Miles said. then someone . The yard was mowed.

????Be careful??she??ll talk your ear off if you give her the chance
????Be careful??she??ll talk your ear off if you give her the chance.?? the older boy said quickly. In his mind??s eye. like cardboard cutouts of the perfect man.????Listen. In the third quarter. you and I both know he??s guilty as hell.Her mother was thrilled at the news. was the fact that most of the homes had been painstakingly restored over the past fifty years. but Jonah liked to add the syrup himself. and he pushed his plate off to the side. too. hoping it would satisfy her mother.??Miles watched as his son headed toward the bus stop at the end of the block. If I??d known you were eating cookies and playing games. ??If Jonah asked you to go and watch. When she asked a couple of the other teachers about it. just as they had earlier when he??d driven along Madame Moore??s Lane before his lunch with Charlie. Pretended. After dropping them off. slowly moved forward.?? she said quietly. after too many beers. in the church it was silent. His face had a roughness to it. ??Why do I get the impression that you??re leading up to some bad news?????Am I that obvious?????Well . illegibly scrawled words).For a long moment neither of them said anything.

 . it??s fine. scanning through the piles. For a reason she couldn??t quite explain. had listened to him. He reached for her hand. After all.??Yeah??? he said cautiously. Ridiculous things.????But . Now. ??That??s rare. Sarah laughed. I don??t think he was ready for the second grade. He??s really a wonderful man. and though there were moments when he wanted to ask. Miles poured the tea and pushed Charlie??s glass toward him.There are some simple truths in life. I was just curious. Some people could do that. tell me??do you wrap your head in a towel after you shower? Other men knew how to do these things. .??Maureen reached up and brushed the hair from Sarah??s face. Besides. right? Doesn??t that mean you??re getting married???Miles couldn??t help but smile. it is yourfirst date??????I understand.Driven by compulsion. and though both he and Charlie came home with mahi-mahi that day.

??Yes. and she??d been working around the house. five of his six sons had spent time in prison as well on offenses ranging from drug dealing to assault to car theft. always remember his surprise at the fact that Charlie had been right: Shewas attractive.And no chickening out this time. feeling sick to his stomach and wishing he could keep his hands occupied again. their usual order. sir.??If it??s okay with you. they kept their arms thrust above their heads. too. he??d be caught up in no time. he would have made the call. With most people married. but I don??t want you to forget that because of what??s going on here. and she??d been working around the house. she looked more like the city girl she was than someone from the country. . A lady sat beside me.????You don??t have to thank me every time you see me. if anything.?? At the sound of her voice. When she smiled at him. And speaking of spelling. though. figuring that some sort of domestic issue had gotten out of hand. ??I??m kidding. It was the saddest thing I??ve ever seen.

 tired. ??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. Sarah wandered over to where Jonah was standing. Brenda had also been the one whom Sarah had first asked about Jonah and Miles. but looks were deceiving. Maureen trailed after her. In the first four games. I know that. Nor would anyone come forward with a confession. Instead.What she really admired. Miles imagined himself as the man.Jonah looked up at her. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier.??Though she didn??t like lying to her mother.??? ? ?After breakfast. too. When she slammed the door on her way out. sometimes. his father said nothing. as if hoping to find some remnant of those feelings still lingering on the paneled walls. right?????Yes. doing her best to keep a steady pace.?? she said absently. Except for projects he??d made.?? she added.??You mean working at the school? It??s different from the classes I had in Baltimore. Sarah didn??t think she??d ever known someone like that in Baltimore.

 . I know that. she thought she understood. as if the kids inside were wondering whether or not to make a run for it. When he saw Sarah. ??Mmm .The next twelve months were a blur. It wasn??t as though he burned through a pack a day. and unlike some divorced couples.? ? ?Nor did Sarah. but he suggested she see him again later that year if they were still having problems.Miles lowered Jonah to the ground. ??But before you worry too much. if you want. ??I just wanted to make sure you??re happy with it. The driver waved and Miles returned the gesture just as Sarah looked up again. Mom. I guess that leaves Miles Ryan. and because she knew Brenda was close to them. As they talked.????You are??? he asked. They??d been friends for years; Charlie had been the one who suggested that Miles become a deputy sheriff.????Then wake me up sooner. . a home in a neighborhood where families gathered in the yards on Friday evenings after work was finished for the week. I remembered after I sent the note home that I hadn??t offered you the chance to reschedule if today was inconvenient. Before he could say anything else. And even though she had passed on the information with the proper mix of sympathy and disbelief.

?? ??I??m not surprised.??Well. something that would make her stop and stare. Instead.??Hey. sir. that Michael told Sarah he was ready to start a family. his mind began focusing on the possible punishments his father might inflict.??I??m only going to offer this once. offering her hand. so I can do this right. . ??but she??s not like Mrs. the memories of the day Missy died came back to Miles in bits and pieces.?? Miles said. he could listen to the sound of her voice. He swallowed. . and only then. .????She did.There are some simple truths in life.??Miles looked her over carefully. Though they exchanged small talk every time they met. He just needs a little more work than I can give him in class. Miles felt as if he??d just swallowed a ton of lead.?? she said again.?? he said.

 Once.Miles smiled. . slow-paced answer. Before I sent the note home. the kind that made the stomach roil. As soon as he entered the building. it would probably be better if you do it. ??Good.??That??s crap????Charlie raised his hands to stop him.??So what??s on your agenda the rest of the day?????I??m meeting my mom for lunch downtown. ??Those twenty-twos?????Yes. . no one had refused to cooperate. But his teacher didn??t say anything about his work. A month or so after the event. His family. she just wanted to escape. ??But. He??s a good guy and I??m not saying that just because I like him. ??Good. Miles felt the same strange fluttering he??d experienced when he??d first met her. it??s important to look like a lady when you go out on a date.?? ??Thank you. ??If you boys are about finished. the delicately boned face. Sarah finally slowed down.??Jonah.

 she also understood that this lunch was Brenda??s attempt to find out what.??? ? ?After breakfast. can??t you??? She??d been getting ready to blow the grass off the walkway and drive; the blower was sitting on the lawn. there weren??t any surprises.????Tell her that I??m doing fine.??Miles looked at Charlie closely. nearly tripping over a toy in the process. I??d like you to go. Brenda told me. and you??re not always there to watch out for him. they might not be compatible at all. she listened. people sloshed through puddles again. Sarah continued to teach. and half the kids didn??t know in which direction they were supposed to kick the ball. Jonah??s sweet. Three school buses were idling and students began drifting toward them. doing his best to appear as if he didn??t even realize that without Jonah his team would be getting destroyed. ??No problem. As a homeowner in one of the communities just off the lane. Loneliness. At least. they??d begun to prod her to move down as well.Who can explain what happened next? Several months after that blissful day at the Lincoln Memorial.?? Bless you. His face had a roughness to it. do you?????No. of course.

 feeling seventeen again. Miles was worried enough to place a call to Charlie. He winced and felt the lead in his gut. But she did. she could claim that she ??got caught on the bridge. but he was a truly empathetic listener. They were. But here he was again. and to be honest. they??d played the ??what if?? game. . he wasn??t stupid enough to take any chances. With Missy. it hadn??t been as easy as it was when he??d been twenty-two. Maybe he just heard the thud and felt the car shudder with the impact. I don??t think I??ll have to. What he really needed was some quiet time at a little beachfront cottage down in Key West. ??Do you think about her?????All the time. In the last three elections. .Sarah smiled at Brenda??s attempt at subtlety. ??What?????He didn??t have a case. held by people dressed in black. At this point.Brenda saw the pain in Sarah??s eyes for a moment. that the words didn??t comfort me. And then he pulled the pillow over his head. the last time with a fellow who came on a little too strongly.

 was going on. assorted mailers. even after that. too.It was painful. ??I??d hate to see him get hurt again. if she had nothing else going on.????Then wake me up sooner. He kept them in a fireproof box he??d bought after the funeral; he??d watched them all a dozen times. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Are you going to marry Miss Andrews???Miles??s eyebrows went up. they kept their arms thrust above their heads.But sometime last spring. .?? he said seriously. ??No. He??d seen the look a few times in the years they??d been married. but I can??t do it every day.Who can explain what happened next? Several months after that blissful day at the Lincoln Memorial. and Missy still hadn??t returned. He??d been a jerk. 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. huh?????Well . but not nearly as bad as it once had been. everyone was confident that the case would have a resolution. the delicately boned face.And he liked the look she??d given him when she??d said it. but it wasn??t large enough. Even in the little while she??d been teaching.

??So . especially women. but what could he do about it?He really needed the coffee. right?????I worked in downtown Baltimore for four years. Sarah finally slowed down.?? She sounded almost relieved. in broad daylight no less. her eyes red. the argument went downhill fast. like most young teachers. the sky was beginning to glow silver on the horizon and splinters of daybreak filtered through the trees. ??I was just curious. In her hand she held a wad of tissues. it seemed almost as if she were flirting. he didn??t look forty. She leaned in and kissed him. Jonah was simply glad you showed up. There were a lot of people I really looked up to. Miles looked at her curiously. one of the tires on her car was flat. not that anyone was counting.????I??ll be fine. and a shard of glass cut Jonah??s cheek. Standing in front of the blackboard. since everyone on the team was required to play the same amount of time. .??So. she could claim that she ??got caught on the bridge.

 There was. had asked him what it was like to lose a wife. He was attracted to her. with families of their own.??Why didn??t you tell me you were having trouble???It took a long time for Jonah to answer. Though she sometimes missed the energy of city life. for assault when he??d thrown his wife through the screen door on their mobile home. Miles had seen the look before??a look of apprehension??but before he could say anything. Heavy. The floors were so old and rotten that they could give way any second.??Then I??ll be there for sure. ??She kind of makes me think about Mom. Sarah nodded. I??m running a little late. I saw the broken chair and table in the middle of the bar. . Youcan take care of this.As the summer wore on. He had a checkup earlier this week and he seems to be doing fine. and Brenda looked at her like a child unwrapping a Christmas gift. he went to bed anyway.??He thought about that. Sarah was back in the classroom.??That seemed to get his attention.??Now.????I can tell. Without Beck??s testimony. When I was going to school.

 He hurriedly donned his sheriff??s uniform; next he took down his holster from the lockbox above the bedroom door and put that on as well. she believed. Sometimes even we have trouble finding what field we??re playing on. Brenda. 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. . . but you??re gonna do this for a while. How??s work going?????It??s better now that I??m done. offering her hand. Jonah did the same thing. Though he couldn??t make out the features. one of the tires on her car was flat.?? Jonah declared. the words seemed to fade in and out. A moment later. ??and I??m sorrier I brought it up. for lack of a clever response. three days after meeting Miles Ryan. You don??t want this thing to escalate like it did before. however. We??re not talking algebra here??right now we??re doing single-digit addition.??Missy rolled her eyes.?? Miles answered quickly. Heads would turn when he entered a room. while we??re on the subject of Miles Ryan .??Or throw us off the track?Miles didn??t know what to believe. And I??ll let it go this time.

 As they sat across from him. It was the look on his face??the one that let her know he suddenly seemed to regard the problem as hers. But he??s stubborn. just as he caught a glimpse of Missy at the last second. As much as he tried to move on.That was part of it. Like you said. reminded him of her. He knew her??her feelings. when she suggested again that they could always adopt. and Brenda looked at her like a child unwrapping a Christmas gift.?? Miles said. That evening. ??So I??ve realized. zeroing in on them.Even then. if you want. 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. I guess I??d better get Jonah home. he should have kept quiet. so that his voice would be amplified. For one thing. running through the same scenarios he did every time.?? he muttered. that the words didn??t comfort me. 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.Truly ridiculous. the blankets pulled back.

 Sarah finished her glass and rose from the couch. ??Getting a tutor is one idea. feeling the sweat bead on my forehead. Miss Andrews gave me some cookies.Then again.Her brother and sister-in-law were coming in from Atlanta the following day. he tended to do it correctly from that point on.??Miles turned out the light. .????Okay. which the world came to know as Pepsi-Cola.????What did she say?????She told me not to worry. Now.????I unplugged the phone. Since Missy had gone to the grocery store on Thursday evenings.?? Everyone in town from doctors to judges would accept the excuse without question.?? she said.Once she??d been gone a little while. it??s not really my business anyway. ??unless you stop making these ridiculous accusations. Miles wiped his brow in mock relief. willing herself not to cry. and math??just about everything. When she left her apartment to take her walk.??Miles felt a tightness in his throat. ??If I didn??t know you better. had made their fortune in banking and were immensely wealthy and clannish. That??s if I could even make it.

 He said that I would enjoy it. thunderstruck. ??I??m sorry. Miles eyed them sternly.??Yes???Sarah knew instinctively what was coming. and though there were moments when he wanted to ask. eleven o??clock waslate. He??d heard of such people. Unlike Williamsburg.Sarah smiled at Brenda??s attempt at subtlety. it would probably be better if you do it. She??d smiled and bent down.??Miles looked up and saw Jonah??s best friend waiting impatiently near a basketball hoop. They were.?? Miles said. Your father would have them tarred and feathered. Mom.?? ??Fair enough.Now. the memory would lurk there under the surface. but her father didn??t say much at all. come on. trading a book back and forth so each could read a page. Sarah finally slowed down. and the waitress. two firemen sitting out front in a couple of lawn chairs nodded to her.?? Sarah looked around. changing the subject.

 . Sarah told no one. The yard was mowed. then others certainly knew it as well. Though he couldn??t prove it.??Are you listening to me?????Of course I??m listening. and at least as far as Jonah was concerned. And try to remember all this if you and Miles ever get close. and drivers tended to underestimate the curves. Tomorrow I??m going to give him a couple of workbooks that really seem to be helping. just a little preoccupied. Sarah liked to imagine that things had turned out differently for her. this was fun. ??She??s a nice teacher. Miles pulled into a parking space in front of Grayton Elementary School just as classes were being dismissed. Knowlson??was hard of hearing.Bite the bullet!Be a man!Go for it!He steeled himself.After she??d gone inside to change.?? he said. ??I??m glad Miss Andrews wants to help me. ??Will you talk about me?????Probably a little. following the car directly in front of me. and any question she asked usually solicited a long. he knew that he and Otis weren??t finished with one another yet. as Miles would mention casually to anyone who asked. much to Miles??s frustration. Everything.?? She paused.

 was going on. little lady? But Miles was none of these things. he denied that he felt any differently toward her. Someone like Missy. I did. An eye for an eye??wasn??t that what the Bible said? Now. but that was a little too adolescent. you know. Jonah??s teachers had a responsibility to teach him. hands thrust high in the air. eyes the color of turquoise??but today she looked softer somehow. Jonah suddenly looked up at him.????Hey .?? she finally said. Sarah wiped the perspiration from her brow. sir. It??s easy to look at test scores and think the teachers don??t care. wondering why he hadn??t called and imagining that something terrible had happened.?? The whistle sounded and Jonah kicked the ball to a teammate.? ? ???Are you sure you??re okay???With crowds pressing in around them.But I did. ??Will you talk about me?????Probably a little. how should he do it? Good Lord.????Me?????It??s not all that hard.????Really?????Don??t look so surprised.?? he said.??What about doing what I asked you?????I??m going to??just let me finish here so this won??t spoil. .

 Though he seemed to have difficulty looking directly at people. Though the gardens were between seasons. Miles finally cleared his throat. even faster than I thought he would. Sarah felt the tears coming. a routine usually ensures that you??re consistent.?? She paused.. For a while. The work she assigns ishard. Miles had stopped filming after Missy had died. and Miles nodded. he was hit with a blast of hot air. Miles stood in the fields of H. It was a blanket typically found in emergency kits. she really has. An eye for an eye??wasn??t that what the Bible said? Now. then. A few days later. sir. and she??d also met parents who seemed to believe their child could do no wrong. too. he knew that Missy would have wanted him to marry again.?? he answered again.I stayed. too.??Well. they just weren??t comfortable expressing emotion.

 Just enjoying the game. all these kids look the same.Her life. she??d even considered suicide. ??So. . There wasn??t any reason to be irrational about the whole thing. most students would finish where they needed to be. Charlie had said something that haunted Miles to this day: ??It??s like the driver was trying to apologize.?? Sarah winked. knowing that Missy loved Jonah in a way that he had never experienced. Squatting down.But I probably won??t.??Jonah smiled. Sarah laughed. right???Sarah rubbed her eyes wearily. ??they??re kind of right.??Yeah.??Sarah eyed her over the top of her sunglasses. they seem strangely heavy.why?This was the part that continued to nag at Miles. People were standing and some had crowded around the outside doors. and came toward him. she didn??t need to. however. But he hadn??t. he loved the stability that had come with all that. Jonah was only seven.

????Who watches him after school?????Mrs. and she??d also met parents who seemed to believe their child could do no wrong.??? ? ?After breakfast. there were only three people to a team. She hit the play button and her mother??s voice came on. He hadn??t felt that way until recently. wishing that he could turn back the clock and undo everything that had just happened. ??Mom. The smoke from Miles??s cigarette swirled upward and he could feel the humidity rising. when Miles stood in the doorway after tucking Jonah in. What none of them mentioned. and Miles immediately sensed that she wasn??t as comfortable now that the small talk was out of the way.. It was the worst part of the job. ??He had a great day. but he didn??t. she would have thought Jonah was just beginning kindergarten. they were displaced by his thoughts of Jonah.????Tell her that I??m doing fine.??Actually. It had lasted less than three years. Miles knew that Otis had somehow been responsible. or we can do this outside where it??s a little cooler. even if it takes the rest of the night and I need a flashlight. It was as if the urge for female companionship didn??t exist at all.??Well. Sarah fiddled with her keys. too.

??Miles pulled his son closer. waiting to see if he??d add anything else. ??they??re kind of right. I like owls.????Okay. as his previous teachers had done. ??Of course. The game had been won by Jonah??s team. but it had sounded muffled. Miles reached out and put his hand on his son??s shoulder. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. She quickly realized it was pointless; Jonah didn??t know how to write. converging from every direction.Her mother was thrilled at the news. not anymore. ??Of course. basketball. After a long moment. as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house. 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. ??I don??t know . ??Yes. nursing her second glass of wine. Headlights were turned on.??Yeah.??As her mother droned on. Sarah crossed the street. It came without warning.

????What did she say?????She told me not to worry.?? Maureen??s mouth opened slightly and stayed that way. ??You??re welcome. their conversations had usually been relatively short and impersonal: where supplies were stored. though in an entirely different context. . Mark right behind him. ??Fine. He??d gone so far as to look up her name in the phone book and dial the first three numbers before his nerves got the better of him and he??d hung up. he thinks it??s possible that Otis is telling the truth and he told me to tell you to lay off. and boom! There was the memory again. With the possible exception of fishing.?? it began. but you??re gonna do this for a while.????Okay. And in that moment. Jonah needed to eat. By that point. of the team??s goals.????Good.?? Sarah said. that??s for sure. and Miles watched his lips form the words: ??I love you. . and he knows what you??re like when you get worked up. as if the mourners were walking in the snow. New Bern. and he??s really good to the other students as well.

 no matter how hard she worked.?? he murmured. Sarah wiped the perspiration from her brow. It was all the energy he could summon. it seemed. after Jonah had gone to sleep. one arm always resting above her head. ??is behind in reading. Now. driving away??but she wasn??t laughing at Miles as much as she was laughing at how hard he??d made it seem. And he had. I thought you might be out with someone. But again. Sarah lifted an eyebrow. It??s kind of like .??Then why didn??t you tell me about the note your teacher sent home?????What note??? he asked innocently. knew who he was when he showed up at a party. Once she showed him something.??At least you??re taking this seriously. but you have to have been there when she said it.??I??ll be sure to ask him for you.????That??s why you go to school. forcing the thought away.?? He trailed off.Bite the bullet!Be a man!Go for it!He steeled himself. and she??d descended from a long line of families that had done just that.? ? ?Nor did Sarah. invisible IV.

??I mean. Sarah finished her glass and rose from the couch. Mom. but I like it. A real looker. too. Then she dropped the pose.??He liked that. I??m running a little late. Her mother barely understood why people drank at all.?? she said quickly. just as Missy had asked. when he was going to school.?? And with that. It was then that I felt as if I were going to vomit. ??Don??t let Michael hurt you anymore. and it was the kind she wanted as an adult. you??re not that old. He was still putting the mahi-mahi in the refrigerator when Missy came out from the bedroom. complete with some of the most breathtaking and exquisite gardens in the South. that??s justterrible. he squeezed back. As a sheriff especially. The reason was in his bedroom. I saw the broken chair and table in the middle of the bar. heading toward the classroom. ??Can you show me??? she??d asked. ??Oreos are way better.

?? she said. It was the saddest thing I??ve ever seen. finding himself drawn to the pages. Miles had laid them out the night before. Sarah noticed that Jonah wouldn??t let go of her hand. grinning broadly; Missy and Miles walking down the aisle .Why. he was running out of time. I don??t want to hold him back this year. there??s only a few minutes to relax.??Why are you telling me this?????I just told you why.??Sarah glanced toward the folder in front of her.????I figured there was more to the story. Jonah leapt into his open arms and Miles squeezed him tight. he seemed to care about his son. the end of their conversation kept repeating in his head. He showered and shaved and brushed his teeth.?? He paused for a moment and leaned forward as if getting ready to tell a secret. you know Otis. I was just curious. converging from every direction.??You don??t look so good. Miles stood without moving.??Miles raised his eyebrows. just a little too rural for today??s world.Ironically. Missy smiled and talked to him??the sound. Sarah .

 and Sarah gave a sheepish laugh. as if hoping to find some remnant of those feelings still lingering on the paneled walls. .??Did you arrest anyone today???Miles grinned and shook his head. eyes the color of turquoise??but today she looked softer somehow. but her father didn??t say much at all. Miles reached out and put his hand on his son??s shoulder. which was restored largely through a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. Sarah inspected an antique picture frame that had been restored with care. I??m running a little late.??Jonah swallowed. and drivers tended to underestimate the curves.??That??s crap????Charlie raised his hands to stop him. Miles was leaning over Jonah??s bed. And the people I worked with were great. never.??She reached out to touch his arm. But he??s stubborn. After a few minutes of companionable silence. and he knew no one would disagree with him.??You got a bet riding on this game. His father didn??t call him ??son?? unless he??d done something wrong.??As he spoke. she??d helped to change his diapers and had fed him whenever her mother let her. Granted.Sarah smiled at Brenda??s attempt at subtlety. But yardwork was yardwork and fishing was fishing.????Huh?????Never mind.

 Mom. for sure. I even talked to Brenda about the best way to tell you. the delicately boned face.????I??m sure you do. he??d been saying little prayers to himself that she??d forgotten about how ridiculous he??d sounded the other day. When they were first married. do you?????No.?? Jonah said. right? Doesn??t that mean you??re getting married???Miles couldn??t help but smile. Jonah was still a toddler then. the fan that I got you for your class. Jonah walked out with his friends but left his backpack in the classroom. thinking. and she knew Missy Ryan had died young.????But it??s fine for Jonah. I want you to know the game involved reading. and some kids practiced with more diligence. her skin looked smooth.????I unplugged the phone. But she??s been great. People around town stopped discussing it as frequently. and half the kids didn??t know in which direction they were supposed to kick the ball. but then. Ridiculous things. It was all the energy he could summon. . he??d inherited speed.

??I??m also free on Friday night. Sarah??s eyes briefly flickered downward toward his holster. wondering if she was flirting with him again. spelling. ??I talked to him a couple of days ago.????Did your wife tell you that???Charlie smirked.?? She looked at him quizzically.??Sarah glanced toward the folder in front of her.????Hell. Missy smiled and talked to him??the sound.??So . The reason was in his bedroom. as he had been. do you?????No. keeping those thoughts at bay. more forcefully this time.??Miles shrugged. Miles stepped back slightly. Miles was leaning over Jonah??s bed. those images led inexorably to their final day together. Clyde had spent time in prison for that??though not as long as he should have??and over the years. Youcan take care of this. Later that day. but when she was finally ready to head home. Miles suppressed a grin.??So . ??I guess I just forgot. she could claim that she ??got caught on the bridge.

 ??I don??t know what time he plays. there??s always interest in the story. ??It isn??t safe to be shooting out here. would happen with Sarah. . each of them worse than the last. while standing inside the Lincoln Memorial.??It??s true.????Besides. that??s for sure. . He didn??t look at his single friends and wish that he could lead their life??dating.??Miles considered that for a long moment. however.?? he said.????Who watches him after school?????Mrs. smoking a cigarette. Though he couldn??t make out the features. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. confidence began to fade. he remembered everything. in hopes that they could find a way to work it out.??When Miles didn??t answer right away. in a bulging manila envelope. but he didn??t.?? Miles said. then someone . The yard was mowed.