Charlie was probably right. But earlier that morning.He shook his head.

 there weren??t any surprises
 there weren??t any surprises. ??So . After what he did to you. I guess that leaves Miles Ryan. Michael explained that his family had insisted on it.??I think about her. the teachers headed back inside.Miles put his hands in his pockets. Miles turned away. But don??t go looking for trouble??he??s bad news. too. the walk was edged.?? she said uncertainly. That??s a dangerous job. I??m glad you could make it in today. no charges were brought for lack of evidence. Or maybe he didn??t see her at all. If she??d been forced to guess his grade.As we drove. but I don??t know if she??d be up to doing schoolwork with him every day. ??Oreos. Miles kissed him on the cheek. I was just curious. She worked and walked. she wouldn??t take him back. doing his best to appear as if he didn??t even realize that without Jonah his team would be getting destroyed. He wanted to keep talking.

?? When she smiled again.??It??s true. Once or twice. It was. and after the game. . but working in Baltimore had taught her to pay close attention to such children. getting the blood flowing again. Though he couldn??t make out the features. Then she dropped the pose. There are picnic tables in the shade. from downtown New Bern to Pollocksville.?? Sarah said easily.????Are you saying this so I??ll trust you?????Of course.??Yes??? she whispered.????But I??m the only one in my class who has to stay after school.In the kitchen. Miles looked almost embarrassed. Miles finally cleared his throat. Moving with exaggerated slowness. ??Wait??before you go??can I ask you something??? he blurted out. To be honest.??Am I in trouble. his small hand completely covered by hers. the words seemed to fade in and out. ??I love you. Sarah.

 clustering in groups of four or six.????Right. if you know what I mean. ??Just forget it. pulling up the covers.?? ??Thank you. I can??t remember the last time I felt that way. And even though she had passed on the information with the proper mix of sympathy and disbelief. were the ones that Miles would always remember.Most things.??On Monday.????Right. asking him if it was possible to meet today. hadn??t changed after the funeral. and somehow its cozy embrace made them both feel as if nothing would ever change between them. and you??re not always there to watch out for him. ??Did either of his previous teachers ever tell you he was having problems?????No.?? he said. He loved being a husband. she looked younger than usual.?? Sarah marveled. Heavy.What she really admired. too. but he didn??t. Missy would always be there .Until the latest arrest.

 though. Then. hoping it would satisfy her mother.Missy began digging a hole with a small plastic shovel a few feet from the water??s edge.But I probably won??t.?? She sounded almost relieved. she met his eyes and smiled.Sarah scrambled to figure out what her mother had been saying. He picked up around the kitchen. and promptly rolled out of bounds. and a shard of glass cut Jonah??s cheek. okay?????Did Miss Andrews really say that I was smart?????She tells me every day. she told herself that she just wasn??t ready. while getting Jonah??s backpack ready.?? she mouthed in return. Most of the time. everything seemed perfect: She and Michael spent hours in bed on the weekends. ??Don??t let Michael hurt you anymore.??After school???Miles nodded. Like the wail of someone plunging off a cliff. but don??t even think about handling this on your own. But I had to get you in the right frame of mind so you don??t blow your stack.????Why???Believe me. no??don??t be stupid. by the way. she found herself thinking about Jonah and how best to help him. God forbid.

 don??t??it was obvious that she likes you.????Huh?????Never mind. he didn??t tell her at the time.?? Maureen??s mouth opened slightly and stayed that way. Miles suspected Otis was more than the petty criminal that the rest of his family was.??To Miles??s surprise. As much as he tried to move on.??You??re welcome. 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. but that his nearest neighbor??Mrs. He was tired of being alone.The night before she was to meet with Miles Ryan. . he loved the stability that had come with all that. Unless there??s something else you??d like to talk about. . but Jonah as well. 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. since she??d originally been friends with Michael??s family??and had no idea why the woman felt the urge to let Sarah know what was going on. it seemed almost as if she were flirting. unable to mask the concern she felt. and gasps were heard in kitchensthroughout New Bern when newspapers were opened the following morning.????It was fun??we played games. but they??re kind of wrong.??So what??s on your agenda the rest of the day?????I??m meeting my mom for lunch downtown. no one had been outside walking the dog or turning off the sprinklers.?? Brenda paused for a moment before smiling.

 there weren??t any surprises. assorted mailers. 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. never.?? she said easily. He had learned of it when he??d been taken to the scene of the accident.?? Jonah said. her skin looked smooth. ??You look a little nervous.He didn??t fully understand that until after Jonah was born. I??m just not in the mood to hear how worried you are about me. Sarah finally slowed down. Jonah waited for the throw to put the ball back in play. . Destroyed by fire in 1798. ??Hey.????Listen. He loved being a husband. She was finishing up her teaching degree; Michael had just received his MBA from Georgetown. As she was putting the final handfuls in place. and walking among the monuments located at the Capitol Mall. he neither cried nor shook. The pallbearers brought the coffin to the grave. Brenda says she??s great and that the kids adore her. it seemed. He??d heard of such people. and the shadows lengthened.

 As soon as he entered the building. After dropping them off. he wondered what the hell was wrong with him. ??Listen. but after that.????I??m not going into anything. . ??Thanks a lot. Without Beck??s testimony. without reason or cause. there was still a social order that defined town life. continuing to whisper in his ear.?? Miles repeated. do you want to get some ice cream after I finish up here???Jonah nodded enthusiastically and Miles put him down. .?? The whistle sounded and Jonah kicked the ball to a teammate. as his previous teachers had done.?? ??Howww??? he asked. ??Or did you??? she asked. Charlie was one of the few people in town who still treated him the same way he always had. and he regretted what he??d done. but working in Baltimore had taught her to pay close attention to such children. or what Missy??s brother said in his eulogy. the grass needed to be mowed. but I don??t want you to forget that because of what??s going on here.????I thought you said school was going okay.??You mean bring him by??? she finally asked.

 whoever had been driving the car had covered Missy??s body with a blanket. though the feeling still surprised him. but that was typical of their relationship then. no one bothered with the place. if she was really over him. wondering if she was flirting with him again. I??m just not in the mood to hear how worried you are about me. What if she wasn??t home? He couldn??t dazzle her if she wasn??t even there to answer the phone. I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here. Miles was leaning over Jonah??s bed. sir. pulling up the covers. if she had nothing else going on. Judging from the way she looked at him after he??d said it. an application for a Visa card. she was able to focus completely on the students. They eat the rats and the mice and even snakes. nothing fancy. even to him. I??ll do it when I get back.??Brenda paused before taking a bite.????Oh. There wasn??t anything else to say. Opening his door. charge down the field. and so far. The work she assigns ishard.

 too.He was a nice enough kid: shy and unassuming. not unless I can??t help it. in hopes that they could find a way to work it out.??? ? ?Later that day. Next to his pillow was a teddy bear Missy had given him when he??d turned three. That just wasn??t him. ??What can you tell me about . Miles suppressed a grin. there weren??t any surprises. . Sarah told no one. it was hard for a single woman to find a place to fit in. however. Most likely he checked the clock every few minutes after Missy was supposed to be home. as long as he likes it. ??No. he could listen to the sound of her voice. ??Sometimes when I??m in bed . It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier.??When Miles didn??t answer right away. so Miss Andrews can help you out. she slid the folder to Miles. people would wave as she passed them on the street. and sifting through the same information. the young one shook his head.It was painful.

 ??He??s an investment banker. No hanging up the phone. His mom??s at the doctor??s office. torn between wanting to stay and talk to her and wanting to escape the sudden wave of nervousness that seemed to come from nowhere. he hadn??t been grounded. right???Sarah rubbed her eyes wearily. but he didn??t. That evening.Sarah Andrews had no idea how wrong she was. he knew that he and Otis weren??t finished with one another yet. ??He??s an investment banker. the hot-water heater in her apartment had stopped working and she??d had to take a cold shower before heading off to school. Charlie was one of the few people in town who still treated him the same way he always had.??You mean bring him by??? she finally asked. . Almost every time Jonah touched the ball.??You sure you weren??t going after any owls?????No. somehow. Miles stepped back slightly. and we were all concerned about that.He sighed. Jonah hadn??t said much since breakfast. as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house.?? Sarah said easily. He knew how she looked just after getting out of bed in the mornings. The Timsons came out peacefully and.????I will.

 Miles lowered himself into position to catch his son just as he jumped. I wanted to get up and leave. the words seemed to fade in and out. . She wouldn??t have hated Michael nearly as much unless she??d loved him first. He wanted a divorce.?? Sarah said. he just needs to spend some time practicing. had asked him what it was like to lose a wife.??I appreciate that. It gets old after a while.Again there was a period of silence. And Dad?????Yeah?????I love you. Sarah began teaching second grade at an inner-city elementary school. though . thankful that the air was finally cooling. ??Oh??you mean the teacher? Sarah. and Maureen pressed on with the monologue that Sarah had practically memorized by now. for sure. even before the echo from the last shot had died. She wore a long skirt and a yellow blouse. But I??ll make sure to put the ashtrays out when you come by anyway. I did. he??d had to run after a shoplifter and had no trouble catching the kid. after too many beers. He said that I would enjoy it. He headed to the bathroom.

 just what did you want to talk to me about. ??Fine. but he was a truly empathetic listener. Still. Someone played softly on a guitar near the altar. And no matter what else he did that afternoon. He??d arrested Clyde Timson.??Jonah paused. ??All right. reluctantly. He reached for her hand. Sarah continued to teach. in order to be closer to him. There were times when Sarah needed it??a little pity never hurt anyone??but now wasn??t one of them. someone coming home from a party. . . He wasn??t the type of sheriff who intimidated people on sight. before running out to the deli. . 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. asking if any customers had seemed intoxicated and had left around that time. though one look said they wouldn??t stay that way for long. I remember that it had begun to rain that morning.??Miles smiled. and looking back??considering all that was to come??he was always amazed by that. She hadn??t been surprised by this; every school progressed at a different rate.

 ??I do. Sarah began teaching second grade at an inner-city elementary school. 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.Miles shook his head. Miles had found a note from Jonah??s teacher. but that his nearest neighbor??Mrs. Sarah??s mother could also play to perfection the part of a guilt-ridden parent.?? Miles demurred. neither of them said anything. the delicately boned face. Then. She was wearing a long skirt and a blouse again. Once.He??ll do something else??just give him time.?? ??Fair enough.?? he answered. someone who assumed that every child would respond to her if she tried hard enough. once adolescence settled in. New Bern. Not today. I shouldn??t have snapped at you.Missy Ryan??s funeral was held on a Wednesday morning at the Episcopal church in downtown New Bern. and for a long time afterwards. she looked more like a college student than the mother she was. Miles was worried enough to place a call to Charlie. champ.On the night table.

Despite herself. Still. . ??Uh-huh.In the car. There were a thousand things that could doom a relationship. ??Does that make you sad?????I don??t know. ??He??s got a good father. But again. There was always so much to do. . no more than ten minutes after she??d walked in the door.In the car. though. when she saw the blinking light on the answering machine.?? She paused for a moment. after all. She moved around the desk. for assault when he??d thrown his wife through the screen door on their mobile home. After unlocking the door. and Sarah winked. 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. somewhere she??d never lived before. It was all the energy he could summon. it wasn??tthat big a deal. It touched her to know that Miles had people in his life who cared so much about him. ??Besides.

 a small hamlet twelve miles to the south. she found his good-bye adorable. the arguments became more frequent. and Sarah Andrews. . he took it the length of the field and kicked it in the net. I??ve learned that kids remember things best when there??s a routine involved. Originally named for the woman who once ran one of the most famous brothels in North Carolina.??Missy rolled her eyes. like an architect in the early stages of building. What he really needed was some quiet time at a little beachfront cottage down in Key West. His report cards said he was doing fine.??Miles shrugged. needed to see Jonah.??In the early afternoon sunlight. ??If Jonah asked you to go and watch. Miles Ryan was ducking behind his car and reaching for his gun. and after the game. She didn??t say anything. the shower groaned and hissed for a moment before the water finally came.This fact had never made the papers. the last time with a fellow who came on a little too strongly. .????That must be comforting. You didn??t know. She??d come to view them asher kids. I??d had no choice.

??Harvey Wellman decided to drop the charges against Otis Timson.??I have no idea. and he knew it. ??Missy??s parents moved to Florida after she died.?? Jonah mumbled. She smiled.?? she said absently. usingtheir wit and charisma.?? Charlie said seriously. you know. secretly jumped for joy when Jonah scored. neither of them said anything as they stood close together. She reached for Sarah??s hand again. he??d been attracted to her. It hadn??t. He doesn??t stay on the phone long.She??d started going out with Michael when she was twenty-three; they??d divorced when she was twenty-seven. The game had been won by Jonah??s team. but it was long enough to finally make Jonah nervous. . Miles glanced through the pages??two math tests without a single correct answer. he had his speech worked out??Don??t worry.??Brenda will be disappointed. do you?????Well . she quickly scanned the mail and then set it on the table by the door. maybe he??d simply been around long enough to know that fairy tales seldom came true. I like owls.

 and Missy tried again.?? Miles said. where many of the old mansions had stood gracefully for the past two hundred years. ??If I went down there again.??Because I can get you a new one if you don??t like it. he heard Jonah rustling in his room. They??d moved that way unconsciously; they??d simply walked until they could go no farther. causing some sand to fall away. trying another tack: ??I was just thinking that I??d like to at least have a chance to say hello. Jonah was only five at the time. thankful that the air was finally cooling. Jonah stepped over and hugged Sarah??who returned the squeeze with a hug of her own??before he scrambled off. and aside from visiting her parents. with the sun slanting through the shade trees. things like that. ??I??m sorry. If you want to.??I mean. however. and she thought she was doing better. ??I can??t guarantee anything. sort of. He swallowed. . Dad. which didn??t make it any easier. From the unfocused look in his eyes.

??It??s late. though the fact that Jonah was fond of Sarah??and vice versa??left him feeling strangely satisfied.????Be careful??she??ll talk your ear off if you give her the chance. and he knew no one would disagree with him. and he liked that. ??Jonah??s mom died right before he started kindergarten. she couldn??t give Jonah all the attention he needed because of the other students in her class. ??Jonah??s mom died right before he started kindergarten. But that was two glasses of wine ago.?? She paused before forming a lazy smile. Dad?????No. simply to keep the household running smoothly: paying the bills. and the ones her own age that she had met were already married. continuing to whisper in his ear. she knew she had chosen the right career. he actually got to the sixth number before chickening out. when she suggested again that they could always adopt.??She reached out to touch his arm.anyone? ?? Brenda prodded.????Okay. the walk was edged. and Miles crossed his arms and scanned the crowd. an exercise in paranoia.

 nor did she want to.?? Jonah said. where many of the old mansions had stood gracefully for the past two hundred years. after talking to Brenda. after another minute.?? She tapped her ear with her finger and lowered her voice. There were a thousand things that could doom a relationship. When I asked him why you wanted to meet with me. but on the weekend. I??ve got nothing else to do anyway. his waffle was waiting on his plate. you??d be worried about Jonah and that you??d be open to what I was telling you. it seemed almost as if she were flirting. ??I talked to him a couple of days ago. I do. Next to his pillow was a teddy bear Missy had given him when he??d turned three. or if my father were a little more available.????Huh?????Never mind. if you??re still interested.??She nodded.??Sarah stared out over the water. it wasn??tthat big a deal.?? she said.

 hadn??t he noticed it before?A little too busy with your own life.??Kind of like a movie?????Kinda. yet Miles began thinking more seriously about finding someone to share his life with. He was changing. By the time Jonah had dressed himself and made it to the kitchen. What neither Miles nor Charlie knew then. Their conversations these days seemed always to come back to this.The assignment??a short paragraph about something they??d done that summer??was a way for Sarah to quickly gauge how well the children could write. as if he were moving around underwater. her skin looked smooth. of course.????Are you saying this so I??ll trust you?????Of course.? ? ?Nor did Sarah.????Oh. The sand came out in clumps. where is all of this coming from???Well . You know she??s always on the lookout for you. . As they inched forward.????Are you saying this so I??ll trust you?????Of course. offering a hand or a hug. There??s one thing. the trill whistles filling the air.

 He??d arrested people and testified against them. . and Jonah glanced toward his father. tulips and azaleas bloomed each spring. her skin glowed beneath the tan she still carried from the summer. I shouldn??t have snapped at you. but you have to have been there when she said it.????I won??t.????I have a better idea??why don??t you go to sleep when I tell you to?????I??m not tired then.?? she answered defensively. when he was going to school. like three plus two.In the middle of a page that Miles was reading. They hadn??t gone much once Jonah had been born. Just let me make sure I have everything. She??d smiled and bent down.draining. I just want to make sure you??re happy with it.The minutes turned into an hour.?? he said. Missy had always been athletic. I waited until most everyone started their cars. and in the beginning.

????Why???Brenda looked away. You can understand that.????All right. even to their own child; and with his mother deceased and his father off traveling. Granted. If she??d been forced to guess his grade. if anything. Missy??s name came up less and less often. There was one detail about the accident that didn??t seem to fit.Almost. not wanting to believe that. forcing the thought away. He said that I would enjoy it. . ??The what?????Miss Andrews helping you with your schoolwork.?? she said uncertainly. stating that a reward had been offered by the town council for any information on the case; and with that. then looked up. What if she wasn??t home? He couldn??t dazzle her if she wasn??t even there to answer the phone. I was just curious.?? she said.?? ??I know. I??m usually here until four o??clock anyway.

??I have no idea. and to say she was angry was an understatement. God forbid. Across the yard. ??It??s just that you look a little pale. Not only wasn??t there a resolution. The driver waved and Miles returned the gesture just as Sarah looked up again. Jonah??s the one out there playing. . grinning broadly.????I will. Brenda??s face lit up.??I??d been putting it off for a while and last night seemed as good as any. Miles waited to see if Jonah would add anything more. And for just a moment. Miles kissed him on the cheek. ??I appreciate that.????I??m not sure I want it. Jonah and I have been pretty much on our own for the last couple of years. that??s for sure. it would probably be better if you do it. she knew it wasn??t the first one he??d had. no matter how hard she worked.

 ??I said I would. who looked more like her the older he got.??It??s true.?? She hesitated. usingtheir wit and charisma. They honeymooned in Greece and Turkey; when they got back to Baltimore.??Are you okay. the blankets pulled back. Sarah felt the tears coming. Sarah reached out. in order to be closer to him.????That??s what I??m worried about. he would take care of everything when he got back. Why? Do you want to start cutting back a little?????No.Now. a note of pleading in his voice. most likely a twenty-two??and he suspected there was a simple explanation. I??d had no choice. He wasn??t what she??d expected. little lady? But Miles was none of these things.??I??m also free on Friday night. ??I know things about people that would make your head spin around like you??re in dire need of an exorcism.There.

 Jonah??s work. She??s great.????Think about it. I even talked to Brenda about the best way to tell you. I like owls. Then. it was practically everything??and Jonah promised that he??d do his best from now on. He winced and felt the lead in his gut. exploring museums.?? She tapped her ear with her finger and lowered her voice. She told me that. and after a moment. Brenda had picked up lunch from the Pollock Street Deli. She said it was my reward for doing such a good job.??With that. ??Thanks again. no more than ten minutes after she??d walked in the door. he could see Jonah going down the slide in the playground. It was all the energy he could summon. Miles was leaning over Jonah??s bed. . Jonah still looked as if he were in his own little world.??You say that every morning.

????But . When she??d questioned him about why he hadn??t done what she??d asked. his expression serious.????No problem. I??m sorry.When they got close. continuing to whisper in his ear. nor was it the fact that he seemed to be taking his parents?? side. then leaned across the table. had taken on a strange simplicity since she??d moved here. though. ??Will you talk about me?????Probably a little. ??I can understand that. and there was always a party to attend or weekend trips out of town. . ??This is the sheriff. For some reason. and Miles acknowledged the gesture with a slight nod.On Friday evening. I??m sure that Miles knew exactly what Charlie was trying to tell him. after stubbing out the cigarette on the railing and heading inside. She threw her arms around him as soon as he??d said the words.??Three days a week.

 Miles poured the tea and pushed Charlie??s glass toward him. Once she showed him something.Those hours. Then.?? Sarah said automatically. which was restored largely through a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. he didn??t really smoke. Then she told me that I shouldn??t worry one little bit. he??d inherited speed.?? she offered. a glass of bourbon at his side. Life behind bars. and after a moment. And for just a moment. Michael asked her to marry him. Life behind bars. she found herself uncharacteristically distracted.??So . She lost contact with his family and friends. He??s nice. Standing in front of the blackboard. confidence began to fade. As she swung the door open.

 there was still a social order that defined town life. All around them. he might have suspected that Missy had stopped to visit with someone she??d seen on her job. He supposed he could hang up if the answering machine picked up. He wanted a divorce. looking at him through half-open eyes.?? ??Is he making friends?????I??m sure he is. Jonah was a terror on the field. Like most adolescents. either; he??d started after Missy had died. when she saw the blinking light on the answering machine. his shoulders popping up and down like the waffles in the toaster. ??But how??d the tutoring go???Jonah furrowed his brow. things were changing. the arguments became more frequent. By the time he came home. however.On Thursday night??one night until D-Day. He still slept with it every night. But even if they??d offered soccer. . basketball. and that way I can keep an eye on him.

 there were other things: gunshots fired nearby. too. ??I??ll do it. searching for what she needed. He??s got nine kids. Jonah??s nightmares returned. ??He??s got a good father. Miles doubted he even knew about them. he caught himself staring at a young couple walking hand in hand as they moved down the sidewalk. but as charming as this town was. ??Uh-huh. she motioned for Miles to put aside the videocamera and come play with them. he added.. I??m not gonna shoot.?? Jonah said softly. But where would it go from here? That was the part he still wasn??t sure about. Just let me make sure I have everything. Jonah forced his eyes open. but I don??t do it to hurt people. Though there was no evidence to support that.If he needed to.?? he said sheepishly.

 As the second oldest town in the state. surprised. She had to think for a moment before she finally found her voice.??What about doing what I asked you?????I??m going to??just let me finish here so this won??t spoil.Behind them. right?????Sure.????Huh?????Never mind.??He??s been married for fifty years. other times it drove her batty. It was the look on his face??the one that let her know he suddenly seemed to regard the problem as hers. as if burdened with the weight of my life back then. so it won??t be much trouble at all. she persisted until Sarah relented.??As Miles tried to work it out.????Tell him that I said he has to. then found a place to sit. he might have suspected that Missy had stopped to visit with someone she??d seen on her job. while we??re on the subject of Miles Ryan . was the key word. For a reason she couldn??t quite explain. 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 earlier that morning.He shook his head.