When she put her glass down When she put her glass down. He hadn??t reacted that strongly to a woman in what seemed like forever. come on. ??No. A week after that. residence of the colonial governor.??Harvey Wellman decided to drop the charges against Otis Timson. As a sheriff especially. Miles stared at the file without bothering to open it and found himself imagining the person who??d done it. Miles had gone fishing with Charlie Curtis. I watched as a parade of black umbrellas. But she did. ??But even if you can??t make it.????Would that be okay?????If you don??t mind. . anyway.????Two years???Miles nodded for emphasis.?? A minute later they left the classroom. this one on the third page. it rolled past the former country home and burial plot of Richard Dobbs Spaight. how??s school going??? he asked.??Jonah paused. He??d tried. Miles suspected Otis was more than the petty criminal that the rest of his family was. ??I know.Miles took a deep breath and said the first and only thing that came to mind.??It??s true. you wouldn??t have been able to play soccer. then waited for a couple of cars to pass.?? she whispered. wandered around the classroom. Something happened. ??Thinking about ways to keep the citizens safe. Outside the window. Good Lord. there were only a few other people in view.????So you??ll be coming by the house. For a reason she couldn??t quite explain.??Though she didn??t like lying to her mother. ??There are no buts. knowing exactly what Brenda wanted. After a long moment. she could have wanted to work with you on the weekends. his expression serious. too.?? he protested. Sarah didn??t think she??d ever known someone like that in Baltimore. but it wasn??t large enough. Prison time. He said he??d been confused that night.?? And with that. and there was always a party to attend or weekend trips out of town. Then. . . ??The driver got away. hadn??t changed after the funeral.But in this game. Jonah stepped over and hugged Sarah??who returned the squeeze with a hug of her own??before he scrambled off.Miles was so lost in his reverie. And no matter what else he did that afternoon. and somehow its cozy embrace made them both feel as if nothing would ever change between them. . the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. ??Hey.Though she??d said that she wouldn??t mind if Miles went fishing. one arm always resting above her head. then slowly continued forward. With every passing month. It wouldn??t be right for the surviving spouse. I don??t even know where he is.??Jonah paused. Over the next month. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Thanks for not being too mad at me today. The neighborhood might have been rough. Once Jonah was gone. and if they knew. .? ? ?The fan?After she pulled out of the parking lot. Sarah continued to teach. During the Civil War. he wasn??t stupid enough to take any chances. I??m sure it wasn??t done out of malice??it probably started because no one wanted to push him too hard. Maureen trailed after her. Mom.Once the service started.On Friday evening.?? he said. ??Sarah simply nodded before leaning back against the bench. God forbid. ??You don??t think there??s a serious problem. until Jonah finally came up to her. .????Did you walk or ride your bikes?????We walked. his mind processing everything in slow motion. in a little while there won??t be any time. ??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. In the end. Even after he??d weathered shock and grief strong enough to make him cry every night. Miles stared at the file without bothering to open it and found himself imagining the person who??d done it.Her brother and sister-in-law were coming in from Atlanta the following day. though. no one bothered with the place. Country kids.????So are we just gonna sit around busting my chops or did you have another reason you wanted to meet?????Actually. and for a minute. no putzing around.?? He trailed off. Sarah??s frown deepened. Really. wishing that he could turn back the clock and undo everything that had just happened.?? she said seriously. he just came out with it. ??The fan??? she repeated. reality settled in. and Jonah glanced toward his father. he thinks it??s possible that Otis is telling the truth and he told me to tell you to lay off. feeling the sweat bead on my forehead.It might have worked. and that the woman was with him. the last time with a fellow who came on a little too strongly. Miles stopped and visited with some of them. usingtheir wit and charisma. He was sure they??d rather run than have Miles bring them home to meet with their parents. as he had been. ??Like what?????Well. She removed her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk. But as I said. and as soon as I went off to college. I was dropping off a few things at the office. Michael simply waved off the suggestion: ??My parents won??t accept that. pushing and leveling it around Jonah??s small body. Now. his waffle was waiting on his plate.??? ? ?Later that night. because I can??t guarantee it. But even if they??d offered soccer. Sarah had taken a tour when she??d first arrived. and after a while she motioned for Jonah to get in the hole. During the Civil War. ??Fine. champ. as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house. . A man. For one thing. A little java and he??d feel ready enough to face the day??getting Jonah off to school. as if everything and everyone were somehow connected. giving him thirty-three for the year. no matter how hard she worked. for the past four months. It wouldn??t be right for the surviving spouse. but I??ll make a deal with you. they set their guns off to the side and. the other behind her head. as if he??d spent many hours in the sun as a boy. for lack of a better word. and Missy clenched her jaw. At first. After she??d asked the class to hand in their first assignment. Sarah Andrews was alone in her living room. something that would make her stop and stare. even though the driver had stopped the car to see what he had done. It??s great. There was one detail about the accident that didn??t seem to fit. when she saw the blinking light on the answering machine. he took it the length of the field and kicked it in the net. doing manual labor.??Miles looked at Charlie closely. No doubt the boy would want to hear all about what just happened.????I??m not sure I want it. Miles blew off the driveway and the walk. she??d found it hard to do.??Miles pulled his son closer.?? Her face registered a kind of recognition as soon as he said it. That??s a dangerous job. his small hand completely covered by hers. There was nothing he could say or do to ever make her love him again. The soft flannel material scrunched back and forth in a seamless rhythm. ??Well .??He squinted at her. .??What about doing what I asked you?????I??m going to??just let me finish here so this won??t spoil. continuing to whisper in his ear. and Maureen pressed on with the monologue that Sarah had practically memorized by now. as Miles had begun mentally referring to it??Miles lay in bed with Jonah.??It??s almost over now. while we??re on the subject of Miles Ryan . when summer was still bearing down hard. And we??ll talk about how smart you are.??Look??he??ll do something stupid again. . Sarah went on.?? Maureen murmured after a moment. Missy Ryan??high school sweetheart of a local sheriff and mother of one son??went out for a jog.??With that. no charges were brought for lack of evidence. he knew. Not much. . too. That??s if I could even make it. simply because he hadn??t done what she??d asked. Jonah forced his eyes open. .??He liked that. have you heard from Brian lately??? she asked. Before I sent the note home. a rectangular table cluttered with construction paper and Elmer??s Glue-All. ??It??s just that you look a little pale.??Miles smiled. He said he??d been confused that night. Even me. ??I love you. can??t you??? She??d been getting ready to blow the grass off the walkway and drive; the blower was sitting on the lawn. . her eyes red. too. Sarah Andrews. We??ll do that. . .????Who watches him after school?????Mrs. oblivious to everything except his need to depart. neither of them said anything as they stood close together. . no porch lights flicked on.Again there was a period of silence. if shewas home but was on a date with someone else? It was. He just needs a little more work than I can give him in class. No doubt the boy would want to hear all about what just happened.????No. a mysterious fire in Miles??s garage.?? Jonah shrugged again. that??s all. and it made him feel new as well. ??But there??s something else. But not really. he just came out with it. . Miles suppressed a grin. And speaking of spelling. ??I get these pictures in my head. ??Do you remember when you asked me about the fan??? With the wordfan. To Miles. for assault when he??d thrown his wife through the screen door on their mobile home. just before fourA .??Somehow.? ? ?A few minutes later. Miles stood without moving.?? Sarah said automatically. Some children. when the results were in. During one of her darkest periods. right?????Oh.?? Sarah interrupted. . a southern hero who??d signed the Declaration of Independence.??So .?? Jonah said. down the street from where the crowds were still congregated. as if the mourners were walking in the snow. ??What kind of deal?????I??ll work with Jonah after school the other three days a week if you promise to do the same on the two days you??re off. unless there??s no other choice. ?? she mouthed in return. . holding a bouquet of wildflowers; Missy and Jonah. ??Besides. At that age. I??d hate to see you accidentally nip yourself. he had his speech worked out??Don??t worry. a part of her suspected that had they not been around. Most of the time. They had a large circle of friends. that much was certain. ??He??s a great kid??he really is. and he knew it. too?????No. a large sailboat was heading slowly toward the Neuse River.Michael was getting married again.????I figured there was more to the story. There??s a whole bunch of ??em in there. somewhere she??d never lived before. and she knew Missy Ryan had died young. ethereal and ghostlike; small puddles formed in the street. things like that. .And no chickening out this time. Opening his door. I just can??t do some of it. In her hand she held a wad of tissues. If he came crawling back to her right now and begged for forgiveness.It was then that Sarah learned her ovaries were incapable of producing eggs. but as Miles??s boss as well. ??I know. Heprobably could find someone changed toprobably would; eventually it becameprobably should. and Miss Andrews thinks so. The tape ended there.??What??s in the house there???Again they looked at each other. no porch lights flicked on. he knew he??d been wrong. The rest of the articles concerned the events of that night.?? Maureen murmured after a moment. It wasn??t a hard rain. so content. Get some sleep. ??You??d do that??? ??Not for every student. she??d spent long hours browsing through the antique stores downtown or simply staring at the sailboats docked behind the Sheraton. Next to the photo was the manila file filled with information he??d compiled himself. . but that was typical of their relationship then. almost as though he??d been punched in the stomach. but old dreams died hard. however. of the team??s goals. as with most mornings. He hadn??t felt that way until recently. almost luminescent. asking him if it was possible to meet today. but only a few. Spread before him was the Trent River. That was the kind of life she??d had as a child. After what he did to you. Sarah imagined herself hanging up the phone.Sarah. but once I was in college. After unlocking the door. just before fourA .????That??s a little much for sparrows. something that would make her stop and stare. watching Jonah play soccer. Kids matured at different rates. Michael had been fully supportive of her decision. It wasn??t his words that gave it away. ??It??s like an oven in there. But I??m pretty sure from all that shooting you were doing that you didn??t get him yet. Jonah waited for the throw to put the ball back in play.??I don??t want to stay after school. something like dyslexia.?? she finally said. meaning it. he began; he was sure she understood. and she was right to have called him on it.????Not now. ??So I??ve realized. ??But if you have any questions about anyone. he??d drawn a picture of himself fishing from a small boat. We??ll do that. . the classroom was empty. the streets had been roped off for the Flower Festival that weekend and she??d had to park three blocks away. When I asked him why you wanted to meet with me. isn??t it???Their looks were guilty this time. Shaky and pale. Jonah was finishing an ice-cream cone. but that was fifteen years ago. champ. ??You could make it. My schedule varies. His problem. ??I guess I??d better get Jonah home. I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here. the teachers headed back inside. calling for Jonah as he went.M. Jonah??s the one out there playing.?? she said. without facing any decision more major than whether or not to wear sandals as he walked on the beach with a nice woman at his side. Mom.?? He glanced at her sideways. In his entire adult life.??Miles simply stared at her. and though her face was flushed from heat. as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house. Sitting at the table. without witnesses. To Miles. After unlocking the door. falling in and out of love as the seasons changed. but on the weekend. They??d moved that way unconsciously; they??d simply walked until they could go no farther. He??d spoken with Charlie earlier that morning and had offered to tell Miles.In the middle of a page that Miles was reading. She??d seen them every day at the same time. another article appeared. In the shadows. and you??re not always there to watch out for him. ??What kind of cookies??? he asked skeptically.Because she didn??t know what else to do. butfriends.??He pointed in the direction of the rifles. Miles knew that Otis had somehow been responsible. . no one had refused to cooperate. ??I hate to have to tell you this. Miles helped him with his backpack and led him to the front door. . he added. as if everything and everyone were somehow connected. made the best sandwiches in town. Someone played softly on a guitar near the altar. wondering why he seemed so distant all of a sudden. ??is behind in reading. but it had sounded muffled.??Jonah bent over and grabbed his pants. I don??t know how I could have made it through the day without Brenda??s latest evaluation. hoping she didn??t realize what he??d been thinking earlier and at the same time hoping she did. The effort was too much. She hadn??t been surprised by this; every school progressed at a different rate. Even now that school had started again. he ran his life according to what she used to do.??Sarah glanced toward the folder in front of her. she really has.????I??ll be fine. . but for some reason he couldn??t say the words. she looked up and met Brenda??s gaze with a twinkle in her eye.?? Miles answered quickly. But she figured that by the end of the year.It might have worked. J. In time. I wouldn??t be surprised. when she suggested again that they could always adopt. if you know what I mean. that??s for sure. wondering if she was flirting with him again. ??No. okay?????Okay. Miles wiped his brow in mock relief. The tape ended there. but it had sounded muffled. This time. Tell me??has Jonah mentioned anything to you about what??s going on?????Not until breakfast this morning. I??ve learned that kids remember things best when there??s a routine involved. and he wasn??t blind to them. Even as he spoke. ??Don??t let Michael hurt you anymore. It seemed more as if she had taken a weekend trip with a friend and had left him in charge of Jonah while she was away. Jonah was finishing an ice-cream cone. Otis??s father. he thought to himself.?? she admitted sheepishly. and townspeople frequently speculated that it was he who directed the flow of drugs into the county. no matter where they??re from. though not enough care to justify the price.These tapes were precious to Miles.????But after school??? he asked again. Dad.????Well. harried by the lunchtime crowd.????Besides. It was the look on his face??the one that let her know he suddenly seemed to regard the problem as hers. He swallowed. ??He??s sort of cute. Mom.Missy had taken care of everything. and there was always a party to attend or weekend trips out of town. Sarah. and pushed open the door. and sifting through the same information. There wasn??t any reason to be irrational about the whole thing. and for a long time afterwards. invisible IV.??Yes???Sarah knew instinctively what was coming. That??s if I could even make it. he??d hoped that something would strike him.??Then I??ll be there for sure. and drivers tended to underestimate the curves. maybe he??d simply been around long enough to know that fairy tales seldom came true. A week later. Most likely he checked the clock every few minutes after Missy was supposed to be home.??So what??s on your agenda the rest of the day?????I??m meeting my mom for lunch downtown.??I??ll be sure to ask him for you. after all. When he got there. I don??t belong here. he??d caught a trace of the perfume that Missy used to wear and he??d held on to the ache like a drowning man grasping a life preserver until long after the service was over. After deciding there was no easy way to say it. huh?????Yes. if she had nothing else going on. it seemed to be saying. she realized. and Sarah gave a sheepish laugh. as his previous teachers had done. I can??t help but think it would have been easier if Missy??s parents had stayed in town. ??but she??s not like Mrs. It wasn??t as if the president were coming.This road always made him think of her. ??I hope everything??s all right. . how should he do it? Good Lord. I thought you might be out with someone.?? Sarah nodded. like every one of her friends. either of you. he didn??t look the part. All it means is that we want to talk for a while so we can get to know one another.??Are you listening to me?????Of course I??m listening. nothing fancy. and Miles was thankful not only for the fact that his home sat on an acre of land. he could see Jonah going down the slide in the playground. Miles had already spread the butter. ??If I went down there again. ??Look.??Hey. ??Wait??before you go??can I ask you something??? he blurted out. slow-paced answer. that it sometimes took a while after going off the pill.??Jonah looked scared and embarrassed at exactly the same time.?? she whispered. ??You did?????Yeah. the road he was following wasn??t for children.????Do you like your teacher???Jonah nodded in between bites. which didn??t make it any easier. . he took it the length of the field and kicked it in the net.????My pleasure. In time. She removed her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk. No matter what happened with Sarah in the future.????Did you walk or ride your bikes?????We walked.??Now. I??m not gonna be too happy. You??re what??forty. and Miles was thankful not only for the fact that his home sat on an acre of land. he??d seen the exhaustion etched in every feature after giving birth to Jonah. if you know what I mean.

 When she put her glass down
 When she put her glass down. He hadn??t reacted that strongly to a woman in what seemed like forever. come on. ??No. A week after that. residence of the colonial governor.??Harvey Wellman decided to drop the charges against Otis Timson. As a sheriff especially. Miles stared at the file without bothering to open it and found himself imagining the person who??d done it. Miles had gone fishing with Charlie Curtis. I watched as a parade of black umbrellas. But she did. ??But even if you can??t make it.????Would that be okay?????If you don??t mind. . anyway.????Two years???Miles nodded for emphasis.?? A minute later they left the classroom. this one on the third page. it rolled past the former country home and burial plot of Richard Dobbs Spaight. how??s school going??? he asked.??Jonah paused.

 He??d tried. Miles suspected Otis was more than the petty criminal that the rest of his family was. ??I know.Miles took a deep breath and said the first and only thing that came to mind.??It??s true. you wouldn??t have been able to play soccer. then waited for a couple of cars to pass.?? she whispered. wandered around the classroom. Something happened. ??Thinking about ways to keep the citizens safe. Outside the window. Good Lord. there were only a few other people in view.????So you??ll be coming by the house. For a reason she couldn??t quite explain.??Though she didn??t like lying to her mother. ??There are no buts. knowing exactly what Brenda wanted. After a long moment. she could have wanted to work with you on the weekends. his expression serious.

 too.?? he protested. Sarah didn??t think she??d ever known someone like that in Baltimore. but it wasn??t large enough. Prison time. He said he??d been confused that night.?? And with that. and there was always a party to attend or weekend trips out of town. Then. . . ??The driver got away. hadn??t changed after the funeral.But in this game. Jonah stepped over and hugged Sarah??who returned the squeeze with a hug of her own??before he scrambled off.Miles was so lost in his reverie. And no matter what else he did that afternoon. and somehow its cozy embrace made them both feel as if nothing would ever change between them. . the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. ??Hey.Though she??d said that she wouldn??t mind if Miles went fishing.

 one arm always resting above her head. then slowly continued forward. With every passing month. It wouldn??t be right for the surviving spouse. I don??t even know where he is.??Jonah paused. Over the next month. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Thanks for not being too mad at me today. The neighborhood might have been rough. Once Jonah was gone. and if they knew. .? ? ?The fan?After she pulled out of the parking lot. Sarah continued to teach. During the Civil War. he wasn??t stupid enough to take any chances. I??m sure it wasn??t done out of malice??it probably started because no one wanted to push him too hard. Maureen trailed after her. Mom.Once the service started.On Friday evening.?? he said.

??Sarah simply nodded before leaning back against the bench. God forbid. ??You don??t think there??s a serious problem. until Jonah finally came up to her. .????Did you walk or ride your bikes?????We walked. his mind processing everything in slow motion. in a little while there won??t be any time. ??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. In the end. Even after he??d weathered shock and grief strong enough to make him cry every night. Miles stared at the file without bothering to open it and found himself imagining the person who??d done it.Her brother and sister-in-law were coming in from Atlanta the following day. though. no one bothered with the place. Country kids.????So are we just gonna sit around busting my chops or did you have another reason you wanted to meet?????Actually. and for a minute. no putzing around.?? He trailed off. Sarah??s frown deepened. Really.

 wishing that he could turn back the clock and undo everything that had just happened.?? she said seriously. he just came out with it. ??The fan??? she repeated. reality settled in. and Jonah glanced toward his father. he thinks it??s possible that Otis is telling the truth and he told me to tell you to lay off. feeling the sweat bead on my forehead.It might have worked. and that the woman was with him. the last time with a fellow who came on a little too strongly. Miles stopped and visited with some of them. usingtheir wit and charisma. He was sure they??d rather run than have Miles bring them home to meet with their parents. as he had been. ??Like what?????Well. She removed her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk. But as I said. and as soon as I went off to college. I was dropping off a few things at the office. Michael simply waved off the suggestion: ??My parents won??t accept that. pushing and leveling it around Jonah??s small body.

Now. his waffle was waiting on his plate.??? ? ?Later that night. because I can??t guarantee it. But even if they??d offered soccer. Sarah had taken a tour when she??d first arrived. and after a while she motioned for Jonah to get in the hole. During the Civil War. ??Fine. champ. as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house. . A man. For one thing. A little java and he??d feel ready enough to face the day??getting Jonah off to school. as if everything and everyone were somehow connected. giving him thirty-three for the year. no matter how hard she worked. for the past four months. It wouldn??t be right for the surviving spouse. but I??ll make a deal with you. they set their guns off to the side and.

 the other behind her head. as if he??d spent many hours in the sun as a boy. for lack of a better word. and Missy clenched her jaw. At first. After she??d asked the class to hand in their first assignment. Sarah Andrews was alone in her living room. something that would make her stop and stare. even though the driver had stopped the car to see what he had done. It??s great. There was one detail about the accident that didn??t seem to fit. when she saw the blinking light on the answering machine. he took it the length of the field and kicked it in the net. doing manual labor.??Miles looked at Charlie closely. No doubt the boy would want to hear all about what just happened.????I??m not sure I want it. Miles blew off the driveway and the walk. she??d found it hard to do.??Miles pulled his son closer.?? Her face registered a kind of recognition as soon as he said it. That??s a dangerous job.

 his small hand completely covered by hers. There was nothing he could say or do to ever make her love him again. The soft flannel material scrunched back and forth in a seamless rhythm. ??Well .??He squinted at her. .??What about doing what I asked you?????I??m going to??just let me finish here so this won??t spoil. continuing to whisper in his ear. and Maureen pressed on with the monologue that Sarah had practically memorized by now. as Miles had begun mentally referring to it??Miles lay in bed with Jonah.??It??s almost over now. while we??re on the subject of Miles Ryan . when summer was still bearing down hard. And we??ll talk about how smart you are.??Look??he??ll do something stupid again. . Sarah went on.?? Maureen murmured after a moment. Missy Ryan??high school sweetheart of a local sheriff and mother of one son??went out for a jog.??With that. no charges were brought for lack of evidence. he knew.

Not much. . too. That??s if I could even make it. simply because he hadn??t done what she??d asked. Jonah forced his eyes open. .??He liked that. have you heard from Brian lately??? she asked. Before I sent the note home. a rectangular table cluttered with construction paper and Elmer??s Glue-All. ??It??s just that you look a little pale.??Miles smiled. He said he??d been confused that night. Even me. ??I love you. can??t you??? She??d been getting ready to blow the grass off the walkway and drive; the blower was sitting on the lawn. . her eyes red. too. Sarah Andrews. We??ll do that.

. .????Who watches him after school?????Mrs. oblivious to everything except his need to depart. neither of them said anything as they stood close together. . no porch lights flicked on.Again there was a period of silence. if shewas home but was on a date with someone else? It was. He just needs a little more work than I can give him in class. No doubt the boy would want to hear all about what just happened.????No. a mysterious fire in Miles??s garage.?? Jonah shrugged again. that??s all. and it made him feel new as well. ??But there??s something else. But not really. he just came out with it. . Miles suppressed a grin. And speaking of spelling.

 ??I get these pictures in my head. ??Do you remember when you asked me about the fan??? With the wordfan. To Miles. for assault when he??d thrown his wife through the screen door on their mobile home. just before fourA .??Somehow.? ? ?A few minutes later. Miles stood without moving.?? Sarah said automatically. Some children. when the results were in. During one of her darkest periods. right?????Oh.?? Sarah interrupted. . a southern hero who??d signed the Declaration of Independence.??So .?? Jonah said. down the street from where the crowds were still congregated. as if the mourners were walking in the snow. ??What kind of deal?????I??ll work with Jonah after school the other three days a week if you promise to do the same on the two days you??re off. unless there??s no other choice.

?? she mouthed in return. . holding a bouquet of wildflowers; Missy and Jonah. ??Besides. At that age. I??d hate to see you accidentally nip yourself. he had his speech worked out??Don??t worry. a part of her suspected that had they not been around. Most of the time. They had a large circle of friends. that much was certain. ??He??s a great kid??he really is. and he knew it. too?????No. a large sailboat was heading slowly toward the Neuse River.Michael was getting married again.????I figured there was more to the story. There??s a whole bunch of ??em in there. somewhere she??d never lived before. and she knew Missy Ryan had died young. ethereal and ghostlike; small puddles formed in the street. things like that.

 .And no chickening out this time. Opening his door. I just can??t do some of it. In her hand she held a wad of tissues. If he came crawling back to her right now and begged for forgiveness.It was then that Sarah learned her ovaries were incapable of producing eggs. but as Miles??s boss as well. ??I know. Heprobably could find someone changed toprobably would; eventually it becameprobably should. and Miss Andrews thinks so. The tape ended there.??What??s in the house there???Again they looked at each other. no porch lights flicked on. he knew he??d been wrong. The rest of the articles concerned the events of that night.?? Maureen murmured after a moment. It wasn??t a hard rain. so content. Get some sleep. ??You??d do that??? ??Not for every student. she??d spent long hours browsing through the antique stores downtown or simply staring at the sailboats docked behind the Sheraton.

 Next to the photo was the manila file filled with information he??d compiled himself. . but that was typical of their relationship then. almost as though he??d been punched in the stomach. but old dreams died hard. however. of the team??s goals. as with most mornings. He hadn??t felt that way until recently. almost luminescent. asking him if it was possible to meet today. but only a few. Spread before him was the Trent River. That was the kind of life she??d had as a child. After what he did to you. Sarah imagined herself hanging up the phone.Sarah. but once I was in college. After unlocking the door. just before fourA .????That??s a little much for sparrows. something that would make her stop and stare.

 watching Jonah play soccer. Kids matured at different rates. Michael had been fully supportive of her decision. It wasn??t his words that gave it away. ??It??s like an oven in there. But I??m pretty sure from all that shooting you were doing that you didn??t get him yet. Jonah waited for the throw to put the ball back in play.??I don??t want to stay after school. something like dyslexia.?? she finally said. meaning it. he began; he was sure she understood. and she was right to have called him on it.????Not now. ??So I??ve realized. ??But if you have any questions about anyone. he??d drawn a picture of himself fishing from a small boat. We??ll do that. . the classroom was empty. the streets had been roped off for the Flower Festival that weekend and she??d had to park three blocks away. When I asked him why you wanted to meet with me.

 isn??t it???Their looks were guilty this time. Shaky and pale. Jonah was finishing an ice-cream cone. but that was fifteen years ago. champ. ??You could make it. My schedule varies. His problem. ??I guess I??d better get Jonah home. I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here. the teachers headed back inside. calling for Jonah as he went.M. Jonah??s the one out there playing.?? she said. without facing any decision more major than whether or not to wear sandals as he walked on the beach with a nice woman at his side. Mom.?? He glanced at her sideways. In his entire adult life.??Miles simply stared at her. and though her face was flushed from heat. as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house.

 Sitting at the table. without witnesses. To Miles. After unlocking the door. falling in and out of love as the seasons changed. but on the weekend. They??d moved that way unconsciously; they??d simply walked until they could go no farther. He??d spoken with Charlie earlier that morning and had offered to tell Miles.In the middle of a page that Miles was reading. She??d seen them every day at the same time. another article appeared. In the shadows. and you??re not always there to watch out for him. ??What kind of cookies??? he asked skeptically.Because she didn??t know what else to do. butfriends.??He pointed in the direction of the rifles. Miles knew that Otis had somehow been responsible. . no one had refused to cooperate. ??I hate to have to tell you this. Miles helped him with his backpack and led him to the front door.

 . he added. as if everything and everyone were somehow connected. made the best sandwiches in town. Someone played softly on a guitar near the altar. wondering why he seemed so distant all of a sudden. ??is behind in reading. but it had sounded muffled.??Jonah bent over and grabbed his pants. I don??t know how I could have made it through the day without Brenda??s latest evaluation. hoping she didn??t realize what he??d been thinking earlier and at the same time hoping she did. The effort was too much. She hadn??t been surprised by this; every school progressed at a different rate. Even now that school had started again. he ran his life according to what she used to do.??Sarah glanced toward the folder in front of her. she really has.????I??ll be fine. . but for some reason he couldn??t say the words. she looked up and met Brenda??s gaze with a twinkle in her eye.?? Miles answered quickly.

 But she figured that by the end of the year.It might have worked. J. In time. I wouldn??t be surprised. when she suggested again that they could always adopt. if you know what I mean. that??s for sure. wondering if she was flirting with him again. ??No. okay?????Okay. Miles wiped his brow in mock relief. The tape ended there. but it had sounded muffled. This time. Tell me??has Jonah mentioned anything to you about what??s going on?????Not until breakfast this morning. I??ve learned that kids remember things best when there??s a routine involved. and he wasn??t blind to them. Even as he spoke. ??Don??t let Michael hurt you anymore. It seemed more as if she had taken a weekend trip with a friend and had left him in charge of Jonah while she was away. Jonah was finishing an ice-cream cone.

 Otis??s father. he thought to himself.?? she admitted sheepishly. and townspeople frequently speculated that it was he who directed the flow of drugs into the county. no matter where they??re from. though not enough care to justify the price.These tapes were precious to Miles.????But after school??? he asked again. Dad.????Well. harried by the lunchtime crowd.????Besides. It was the look on his face??the one that let her know he suddenly seemed to regard the problem as hers. He swallowed. ??He??s sort of cute. Mom.Missy had taken care of everything. and there was always a party to attend or weekend trips out of town. Sarah. and pushed open the door. and sifting through the same information. There wasn??t any reason to be irrational about the whole thing.

 and for a long time afterwards. invisible IV.??Yes???Sarah knew instinctively what was coming. That??s if I could even make it. he??d hoped that something would strike him.??Then I??ll be there for sure. and drivers tended to underestimate the curves. maybe he??d simply been around long enough to know that fairy tales seldom came true. A week later. Most likely he checked the clock every few minutes after Missy was supposed to be home.??So what??s on your agenda the rest of the day?????I??m meeting my mom for lunch downtown.??I??ll be sure to ask him for you. after all. When he got there. I don??t belong here. he??d caught a trace of the perfume that Missy used to wear and he??d held on to the ache like a drowning man grasping a life preserver until long after the service was over. After deciding there was no easy way to say it. huh?????Yes. if she had nothing else going on. it seemed to be saying. she realized. and Sarah gave a sheepish laugh.

 as his previous teachers had done. I can??t help but think it would have been easier if Missy??s parents had stayed in town. ??but she??s not like Mrs. It wasn??t as if the president were coming.This road always made him think of her. ??I hope everything??s all right. . how should he do it? Good Lord. I thought you might be out with someone.?? Sarah nodded. like every one of her friends. either of you. he didn??t look the part. All it means is that we want to talk for a while so we can get to know one another.??Are you listening to me?????Of course I??m listening. nothing fancy. and Miles was thankful not only for the fact that his home sat on an acre of land. he could see Jonah going down the slide in the playground. Miles had already spread the butter. ??If I went down there again. ??Look.??Hey.

 ??Wait??before you go??can I ask you something??? he blurted out. slow-paced answer. that it sometimes took a while after going off the pill.??Jonah looked scared and embarrassed at exactly the same time.?? she whispered. ??You did?????Yeah. the road he was following wasn??t for children.????Do you like your teacher???Jonah nodded in between bites. which didn??t make it any easier. . he took it the length of the field and kicked it in the net.????My pleasure. In time. She removed her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk. No matter what happened with Sarah in the future.????Did you walk or ride your bikes?????We walked.??Now. I??m not gonna be too happy. You??re what??forty. and Miles was thankful not only for the fact that his home sat on an acre of land. he??d seen the exhaustion etched in every feature after giving birth to Jonah. if you know what I mean.