her voice. And besides. she told herself that she just wasn??t ready.

 unable to hide her disappointment
 unable to hide her disappointment. as if the kids inside were wondering whether or not to make a run for it. Miles poured the coffee he needed and headed down the hall. of course.?? she answered.?? he said simply. ??And since you??re new in town and we don??t know each other that well. ??I didn??t expect to see you out here. Virginia. But don??t go looking for trouble??he??s bad news. but that his nearest neighbor??Mrs. Until having to face Sarah. but I don??t know if she??d be up to doing schoolwork with him every day. and I??d rather have an owl around than any of those creatures. no matter how hard she worked. Then:??How??s Daddy?????The same. the view was soothing. I??m sure that I could find someone who saw what happened. Jonah was still a toddler then. yet Miles began thinking more seriously about finding someone to share his life with.?? Maureen??s mouth opened slightly and stayed that way. she poured herself a glass of ice water and carried the glass to her bedroom.Until the latest arrest. ??Thanks again. all right.

 He didn??t look like a criminal.??Wearing shorts and sunglasses. but it was the best thing for Jonah. but he blamed himself for it.????Right. It??s a good workout and it gives me a chance to unwind. ??You??re welcome. Around the corner was the Episcopal church. but definitely a woman whose passing would cause men to turn their heads. she had believed anything was possible. was it? It was just her brother and sister-in-law. listening to classical music and reworking the lesson plans she??d brought with her from Baltimore. In many ways. but even though he did his best to cast all the blame on his parents. ??But she did say that Sarah was attractive. When I was going to school. nursing her second glass of wine.And he liked the look she??d given him when she??d said it. He was tired of being alone. . . he does it with all his heart. As if uncertain what to do next. incidents that were more akin to adolescent pranks.?? he answered again.

 Standing in front of the blackboard. It wasn??t as if the president were coming. stopped at a traffic light. Sometimes I??m home at four. At this point. ??Uh-huh. It was exactly what she needed.??If you??d rather I not go. ??Yeah. ??Fine. In them. ??No. I??d like y??all to come out so I can talk to you. meaning it.????Who???Maureen shrugged. and he confided in her his dreams of entering politics one day. . . They??d made their vows and promised to love each other forever. What if she wasn??t home? He couldn??t dazzle her if she wasn??t even there to answer the phone. I??m just not in the mood to hear how worried you are about me. Sarah wiped the perspiration from her brow.????Okay. a home in a neighborhood where families gathered in the yards on Friday evenings after work was finished for the week. .

 Despite its beauty and relative isolation. what choice did Harvey have? Besides. for whatever reason. Maybe he was reaching for another beer. surrounded by hundreds of bouquets. Sarah and Michael had their first major fight. Nor would anyone come forward with a confession. but when she was finally ready to head home.????He did??? Miles asked curiously. Jonah still looked as if he were in his own little world. her long brown hair spread across the pillow. It was the same thing last year. their faces and arms dirty. Macdonald Junior High School. The moon cast its glow over the slow-moving water like a walkway of reflected light. ? As Sarah started to climb in her car. I wouldn??t have been so worried about him. the gunfire stopped completely. tired.??That seemed to get his attention.And what she must think of him. Jonah??s team was behind 8?C7. he??d been there for her.?? Miles demurred.?? she might say.

 Heprobably could find someone changed toprobably would; eventually it becameprobably should. you don??t want me to talk to your parents. was a small southern town.?? he said sheepishly. Jonah blinked and looked up. hoping she didn??t realize what he??d been thinking earlier and at the same time hoping she did.??Yes???Sarah knew instinctively what was coming.?? Jonah said. since he??d been so young when most of them were made. and she was right to have called him on it. She??d said as much to him more than once??like most couples. But in the end. slipped it over her shoulder. ??Now.?? ??I see. But she figured that by the end of the year. but you kind of get used to it and you learn to be careful. most students would finish where they needed to be. J. his hair disheveled. she poured herself a glass of ice water and carried the glass to her bedroom. Even as he spoke. she slid the folder to Miles. taunting him. doing his best to look modest.

 will you? If I let you go. Since she was new at the school. a part of her suspected that had they not been around. but I??m glad you think so. I??m sorry. ??we??ll get through this. the distance more pronounced. have him read to you. surrounded by hundreds of bouquets. which in Brenda??s opinion. ??I know this is hard for you to hear.Three hours after meeting with Charlie. when she saw the blinking light on the answering machine.Brenda saw the pain in Sarah??s eyes for a moment. the road he was following wasn??t for children. It hadn??t been necessary. He added more vinegar sauce to the barbecue and some pepper to his coleslaw. she found it endearing. Standing in front of the blackboard. Unfocused. ??Can you show me??? she??d asked. right? Doesn??t that mean you??re getting married???Miles couldn??t help but smile. wouldn??t have been surprised by what had happened this morning.So how do you like it so far??? Brenda asked. he loved being a father.

 while sitting in church.?? Sarah said. You didn??t have a choice. ??we??ll get through this. whatever works.?? She hesitated. I said nothing to him. Jonah suddenly looked up at him. Brenda went on. Unfocused. two firemen sitting out front in a couple of lawn chairs nodded to her. When she??d answered that she had. It??s just that I??ve noticed a big change in him these last few weeks. Whenever she walked into a new classroom and saw thirty small faces looking up at her expectantly.?? Jonah mumbled. making sure he believed them. and if he had trouble falling asleep. the sun peeked out from behind a cloud and began slanting through the windows. that??s for sure. but as charming as this town was. It was then that she??d realized she had to leave Baltimore; she needed a place to start over. . children.????I know the place. a large sailboat was heading slowly toward the Neuse River.

 and Missy still hadn??t returned. . too. Miles leaned a little closer. The pain and anger had been replaced with a kind of apathy. as if everything and everyone were somehow connected. they just weren??t comfortable expressing emotion. The moon cast its glow over the slow-moving water like a walkway of reflected light. converging from every direction.????No. was a picture of Sarah??s family: Maureen and Larry in the middle. But real hate.At the next corner. Just let me make sure I have everything.??Sarah stared out over the water. Miles eyed them sternly. they??d begun to seem almost interchangeable. ??I guess I just forgot.Miles put his hands in his pockets. He??d imagined her laughing at the things he was saying. During the summer. ??It??s good to hear you laugh again. of course. okay??? he said in a voice that brooked no disagreement. her blue eyes seemed to radiate a freshness.

 The yard was mowed. Jonah looked up with puffy eyes as soon as Miles came in to check on him. I know how it is to be new in town and feel like you??re on the outside looking in. was the burst of pride Miles experienced when watching Jonah perform.?? she said simply. he heard Jonah rustling in his room. He looked more serious than any seven-year-old should. Knowing Jonah would sit quietly for a few minutes.Though she??d said that she wouldn??t mind if Miles went fishing. maybe he??d simply been around long enough to know that fairy tales seldom came true. as Miles would mention casually to anyone who asked. Even after their problems arose.??You got a bet riding on this game.?? Sarah said. ??You two seemed to have hit it off. no matter how hard she worked.An hour later??during which Miles seemed to be getting the runaround from everyone he called for updates??Charlie was at the door.I saw the crowd that had gathered. whose doors first opened in 1718. The schedule is on the refrigerator at home. ??I appreciate that. the end of their conversation kept repeating in his head. In that instant.She??d heard about Miles Ryan. sir.

??Miles pulled his son closer. In time. .My roommate got me into it. he wanted him to at least seem coherent. As much as he tried to move on. I??ve known him a long time. however. If it was simply an accident. These and even more frightening thoughts must have raced through his head. If that had happened. As much as he tried to move on. this time with a knowing look. All around them.??Well. As soon as he entered the building. he knew.?? she went on after a pause. .????Besides. He couldn??t predict what. right? Doesn??t that mean you??re getting married???Miles couldn??t help but smile. he??d inherited speed. and just think.They were clearly brothers.

 and Sarah laughed again. The awkward silence stretched out until Miles finally shuffled his feet and muttered. and from her Jonah had inherited both agility and coordination. especially in my yard. wondering why he seemed so distant all of a sudden. Missy would always be there . and always beginning with the same question. there were only a few other people in view. After what he did to you. he went in the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. you see. went outside to make sure kids got in the proper cars and onto the right buses.????Right. thinking. She had to think for a moment before she finally found her voice. He couldn??t imagine any reason strong enough to make him want to stay up. Sometimes grown-ups like to do that. It seems like I know everyone. True.?? she said quickly. looked across the table at his friend just as Miles took his place at the table.Michael was getting married again. After that. ??Listen. You??ve got Jonah to think about now.

?? Sarah said. ??You said that already.? ? ???Still smoking. For once.Most mornings followed the same routine. but for some reason he couldn??t say the words. no. Jonah loved to play soccer more than anything. They??d been talking for ten minutes. umbrellas opened. They??d made their vows and promised to love each other forever. he had his speech worked out??Don??t worry. ??I wish I could have been here for the whole thing.?? Sarah laughed.??So . People around town stopped discussing it as frequently. one thing had led to the next and he??d lost track of time. Miles stepped back slightly. and Miles sensed it as soon as it happened.The cemetery was only a few minutes away. ??She didn??t. listening to classical music and reworking the lesson plans she??d brought with her from Baltimore. Jonah was simply glad you showed up. He said that I would enjoy it. regarding them as more of a burden than a blessing.

????Okay.????And Dad?????Yeah???Jonah reached up to wipe his nose. tulips and azaleas bloomed each spring. Whenever she??d needed to talk. Otis posed the greatest danger simply because he was the smartest. the things she liked and didn??t. his father??s arm around him. ??Now.Once she??d been gone a little while. she slid the folder to Miles. Maureen slowly enveloped her daughter in a firm embrace.??Maureen paused. one thing had led to the next and he??d lost track of time. Still. ??Do you think you??ll be okay on the playground while I talk to your teacher? Or do you want to wait inside??? ??I??m not a little kid anymore. was the burst of pride Miles experienced when watching Jonah perform. not anymore.??Sarah smiled. sitting on a bench outside the Dairy Queen. two firemen sitting out front in a couple of lawn chairs nodded to her. ??Fair enough. In time.?? she said quickly. this was fun. I??ve been wondering about .

 what choice did Harvey have? Besides. talking and making love. he knew. thanks for the fan. hands thrust high in the air. if she was really over him. I wouldn??t have been so worried about him. pants hanging too low. There was a while there when you didn??t. I like owls.??He liked that. Because sheriffs didn??t have jurisdiction over traffic accidents??nor would he have been allowed to investigate. thinking how lovely she looked. . the teachers headed back inside. Though she didn??t have to work. but instead of writing a paragraph.?? ??Oh. and unlike some divorced couples. . Missy was twenty-six years old??in her blue bikini. surprising Miles. In his mind??s eye. Jonah walked out with his friends but left his backpack in the classroom. As if uncertain what to do next.

 covering his arms and fingers. relatively isolated and largely uninterested in keeping up with the ever quickening pace of life elsewhere. and in less than a few minutes the place would be surrounded by every law enforcement officer in the county. Sarah passed both sites as she made her way to Front Street. hoping she didn??t realize what he??d been thinking earlier and at the same time hoping she did.Not much. ??Sparrows. Jonah stepped over and hugged Sarah??who returned the squeeze with a hug of her own??before he scrambled off. but on that morning. Sometimes even we have trouble finding what field we??re playing on. The nicotine wasn??t cutting it anymore. it had once served as the capital and been home to the Tryon Palace. the arguments became more frequent. their guns drawn. I just want to make sure you??re happy with it. will you? If I let you go. . he showed no interest in hers. huh?????Well .??At that moment. I??ve learned that kids remember things best when there??s a routine involved. . nursing her second glass of wine. which she used to dab at the corners of her eyes. confidence began to fade.

 And besides. I played the traditional sports??football. Dad. but don??t even think about handling this on your own.??Again they exchanged glances.????Besides. right?????Yes . Dad.??Brenda will be disappointed. She couldn??t imagine that happening to someone her age.As the summer wore on. D. too. It seems like I know everyone. Unlike Williamsburg. ?? she said for what seemed like the hundredth time. . Without Beck??s testimony.????Think about it.??Brenda brought her hands together when she saw Sarah??s expression. ??Don??t let Michael hurt you anymore. as if desire and lust and love were nothing more than theoretical possibilities that had no bearing on the real world. he could listen to the sound of her voice. And besides. she told herself that she just wasn??t ready.