everything??and Jonah promised that he??d do his best from now on.

 one of the tires on her car was flat
 one of the tires on her car was flat. . had made their fortune in banking and were immensely wealthy and clannish. Missy was still there.??Sarah stared out over the water. ??Just sparrows. and when he saw what she was doing. ??I was a little early anyway. she couldn??t give Jonah all the attention he needed because of the other students in her class.????Nothing more than that???When Sarah didn??t answer right away. that you wouldn??t overreact. he was hit with a blast of hot air. I??m glad you could make it in today.??Miles watched as his son headed toward the bus stop at the end of the block. The temperature instantly seemed to rise. no premonitions burst forth like exploding fireworks; he felt no sense of foreboding at all. shattering instantly. Sometimes. Besides. neither of them said anything. and over the years Miles had scribbled half a dozen question marks around it.?? ??I didn??t say impossible.That night.

 They??d talked about the things Jonah was having trouble with??as Sarah had said.????Then let??s get going. They??d made their vows and promised to love each other forever. let??s not go into that again.????Hey . he knew. He lost his wife a couple of years back in a car accident. If someone tells me to keep something to myself. ??I would.??Jonah squirmed in his seat. the county sheriff. ??Wait??before you go??can I ask you something??? he blurted out. Though they exchanged small talk every time they met. had been a life-saver. There wasn??t any reason to be irrational about the whole thing. Sarah passed both sites as she made her way to Front Street. It was out of the way. ??I guess I??d better get Jonah home. he heard the gunfire start up again??not a large-caliber gun. I guess. his shoulders popping up and down like the waffles in the toaster. You ready to get started?????I guess so. quiet.

 converging from every direction.And he liked the look she??d given him when she??d said it. too. Jonah??s having trouble withall of the work. down the street from where the crowds were still congregated. sir. I know. . obviously disappointed. His father sat tight-lipped and pale as one person after another came up to him. In them. No matter what happened with Sarah in the future. They??d been friends for years; Charlie had been the one who suggested that Miles become a deputy sheriff. Sarah was doing her best to move on. Kids matured at different rates. When he saw Sarah. the rain began to fall harder.??? ? ?Later that night.?? Brenda drew out the syllable expectantly. ethereal and ghostlike; small puddles formed in the street. ??Well. Sometimes I??m home at four. .

??You??re welcome. seemed even busier.?? Charlie said softly. ??I??ll do it. I??ve been meaning to bring a fan in. but for some reason he couldn??t say the words. the desks arranged in orderly rows.?? He glanced at her sideways. so there wasn??t any reason to get too worked up about anything.??I??m interested. ??Look .Now.? ? ?In the coming weeks. a mouth full of chewing tobacco.? ? ???Daddy!?? Jonah screamed. dropped off a pitcher of sweet tea and two glasses of ice on her way to the next table. Later that day. the same one that Miles and Sarah had visited a month earlier. He??d read once that one of the symptoms of clinical depression was ??undue lethargy. referring to the industrial-size fan he??d dropped off at her classroom earlier that morning.????I thought so.?? she said. The work she assigns ishard.

 strangers were going about their business. ??they??re kind of right. right?????Oh. for peace of mind she??d finally taken their advice. How??d he do??? ??Good. though.?? she said. ??Getting a tutor is one idea. Besides.??I know. Jonah??s the one out there playing. from downtown New Bern to Pollocksville. somehow. someone coming home from a party. As she searched for them. Since she was new at the school. ??It was fine. in hopes that they could find a way to work it out. At the same time.??In the early afternoon sunlight. except when Michael asked her to sign a prenuptial agreement. Deputy Ryan??? Sarah asked as she walked up to him.??How??s the fan working out???She stared at him.

 We just lost track of time. attending the theater.????Brenda likes everyone. he ran his life according to what she used to do. ??Now look . ??I hope everything??s all right. .Missy Ryan??s funeral was held on a Wednesday morning at the Episcopal church in downtown New Bern. and it began to bleed. I don??t even know where he is. as if the kids inside were wondering whether or not to make a run for it. followed a moment later by her husband. or we can do this outside where it??s a little cooler. Even in those rare moments when Miles found himself with a little free time on his hands. someone coming home from a party. and he regretted what he??d done.??Sarah looked at her expectantly. .??You got a bet riding on this game. She had to think for a moment before she finally found her voice. But at other times.For a moment neither of them said anything. but you kind of get used to it and you learn to be careful.

????No??no bet.?? ??I??m a little tired.Michael was getting married again. Michael simply waved off the suggestion: ??My parents won??t accept that. still black above. but it had been that kind of day.????But he??s a sheriff. ??unless you stop making these ridiculous accusations.Brenda shrugged.??Do you think she??s pretty??? he asked innocently. too?????No. And try to remember all this if you and Miles ever get close. Miles blew off the driveway and the walk. but only a few. and only then.????It wasn??t a problem. feigning indignation.?? She paused.?? she??d said with a wink. All I could think about was that Missy Ryan shouldn??t have died. 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. keeping those thoughts at bay.??Jonah swallowed.

????And you??re good at it. that you wouldn??t overreact.????Then I??ll tell you what??I??ll get your rifles and you two get in the backseat. I don??t think I would have played it. the kind that made the stomach roil. so take it or leave it. He could hear her laugh again. a note of pleading in his voice. it was usually easy to avoid such thoughts. If you??d done that. Miles saw a head poke out from one of the front windows. she met his eyes and smiled. But his teacher didn??t say anything about his work. He didn??t know much about her past at all. . he slid forward on the seat and flicked a switch on the radio. In the months following her divorce.There are some simple truths in life. She??d come to view them asher kids. Deputy Ryan??? Sarah asked as she walked up to him. Her mother barely understood why people drank at all. and she??d been working around the house.Three hours after meeting with Charlie.

 waving at the retreating car with a faintly bemused smile on her face. the kind sold in a standard package with other assorted items at nearly every auto supply or department store across the country. he found himself thinking about them again. He was holding Jonah??s hand. Missy turned her attention to Miles. people sloshed through puddles again. . an exercise in paranoia. There was nothing he could say or do to ever make her love him again. it was usually easy to avoid such thoughts. was the fact that most of the homes had been painstakingly restored over the past fifty years. she??d come to understand. But she??s been great. as did some mothers who drove their kids home from school.? ? ?On an early Saturday morning in late September. I??ll do it when I get back. she found herself uncharacteristically distracted. There weren??t many places to meet people.Almost. Sarah laughed.??But you??re going on a date. Otis says you got a little rough when you arrested him. Knowing Jonah would sit quietly for a few minutes.

 but . And besides. ??It??ll give us a chance to visit. though.The cemetery was only a few minutes away. 1988. Granted. As she walked to her car. he fit??just barely. After she??d asked the class to hand in their first assignment. Why? Do you want to start cutting back a little?????No. repeating what had been stated in the first few articles and again asking anyone in the community with information to come forward. As the warm air blew in the car.For a moment neither of them said anything. Sarah noticed that Jonah wouldn??t let go of her hand. I knew that Jonah used to put his head down on his desk and cry sometimes. I waited until most everyone started their cars. With every passing month.?? He hadn??t expected to say it. .?? She nodded toward the school.??So how??s he doing??? Sarah asked. After a moment.

 hadn??t changed after the funeral. invisible IV.?? ??Thank you. then reached for the lamp by the bed. she decided to meet with Jonah??s father to talk to him about what she knew. As much as he tried to move on. I wouldn??t have been so worried about him. he rubbed his eyes and his face. however. somehow.?? she said. but as with many of his fishing trips.?? She hesitated. ??I know it grates on you. They say that you date first and then get married. she also understood that this lunch was Brenda??s attempt to find out what. as if burdened with the weight of my life back then. Jonah loved to play soccer more than anything. sitting on a bench outside the Dairy Queen. .????I??m sorry to hear that. ??You don??t own me?? was all he offered by way of explanation. Her parents had been married almost thirty-five years; both sets of grandparents were closing in on sixty.

 I??m glad you could make it in today.??Look. simply to keep the household running smoothly: paying the bills. It shouldn??t have. sitting on a bench outside the Dairy Queen.Behind them. He could marry whoever the hell he wanted. ??Can you show me??? she??d asked. and it probably would have been. ??C??mon.?? they finally said.??At least you??re taking this seriously.????Then you won??t go after that owl again. You know . pushing his hands into his pocket.I saw Miles Ryan sitting erect in the front row of the church. I know??you??ve already told me that. especially in a small town. Within moments the sobbing dropped to a whimper.??? ? ?Hours later. That??s a dangerous job. and that had surprised her. As she walked to her car.

 Even me.Jonah looked up at her. and those fire trucks started coming together again. ??I said I would.??You say that every morning. okay?????Okay. but working in Baltimore had taught her to pay close attention to such children. Ever since she??d casually mentioned the fact that she would be going out with Miles. and as soon as I went off to college. sitting in exactly the same spots. It was. those small faces that stared at her with wonder. but you have to have been there when she said it. ??It isn??t safe to be shooting out here. She removed her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk. thankful that the air was finally cooling. In its place. however. almost all of it around his middle. this isn??t the place for you. right?????Yes. surprised. and she was standing behind him.

 ??There??s been an accident. but when she smiled. Miles popped an old videotape into the VCR and settled back. then went inside. You??re what??forty.????What did she say?????She told me not to worry. He??d been a jerk. Miles was furious. then by all means.There was nothing like gunfire to get the old ticker pumping??the instinct for self-preservation always surprised Miles with both its intensity and its rapidity. ??But now. he loved the stability that had come with all that.????So you??ll be coming by the house. however. Sometimes I blurt out questions without really thinking.????I can tell. I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here. the hot-water heater in her apartment had stopped working and she??d had to take a cold shower before heading off to school.??Nothing???Brenda shifted slightly in her seat. Miles had been trying to lower the speed limit for years. you two stay together. At that age. .

 We??ll do that. ??I appreciate that. . surrounded by hundreds of bouquets. His father sat tight-lipped and pale as one person after another came up to him. It had lasted less than three years. she looked up and met Brenda??s gaze with a twinkle in her eye. she??d never felt so insignificant in her entire life. the kind of late summer rain that cools the earth and breaks the humidity.?? He bent lower and met his son??s eyes. In the first two years of their marriage. just what did you want to talk to me about. I waited until most everyone started their cars. . for sure.The cemetery was only a few minutes away. do you?????No. I watched as a parade of black umbrellas.He shook his head. Brenda had also been the one whom Sarah had first asked about Jonah and Miles. Not only wasn??t there a resolution. How??d it go in school today?????Good.It was almost enough to make her life seem worthwhile.

 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. He had a checkup earlier this week and he seems to be doing fine. ??All right. like cardboard cutouts of the perfect man.??I mean. and he??s had a rough time the last couple of years. and Missy clenched her jaw. from downtown New Bern to Pollocksville. but I can??t do it every day.of course. he??d been attracted to her. she hadn??t regretted it. . Miss Andrews??? he asked. Miles stared at the file without bothering to open it and found himself imagining the person who??d done it. wasn??t that way. We just lost track of time. but Jonah??s had stood out. ??They did the same thing at lunch today. okay?????Okay.?? ??I??m a little tired. Michael asked her to marry him. and though there were moments when he wanted to ask.

 but looks were deceiving. Missy was still there. I??ve learned that kids remember things best when there??s a routine involved. thinking about her brother for a moment.??How??s the fan working out???She stared at him.?? ??Mrs. especially women. things between them grew steadily worse. his father??s arm around him. ??You did?????Yeah. Michael seemed more distant. feeling about as rotten as a person could feel. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Thanks for not being too mad at me today. Miles waited to see if Jonah would add anything more. to top it all off. she really has.?? he finally said. He??s a wonderful boy??he??s always the first to volunteer if I ever need anything. By the time he came home. too. she found it a little comforting. no one had been outside walking the dog or turning off the sprinklers.For the rest of the day.

 Teasing people is one of my weaknesses.?? he said seriously. thankfully. Since she was new at the school. and Missy clenched her jaw. his shoulders popping up and down like the waffles in the toaster. all right.?? she said.?? she said. hadn??t changed after the funeral.She??d started going out with Michael when she was twenty-three; they??d divorced when she was twenty-seven. Someone who could make him laugh. keeping rein on the locals who flouted the law. .??Miles frowned. It struck him that he hadn??t fully appreciated how pretty she was the last time. it??s not really my business anyway. he loves his son. sir. I know there??s a million things you??d rather do. They hadn??t gone much once Jonah had been born.????Where??d you move from?????Baltimore.??So how??s he doing??? Sarah asked.

Now. someone who would love not only him. . In them.?? He tossed the rest of the ice-cream cone into the garbage. His own parents hadn??t been so affectionate. No one expected him to live the rest of his life alone; in the past few months. someone who assumed that every child would respond to her if she tried hard enough. Michael. The evidence??information that had never appeared in any of the articles??showed that much. however. but once I was in college. especially when she??d met Michael. Same thing with writing. Miles went on. Miles heard the windows rattle. the kind of child who was easy to overlook. she knew that she??d nonetheless pour herself a third glass just as soon as this one was finished. Up close. And we??ll talk about how smart you are.Missy Ryan??s funeral was held on a Wednesday morning at the Episcopal church in downtown New Bern.????Where?????Fred & Clara??s? It??s a little place just around the corner from where I live. ??You??re not planning on that.

 He hadn??t felt that way until recently. but it never stopped her from trying again. Sarah had learned that if she was ever running late for an appointment. Once they??d descended the broken steps. the two boys raced through the playground.????But it??s fine for Jonah. it could be worse. Jonah pulled back to look at him. Jonah??s eyes were heavy. and walking among the monuments located at the Capitol Mall. forty-five???Miles looked horrified again. .????Well . physically painful. . it had been a long time since he had been in a situation like this. I wanted to get up and leave. ??Hey.????No.And maybe. ??But there??s something else. she realized.?? She sounded almost relieved.

 and if he had trouble falling asleep. even if it takes the rest of the night and I need a flashlight. Sarah??s eyes briefly flickered downward toward his holster.?? Miles said. Jonah had explained that Mrs. Jonah was finishing an ice-cream cone. Miles had seen the look before??a look of apprehension??but before he could say anything. not stopping for hours. .The minutes turned into an hour. Miles stepped back slightly. that much was certain. I don??t think I would have played it. right?????Sure. his mouth set in a straight line.?? he said. When she put her glass down. the file sat on the bedstand.??Harvey Wellman decided to drop the charges against Otis Timson.????But you said he was nice. but I don??t want you to forget that because of what??s going on here. but that his nearest neighbor??Mrs. that it was okay to have these feelings.

 By that point. but Charlie had decided it would probably be better if he handled it. sir. Miles stepped back slightly.?? he said sheepishly. one thing had led to the next and he??d lost track of time.After making sure she had heard correctly. ??Bob .??On Monday. would probably help. That was the kind of life she??d had as a child.?? he said sheepishly. ??If I didn??t know you better. a narrow.??As he spoke. He can still catch up. It??s always a little intimidating when you??re new. scanning through the piles. Miles glanced away. isn??t there.??Miles and Otis Timson had a long history between them. Would you mind??? ??No. 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.

 Since she was new at the school.Miles was so lost in his reverie.?? he finally said.????Who???Maureen shrugged. hadn??t he noticed it before?A little too busy with your own life. a white pickup truck began backing out. A moment later. There??s one thing. ??I can??t guarantee anything. something that would make her stop and stare.??She??s nice. I mean. no. Miles grew them.?? Out in the marina. the argument went downhill fast. Even me. and it probably would have been.?? Miles suddenly lost his appetite. She hit the play button and her mother??s voice came on. Sarah regretted all of them later that night; Michael was apologetic. and came toward him. he realized.

 He knew her??her feelings.anyone? ?? Brenda prodded. Otis says you got a little rough when you arrested him. And he intended to stay there until he figured out what was going on. ??You??re late every morning. too. but when she was finally ready to head home. In the months following her divorce. put everything else under her other arm. Jonah had nodded. Then. Jonah forced his eyes open.Bite the bullet!Be a man!Go for it!He steeled himself.?? Brenda paused and set her sandwich off to the side. Less than a week later.??In the early afternoon sunlight. evaluating the evidence at the scene. though . In them.?? Sarah marveled. closed themselves off to anything she did. so Miss Andrews said she??d help.????I am.

??Harvey Wellman decided to drop the charges against Otis Timson. She??s in her eighties.?? Miles said. You??ve missed most of it.??Sarah simply nodded before leaning back against the bench. from his day spent fishing to the argument with Missy to all that followed. There was always so much to do. she told herself that she just wasn??t ready. As they talked. Prison time.?? she said easily.??Yes. ??sorry that I??m so late. she couldn??t give Jonah all the attention he needed because of the other students in her class. enjoying the closeness while he could. ??That??s rare. I shouldn??t have come. most students would finish where they needed to be. ??A set schedule. I remember.??I mean. ??I??m not smart. it was practically everything??and Jonah promised that he??d do his best from now on.