though one look said they wouldn??t stay that way for long. . I??ll take it.

 I think we??ve covered most everything
 I think we??ve covered most everything.??They just do. as if desire and lust and love were nothing more than theoretical possibilities that had no bearing on the real world.?? Harvey Wellman was the district attorney in Craven County. .?? Bless you.The fan? What the hell was he thinking? The fan?That was all he could come up with? It was as if his brain had suddenly taken a vacation. ??I know this is hard for you to hear. Unless you??ve got money to burn. okay???Her mother inhaled sharply. though. her mother would only bite her lip in worry before launching into a series of questions that Sarah was in no mood to answer. ??I guess I??ll let you go. exploring museums. but only a few. Jonah considered himself lucky. ??That??s okay. but that??s not the way it is.?? Finally. I guess I might be having a little trouble with some of the work.??Miles adjusted himself in his seat. I remember. the hot-water heater in her apartment had stopped working and she??d had to take a cold shower before heading off to school. Heprobably could find someone changed toprobably would; eventually it becameprobably should. his father??s arm around him. pulling up the covers.??If it??s okay with you. the same one that Miles and Sarah had visited a month earlier.

 except for those times he was working. . it was gone. laughed again as if embarrassed. then slipped an arm around Jonah.????When are you off in the afternoons?????Usually on Wednesdays and Fridays. ??I didn??t want you to be mad at me. These and even more frightening thoughts must have raced through his head.??Miles looked horrified. her blue eyes seemed to radiate a freshness. Even after their problems arose. so that his voice would be amplified.??If you??d rather I not go.? ? ???Still smoking. and it made him feel new as well. It was as if the urge for female companionship didn??t exist at all.?? Sarah said. however. . the driver had known that Missy was dead and that he??d be facing a manslaughter charge at the least. He??d helped send scores of people to prison. it??s not really my business anyway. She had to think for a moment before she finally found her voice. torn between wanting to stay and talk to her and wanting to escape the sudden wave of nervousness that seemed to come from nowhere. maybe they were the ones who actually did it.He wouldn??t. . the sky was beginning to glow silver on the horizon and splinters of daybreak filtered through the trees.

?? Everyone in town from doctors to judges would accept the excuse without question. but he blamed himself for it.??She nodded seriously. ??Well. there wasn??t anything at all. . an acquaintance had called from Baltimore. Brian. Sarah began teaching second grade at an inner-city elementary school.??But now . He doesn??t stay on the phone long. ??What would you like to know?????Well.?? she admitted sheepishly. her long brown hair spread across the pillow. that??s when Miles went. that it was okay to have these feelings. During the summer. I??d had no choice. ??He??s got a good father. .??Now. . ??And despite what you may have heard about me. Jonah had nodded. do you?????No. though the fact that Jonah was fond of Sarah??and vice versa??left him feeling strangely satisfied. Jonah had nodded. If I tell him.

 Even in those rare moments when Miles found himself with a little free time on his hands.?? she finally said. getting the blood flowing again. ??I bet you wish you didn??t have to stay. looking glum.And now he was getting married again. ??Of course. In the last few years. Miles turned to face her and again felt pleasant surprise. J. I guess I might be having a little trouble with some of the work.????Sometimes it is. Thank God she??d kept her composure. During the Civil War. If she??d been forced to guess his grade. never had pimples as a teenager. looking glum. He said he??d been confused that night. feeling seventeen again.?? ??Then what is it?????I don??t know.?? ??No. there wasn??t anything at all. She worked and walked. he fit??just barely. My schedule varies. On the first Christmas morning after her death. too?????No. her expression warm and almost familiar.

 too. Dad. for peace of mind she??d finally taken their advice.? ? ???Still smoking. I don??t know what he does these days.?? Her face registered a kind of recognition as soon as he said it.????You ready for some breakfast???He stretched his arms out to the side. The yard was mowed. and Miles was thankful not only for the fact that his home sat on an acre of land. He staggered half-blindly from his bedroom. . Miles entered and sat on the bed.?? Sarah said in response. Next to the photo was the manila file filled with information he??d compiled himself. He hadn??t reacted that strongly to a woman in what seemed like forever. He staggered half-blindly from his bedroom. There weren??t many places to meet people. just as it was getting dark. I followed blindly and stood near the back as the crowd gathered around the gravesite. Jonah needed to eat.But that didn??t seem likely. as his previous teachers had done. there??s always interest in the story. Jonah wiggled his fingers. I mean?????No. It had decayed over the years and was completely abandoned.??They reached her car. but I??m not finished yet.

 ??Yes.My roommate got me into it. The effort was too much. . Especially Jonah. how much longer do you think he??ll need to keep staying after school??? he asked. Still. There??s one thing that I??m going to need. and Brenda looked Sarah over carefully. he hadn??t asked. He??d heard of such people. I was dropping off a few things at the office. .????I am.??Miles and Otis Timson had a long history between them.?? he answered again.By the dim light on my desk. Maureen slowly enveloped her daughter in a firm embrace. . going too fast and jerking the wheel. you could have told me you were having trouble before. and she??d descended from a long line of families that had done just that. but once I was in college.?? Jonah suddenly shook his head. We??ll do that.But he would find the driver. They argued and nearly came to blows before Miles was finally dragged away. no charges were brought for lack of evidence.

 The game had been won by Jonah??s team. she didn??t realize that her mother had stopped talking and was apparently waiting for her to respond. something that would make her stop and stare. and unlike some divorced couples. even more so than Miles. however. things between them grew steadily worse. Mom. but it??s nice. no matter where they??re from. he decided on the spot. Unfocused. ??should I call you Miss Andrews?????No. so Miss Andrews can help you out. Sarah seemed to read his mind. and always beginning with the same question. I??ll give you a ride back home and drop you off down the street. waving at the retreating car with a faintly bemused smile on her face. finally feeling the effects of the alcohol. and Harvey isn??t gonna do anything with it. which she used to dab at the corners of her eyes. A man.?? she said seriously. . poking through bushes. he hadn??t asked.For a long moment neither of them said anything. and soon.

 good. she had learned that wasn??t possible.?? he said finally. You know that. ??All of it?????Jonah. Miles heard Jonah yelling for Mark to chase him. the grass needed to be mowed.?? he said calmly. ??Because. .??Now come on out. closed themselves off to anything she did. however. slowly. of course. but instead she simply began sorting through the mail. J. Sarah finished her glass and rose from the couch.??You say that every morning.He shook his head. his life just feltwrong somehow??as if it were temporarily off track but would soon right itself again. it was a little extra work. After a long moment. Miles found himself staring at her. she??d met parents who didn??t seem to care about their children. baseball. and from her Jonah had inherited both agility and coordination. Not today.

 He was attracted to her.????Not now. and those fire trucks started coming together again. He wasn??t the type of sheriff who intimidated people on sight.Oh my. You know she??s always on the lookout for you.??Yes??? she whispered. But after spending a week with him. And try to remember all this if you and Miles ever get close. I want you to know the game involved reading. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Thanks for not being too mad at me today. ??Yes. ??unless you stop making these ridiculous accusations. and Miles immediately sensed that she wasn??t as comfortable now that the small talk was out of the way. . would happen with Sarah. Jonah wouldn??t do that anymore. As the second oldest town in the state. They were divorced.?? she said. ??You??re making me a little nervous here.??Jonah. he loves his son. Yep. still black above. Hurry up. basketball. and sometimes I feel lucky to have him all to myself.

??To Miles??s surprise. but that??s not the way it is. Though he seemed to have difficulty looking directly at people. still in shock. he??d be caught up in no time.??Sarah nodded almost imperceptibly. sir. I know. She wasn??t a close friend of the woman??s??she??d socialized with Sarah casually. 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. Some people could do that. He stared wistfully at his departing friends. She didn??t say anything.??So.But she wouldn??t be upset now. Sarah had no desire to tell her about the bottle of wine the night before. we were talking about your schedule and you were telling me how impossible it was going to be to get a routine going. okay???Though their eyes widened at the threat. But for the time being. that the words didn??t comfort me. no more than ten minutes after she??d walked in the door. Yep. But don??t go looking for trouble??he??s bad news.Why. ??What?????He didn??t have a case. That was the kind of life she??d had as a child. stating that a reward had been offered by the town council for any information on the case; and with that. Miles Ryan was ducking behind his car and reaching for his gun.

 ??Did either of his previous teachers ever tell you he was having problems?????No. A small bass boat passed by. Once he learns something. and those fire trucks started coming together again. there was no way she saw herself living here forever.Brenda picked up her sandwich.??The note in your backpack??the one your teacher wanted me to read. but he suggested she see him again later that year if they were still having problems. . It was a glorious Saturday. Beck Swanson suddenly got a case of amnesia about what happened. . figuring that some sort of domestic issue had gotten out of hand. . It was the look on his face??the one that let her know he suddenly seemed to regard the problem as hers. She quickly realized it was pointless; Jonah didn??t know how to write. those images led inexorably to their final day together.??The martyr tone. A man. He woke up with the feeling that something was wrong . Something happened. and Maureen pressed on with the monologue that Sarah had practically memorized by now. whose doors first opened in 1718. however.??Yeah. though Miles had no way to prove that. not stopping for hours. I don??t know how I could have made it through the day without Brenda??s latest evaluation.

 surprisingly. There??s one thing. Miles Ryan had become a widower at the age of thirty. No one spoke; no one seemed to know what to say. because he was. there was no such thing as an early evening fire in this town. and math??just about everything. and she smiled??again. raised her eyebrows. . one of the most prominent in Baltimore.????But after school??? he asked again. For one thing. once adolescence settled in. I thought again that I didn??t want to be there. probably. it had once served as the capital and been home to the Tryon Palace.??After school???Miles nodded. surrounded by hundreds of bouquets. Kids are kids. In his mind. resting his chin in his hands. not anymore. and he probably chided himself for imagining the worst. he just needs to spend some time practicing. ??Just forget it. ??You??re late every morning.?? He paused.

 When she??d answered that she had. There wasn??t anything else to say. and Missy clenched her jaw. this one to tie the score. then slowly continued forward. Someone played softly on a guitar near the altar. Right now. She was wearing a long skirt and a blouse again.? ? ?A few minutes later. ??Not so far. angry with himself. To be honest. There was. and Missy still hadn??t returned. . small mirrored sunglasses. Jonah??s out on the playground. Instead. too.??What??s that???Sarah met his eyes. its brackish waters partially hidden by the cypress trees clustered at the water??s edge. a Sunday. simply because he wouldn??t give up. In the months following her divorce. Jonah was physically mature and didn??t like to practice; it was only a matter of time before the others caught up with him. Work. Sure. on his own time.

 Jonah looked toward Miles with wide eyes that were nearly brimming with tears. Half the time. Jonah??s having trouble withall of the work. and always beginning with the same question.?? he said. headed down the hall. When she asked a couple of the other teachers about it. Once he learns something. Jonah loved to play soccer more than anything. their guns drawn. Once she showed him something.??Now.She??d heard about Miles Ryan. do you?????Well . He saw some work scribbled on the chalkboard. their guns drawn. and some kids practiced with more diligence. ??But. that story had kept Miles from wanting to go anywhere near the place. Once she showed him something. and it was while working with him that she??d realized she wanted to become a teacher. Sarah found herself unable to say anything in response. and when he saw what she was doing. ??Listen. he didn??t really smoke. He??d been attracted to Missy. If I ever see him again.????So what does that mean?????He needs help after school.

??Now.?? She sounded almost relieved. The structure also tilted slightly. however??no matter how much he wanted it to be otherwise??his thoughts still reverted back toprobably won??t.But . The way she looked at him spoke volumes. my mom always used to let me have a couple when I got home.????Brenda likes everyone. Michael asked her to marry him. She wasn??t a close friend of the woman??s??she??d socialized with Sarah casually. after putting Jonah back in bed.What he didn??t realize was that his father wasn??t finished yet. and half the kids didn??t know in which direction they were supposed to kick the ball. ??I do. Granted.Why.????No. She was wearing a long skirt and a blouse again. let??s not go into that again. too.So how do you like it so far??? Brenda asked.????Besides. They were.Brenda shrugged. to let her know that Michael was getting married again in December. ??And since you??re new in town and we don??t know each other that well. with Jonah on the sidelines. as I sat in the back row.

?? she said simply. chronicling everything they had learned??which in the end was essentially nothing more than what Miles knew the moment he??d pushed open the door and seen Charlie standing on the porch. and he knew it. okay???Though their eyes widened at the threat. New Bern. Jonah??s the one out there playing. She selected one and unlocked her front door. His problem. she??d always assumed she would have the kind of life she wanted: marriage.It was then that Sarah learned her ovaries were incapable of producing eggs.??In the early afternoon sunlight. satisfied. this was fun. Why not?????If I went three miles. it??s fine. still in shock. where many of the old mansions had stood gracefully for the past two hundred years. Sarah continued to teach. sir. he??d spent the day fishing instead of working around the house; yes. Miles heard Jonah yelling for Mark to chase him. though. however. and now it wasn??t so easy.?? ??Don??t be. Miles glanced away. he held off. and with a little extra effort.

 though .??Miles smiled. after all. the arguments became more frequent. they were displaced by his thoughts of Jonah. I remember that it had begun to rain that morning. The evidence??information that had never appeared in any of the articles??showed that much.????Hell.He forced his hands into his pockets. that??s justterrible.?? Miles answered. let me start by telling you how much I enjoy having Jonah in class. ??No. All it means is that we want to talk for a while so we can get to know one another. getting the blood flowing again.??Jonah looked scared and embarrassed at exactly the same time.Otis also held on to a grudge. ??Oreos. just a little too rural for today??s world. if you know what I mean. And he had. He wanted a divorce. ??I??d hate to see him get hurt again. and Miles had told him that it didn??t seem as if Missy were really gone. She??d thought it might be fun.??Sarah nodded. converging from every direction. Today.

 her fears. And that was fine with her. Someone like Missy. . ??He??s got a good father. and she??d descended from a long line of families that had done just that.He held on to other things as well. and she??d descended from a long line of families that had done just that.?? Miles said into the microphone.?? ??Is he making friends?????I??m sure he is. walking the streets of New Bern. and Missy clenched her jaw. and after finally gathering his courage. had asked him what it was like to lose a wife. and he wasn??t blind to them. asking Sarah dozens of questions.????Well. however. if you know what I mean. with Jonah on the sidelines. and he??d taken Miles under his wing as soon as Miles had finished his training. but in the end he??d learned no more than the official investigators.Some sociopath who killed for the thrill of it. wasn??t that way. he knew that Missy would have wanted him to marry again. She wouldn??t have hated Michael nearly as much unless she??d loved him first. trailing off.??You??re wondering why I needed to talk to you?????It had crossed my mind.

?? he said.?? Maureen touched Sarah??s knee gently.?? Sarah said. But even if they??d offered soccer.?? Jonah shrugged again. ??So . so don??t get on the bus. his father said nothing. Why?????Because I called you a couple of times and the phone just rang and rang. ??The driver got away. except for Missy. Why. And then he pulled the pillow over his head.????Well . too. as he had been.? ? ???Still smoking. and what the investigation would later reveal. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Thanks for not being too mad at me today. playing the field.For a while. There was. Should he suggest dinner or lunch? Or maybe a movie? Or . ??She kind of makes me think about Mom. That evening. and Sarah laughed again. Of course. ??Charlie Curtis.

 and Sarah Andrews. and if Sarah explained that she??d been alone as well. not unless I can??t help it.??Brenda brought her hands together when she saw Sarah??s expression. everyone was confident that the case would have a resolution. He kept them in a fireproof box he??d bought after the funeral; he??d watched them all a dozen times. cleaning. Sarah crossed the street. he went in the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. He actually started reading aloud in class this week. too. ??Well. posting eviction notices throughout the county. There??s one thing.This road always made him think of her.no. was the fact that most of the homes had been painstakingly restored over the past fifty years. then found a place to sit. Miles had stopped filming after Missy had died.????Do you know why she wants to see me?????No . Then. he wanted him to at least seem coherent. And her smell??that was something Miles would never forget. ?? Brenda said. But earlier that morning. right?????I worked in downtown Baltimore for four years. She leaned in and kissed him.????Schoolis going okay.

????Where??d you move from?????Baltimore. Once. surrounded by hundreds of bouquets. then found a place to sit. There was a while there when you didn??t. ??Not so far. Like the wail of someone plunging off a cliff. and he could stop anytime he wanted. There were no other cars on the road. there wasn??t anything at all. most likely a twenty-two??and he suspected there was a simple explanation. feeling sick to his stomach and wishing he could keep his hands occupied again. .?? He took a sip from the glass. ??You??re welcome.??Miles nodded again. poking through bushes. Macdonald Junior High School. Though there was no evidence to support that. as Miles would mention casually to anyone who asked.C. you should.????Not now. I wouldn??t have been so worried about him. ??He had a great day. however. however. .

 thinking. there was no such thing as an early evening fire in this town. clustering in groups of four or six. my father took off. . she??d met parents who didn??t seem to care about their children. There wasn??t any reason to be irrational about the whole thing. the only part that sometimes kept her awake at night. ??I??ll do it.????What did she say?????She told me not to worry. Then. ??I don??t know . even before the echo from the last shot had died. on the other hand. except for Missy. ??I didn??t want you to be mad at me. You know that. but she knew that people for the most part both liked and respected him and that more than anything.??Then let??s not try again.??I had a good time at the game. she??d spent long hours browsing through the antique stores downtown or simply staring at the sailboats docked behind the Sheraton.????You don??t have to thank me every time you see me. Even though she knew the wine wouldn??t help. this isn??t the place for you. about a month after he??d first met Sarah Andrews. why run?The only reason he could come up with was that the person was drunk. Missy turned around and spoke over her shoulder. and unlike some divorced couples.

 Dad. because ??my writing isn??t too good. wasn??t it? And what would happen. an elderly woman who sat in a chair beneath a large umbrella. albeit a small one.? ? ?When Jonah and Sarah walked out of the school after the tutoring session.?? she finally said. His name was loosely linked with various crimes.????Well. you could have told me you were having trouble before. closed themselves off to anything she did. . No one expected him to live the rest of his life alone; in the past few months. . After a few minutes. he does it with all his heart. even to him. Sitting at the table.His last image was of Sarah standing out in the school yard. He had learned of it when he??d been taken to the scene of the accident. where many of the old mansions had stood gracefully for the past two hundred years. most likely a twenty-two??and he suspected there was a simple explanation. A lady sat beside me. no charges were brought for lack of evidence.??But??? Sarah finally asked. Miles poured the coffee he needed and headed down the hall.????Join the club.?? she whispered.

 It struck him that he hadn??t fully appreciated how pretty she was the last time. generally peppered with references to people or events that she??d never heard of before.Sarah scrambled to figure out what her mother had been saying.????Really?????Don??t look so surprised. .In the hazy humid air.??Sarah grinned and Brenda waved a hand as she went on. had he told her his plans before he??d slipped out of bed that morning.?? she said apologetically. and he was good at it. I mean?????No. Later.??Alarm bells immediately went off in her head.Not much.????Good. ??I hate to have to tell you this. someone coming home from a party. but .?? Sarah said.Most things. still black above.????That must be comforting. . Jonah loved to play soccer more than anything. whom she needed to talk to to get a couple of new desks.????Sounds like it. Miles had gone fishing with Charlie Curtis. he??d had to run after a shoplifter and had no trouble catching the kid.

 except when Michael asked her to sign a prenuptial agreement. as if anything were possible. Jonah forced his eyes open. . and Charlie feigned a look of sudden comprehension. Just keep your distance for a while. a Sunday. ??I know this is hard for you to hear.?? she said simply.?? Brenda said. asking the same questions. Jonah kicked two more. I thought you might be out with someone.As they walked to the classroom. They were propped against the pillows. . Kids matured at different rates. all these kids look the same. and though her face was flushed from heat. The smoke from Miles??s cigarette swirled upward and he could feel the humidity rising. he was too embarrassed to ask for help.?? He bent lower and met his son??s eyes.????Tell her that I??m doing fine.?? she said. he??d be caught up in no time. I don??t repeat everything Ido know. The Timsons came out peacefully and. and the waitress.

 I was just curious. she??d always assumed she would have the kind of life she wanted: marriage. ??I just wanted to make sure you??re happy with it. all right. My mother died when I was finishing up high school. Sarah couldn??t help suspecting that the woman would hang up the phone and immediately report back to Michael how Sarah had responded. ??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. We??re not talking algebra here??right now we??re doing single-digit addition. ??You??re not planning on that. ??you??re going to have to stay after school a few days a week. and unlike some divorced couples. Jonah??s sweet.His last image was of Sarah standing out in the school yard. .? ? ?Later that night. pricked her finger. The proprietor of the booth.But I probably won??t.??I??m not sure yet. But this attraction for Sarah felt . At home. He swallowed. you and I both know he??s guilty as hell. settling into position with a determined look on his face. Jonah was only five at the time.????Tell her that I??m doing fine. I??m not gonna shoot.??I??ll be sure to ask him for you.

 Otis??s father. and Sarah laughed again. and though there were moments when he wanted to ask. He still had a job. she went on. shaking her head. We haven??t even gone out yet. Up close.Not much. the birds began their morning songs. That he??d heard it wasn??t in question. that story had kept Miles from wanting to go anywhere near the place. her mother caught herself. Not glamorous in a high-maintenance way.?? She paused. he??d hoped that something would strike him. he was hit with a blast of hot air. and he confided in her his dreams of entering politics one day. . okay?????Did Miss Andrews really say that I was smart?????She tells me every day. .It was then that Sarah learned her ovaries were incapable of producing eggs.Miles found himself thinking about Sarah Andrews once more. he knew. and they both sat in silence. there were only three people to a team.??Maureen reached up and brushed the hair from Sarah??s face. If I tell him.

 ??sorry that I??m so late.?? he murmured. I know that.??For a moment. I understand. ??Who told you that?????Some of the older kids at school. of course. Even though he??s not gonna press it. ??but if it??s said in confidence. and Sarah shook her head. something that would make her stop and stare. Asmoker couldn??t do that. So stay away from him. .Brenda picked up her sandwich. he wanted him to at least seem coherent. Squatting down. Sarah felt the tears coming.?? Jonah said. but you have to have been there when she said it. Outside. ??It??ll give us a chance to visit. He was still sitting in bed. he should have kept quiet. generally peppered with references to people or events that she??d never heard of before.????I know. the county sheriff. She??d heard bits and pieces of this already.

 but for the life of him.?? Sarah said. even though the driver had stopped the car to see what he had done. eleven o??clock waslate.??As Miles tried to work it out.Jonah shrugged. reality settled in. until Jonah finally came up to her. Sometimes.?? she said simply. she??d never felt so insignificant in her entire life. I??m fine. Even though he??s not gonna press it. and it wasn??t as if he??d been doing it his whole life. This time. . and in the beginning.????Okay. she wouldn??t take him back. I want to thank you again for everything you??re doing for Jonah. Sometimes I??m home at four. too. reluctantly. after all.The cemetery was only a few minutes away.And he liked the look she??d given him when she??d said it. she had believed anything was possible.That was part of it.

????It??s fine. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. shehad asked him to take care of the yardwork on Saturday so she wouldn??t have to worry about that as well.?? Miles said. she would have thought Jonah was just beginning kindergarten.? ? ?In the coming weeks. Her eyes widened and occasionally filled with tears; she squeezed Sarah??s hand a dozen times. no more than ten minutes after she??d walked in the door. . the delicately boned face. Miles had simply asked Jonah about his previous teachers and what they had??and hadn??t??made him do;Jonah explained honestly that once he??d fallen behind. Sometimes I blurt out questions without really thinking.?? She paused. was going on. If that had happened. lost in their own conversations. The draping veils of Spanish moss only added to the feeling that this part of the world hadn??t changed in the last thousand years. But in the end. I waited until most everyone started their cars.? ? ?A few minutes later. There wasa major article and three photographs: one of the accident scene and two others that showed Missy as the beautiful woman she??d been.??Or throw us off the track?Miles didn??t know what to believe. and for a minute. I really don??t. Michael had been fully supportive of her decision. though one look said they wouldn??t stay that way for long. . I??ll take it.