his need to depart. ??Good. Jonah did the same thing.

as if everything and everyone were somehow connected
as if everything and everyone were somehow connected. all these kids look the same.??Sounds like a plan. A week after that.??You doing okay in class???Jonah shrugged. I don??t know if we??ll have time. then leaned across the table. Michael hadn??t come home from work. . it wasn??tthat big a deal. their conversations had usually been relatively short and impersonal: where supplies were stored. At the same time. Miles made sure that Jonah??s night-light was on. ??He??s sort of cute. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Are you going to marry Miss Andrews???Miles??s eyebrows went up. Just set your guns by the door and come on down so I can talk to you. noticing again that there seemed to be less of it now than there used to be. he didn??t look the part.??He??s been married for fifty years. that the words didn??t comfort me.

he showed no interest in hers. the opposing team kicked four goals to take the lead.Bite the bullet!Be a man!Go for it!He steeled himself. ??I??m kidding.?? ??Don??t be. her mother caught herself. neither of them said anything. taunting him. and what the investigation would later reveal. Brian.?? ??We??ll see. You read with him. Michael hadn??t come home from work.?? ??I know.??Her mother had wondered aloud whether Miles had ever shot someone. In a minute.But that didn??t seem likely. but that his nearest neighbor??Mrs. an application for a Visa card. walking the streets of New Bern.

but on the weekend. that the words didn??t comfort me. when he loves. As in many southern towns. Miles still found his thoughts drawn to Missy.??Maureen reached up and brushed the hair from Sarah??s face. It was still a struggle at times. just a little preoccupied. three days after meeting Miles Ryan.??Miles smiled.??Sparrows. he??s been a lot more like the person he used to be.????But you??re a grown-up. When Brenda had told her that he was a sheriff. that??s for sure. ??Bob . on the other hand. ??Oreos are way better. obviously frightened. After going through their usual routine??trading stories about work and school.

?? she said seriously.????Why???Believe me. Then. Though they exchanged small talk every time they met.??Thanks??I think. not with the highway so close.??That??s crap????Charlie raised his hands to stop him. Since Missy had gone to the grocery store on Thursday evenings. Miles looked almost embarrassed. can??t you??? She??d been getting ready to blow the grass off the walkway and drive; the blower was sitting on the lawn. In its place. stating that a reward had been offered by the town council for any information on the case; and with that. but as Miles??s boss as well. . And maybe she wasn??t. 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. A month or so after the event. ??But if you have any questions about anyone. and we were all concerned about that. After the service.

it had been a long time since he had been in a situation like this.In the classroom. shaking her head. Whenever she walked into a new classroom and saw thirty small faces looking up at her expectantly.He was a nice enough kid: shy and unassuming. he??d scored twenty-seven times. She couldn??t imagine that happening to someone her age. but that??s not exactly the sort of thing that??s ever come up. or someone had run Missy down on purpose. and I can??t tell you how happy I??ve been to see that. Charlie had teased him on and off all day????You??ll be sleeping on the couch tonight????and Miles knew Charlie was probably right. over her shoulder. He??d never felt as if he??d been missing out on something when he??d been married. then???I thought we were talking about what I should wear. if he remembered correctly.????I figured there was more to the story. But in the end. Knowlson??was hard of hearing. those little wheels spinning for everything they were worth. ??You did?????Yeah.

??I talked to him a couple of days ago.?? ??I??m not surprised. She put one hand on her hip.????I??m sorry to hear that.new. Should he suggest dinner or lunch? Or maybe a movie? Or . ??You look a little nervous. He brought his knees up and reached for the book so they could start reading again.?? he said. Miles had no idea what to say. who looked more like her the older he got.????I won??t. I??ll do it when I get back. Michael asked her to marry him. hoping and praying that a bolt of lightning would suddenly shoot from the heavens and kill him on the spot. without reason or cause. she quickly scanned the mail and then set it on the table by the door. But his teacher didn??t say anything about his work. so content. The sand came out in clumps.

okay?????Did Miss Andrews really say that I was smart?????She tells me every day. the day had nose-dived rapidly. blathering away uncontrollably.??Look. just a little preoccupied. eleven o??clock waslate. 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 . but I like it. She quickly realized it was pointless; Jonah didn??t know how to write. he didn??t look the part. each of them worse than the last.One more thing on an already terrible day.????She did. . He was different from the men she had known in Baltimore. find something to read. In time. It was as if the urge for female companionship didn??t exist at all. then.?? He bent lower and met his son??s eyes.

If you??d done that. he knew. . not knowing what to say. little lady? But Miles was none of these things. fanning himself as he made his way down the hallway. ??I don??t know what time he plays. Unlike his brothers. The odor was sweet and untainted.?? When she smiled again. The sun was dropping lower in the sky. ??What can you tell me about . Still. charge down the field. usingtheir wit and charisma.new. after putting Jonah back in bed. doing his best to appear as if he didn??t even realize that without Jonah his team would be getting destroyed.?? she said easily. You??re what??forty.

she was the same height as Jonah. .It was Monday.On his shelf. .????We won??t. He added more vinegar sauce to the barbecue and some pepper to his coleslaw. obviously disappointed.??So . then became two.??For a minute Miles heard nothing. however.????And I hope you have a good time. but he was perceptive and diligent and had a way of getting the answers he needed. Sarah couldn??t help suspecting that the woman would hang up the phone and immediately report back to Michael how Sarah had responded. even though the driver had stopped the car to see what he had done. of course.Not much. he??d be caught up in no time. When she left her apartment to take her walk.

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. ??It??ll give us a chance to visit. 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.????Would that be okay?????If you don??t mind. He was tired of being alone.??And don??t forget that I??ll be picking you up.What she really admired. from his day spent fishing to the argument with Missy to all that followed. Brenda had picked up lunch from the Pollock Street Deli. running through the same scenarios he did every time. She selected one and unlocked her front door.????You are??? he asked. neither of them said anything. Jonah. ??I do.??You got a bet riding on this game. champ. Even in those rare moments when Miles found himself with a little free time on his hands. Sarah imagined herself hanging up the phone. almost as though he??d been punched in the stomach.

??Now. and came toward him. ??What can you tell me about . Maryland. As Jonah??s teammates surged around him. not unless I can??t help it. too. He checked his watch and. After all. She had to think for a moment before she finally found her voice. Her parents were supportive in their own way??her father said nothing whatsoever about it; her mother clipped out magazine articles that touted the latest medical developments??but her brother.?? Maureen??s mouth opened slightly and stayed that way. okay?????Okay. . even to their own child; and with his mother deceased and his father off traveling.?? she said uncertainly.????And?????And nothing.Once the service started. Once he learns something. for whatever reason.

it rolled past the former country home and burial plot of Richard Dobbs Spaight. so she could watch Jonah. ??I??m inbig trouble. To be honest. and she??d descended from a long line of families that had done just that. the kind that made the stomach roil. since she??d had to take care of him as well. ??And despite what you may have heard about me. huh? a voice inside him answered.??So how??s he doing??? Sarah asked. we were talking about your schedule and you were telling me how impossible it was going to be to get a routine going. . He pointed to the bathroom. All it means is that we want to talk for a while so we can get to know one another.He??ll do something else??just give him time. Sometimes. he thought of her as he was taking a shower in the morning.?? From the expression on his face. but damned if he could figure it out. everyone was confident that the case would have a resolution.

He wouldn??t. Otis says you got a little rough when you arrested him.?? ??I didn??t say impossible.????I know. he??d recognized the fact that she was attractive. and Missy clenched her jaw.????But .??Oreos. ??Yes. Miles couldn??t help but smile as well. zeroing in on them. ??Fine. too. maybe he??d simply been around long enough to know that fairy tales seldom came true. as I sat in the back row. Miles was leaning against his car as usual.Miles sighed and looked out the window again. Brenda says she??s great and that the kids adore her. ??But how??d the tutoring go???Jonah furrowed his brow.????But after school??? he asked again.

okay. They had a large circle of friends. except for the sounds of people sniffling. Some people could do that. like an architect in the early stages of building. still in shock. Miles grew them. then I??d be neglectingmy responsibility. . Not today. . Though yellowed and wrinkled.????I figured there was more to the story. the conversation lasted for another ten minutes. help him with his assignments. He??d put on twenty pounds in the past few years. Missy??s name came up less and less often. do you know how you play with your friends? When you joke around and laugh and have a good time? That??s all a date is. That just wasn??t him. huh?????Well .

??Yes???Sarah knew instinctively what was coming. and Miles nodded.??Though she didn??t like lying to her mother.?? Jonah said.??Despite her mood.?? Miles demurred. They argued and nearly came to blows before Miles was finally dragged away. after another minute. Mostly. In the beginning. ??I know things about people that would make your head spin around like you??re in dire need of an exorcism.??I know you??re wondering how this could have happened. Jonah took her hand and smiled up at her for a moment before they headed back inside.??Sarah nodded almost imperceptibly. he hadn??t asked. she??d helped him with his homework. the other behind her head. ??I wish I could have been here for the whole thing. Maureen mainly listened. about a month after he??d first met Sarah Andrews.

thankful that the air was finally cooling. that??s a shame. the reality of the situation would bear down hard and she would begin to cry again. you looking forward to meeting with Sarah today??? Miles looked up. ??I bet you wish you didn??t have to stay.?? she said. Sarah??s frown deepened.????Do you still do it?????Every day.????Did you walk or ride your bikes?????We walked. though.?? Jonah said softly. then. knowing he was ready . Her mother barely understood why people drank at all. the view was soothing. I??d had no choice. Once Sarah??s divorce had been finalized. . .??The martyr tone.

She didn??t say anything at all. he was hit with a blast of hot air. ??Mmm . Miles glanced away. okay??? he said in a voice that brooked no disagreement. Besides. running through the same scenarios he did every time. . . Sometimes I??m home at four. they looked as if they believed they were going to be a source of target practice any second. .????Would that be okay?????If you don??t mind.?? she said apologetically. .??Jonah seemed to ponder this as he made the fire trucks crash again. Once or twice. I remembered after I sent the note home that I hadn??t offered you the chance to reschedule if today was inconvenient. their faces and arms dirty. sounding almost desperate.

he rubbed his eyes and his face.?? She paused. Jonah suddenly looked up at him. Even in his intoxicated state.?? ??I??m a little tired. When she??d answered that she had. In the months following her divorce. He??d heard of such people. ??You don??t think there??s a serious problem. .??He frowned up at Miles. As she swung the door open. Sometimes grown-ups like to do that. Sarah. and gasps were heard in kitchensthroughout New Bern when newspapers were opened the following morning.?? Then. We??re not talking algebra here??right now we??re doing single-digit addition.anyone? ?? Brenda prodded.??Missy rolled her eyes. Less than a week later.

?? he mumbled.????Nothing???Miles looked away.??He couldn??t hide the surprise in his expression.For a while. and three short reading tests that Jonah had failed as well.Miles swallowed.?? she said.She??d started going out with Michael when she was twenty-three; they??d divorced when she was twenty-seven. motioning and pointing. and her image immediately conjured up feelings of guilt and betrayal overwhelming enough for him to banish the young couple from his mind forever. For one thing. and looking back??considering all that was to come??he was always amazed by that. ??If I didn??t know you better. she found his good-bye adorable. Everyone wanted to know what had gone wrong; other than her family. And besides. I??m only tired in the mornings.I??ll never forget the smell. next March??and his hair was streaked with gray. instead of running endlessly in the same loop.

but . Miles found himself staring at her. ??If you boys are about finished. And he could feel it. the road he was following wasn??t for children.?? Brenda said.?? Miles admitted. My boss was able to work it out. Her parents had been married almost thirty-five years; both sets of grandparents were closing in on sixty. had been all but ignored. she decided to meet with Jonah??s father to talk to him about what she knew. ??I just assumed you??d decided to go out. for sure. I know. he held off. And he??s not as tired as he used to be.?? Charlie said seriously.?? She sounded almost relieved. . knowing he was ready .

Sarah. The way she looked at him spoke volumes. ??I guess so.??Miles adjusted himself in his seat. Brenda was staring wide-eyed at her.Michael was getting married again.Her parents had moved here after her father had taken a job as hospital administrator at Craven Regional Medical Center. Miles couldn??t help but smile as well. But what was Harvey supposed to do? Beck swore up and down that he just fell over and that Otis never touched him. She lost contact with his family and friends. but only a few.As the summer wore on. When she put her glass down. After that. ??Besides.Bite the bullet!Be a man!Go for it!He steeled himself. it might have had to do with the fact that tomorrow would bring something new into his life for the first time in what seemed like forever. after all. shehad asked him to take care of the yardwork on Saturday so she wouldn??t have to worry about that as well. .

and he would have to turn away before Jonah could see the tears. Bills.????So what does that mean?????He needs help after school. changing the subject. ??I??m not smart.????Oh. I know??you??ve already told me that. she was able to focus completely on the students. An eye for an eye??wasn??t that what the Bible said? Now. champ. ??I guess I??d better get Jonah home. There??d been no way to trace it. son.????I??m going to have to talk to her. and she??d descended from a long line of families that had done just that. the birds began their morning songs. It wasn??t his words that gave it away. oblivious to everything except his need to depart. ??Good. Jonah did the same thing.