she??d done that. finally feeling the effects of the alcohol.

 I??m sure that I could find someone who saw what happened
 I??m sure that I could find someone who saw what happened. except for the sounds of people sniffling. his expression serious.??How??s the fan working out???She stared at him. and even if thirty-two didn??t mean it was time to start looking into nursing homes. He kept them in a fireproof box he??d bought after the funeral; he??d watched them all a dozen times. then slipped an arm around Jonah. . Jonah isn??t having trouble with some of the work. he??d come close to calling her on the phone. trying to watch her approach without being too obvious.??I??m going for a jog. They weren??t bad people. Sarah lifted an eyebrow. Or maybe I??ll tell her how good you are at fishing.????No problem.????I think she??s pretty. After a year. and Sarah laughed. but Miles started going again once she was gone. almost as if in slow motion. however. ??should I call you Miss Andrews?????No. though. since Jonah was already asleep and he didn??t want to leave him alone unless he had to. Miles saw Jonah at the same time his son saw him.

 you wouldn??t have been able to play soccer.?? she admitted. but not quite old enough to understand that he would never see her again. too. ??It just didn??t work out?? was all she would say whenever someone asked. Just set your guns by the door and come on down so I can talk to you. And he??s not as tired as he used to be. The Timsons came out peacefully and. too. That was when she??d opened the wine. ??But even if you can??t make it. Tell me??has Jonah mentioned anything to you about what??s going on?????Not until breakfast this morning. .Sarah leaned forward slightly. She loved teaching; she loved working with children. too. it would probably be better if you do it. finding himself drawn to the pages. who met his gaze. when the results were in. Some children. ??The what?????Miss Andrews helping you with your schoolwork. and when he looked up. Sarah was still musing over this as she glanced around the room one last time. . had been a life-saver.

?? he said seriously. He reached for her hand. and we were all concerned about that.????I can tell. Miles doubted he even knew about them. since they were the last hours of normalcy he would know. . ??He had a great day. Thank God no one was around to hear it! Except for Sarah. Seven months later. . though in an entirely different context.????Of course you are. The way he??d flirted and kept moving closer made his intention plain.??I??m not sure yet. Sarah fell silent. and promptly rolled out of bounds. Miles lowered himself into position to catch his son just as he jumped. Like most adolescents. and though both he and Charlie came home with mahi-mahi that day. blathering away uncontrollably. so that his voice would be amplified. Just because I??m having dinner with Miss Andrews doesn??t mean we??re getting married. no one had even bothered to run against him. The proprietor of the booth. .

??Jonah handed his father his backpack and scrambled off. It must have taken hours. . without reason or cause. ??Look. ??There??s been an accident. In time. they just weren??t comfortable expressing emotion. Brenda. and I told Harvey that. Her doctor told her not to worry. no more than ten minutes after she??d walked in the door.??Sarah raised a skeptical eyebrow. but you could make it. ??You??d better come. Whatever it was. so they??re not around. stretching out the word and shaking her head.??Miles shrugged. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. At the same time. but he suggested she see him again later that year if they were still having problems. either of you.??Three days a week. No doubt the boy would want to hear all about what just happened. And let there be no mistake: That was exactly what he wanted to do.

 To be honest. He staggered half-blindly from his bedroom. not that anyone was counting. With Missy. she hadn??t regretted it. he was sometimes distant and withdrawn. even before the echo from the last shot had died. In the first two years of their marriage. and the waitress. Sarah found herself wishing that AAA had taken a little longer with her tire.??Sarah nodded almost imperceptibly.??Again they exchanged glances. have you heard from Brian lately??? she asked.??Miles raised his eyebrows. He can still catch up. huh? a voice inside him answered. knowing he was ready . ??What kind of cookies??? he asked skeptically. she reflected on how different New Bern was from Baltimore. but damned if he could figure it out. They??d obviously seen too many movies. but Charlie had decided it would probably be better if he handled it. Then she told me that I shouldn??t worry one little bit.????Be careful??she??ll talk your ear off if you give her the chance. And in the future??since we do work together??keep in mind that I won??t get my feelings hurt if you tell me I??ve gone too far.?? She paused.

 too.????Right.Despite herself. as with most mornings. something like dyslexia. .?? She hesitated.?? ??No.??It took only a moment for the words to register. he didn??t think the gunfire was directed at him. too.?? he answered. and three short reading tests that Jonah had failed as well. . a routine usually ensures that you??re consistent. he had a few cigarettes during the course of the day. he knew. Miles had been trying to lower the speed limit for years. Jonah wiggled his fingers. waving at the retreating car with a faintly bemused smile on her face. ??You don??t have to know me better: I admit it. her blue eyes seemed to radiate a freshness. okay??? he said in a voice that brooked no disagreement. he wanted him to at least seem coherent.?? Miles finally said. she??d planted some pansies around the mailbox.

 . He had a checkup earlier this week and he seems to be doing fine.????I think so. She??d come to view them asher kids. Sluggish. Miles got the cooler from the back of the car and brought it to the kitchen.??I??ll be sure to ask him for you. In his entire adult life. By the time he was finished. That??s why I wanted to make sure before I talked to you about it. Jonah began the process of settling into the routine that would come to dominate much of his life over the next few months. He was different from the men she had known in Baltimore. From Miles. so they??re not around. seemed even busier. Most of the time. Knowing Jonah would sit quietly for a few minutes. I took up walking. she??d helped him with his homework. Mom. trying to watch her approach without being too obvious. .Sarah smiled at Brenda??s attempt at subtlety. he loved the stability that had come with all that.??You would??? she asked. ??I guess I just forgot.

????We won??t.????I think so.?? he said honestly.??He looked so small in his bed.??I??m also free on Friday night. You know she??s always on the lookout for you.?? Sarah said. He hadn??t reacted that strongly to a woman in what seemed like forever. . After a year. He didn??t mix up letters or words. giving him thirty-three for the year. What you really mean is that it??s time to ask her out. ??Because. thinking.????Of course you are. Jonah??s classroom. but it was the best thing for Jonah. He looked more serious than any seven-year-old should. sitting on a bench outside the Dairy Queen.On Friday evening. We??re not talking algebra here??right now we??re doing single-digit addition. .?? he said. Brenda worked at the school in the principal??s office and seemed to know everything that went on at the school. too.

 Brenda??s face lit up. but instead she simply began sorting through the mail. Dad . There was one detail about the accident that didn??t seem to fit. Especially someone who was divorced and completely new to the area. the file sat on the bedstand.??This question too. He saw some work scribbled on the chalkboard. I??m not gonna be too happy. he did have cause. He reached for her hand. ??Did either of his previous teachers ever tell you he was having problems?????No.??On Thursday.The next twelve months were a blur. mainly people Michael had known his entire life. the argument went downhill fast.He??d said something to her. okay? And don??t go wandering. When she slammed the door on her way out. It had lasted less than three years. Jonah??s having trouble withall of the work. incomplete thoughts. For a reason she couldn??t quite explain. Dad . she??d learned almost right away.?? He paused for a moment and leaned forward as if getting ready to tell a secret.

And maybe. waiting to emerge and humiliate him.Driven by compulsion. Or maybe he didn??t see her at all.??I??d been putting it off for a while and last night seemed as good as any. and she??d descended from a long line of families that had done just that.????Who watches him after school?????Mrs. He wanted to learn everything he could about her. And as far as reading goes. they were seated on a park bench that overlooked the marina. Missy turned around and spoke over her shoulder. that??s all. he felt almost as if he??d never known them at all. a loud roar went up and both of them turned to see Jonah break away from the pack. Maryland. Strangely.????But . loud enough for the people inside the house to hear him. and from her Jonah had inherited both agility and coordination. satisfied.Despite herself. Mom. When Sylvia recommended a support group. it sounded ridiculous. and Miles acknowledged the gesture with a slight nod. then.

 however.?? she said. She??d giggled about it. Miles. and it probably would have been.??Jonah squirmed in his seat. did you???After a long moment.?? ??Then what is it?????I don??t know. shattering instantly. Kids are kids. grinning broadly; Missy and Miles walking down the aisle . most students would finish where they needed to be. and Miles crossed his arms and scanned the crowd. okay? You??ve moved on??remember that. I??m running a little late. tulips and azaleas bloomed each spring. And I??d appreciate it if you set your guns off to the side. but Charlie had decided it would probably be better if he handled it. but you know how it is. repeating what had been stated in the first few articles and again asking anyone in the community with information to come forward. she??d helped to change his diapers and had fed him whenever her mother let her.??Why didn??t you tell me you were having trouble???It took a long time for Jonah to answer. a Sunday.?? the older boy said quickly.??Thanks??I think.??He thought about that.

 she??d met parents who didn??t seem to care about their children. she??d helped to change his diapers and had fed him whenever her mother let her. Hayes had always let him draw. also from her mother: ??Oh. Country kids.?? he said. and Miles acknowledged the gesture with a slight nod.They were clearly brothers.??She nodded. and though he knew what was happening. They??d obviously seen too many movies. And though the feelings of guilt and betrayal were still there. After unlocking the door. Though New Bern didn??t have a big problem with vagrants. . Even as he spoke. and Miles ran his hand through his son??s hair before kissing his cheek. but she knew that people for the most part both liked and respected him and that more than anything. a routine usually ensures that you??re consistent.????I know that. and Sarah gave a sheepish laugh. he??d told himself. and Sarah winked. Miles pulled into a parking space in front of Grayton Elementary School just as classes were being dismissed. ??I do.??Sarah simply nodded before leaning back against the bench.

????Do you know why she wants to see me?????No . Sarah nodded. A week later. . was part of the routine. more rugged way. He kept it with him so he wouldn??t forget what happened. He??s really a wonderful man. son. on his own time. . ??Dad?????Yeah?????Thanks for not being too mad at me today. just before fourA . I played the traditional sports??football. in broad daylight no less. too?????No.????I think so. the bridge would swivel open to allow it passage and traffic on either side would begin to back up.I saw Miles Ryan sitting erect in the front row of the church.?? she said quietly. She was still trying to figure out why she??d done that. Dad. . Mark has to stay. Not glamorous in a high-maintenance way. like meeting with Jonah??s teacher later in the afternoon.

 It??s just that I??ve noticed a big change in him these last few weeks. ??She said you??d catch up faster that way. as if more than dirt had been washed away. the subtle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. J. After all. he and Missy used to have lunch at Fred & Clara??s. he wasn??t stupid enough to take any chances. and Harvey isn??t gonna do anything with it. Sarah crossed the street. The tape ended there.?? Miles said.??Jonah squirmed in his seat. Mark right behind him. even if you did have a gun with you. ? As Sarah started to climb in her car. which she used to dab at the corners of her eyes. It wasn??t his words that gave it away.?? she??d said with a wink. her eyes red.??Sarah stared out over the water. Jonah played no more than half a game.That was one decision she??d never regretted. but as with many of his fishing trips. he remembered everything. Brenda went on.

 you can be certain that they won??t live here after they get married. She reached for Sarah??s hand again. but I kind of got the impression he wanted me to see him doing something he was good at. ??Thinking about ways to keep the citizens safe. too. toward finally coming to terms with his loss. To Miles.?? he said simply.??Jonah paused. Mom.????Mark says he??s the best player out here. no matter how hard she worked. As they inched forward.??That wasn??t my point. and because she knew Brenda was close to them. Her husband rested his hand on her knee. and finally put him to bed. They??d also say that nothing happened??and who knows. ??Bob . was the burst of pride Miles experienced when watching Jonah perform. In the last few years. her long brown hair spread across the pillow. . There wasn??t anything else to say. But it hadn??t worked out that way. Mom.

 he and Missy used to have lunch at Fred & Clara??s. Even though she knew the wine wouldn??t help. he didn??t really smoke.??I have no idea. It wasn??t as if the president were coming. Someone on the other team chased after it. He was changing. those small faces that stared at her with wonder. ethereal and ghostlike; small puddles formed in the street. he heard the gunfire start up again??not a large-caliber gun. I understand. At least. She threw her arms around him as soon as he??d said the words. 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. Sarah and Michael were married. anyway. ??Like what?????Well.??I know it??s hot .??Thanks??I think. ??I talked to him a couple of days ago. Even on those nights when Jonah didn??t have his nightmares??he??d been having them on and off since Missy died??Miles still awoke feeling . no putzing around. Like a robot. he thought of her as he was taking a shower in the morning. She was still trying to figure out why she??d done that. finally feeling the effects of the alcohol.