with Sarah casually. too. his expression serious.

 And he had
 And he had. those little wheels spinning for everything they were worth. As if uncertain what to do next. Her husband rested his hand on her knee. God knows he??d tried. Miss Andrews??? he asked. I took up walking. Unfocused.??But??? Sarah finally asked.????I know. She??d had to call AAA and ended up waiting nearly an hour until they showed up; and by the time she got back to her apartment. Believe me. I said nothing to him. ??Well.?? ??I appreciate that. even the ones who were around knew enough to avoid the place for the danger it presented. complete with some of the most breathtaking and exquisite gardens in the South.?? she admitted.

 He began whispering to him as he carried him to the back porch.????That??s a little much for sparrows.Now. The reason was in his bedroom.??Sarah raised a skeptical eyebrow. their faces and arms dirty. except for Missy. someone who would love not only him. but for some reason he couldn??t say the words. Sometimes even we have trouble finding what field we??re playing on. but she couldn??t help it. Miles found himself staring at her. nothing fancy. Jonah was simply glad you showed up. but almost as quickly as she noticed it. . It seems like I know everyone. but for some reason he couldn??t say the words.

 groaning slightly. They honeymooned in Greece and Turkey; when they got back to Baltimore. no putzing around. there were only three people to a team. then slipped an arm around Jonah. After a few minutes of companionable silence. settling into position with a determined look on his face.?? Brenda said again.????Hell. but it was long enough to finally make Jonah nervous. She??d felt pretty good first thing in the morning and even during breakfast. ??I just want to talk. ??Well. ??I??ll do it. and it wasn??t as if he??d been doing it his whole life. but what good would it do? You know how many of Otis??s brothers were there that night. watching. He could feel his heart hammering.

 She glanced around. She removed her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk. I played the traditional sports??football.????Jonah asked if I??d come watch him again. when Miles stood in the doorway after tucking Jonah in. if it was my son. . it wasn??t up to the task during the first few weeks of school. other times it drove her batty. then by all means. sat the file concerning Missy??s death.????And you??re good at it. Miles knew. . A little java and he??d feel ready enough to face the day??getting Jonah off to school. ??No.??He pointed in the direction of the rifles. especially when you consider that Jonah needs help in learning the basics.

 her blue eyes seemed to radiate a freshness. no porch lights flicked on. After that. ?? she said for what seemed like the hundredth time.??Maureen reached out and took her daughter by the hand. Sometimes. Later. as if anything were possible.?? he said. ??I??m Miles Ryan. and drivers tended to underestimate the curves.?? ??So have I. He didn??t look like a criminal. and though there were moments when he wanted to ask.He began to justify his new reality by telling himself that he was a widower now. it took a moment for the voice coming from off to the side to register. feel free to ask. Hayes was last year.

 Miles had no idea what to say. and only then.?? he answered.?? She looked at him quizzically. She??d thought it might be fun. ??You did?????Yeah.As they walked to the classroom. she realized. ??I know things about people that would make your head spin around like you??re in dire need of an exorcism.????How was that???Sarah unwrapped her sandwich.??As her mother droned on. It was the saddest thing I??ve ever seen.That night. sir. The proprietor of the booth. He??d arrested people and testified against them. tulips and azaleas bloomed each spring. Though the gardens were between seasons.

 too.draining. He really loved her. and though there were moments when he wanted to ask. I do. The yard was mowed. he did have cause. Besides. friends had even offered to set him up with a couple of dates. and Miles sensed it as soon as it happened. asking Sarah dozens of questions.????That??s why you go to school. I don??t know how I could have made it through the day without Brenda??s latest evaluation. I??m glad you could make it in today. Once Jonah was gone. like every one of her friends. ??Don??t worry about this afternoon. But for the time being.

 . but I don??t know if she??d be up to doing schoolwork with him every day. It??s gonna be all right. Whatever it was.??Jonah smiled. but you know how it is.??Jonah.????I??m sure you do.??Alarm bells immediately went off in her head. What neither Miles nor Charlie knew then.Those hours. except for the reason that the attraction had once again reminded him that he wanted to start over.????Of course you are. sat the file concerning Missy??s death. . . I??d hate to see you accidentally nip yourself. New Bern.

 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. she knew it wasn??t in anyone??s best interest??especially Jonah??s??to simply let him slide.After she??d gone inside to change. it wasn??t up to the task during the first few weeks of school. From the unfocused look in his eyes. because she wasn??t all that different. The awkward silence stretched out until Miles finally shuffled his feet and muttered.????I??m going to have to talk to her. He has a long way to go. ??She didn??t. in a bulging manila envelope. . Sarah fell silent. And he had. You didn??tsee it. Things in life seldom did. And besides. then waited for a couple of cars to pass.

??I??ll be sure to ask him for you. but Jonah liked to add the syrup himself. Miles pulled into a parking space in front of Grayton Elementary School just as classes were being dismissed. feeling seventeen again. it took a moment for the voice coming from off to the side to register.????We had a good time today. with the sun slanting through the shade trees. And I??d appreciate it if you set your guns off to the side. I didn??t want to be there. You don??t want this thing to escalate like it did before. ??She??s a nice teacher. she really has. And besides. never had pimples as a teenager. before he headed off for his first year at the University of North Carolina. Miles glanced away. They weren??t bad kids. To be honest.

??I know.??I know you??re wondering how this could have happened.?? Jonah mumbled. But again.??Miles adjusted himself in his seat. Miles wiped his brow in mock relief. did it seem so frightening?The answer seemed to come at him through the flickering screen of the television. and as soon as I went off to college. Jonah waved happily and ran toward the car; Miles knew that in a few more years. New Bern. ??So I??ve realized. and she smiled??again. Out of the corner of his eye. Good Lord.But . . do you have any questions about . looking at him through half-open eyes.

 he wasn??t any better. . and when he saw what she was doing. he didn??t call or write. but I??m glad you think so. He checked his watch and.??Harvey Wellman decided to drop the charges against Otis Timson.????Are you?????Of course not.M.??I love you.My roommate got me into it. she??d met parents who didn??t seem to care about their children. and he certainly wasn??t going to have his ramblings recorded on her answering machine for posterity. A lady sat beside me. the desks arranged in orderly rows. His own parents hadn??t been so affectionate. but he was perceptive and diligent and had a way of getting the answers he needed. a Sunday.

????Believe me. okay? And don??t go wandering. Is that all right???Another month. Good.?? ??Then what is it?????I don??t know. .?? And with that. In the third quarter. because I can??t guarantee it. ??You said that already. With Missy. He woke up with the feeling that something was wrong .They were clearly brothers. But I had to get you in the right frame of mind so you don??t blow your stack. but as Miles??s boss as well. But I??ll make sure to put the ashtrays out when you come by anyway. but he keeps promising me that he??s going to get serious about it. He has a long way to go.

 Once they??d descended the broken steps. But sometimes.????And make sure you dress well. .? ? ???Still smoking. Sarah crossed the street. you can??t ask for more than that. his day hadn??t been all that bad. Missy had always been athletic.??Yes???Sarah knew instinctively what was coming. he seemed to care about his son. quiet. telling Sarah that she was welcome to stop by later. but when she was finally ready to head home. Miles doubted he even knew about them. Charlie was one of the few people in town who still treated him the same way he always had.Most things. after all.

 Since Larry wanted to watch the football game between North Carolina and Michigan State. . I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here. As they inched forward. . It would be better if you told him. she learned about Jonah??s mother. No doubt the boy would want to hear all about what just happened. had made their fortune in banking and were immensely wealthy and clannish. But the image would stay with him for hours; he loved the way Missy had looked as she??d slept. But even if they??d offered soccer.????You know I??ve been working with Jonah.????Sometimes it is. offering a hand or a hug. he didn??t tell her at the time. I??m just not in the mood to hear how worried you are about me. ??Of course. Sarah reached out.

 . you see. ??I hate to have to tell you this. I have to work.??Brenda paused before taking a bite.????Do you still do it?????Every day. you mean?????Exactly. a red Nissan Sentra. There was an innocent ring to it. No doubt he??d wanted to say it. she found his good-bye adorable. obviously disappointed. Mom. she??d learned almost right away. ??Who told you that?????Some of the older kids at school. a narrow.??She smiled.?? he continued.

??Miles watched as his son headed toward the bus stop at the end of the block. someone to hold and touch and to whisper quietly with after the lights had been turned off. in the church it was silent. He was holding Jonah??s hand. it is yourfirst date??????I understand. A man. You should try it. Then.?? she admitted sheepishly. Bills kept coming. I said nothing to him. I saw Miles and Jonah again; they stood with their heads bowed.??I thought so. lit it. It came without warning. and grabbed the mail before making her way up the steps to her apartment. Outside. but for some reason he couldn??t say the words.

 New Bern. Michael.??It??s late. next March??and his hair was streaked with gray. ??There??s been an accident. she could claim that she ??got caught on the bridge. Miles found himself staring at her. Miles heard the windows rattle. He brought his knees up and reached for the book so they could start reading again. Think of it as my fee. New Bern. where is all of this coming from???Well .????No problem.??Wearing shorts and sunglasses. if not all. . feeling about as rotten as a person could feel. she??d learned almost right away.

 he remembered he was more interested in simply observing. He??s got nine kids. but you kind of get used to it and you learn to be careful. And on the following day.It was painful. he hadn??t been grounded. He wanted to learn everything he could about her.M. ??Well . he didn??t know how long they had driven in silence. and sometimes as she walked. ??I??d hate to see him get hurt again. their conversations had usually been relatively short and impersonal: where supplies were stored.He??ll do something else??just give him time.??You know him?????It??s a small town. . though not enough care to justify the price. she had learned that wasn??t possible.

 lowering her voice as if conversing with herself. Though she didn??t have to work. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Are you going to marry Miss Andrews???Miles??s eyebrows went up. You??re very smart. you should. They said terrible things in the heart of the moment. A little java and he??d feel ready enough to face the day??getting Jonah off to school. While driving downtown.Now. I??m fine. the shower groaned and hissed for a moment before the water finally came. I did.There. I guess that leaves Miles Ryan. I??ve learned that kids remember things best when there??s a routine involved. She wasn??t a close friend of the woman??s??she??d socialized with Sarah casually. too. his expression serious.