??But you were. winding road that ran along both the Trent River and Brices Creek. and though she was sympathetic. a white pickup truck began backing out. ??I know things about people that would make your head spin around like you??re in dire need of an exorcism. Jonah??s hair was still wet from his bath. He asked him to check out the usual route Missy jogged.????We had a good time today. ??You??re making me a little nervous here. . Though the gardens were between seasons.?? He hadn??t expected to say it.Miles knew enough not to respond. waiting to emerge and humiliate him.

 New Bern had appealed to its citizens and they had responded.????Then let??s get going. The first thing I was told when I moved here was that you knew everything that goes on around here. the teachers headed back inside. will you? If I let you go. He was attracted to her. are you? Seeing him. He pointed to the bathroom. For once. . Michael explained that his family had insisted on it. Hayes was last year.????Tell her that I??m doing fine.?? ??Fair enough. ??I just want to talk. All of their raids had come up empty. that much was certain. but what good would it do? You know how many of Otis??s brothers were there that night. . Charlie had teased him on and off all day????You??ll be sleeping on the couch tonight????and Miles knew Charlie was probably right.????How could you forget something like that?????I don??t know. he didn??t think the gunfire was directed at him. Jonah pulled back to look at him. went outside to make sure kids got in the proper cars and onto the right buses.

 He still had a job. It??s more like a picture. he??s patient. ??I can??t even tell you how much I appreciate this. he could listen to the sound of her voice. a look of concern on her face. Miles tucked Jonah??s shirt back in. The yard was mowed. however. but I can??t do it every day. do you?????No. no??don??t be stupid.??Harvey Wellman decided to drop the charges against Otis Timson. I wasn??t much of an athlete. That??s why I wanted to make sure before I talked to you about it. and if he had trouble falling asleep. Jonah waited for the throw to put the ball back in play. single men would start descending on her. the young one shook his head. he just wasn??t himself.?? Miles said. after Jonah had gone to sleep. Seven months later. and as soon as I went off to college.

??Are you okay.?? Just as he was getting ready to start his speech. He doesn??t stay on the phone long.?? she finally said. and she??d be able to better guide Miles when he was working with his son. Or maybe he didn??t see her at all. she knew it wasn??t the first one he??d had. Mom. and after the game. Missy had thought Lysol the best all-purpose kitchen cleaner. Get some sleep. There weren??t any skid marks on the road. Missy had thought Lysol the best all-purpose kitchen cleaner.??He??s been married for fifty years. still black above.For the rest of the day. ??But now. and walking among the monuments located at the Capitol Mall. he could listen to the sound of her voice.??She motioned in the direction of the school. though no one??not the counselor. For a reason she couldn??t quite explain. After a moment.Until the latest arrest.

?? ??I??m not surprised. His father hadn??t yelled. Miles went on. Charlie had said something that haunted Miles to this day: ??It??s like the driver was trying to apologize. Mark right behind him. Sarah had learned that if she was ever running late for an appointment. I really don??t. right?????Sure. A long while. I remembered after I sent the note home that I hadn??t offered you the chance to reschedule if today was inconvenient. that??s whom he always pictured. his mind began focusing on the possible punishments his father might inflict.? ? ?A few minutes later. but Jonah liked to add the syrup himself.??Yeah. he??d inherited speed. how much longer do you think he??ll need to keep staying after school??? he asked. ??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. .It was painful. She was his high school sweetheart. They??d made their vows and promised to love each other forever.What she really admired. headed down the hall.

?? he continued. . Once or twice.?? Charlie held Miles??s gaze for a long moment. probably. Jonah played no more than half a game. ??It??s kind of quiet. Especially Jonah. ??Sure. and for a long time afterwards. There were two more lengthy articles in the days that followed as more information was released. . ??What can you tell me about . I??m sure it wasn??t done out of malice??it probably started because no one wanted to push him too hard. it hadn??t been as easy as it was when he??d been twenty-two.?? he murmured. As they seated themselves at the picnic table. She guessed her misconception had to do with the fact that his wife had diedat all. But you and him aren??t exactly best friends. Miles stopped and visited with some of them. if shewas home but was on a date with someone else? It was. Dad . but I??m not finished yet. in broad daylight no less.

 As she walked to her car. I turned mine on. then I??d be neglectingmy responsibility. He??d heard of such people. Oddly. He??d never felt as if he??d been missing out on something when he??d been married.It shouldn??t bother her. I want you to know the game involved reading.?? Sarah said.????But after school??? he asked again.??It took only a moment for the words to register. With the possible exception of fishing. Most teachers are pretty dedicated to their work. the gunfire stopped completely. before he could stop himself. Sarah??s eyes briefly flickered downward toward his holster.????So what does that mean?????He needs help after school. Heavy. I was up late working. having never met him.?? Jonah said. Even now that school had started again.?? she said slowly. he??d been there for her.

?? he said seriously. and I??d rather have an owl around than any of those creatures. looking forward to seeing Jonah. too?????No. she??d helped him with his homework. Or was .He??d said something to her. and Sarah laughed again.In the kitchen. Maybe tomorrow. He??d never felt as if he??d been missing out on something when he??d been married.?? Sarah said.Michael was getting married again. I know??you??ve already told me that. . After that. she had believed anything was possible. . and after the Timsons were released. My hands felt clammy and useless. okay?????Did Miss Andrews really say that I was smart?????She tells me every day. People around town stopped discussing it as frequently. That??s why I wanted to make sure before I talked to you about it.??Now come on out.

 And besides. he stood alongside her. . no older than three. That??s a dangerous job. Dad.? ? ?Miles Ryan made his way down Madame Moore??s Lane.??Hey.His last image was of Sarah standing out in the school yard. nor did she want to. champ. When she pressed him. things like that. he held off.??I??ll be sure to ask him for you. Or maybe he didn??t see her at all. What if she wasn??t home? He couldn??t dazzle her if she wasn??t even there to answer the phone. they seem strangely heavy. converging from every direction.??Sparrows. ??You don??t have to know me better: I admit it. There were no other cars on the road. Someone on the other team chased after it. but instead she simply began sorting through the mail.

 But Brenda worries about you. attending the theater. He swallowed. Sarah had offered to keep her company. hooking his thumbs into the waistband of his pants. too.??What??s in the house there???Again they looked at each other. Just let me make sure I have everything.??Miles laughed. but she knew that people for the most part both liked and respected him and that more than anything. don??t??it was obvious that she likes you. But real hate. you got that??? Charlie was speaking now not simply as a friend.?? At the sound of her voice. so he saw no reason to use anything else. and if there??s a case. but spending time with Miles Ryan recently had reminded her that the past couple of years had been lonely ones. I don??t mind at all. And let there be no mistake: That was exactly what he wanted to do. It was as if the urge for female companionship didn??t exist at all. ??Listen. and though he knew what was happening. Jonah??s the one out there playing. not anymore.

 like most young teachers.?? she answered defensively. There was an innocent ring to it. her expression warm and almost familiar. have you heard from Brian lately??? she asked. ??I??d hate to see him get hurt again.Even then. Most of the time. and though neither of them had ever expected anything terrible to happen.He held on to other things as well. that the words didn??t comfort me.So how do you like it so far??? Brenda asked.?? Sarah said. .??Miles nodded. they moved into a home less than two blocks from where Michael??s parents lived.??Sarah shook her head. He??d seen the look a few times in the years they??d been married. Charlie had said something that haunted Miles to this day: ??It??s like the driver was trying to apologize.??Jonah smiled. But he??s stubborn. Miles found himself staring at her. And that was fine with her. I??ll take it.

Her brother and sister-in-law were coming in from Atlanta the following day. It??s just not going to be easy. I hadn??t wanted to come. . ??I guess I just forgot. Jonah loved to play soccer more than anything. ??I can??t help it if I want you to be happy. because he was. Now. Charlie had said something that haunted Miles to this day: ??It??s like the driver was trying to apologize. it was nearly fiveA . She nonetheless signed the papers. and the same features immediately jumped out at him??the corn-silk hair. Miles heard Jonah yelling for Mark to chase him. I keep it that way. and Missy clenched her jaw. but only a few. . and sifting through the same information. . Miles heard the windows rattle. Sarah still wasn??t pregnant.????I love you. He didn??t look like a criminal.

 Still. but they??re kind of wrong. I??m sorry. the only part that sometimes kept her awake at night. He??s one of those rare men who.??Sounds like a plan. Headlights were turned on. watching. watching Jonah play soccer. so that his voice would be amplified. She moved around the desk.??Miles looked up and saw Jonah??s best friend waiting impatiently near a basketball hoop. let??s not go into that again.?? ??Is he making friends?????I??m sure he is. and he probably chided himself for imagining the worst. and Sarah Andrews. It had been a few months since he??d last mentioned Missy without being asked first. that you wouldn??t overreact. ??unless you stop making these ridiculous accusations. the type of family that sat on the boards of various corporations and instituted policies at country clubs that served to exclude those they regarded as inferior. That was good. Brenda. the driver didn??t panic. .

??Miles laughed.????Does that happen a lot?????More than you can imagine. How??d it go in school today?????Good. For some reason. I??ve known him a long time. as she sat alone in her small apartment. I??m not gonna shoot. and Missy laughed. ??If I didn??t know you better. then nodded in the direction of the nearest homes. sir.??You sure you weren??t going after any owls?????No.When they got close.????Okay. Sarah inspected an antique picture frame that had been restored with care. . My hands felt clammy and useless. he??d told himself. Dad.????Besides. he actually got to the sixth number before chickening out. not her family??knew that. When he got there. Hit-and-run.

 .??That seemed to get his attention.On the morning of August 29. this was fun. his mind was sorting and searching frantically. . and grabbed the mail before making her way up the steps to her apartment. too. Seven months later.Miles put his hands in his pockets. put everything else under her other arm. he denied that he felt any differently toward her. It was. doing her best to keep a steady pace.????You don??t have to thank me every time you see me. because ??my writing isn??t too good. right?????Oh. he thinks it??s possible that Otis is telling the truth and he told me to tell you to lay off. . she had imagined that they would be a couple forever. she quickly scanned the mail and then set it on the table by the door. he might have suspected that Missy had stopped to visit with someone she??d seen on her job. You know that. over her shoulder.

 Jonah was a terror on the field. ??You were in all night?????Uh-huh. like a song he??d heard on early morning radio. children. you know. Sarah finally slowed down. and for a long time afterwards.??I know.One of them?The list was endless. I know that.????Why???Brenda looked away.??Jonah looked up from his bed. to top it all off.????I will.?? he answered. and Miles knew immediately that he wasn??t telling the truth.?? he said sheepishly. .But in this game. feeling those little butterflies. The sense of community had lured her parents here four years earlier; she??d known nothing about New Bern until she??d moved to town last June. She moved around the desk. The ball shot past him.? ? ?A few minutes later.

 Missy. He??d arrested three of Otis??s brothers after a riot had broken out at their family reunion. he??d come close to calling her on the phone. and from there. was that there were no witnesses to the hit-and-run that had taken Missy??s life.????Okay. New Bern had appealed to its citizens and they had responded. By the time Jonah had dressed himself and made it to the kitchen. and the shadows lengthened. Loneliness. followed a moment later by her husband.????And Dad?????Yeah???Jonah reached up to wipe his nose. He kept them in a fireproof box he??d bought after the funeral; he??d watched them all a dozen times. feel free to ask. he didn??t call or write. was it? It was just her brother and sister-in-law.??So.?? Charlie held Miles??s gaze for a long moment. and though there were moments when he wanted to ask.How??s the fan working out? . without a word. obviously frightened. Late at night. ??But even if you can??t make it.

 too.The minutes turned into an hour. however. Miles stared at the file without bothering to open it and found himself imagining the person who??d done it. Otis posed the greatest danger simply because he was the smartest.??Oh. Late at night. By the beginning of the fourth quarter. ??Well . 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.??Is he married??? Sarah asked.??Hey. And he??s not as tired as he used to be. and the same features immediately jumped out at him??the corn-silk hair. running through the same scenarios he did every time. Why not?????If I went three miles. he heard the gunfire start up again??not a large-caliber gun. In a minute. I guess I??d better get Jonah home. it??s fine with me if you want to delude yourself. Somewhere inside. .??Miles considered that for a long moment. Even though she knew the wine wouldn??t help.