world wasn??t simply fun and games. Here we go.

 . You didn??t have a choice. after making sure Jonah was ready to go. after all. But I??m pretty sure from all that shooting you were doing that you didn??t get him yet. He wasn??t the type of sheriff who intimidated people on sight.????You didn??t see my report cards as a kid. when she suggested again that they could always adopt.????Okay. The bad blood started when Miles had first become a deputy eight years earlier. they kept their arms thrust above their heads. the last thing you want to do is talk to your parents. . how was school???Jonah pulled back. After the service. but damned if he could figure it out. . . which the world came to know as Pepsi-Cola.????When are you off in the afternoons?????Usually on Wednesdays and Fridays.??Maureen followed Sarah??s lead without complaint. He could hear her laugh again. Less than a week later. Officer Ryan? You look like you??re trying to save the world. and he knows what you??re like when you get worked up.??Harvey Wellman decided to drop the charges against Otis Timson.That night. 1988. friends had even offered to set him up with a couple of dates.

 didn??t it???She squeezed Sarah??s hand gently and Sarah looked away.????Okay. . so Miss Andrews said she??d help. .????But you just said that you weren??t even sure of what you were going to do yet. causing some sand to fall away. As she swung the door open. ??I know it grates on you. she??d helped to change his diapers and had fed him whenever her mother let her. hoping it would satisfy her mother. he didn??t really smoke. Why. he heard Jonah rustling in his room. even to him.????We had a lot to talk about. she hadn??t regretted it. but as with many of his fishing trips. but . but you know how it is. I grew up there.??I know it??s hot .?? he answered again. As it was. He??d left the house early that morning. Chiding herself for her thoughts.????Listen.????Oh. Originally named for the woman who once ran one of the most famous brothels in North Carolina.

 though Miles first wanted to find out how things had gone that day. She knew it wouldn??t be easy. He stared wistfully at his departing friends. Usually it was nice. But not really. . too.??Well. Should he suggest dinner or lunch? Or maybe a movie? Or . but instead of writing a paragraph. no matter how unlikely it seemed. pretending to admire the picture frame.??Sarah grinned and Brenda waved a hand as she went on. I??d be glad to help.??For the life of him. If you??ve got secrets. Kids are kids. The sand came out in clumps. ??You??d better come. ?? Brenda said. no older than three. She moved around the desk. but when he??d chosen the views of his family over his promise to her. Though New Bern didn??t have a big problem with vagrants.????You know I??ve been working with Jonah.??He??s having a good game. and walking among the monuments located at the Capitol Mall. like an architect in the early stages of building.?? She grinned.

 Here . in the church it was silent.??I don??t smoke. ??I can??t guarantee anything. no putzing around. ??Yeah.?? Jonah said softly. Whenever she??d needed to talk. for whatever reason. going too fast and jerking the wheel. there??s only a few minutes to relax. after too many beers. J. I can??t remember the last time I felt that way. Outside.??Miles stared at them wordlessly. do you?????No. ??No. I??m not gonna shoot. it was because he??d never found out what had really happened to Missy. ??But how??d the tutoring go???Jonah furrowed his brow.?? she said. ??I can??t help it if I want you to be happy. somehow. ??But because you??re so far behind. ? As Sarah started to climb in her car.?? Of course. and it would make no difference to her. no charges were brought for lack of evidence.

?? Finally. however. I wanted to get up and leave. a rectangular table cluttered with construction paper and Elmer??s Glue-All. he??d told himself. There??s one thing. and then turned off the lights on her way out. and he loved nothing more than to play with his trucks on the makeshift roads that Missy smoothed with her hands. They??d been talking for ten minutes. doing his best not to blow it now. but you have to have been there when she said it. ??You might have to give up smoking. . They said terrible things in the heart of the moment. like all the other teachers. You??re what??forty.Now.In the car. I know. ??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. And speaking of spelling. And for just a moment. Sarah lifted an eyebrow. the case file was thick and heavy. Whatever it was. quiet. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. he??d been attracted to her. .

??Now come on out.?? Charlie said softly. he was hit with a blast of hot air. I knew that Jonah used to put his head down on his desk and cry sometimes.????Two years???Miles nodded for emphasis. . ??You ain??t gonna shoot us.????Where??d you move from?????Baltimore. founded in 1710. He hadn??t reacted that strongly to a woman in what seemed like forever.??I??m not sure yet. she??d stayed to catch up on some of her work. everything always perfectly in place??but appealing in a natural. shattering instantly. and in less than a few minutes the place would be surrounded by every law enforcement officer in the county. not wanting her to leave just yet. that story had kept Miles from wanting to go anywhere near the place.????Would you rather have those tomorrow?????No way. as if desire and lust and love were nothing more than theoretical possibilities that had no bearing on the real world. Michael seemed more distant.??Part of her knew their relationship had taken an irreversible turn that night.? ? ?In the coming weeks.?? ??Well. She hit the play button and her mother??s voice came on. All in all. She??d heard bits and pieces of this already. He liked to watch them together; he liked the way it made him feel.????But he??s a sheriff. holding a bouquet of wildflowers; Missy and Jonah.

 the day had nose-dived rapidly. Miles was furious. Sometimes even we have trouble finding what field we??re playing on.?? she said seriously. whatever works.?? Maureen??s mouth opened slightly and stayed that way. but when she smiled. he denied that he felt any differently toward her.??Kind of like a movie?????Kinda. as he had been. he just came out with it. he thought of her as he was taking a shower in the morning.????He did??? Miles asked curiously. posting eviction notices throughout the county. needed to see Jonah.??Miles smiled. knowing that nothing he could have said would have made her any happier. usingtheir wit and charisma. and in the silence Sarah glanced at her watch.??He??s been married for fifty years. Though she wanted to get the most from her workout??she??d been an avid walker for the past five years??since she??d moved here. I guess that leaves Miles Ryan. .? ? ?While Sarah and Jonah were holding hands. She put a clump of wet sand on his head and he stopped moving.??Well. but in the end he??d learned no more than the official investigators.?? Sarah laughed. When the bell rang.

 .??You can put your hands down. She threw her arms around him as soon as he??d said the words. unless there??s no other choice. she??d never felt so insignificant in her entire life. Miles got the cooler from the back of the car and brought it to the kitchen.?? He glanced at her sideways. Sarah glanced up at him. And he intended to stay there until he figured out what was going on. He swallowed. almost luminescent. Sometimes grown-ups like to do that.??It??s late. knew who he was when he showed up at a party. she was frantic and Michael was drunk. he actually got to the sixth number before chickening out. slowly moved forward. however. this time??I know you too well. He really loved her. I do. Hey.?? He trailed off. Sarah nodded. because his teachers hadn??t required it. He??s nice. He hadn??t intended to be gone all day. and only then.Sarah opened her can of Diet Pepsi.

 ??C??mon. changing the subject.????Are you saying this so I??ll trust you?????Of course. more rugged way. asking him if it was possible to meet today.????Of course you are. too.??Sarah closed her eyes and held them that way. but now that his mind was clear. You didn??tsee it. it seemed to be saying. he??d sat in the back row and answered politely when she??d spoken to him. He??d brought his wife.Sarah smiled at Brenda??s attempt at subtlety. ??but we got off to a good start. which she used to dab at the corners of her eyes. He was still putting the mahi-mahi in the refrigerator when Missy came out from the bedroom. D. . then. She??d heard bits and pieces of this already. Missy was rocking four-month-old Jonah in the living room when a brick came crashing through the window.?? they said in unison. . He??d imagined her laughing at the things he was saying. and best of all. She hit the play button and her mother??s voice came on.??Miles felt a tightness in his throat. Miles Ryan.

 And I??d appreciate it if you set your guns off to the side. Sometimes.?? he mumbled. and kick yet another goal. Besides.In the hazy humid air. and always beginning with the same question. are you in trouble at school???At this. . and by the time he got home she??d done most of the work. tossing her clothes in the hamper and looking forward to a cool shower. The ball shot past him. she believed. a stately brick structure shaded with towering magnolias. Usually it was nice. will you? If I let you go. and from her Jonah had inherited both agility and coordination.??For the life of him. Outside the window. He??d brought his wife. I knew that our lives would be forever intertwined. he could see the pictures he??d had framed. . keeping those thoughts at bay.?? Maureen??s mouth opened slightly and stayed that way.??I know. ??Sparrows. someone coming home from a party. A week later.

 There wasa major article and three photographs: one of the accident scene and two others that showed Missy as the beautiful woman she??d been. He pointed to the bathroom. a Sunday. Perhaps naively.He??ll do something else??just give him time.????But you just said that you weren??t even sure of what you were going to do yet. ??but we got off to a good start. her eyes red.??So . thinking. an elderly woman who sat in a chair beneath a large umbrella. ??He??s got a good father. . his father??s arm around him. offering a hand or a hug. the rain drenching them. If I??d known you were eating cookies and playing games. He doesn??t stay on the phone long. usingtheir wit and charisma. He??d arrested three of Otis??s brothers after a riot had broken out at their family reunion. And try to remember all this if you and Miles ever get close. held by people dressed in black.????But you just said that you weren??t even sure of what you were going to do yet.????Who???Maureen shrugged.??Miles considered that for a long moment. right after crawling into bed.?? he agreed. . and boom! There was the memory again.

 and soon. surprising Miles. walking the streets of New Bern. The sun was dropping lower in the sky. then. ??You live out that way??? ??Yes. I wanted to talk to you about the best way to help Jonah.??When Miles didn??t answer right away. He could hear her laugh again. But now. . He??d helped send scores of people to prison. Still. In time. just as he caught a glimpse of Missy at the last second. ??Of course. and looking back??considering all that was to come??he was always amazed by that. where she??d been born and raised. What can you tell me about him???It took a moment for the words to sink in. and Miss Andrews thinks so. simply because he wouldn??t give up. Sadly. he went to bed anyway. neither of them said anything as they stood close together. ??Sometimes when I??m in bed . Why? Do you want to start cutting back a little?????No.Why. Close your eyes.??She ran her gaze over him appraisingly.

 That was the kind of life she??d had as a child. I promise. Even now that school had started again. he neither cried nor shook. Miles and Sarah stood together on the sidelines. Brenda had also been the one whom Sarah had first asked about Jonah and Miles. When she put her glass down. In many ways. you might have been able to avoid something like this. but he didn??t. almost all of it around his middle. As the warm air blew in the car. ??Well. Missy was alive again; he could see her moving. champ. Hit-and-run. Someone on the other team chased after it. ??You don??t think there??s a serious problem. ??I appreciate that. Nor would anyone come forward with a confession. Miles stood without moving. maybe I did hear a couple of things.anyone? ?? Brenda prodded. evaluating the evidence at the scene.Miles put his hands in his pockets. ??Can you understand that???Sarah forced a smile. Mom. he couldn??t suppress a pleasant thrill at the thought of seeing Sarah Andrews again.New Bern.

 He began whispering to him as he carried him to the back porch. had made their fortune in banking and were immensely wealthy and clannish.?? She paused.He was attractive. goalkeepers weren??t allowed.Her brother and sister-in-law were coming in from Atlanta the following day.?? Brenda said. where she??d been born and raised. to recall it. she told herself. probably.Later that night. It??s a good workout and it gives me a chance to unwind.??She nodded.????I think she??s pretty. His report cards said he was doing fine.??Now come on out. A week after that.?? Her mother leaned closer. because she wasn??t all that different. Hayes had always let him draw. Even furious wasn??t sufficient. he knew.??Well. There were a lot of people I really looked up to. Miles sometimes wondered if he would have turned out the same way had Missy never come into his life. regarding them as more of a burden than a blessing. Still. as if burdened with the weight of my life back then.

 In the second quarter. The proprietor of the booth. The reason was in his bedroom. the other behind her head. When she pressed him. You ready to get started?????I guess so.??I don??t smoke. angry with the school.??In addition to wallowing in a bottomless pit of concern. Sarah was twenty-seven years old.??I??m going for a jog. When she put her glass down. He took it as his own failure. There weren??t many places to meet people. It struck him that he hadn??t fully appreciated how pretty she was the last time.?? as Brenda put it. just as Missy had asked. and even though Sarah pulled it away at first. . ??That??s rare. Instead. Mom.??Yeah. Yes. Jonah wiggled his fingers. She guessed her misconception had to do with the fact that his wife had diedat all. did you???After a long moment. I found it difficult to concentrate. and then Jonah looked up at his father.

 Maybe he was reaching for another beer. if it hadn??t been for the raging headache that even aspirin couldn??t ease. A long while. right?????Sure. telling Sarah that she was welcome to stop by later. but I guess if it makes you feel better. you know? You see all those shows on TV. ??I just wanted to make sure you??re happy with it. .?? she said. are you in trouble at school???At this. I??m not gonna be too happy. I thought again that I didn??t want to be there.??Well. when the results were in.????Is he still exercising?????Not as much as he should. I was up late working. Though New Bern didn??t have a big problem with vagrants. Not family. He showered and shaved and brushed his teeth. basketball.????I know. After the service. The Flower Festival was in full swing. He swallowed. ??You don??t own me?? was all he offered by way of explanation. Kids matured at different rates. . ??There are no buts.

 . complete with some of the most breathtaking and exquisite gardens in the South.New Bern. To be honest. ??and I??m sorrier I brought it up.????But he??s a sheriff. He looked more confused than sad. and it was while working with him that she??d realized she wanted to become a teacher. I??ll let you know tomorrow what time the game is.??Three days a week. someone to share a bottle of wine with over a leisurely dinner. but he didn??t. he thought of her as he was taking a shower in the morning. the other behind her head. seemed even busier. .Miles knew enough not to respond. Here we go. . It??s just that the attraction seemed different.??Jonah. I??m just not in the mood to hear how worried you are about me. ??Jonah??s mom died right before he started kindergarten.Now. but it was long enough to finally make Jonah nervous. Miles looked almost embarrassed. A real looker. I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here. Jonah??s the one out there playing.

 then went inside. Heads would turn when he entered a room. He took it as his own failure. Sarah Andrews was walking through the historic district in New Bern. the kind sold in a standard package with other assorted items at nearly every auto supply or department store across the country. Ridiculous things. ??No.??So. almost as if in slow motion. ? As Sarah started to climb in her car. ??I didn??t expect to see you out here. friends had even offered to set him up with a couple of dates.?? ??Thank you. Since she was new at the school. she quickly scanned the mail and then set it on the table by the door. ??Nothing??s wrong. and she??d had to scale down the plans a bit and incorporate more remedial work. 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. On the first Christmas morning after her death. sort of singing the last syllable.And no chickening out this time.Keep talking.That night. and he pushed his plate off to the side. It wasn??t as though he burned through a pack a day. ??we??ll get through this. He hadn??t been awake for more than a few minutes. How??d he do??? ??Good. he couldn??t suppress a pleasant thrill at the thought of seeing Sarah Andrews again.

 offering a hand or a hug.??He frowned up at Miles. wouldn??t have been surprised by what had happened this morning. I don??t mind at all.Why. making sure she had everything she needed. Michael??s parents threw a lavish engagement party to formally announce the upcoming marriage. Not today. and some kids practiced with more diligence. . . and that??s what Jonah needs most of all. When she smiled at him. It shouldn??t have. Miles went on.????I??m sure you do. Up close. the grass needed to be mowed. After a few minutes. Maybe tomorrow. trying to compose herself. I couldn??t tell you. Charlie had teased him on and off all day????You??ll be sleeping on the couch tonight????and Miles knew Charlie was probably right. ??But she did say that Sarah was attractive.?? ??No.????Of course you are. too. you??re not that old.??Jonah looked scared and embarrassed at exactly the same time.

 If you??ve got secrets. Surprisingly.?? as Brenda put it. he just came out with it. When they were first married.????That??s what I??m worried about. Even me.Miles looked across the table. A few kids shouted greetings. it??s important to look like a lady when you go out on a date. The soft flannel material scrunched back and forth in a seamless rhythm. one of the tires on her car was flat. Even then. He??d imagined her laughing at the things he was saying. urging him to get out of there before anyone saw him. so they??re not around. 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. neither of them said anything as they stood close together. ??Sometimes when I??m in bed . and he??s had a rough time the last couple of years.????You picked a good one.????Are you sure?????Yeah. 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. and Missy still hadn??t returned. shaking her head. When I was going to school.??I know it??s hot . She??d heard bits and pieces of this already. more than he thought he should.

 . ??is behind in reading. a look of concern on her face. okay?????Did Miss Andrews really say that I was smart?????She tells me every day. but I??ll make a deal with you. She backed away from the booth as her mom went on. not with him. as Miles would mention casually to anyone who asked. she went on.??Sarah looked at her expectantly. and unlike some divorced couples. Originally named for the woman who once ran one of the most famous brothels in North Carolina. however. He swallowed. she looked more like a college student than the mother she was.??For a moment. But that wasn??t the reason for her anger; Miles himself had been the cause. For once. ??You live out that way??? ??Yes.He??d said something to her. Despite its beauty and relative isolation. changing the subject.??Oreos.?? Sarah said. she was also thinking about Miles. I wanted to talk to you about the best way to help Jonah. there??s only a few minutes to relax. however. once adolescence settled in.

 Not only wasn??t there a resolution.? ? ?A few minutes later.??As he spoke. Miles saw Jonah at the same time his son saw him. it was a little extra work.??So . the last thing you want to do is talk to your parents. Jonah still looked as if he were in his own little world.Miles sighed and looked out the window again.?? Sarah looked around. And her smell??that was something Miles would never forget. They??d been talking for ten minutes. She put a clump of wet sand on his head and he stopped moving. knowing that nothing he could have said would have made her any happier. and Miles could smell the shampoo he??d used. Miles couldn??t stand that.?? ??How did you decide to work there? Was your ex-husband a teacher. He couldn??t imagine any reason strong enough to make him want to stay up. trying to compose herself. After she??d asked the class to hand in their first assignment. . nearly tripping over a toy in the process. someone who assumed that every child would respond to her if she tried hard enough. You read with him. Miles leaned against his car and crossed his arms. ??I??m Sarah Andrews. Just let me make sure I have everything.??I don??t want to stay after school. Sarah and Brian on either end.

 and a weekday. he was running out of time. if you know what I mean. Sarah didn??t take the time to question his reservations. like meeting with Jonah??s teacher later in the afternoon. All in all. I??d like y??all to come out so I can talk to you.??Her mother had wondered aloud whether Miles had ever shot someone. and he thought about throwing the cigarettes out. the gunfire stopped completely. 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. even more so than Miles. ??I hadn??t really thought about it. like three plus two. residence of the colonial governor. There was an innocent ring to it. ??I thought so. .?? Sarah said. Miles couldn??t even begin to imagine loving another woman again. Miles had stopped filming after Missy had died.??And you??ll keep moving on.??I??m also free on Friday night. Later that day. He could feel his heart hammering. most likely a twenty-two??and he suspected there was a simple explanation. Miles saw a head poke out from one of the front windows. All it means is that we want to talk for a while so we can get to know one another. Unfocused.

Those hours. but I don??t do it to hurt people. Then.????So what am I supposed to do if I see Otis committing a crime? Look the other way?????Hell. In the first year after Missy??s death. . and chrysanthemums blossomed in the fall. At least. so Miss Andrews said she??d help. but enough??and Missy started filling in the sand. Headlights were turned on. ??Mom. She removed her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk.?? Miles went on calmly.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. in order to be closer to him.??She nodded seriously. Brenda.Now. . ??Can I have pancakes?????How about some waffles instead? We??re running a little late. the memories of the day Missy died came back to Miles in bits and pieces. ??You could make it. . Except for projects he??d made. Maybe he was reaching for another beer. quiet.?? he said honestly. A long while.

 But sometimes.????I think so. whom she needed to talk to to get a couple of new desks. right?????Oh. Charlie. a white pickup truck began backing out. was part of the routine. held by people dressed in black. thankful that the air was finally cooling. They honeymooned in Greece and Turkey; when they got back to Baltimore. His father hadn??t yelled. he thinks it??s possible that Otis is telling the truth and he told me to tell you to lay off. There were a lot of people I really looked up to. Miles entered and sat on the bed. willing herself not to cry.Charlie glanced up from his food. and she??d been surprised when he??d come up to say hello a little later in the evening.????I know. too. ??I needed a change.?? she answered. obviously disappointed. however??no matter how much he wanted it to be otherwise??his thoughts still reverted back toprobably won??t. The smoke from Miles??s cigarette swirled upward and he could feel the humidity rising. never.?? She hesitated. simply because he wouldn??t give up.??You would??? she asked. her fears.

 most likely a twenty-two??and he suspected there was a simple explanation. and only then. He rose from the table. he felt almost as if he??d never known them at all. that feeling began to change. Close your eyes. He??d left the house early that morning.?? She paused. though no one??not the counselor. he held off.? ? ?A few minutes later.??You don??t look so good.??They were sitting at a booth in the corner. And for just a moment.?? he said. even though he knew it was nothing but a temporary phenomenon and didn??t mean diddly squat. ??Nothing??s wrong. okay? And don??t go wandering. She??d come to view them asher kids. Though she sometimes missed the energy of city life. ??Well.By the time Jonah??s breathing had fallen into deep. and the waitress. ??You??re making me a little nervous here. ??but if it??s said in confidence. Once she showed him something. attending the theater. the rain drenching them. falling in and out of love as the seasons changed.

 seemed to reject his family??s values and was regarded as the ultimate catch. Her eyes widened and occasionally filled with tears; she squeezed Sarah??s hand a dozen times.new. most students would finish where they needed to be. but it??s nice. Mom. where is all of this coming from???Well . As the warm air blew in the car.?? Sarah interrupted. lit it. Why not?????If I went three miles. but I like it. Some children. no??don??t be stupid.. ??Well . and you??re not always there to watch out for him.????I wasn??t biting my nails.????Think about it. but the children??s names on the roll sheet confirmed he was where he was supposed to be. ??I??m Miles Ryan. A man. and though he hadn??t known what he would say.?? he continued. had been a life-saver. a week before the crowds arrived in full force.He began to justify his new reality by telling himself that he was a widower now.??But you??re going on a date. ??I didn??t expect to see you out here.

 confidence began to fade.?? he mumbled. and they both sat in silence. keeping those thoughts at bay. the birds began their morning songs. however.?? ??Mrs. no one had been outside walking the dog or turning off the sprinklers. This time. Miles felt the same strange fluttering he??d experienced when he??d first met her. But yardwork was yardwork and fishing was fishing.??You don??t look so good. Since Missy??s death it had been relatively quiet.I saw the crowd that had gathered. he took it the length of the field and kicked it in the net.Now. he could see Jonah going down the slide in the playground. In the end.?? ??Don??t be. she was the same height as Jonah.?? From the expression on his face. I??ll call.In the hazy humid air. Jonah looked toward Miles with wide eyes that were nearly brimming with tears. it seemed. But that was ten years ago. But she??s been great. and that??s what Jonah needs most of all.Again there was a period of silence.

 doing his best to appear as if he didn??t even realize that without Jonah his team would be getting destroyed.Driven by compulsion. After the service.And what she must think of him.?? Charlie said seriously. Miles still found his thoughts drawn to Missy. for assault when he??d thrown his wife through the screen door on their mobile home. continuing to whisper in his ear. Since then she??d been out only a few times. continuing to whisper in his ear. ??they??re kind of right. they talked for a long time. satisfied.??At that moment. needed to see Jonah. and I told Harvey that.?? he began. In his mind??s eye. I wouldn??t have been so worried about him. He kind of shut himself off from the world after that. she??d come to understand. something like dyslexia. her fears.????So you??ll be coming by the house. keeping those thoughts at bay. okay?????Did Miss Andrews really say that I was smart?????She tells me every day. Even furious wasn??t sufficient. the opposing team kicked four goals to take the lead. .

 Mom.??In the early afternoon sunlight.????Oh.Damn. the same one that Miles and Sarah had visited a month earlier. however. it hadn??t been as easy as it was when he??d been twenty-two. she looked up and met Brenda??s gaze with a twinkle in her eye. a Sunday. I don??t belong here. he ran his life according to what she used to do. I guess I??d better get Jonah home. He??d arrested people and testified against them. ??This is justgreat . ??It was fine. With his knees pulled up to his chest. Once everyone was on the buses and the cars were pulling out. but good. tired. however. ??So I??ve realized. trying to come up with ways to prolong her time with him long enough to figure it out.?? he said simply. the road he was following wasn??t for children.??You mean bring him by??? she finally asked. ??I??m sorry. as if she??d just spent the day relaxing at the beach.As we drove.????You ready for some breakfast???He stretched his arms out to the side.

 she??d planted some pansies around the mailbox. After what he did to you. a teetering wood structure blanketed in kudzu on the outskirts of New Bern. Her husband rested his hand on her knee. other times it drove her batty. small mirrored sunglasses. But I??m pretty sure from all that shooting you were doing that you didn??t get him yet. she??d immediately pictured a caricature of southern law enforcement: overweight. needed to see Jonah. No doubt the boy would want to hear all about what just happened. but I??m not finished yet. ??Will you talk about me?????Probably a little. As soon as he entered the building. Here we go.??I was just putting the fish away . thinking. There was. What he really needed was some quiet time at a little beachfront cottage down in Key West. He still slept with it every night. . My mother died when I was finishing up high school.??You can put your hands down. In arithmetic. she realized.??I won??t be coming by. and he knew it. she spent most evenings alone. ??unless you stop making these ridiculous accusations. .

 He hadn??t intended to be gone all day. There weren??t many places to meet people. Someone played softly on a guitar near the altar. rooted in the numbing realization that she??d never really known him at all. most students would finish where they needed to be. . ??Jonah??s mom died right before he started kindergarten. . you know? But I can??t really see it all the time. everyone was confident that the case would have a resolution. that feeling began to change. ??is behind in reading. before running out to the deli. he??d hoped that something would strike him. surprised. and Miss Andrews thinks so.?? she said. The rest of the articles concerned the events of that night. the birds began their morning songs. No matter what happened with Sarah in the future. How??d it go in school today?????Good. then. Someone who could make him laugh. I??ve been meaning to bring a fan in. albeit a small one. Today. Jonah was physically mature and didn??t like to practice; it was only a matter of time before the others caught up with him. the kind he associated with children who had yet to realize that the world wasn??t simply fun and games. Here we go.