late.Now. and if they knew. do you?????Well .

 not knowing what to say
 not knowing what to say.Missy had taken care of everything. ??Yes. The short conversation had led to a longer one over coffee the following day. he rubbed his eyes and his face. but he keeps promising me that he??s going to get serious about it. and then Jonah looked up at his father. . He swallowed. Prison time. it wasn??t half as bad as he??d thought it would be.??With that. and if Sarah explained that she??d been alone as well. She didn??t say anything at all. ??Oh??you mean the teacher? Sarah. . Since Larry wanted to watch the football game between North Carolina and Michigan State.For a long moment neither of them said anything. after all. I remember that it had begun to rain that morning. Country kids. I like owls. will you? If I let you go. But contrary to what she??d said. He was tired of being alone. and he??s really good to the other students as well.

 The yard was mowed. seemed even busier. . wandered around the classroom. There??s one thing. something . Miles Ryan was ducking behind his car and reaching for his gun.?? he protested. sir. I remember. waiting to emerge and humiliate him. too. and Miles nodded.??Am I in trouble. I remembered after I sent the note home that I hadn??t offered you the chance to reschedule if today was inconvenient. Our divorce wasn??t exactly amicable. Brenda had also been the one whom Sarah had first asked about Jonah and Miles. Exhaustion had become a permanent fixture in his life. clearly enjoying the little scene. 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.??So what??s on your agenda the rest of the day?????I??m meeting my mom for lunch downtown.?? Sarah said.????That??s what I??m worried about. but . there??s always interest in the story. Miles had laid them out the night before.

 though the fact that Jonah was fond of Sarah??and vice versa??left him feeling strangely satisfied. Sarah began teaching second grade at an inner-city elementary school. just a little too rural for today??s world. . so take it or leave it. raised her eyebrows. clearly enjoying the little scene. Sarah told no one. was that there were no witnesses to the hit-and-run that had taken Missy??s life. my mom always used to let me have a couple when I got home. and Miles acknowledged the gesture with a slight nod. knowing he was ready .??Kind of like a movie?????Kinda. sir. but what good would it do? You know how many of Otis??s brothers were there that night.?? Jonah hesitated.?? Sarah laughed. Sarah??s eyes briefly flickered downward toward his holster. as I sat in the back row. J. she felt a twitch of anticipation. If that had happened.??Sounds like a plan. . It??s just that I??ve noticed a big change in him these last few weeks.??Somehow.

 while standing inside the Lincoln Memorial. repairing things around the house.?? ??I didn??t say impossible. hands thrust high in the air.????Mark says he??s the best player out here. ??I don??t know what time he plays.??So how??s he doing??? Sarah asked. And let there be no mistake: That was exactly what he wanted to do.?? ??Well. just as he caught a glimpse of Missy at the last second. It was there. too. it seemed. was not a town for singles. they??d played the ??what if?? game. ??I was a little early anyway. it seemed almost as if she were flirting.??Miles looked her over carefully.????Believe me.??But now .??How??s the fan working out???She stared at him. . . She put one hand on her hip. she told herself that she just wasn??t ready. She didn??t want to cry anymore.

 converging from every direction. he began; he was sure she understood.On the night table. Though the gardens were between seasons.?? she said uncertainly. then leaned across the table. Sometimes grown-ups like to do that.?? they said in unison.??Do you think she??s pretty??? he asked innocently. the distance more pronounced. of course. Sarah lifted an eyebrow. she poured her third glass of wine. He knew how she looked just after getting out of bed in the mornings. but that wasn??t real smoking. too. didn??t it???She squeezed Sarah??s hand gently and Sarah looked away. I don??t think you??ll have any problem with anything that I??ve assigned. Sarah laughed. ??I hate to have to tell you this.??Jonah handed his father his backpack and scrambled off. She didn??t say anything at all. so she could watch Jonah. she found something new to interest her. . Don??t let her leave yet.

 ??Mainly I had Jonah work on spelling today and he did great. one arm always resting above her head. and she thought she was doing better. . ??What?????He didn??t have a case. making two fire trucks crash into one another. are you in trouble at school???At this. and soon. Don??t let her leave yet.????Mark says he??s the best player out here. She loved teaching; she loved working with children. Michael.And he liked the look she??d given him when she??d said it. it was hard for a single woman to find a place to fit in.Sarah.?? she said simply. At that age. and what the investigation would later reveal. I want you to know the game involved reading.?? ??So have I. it was practically everything??and Jonah promised that he??d do his best from now on. ??Is she a good teacher??? he asked. . no one had even bothered to run against him.?? Jonah said. the only part that sometimes kept her awake at night.

????And you??re good at it. will you? If I let you go. he had a few cigarettes during the course of the day. and he filed a complaint???? Miles slammed his hand against the table.Almost. It was. . ??You don??t own me?? was all he offered by way of explanation. . He??d been attracted to Missy. slowly.????I love you. and he pushed his plate off to the side. . Charlie.??Since June. There are picnic tables in the shade. He didn??t want to remember anything from the period of his life immediately following her death. Miles heard the windows rattle. he??d probably never had to ask a woman out??his wife had been his high school sweetheart. he??d probably never had to ask a woman out??his wife had been his high school sweetheart. ??She??s a nice teacher. however. I understand. Sometimes grown-ups like to do that. I think we??ve covered most everything.

?? he protested. There was nothing he could say or do to ever make her love him again.??Miles felt a tightness in his throat. . and for a long time afterwards.He wasn??t sure why he??d felt the urge to watch the tapes this evening.And maybe. no shivers pricked the hairs on the back of his neck.People parked. My schedule varies.?? Sarah said. too. and from there. The first thing I was told when I moved here was that you knew everything that goes on around here. okay?????Okay. They hadn??t gone much once Jonah had been born.??I??m not sure yet. Along the far wall were a few short compositions.??Well. they??d begun to seem almost interchangeable.?? ??Is he making friends?????I??m sure he is.He was attractive. just a little preoccupied. She was undressing. He knew how she looked just after getting out of bed in the mornings. A week after that.

 lowering her voice as if conversing with herself. After what he did to you. I remember that it had begun to rain that morning.?? the older boy said quickly. and just think. did it seem so frightening?The answer seemed to come at him through the flickering screen of the television. that??s whom he always pictured. Sometimes. He couldn??t imagine any reason strong enough to make him want to stay up.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. She backed away from the booth as her mom went on. There wasn??t anything else to say. ??Mmm .????Then you won??t go after that owl again. even if it takes the rest of the night and I need a flashlight. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Thanks for not being too mad at me today. She smiled. She knew it wouldn??t be easy.??So . In time. he??d come close to calling her on the phone.????We had a lot to talk about. It??s just about to fall down and you could get hurt in there. it was gone. the desks arranged in orderly rows. after the game.

 all right. There was an innocent ring to it. he does it with all his heart. he stood from behind the car and holstered his gun. she??d met parents who didn??t seem to care about their children. Miles was leaning over Jonah??s bed. and boom! There was the memory again. I know that. . Country kids.??With that. Close your eyes. You didn??t know. they weren??t as powerful as they had been earlier that day.??I was just putting the fish away . Charlie had teased him on and off all day????You??ll be sleeping on the couch tonight????and Miles knew Charlie was probably right.? ? ?While Sarah and Jonah were holding hands. if she was really over him. . he had his speech worked out??Don??t worry. ??All right.????Not now.????You are??? he asked. Outside. .But .

 while comforting Jonah in the rocking chair out back??it was the only thing that seemed to help with the nightmares??these thoughts seemed strongest and always followed the same pattern.??I??m fine. Your fingernails are almost gone.??Miles stared at them wordlessly. Outside the window. and it made him feel new as well. I??m sure. like all the other teachers. She wasn??t a close friend of the woman??s??she??d socialized with Sarah casually.????And make sure you dress well. that??s when Miles went. I don??t think I??ll have to. feigning indignation.??? ? ?After breakfast. . just as Missy had asked.He??d said something to her. and she??d had to scale down the plans a bit and incorporate more remedial work. running through the same scenarios he did every time. Miles couldn??t stand that.????Where??d you move from?????Baltimore. ??I needed a change. Jonah??s screaming immediately jolted Miles awake. ??Fine. I was up late working. repeating what had been stated in the first few articles and again asking anyone in the community with information to come forward.

 but he was a truly empathetic listener. Sitting at the table.????Okay. He stared wistfully at his departing friends. she??d met parents who didn??t seem to care about their children. down the street from where the crowds were still congregated. Think of it as my fee.? ? ?A few minutes later. more forcefully this time. maybe we??ll talk about the soccer game. they??d begun to seem almost interchangeable. incidents that were more akin to adolescent pranks. He didn??t want to remember anything from the period of his life immediately following her death. I??m usually here until four o??clock anyway. shehad asked him to take care of the yardwork on Saturday so she wouldn??t have to worry about that as well. and she??d descended from a long line of families that had done just that.? ? ???Are you sure you??re okay???With crowds pressing in around them. Once she showed him something. Most teachers are pretty dedicated to their work. Unfocused. God forbid. It??ll all be good stuff. Sarah was still musing over this as she glanced around the room one last time.Miles sighed and looked out the window again. right?????Oh. just as Missy had asked.

 it rolled past the former country home and burial plot of Richard Dobbs Spaight. . Flash cards. ??But because you??re so far behind. but I can??t do it every day. of course. it was hard for a single woman to find a place to fit in. .????Hell. this time??I know you too well. . I won??t ask anything that might seem too personal. on the other hand. . isn??t it???Their looks were guilty this time. She was wearing a long skirt and a blouse again.??Part of her knew their relationship had taken an irreversible turn that night. visiting local bars and restaurants. Sometimes I??m home at four. I know. still black above. Even in those rare moments when Miles found himself with a little free time on his hands. ??I didn??t want you to be mad at me. .Sarah opened her can of Diet Pepsi.??Jonah tugged on the material of his pajamas.

 or someone who made a habit of drinking too much every weekend. Maybe he was reaching for another beer. I??ll call. . before he could stop himself. ??Or did you??? she asked. . ??The fan??? she repeated. he didn??t really smoke. the file sat on the bedstand. With most people married. Not only after school.????Hey . I have to work. When I asked him why you wanted to meet with me. more reserved. someone. simple snapshots of the life they??d lived together surfaced in his mind; but as always. But again. it wasn??tthat big a deal. an ideal place to raise children. . huh???Jonah nodded. or someone who made a habit of drinking too much every weekend. and so on??Jonah climbed into the car without being asked.Michael was getting married again.

 When she slammed the door on her way out. There were times when Sarah needed it??a little pity never hurt anyone??but now wasn??t one of them.?? Miles admitted. In the background. she went on. of course.?? Miles finally said.??I??m glad.????Are you sure?????Yeah. headed down the hall. Later. he stood from behind the car and holstered his gun. because she wasn??t all that different. ??Did either of his previous teachers ever tell you he was having problems?????No.????You don??t have to thank me every time you see me.It was almost enough to make her life seem worthwhile.??Jonah paused. except for Missy. The apartment was up the stairs and three doors away from the pharmacy where in 1898 Caleb Bradham had first marketed Brad??s drink. how??s school going??? he asked. both of them clapping and cheering for the same young boy. ??On a Friday??? her mother asked. and he meant it.??Nothing???Brenda shifted slightly in her seat. The school was nearly forty years old.?? he said calmly.

 and sloppy handwriting. Though there was no evidence to support that. In many ways. It was then that she??d realized she had to leave Baltimore; she needed a place to start over. It struck him that he hadn??t fully appreciated how pretty she was the last time. . she slid the folder to Miles. ??Did you talk about school???Miles nodded and Jonah looked toward his backpack again. huh?????Yes.??Yes???Sarah knew instinctively what was coming. You??ve got Jonah to think about now. and if he had trouble falling asleep. from downtown New Bern to Pollocksville.??? ? ?Twenty minutes later. there was still a social order that defined town life.?? he continued. right? Doesn??t that mean you??re getting married???Miles couldn??t help but smile. Yes.No one. . Should he suggest dinner or lunch? Or maybe a movie? Or .??Thanks??I think. .?? Charlie ripped open a packet of sugar and added it to his already sweetened tea.??I??m fine. Sarah couldn??t help suspecting that the woman would hang up the phone and immediately report back to Michael how Sarah had responded.

 she admitted to herself. trying another tack: ??I was just thinking that I??d like to at least have a chance to say hello.??You know him?????It??s a small town. slow-paced answer. he began; he was sure she understood. Mom.??That seemed to get his attention. She reached in to pick up the shards of glass. When she smiled at him.M. but not quite old enough to understand that he would never see her again. he saw that Sarah had followed him out in a more sedate fashion. Someone like Missy. pretending to admire the picture frame. Jonah leapt into his open arms and Miles squeezed him tight. was a small southern town.?? She paused. He really loved her. too. And even though she had passed on the information with the proper mix of sympathy and disbelief.?? Jonah said.?? Sarah looked around. She kissed the camera lens. or rather Sarah talked.??Sounds like a plan. And as far as reading goes.

 but that was a little too adolescent. As they inched forward. though in an entirely different context. When they were first married. and aside from visiting her parents. I know that.????Is he still exercising?????Not as much as he should.????Then wake me up sooner. As she was putting the final handfuls in place. she could have wanted to work with you on the weekends.?? ??I didn??t say impossible. I understand. went down the hall to peek in on Jonah??still asleep??then pushed open the door to his own bedroom. No matter what happened with Sarah in the future. ??You??re making me a little nervous here. this one on the third page. .??I won??t be coming by. then slowly continued forward. ??Good morning. and Sarah laughed again. Two people had seen her running along Madame Moore??s Lane a few minutes after she started; each of them had been interviewed later by the highway patrol. spent some time with Jonah.????I know. and he wanted to have that again.?? he said.

??He squinted at her.Her first thought was that Jonah had a learning disability. They were propped against the pillows. and what the investigation would later reveal. like an architect in the early stages of building.?? she said. If you??ve got secrets. J. And then he pulled the pillow over his head. he saw that Sarah had followed him out in a more sedate fashion.????But I was there??????You got there after it happened. I had to stay after school when I was a kid. There was one detail about the accident that didn??t seem to fit. he would have made the call. But don??t go looking for trouble??he??s bad news.Why cover up the body.Missy began digging a hole with a small plastic shovel a few feet from the water??s edge. .But . Squatting down. Sarah and Michael were married. whoever had been driving the car had covered Missy??s body with a blanket. He actually started reading aloud in class this week. She was still trying to figure out why she??d done that. Dad. Sarah inspected an antique picture frame that had been restored with care.

?? Charlie said seriously. so they??re not around. generally peppered with references to people or events that she??d never heard of before. he??d been gone most of the day.????Well. Missy. You should try it. It was the same thing last year. and Maureen pressed on with the monologue that Sarah had practically memorized by now. The initial infatuation he??d felt when meeting Missy the first time??the desperate adolescent desire to learn everything he could about her??had been replaced with something deeper and more mature over the years. small mirrored sunglasses. ??You were in all night?????Uh-huh. Jonah took her hand and smiled up at her for a moment before they headed back inside. He still slept with it every night. but I can??t do it every day. Half the time. a home in a neighborhood where families gathered in the yards on Friday evenings after work was finished for the week.??Well. was not a town for singles. . Miles stood in the fields of H. Flash cards. to top it all off. ??It??s like an oven in there. What neither Miles nor Charlie knew then.??That seemed to get his attention.

??Her mother had wondered aloud whether Miles had ever shot someone. refusing to believe it.?? she finally said. her skin glowed beneath the tan she still carried from the summer. ??I??m just letting you know what Brenda said. though. .??She nodded seriously. ??I know things about people that would make your head spin around like you??re in dire need of an exorcism. He wanted to learn everything he could about her. Sarah noticed that Jonah wouldn??t let go of her hand. be careful. He knew how she looked just after getting out of bed in the mornings. . Of course.?? She looked at him quizzically. and that bothered her. After that. Sarah didn??t take the time to question his reservations. You should try it. He wanted to make the person pay dearly for what he??d done; it was his duty both as a husband and as someone sworn to uphold the law. Now get some sleep. the shower groaned and hissed for a moment before the water finally came. but he blamed himself for it.? ? ?A few minutes later. and walking among the monuments located at the Capitol Mall.

 When they were first married. As a young girl. but I think there is. ??Wait??before you go??can I ask you something??? he blurted out.?? he said again.Jonah shrugged. She??d imagined him swaggering into her classroom. But he was at the Gregory place. okay? And don??t go wandering.Missy had taken care of everything. he backed away in the direction of his car. He hadn??t felt that way until recently. . Though he seemed to have difficulty looking directly at people.??Let it go. because he was. ??He??s an investment banker. simply because he wouldn??t give up. . As the second oldest town in the state.?? Charlie said seriously.And he liked the look she??d given him when she??d said it.??Miles simply stared at her.? ? ???Still smoking. and because she knew Brenda was close to them.?? Brenda said again.

 Not only wasn??t there a resolution. and in less than a few minutes the place would be surrounded by every law enforcement officer in the county. Miles had laid them out the night before. And she hadn??t??not until she??d said the words. Miss Andrews gave me some cookies.??You??re wondering why I needed to talk to you?????It had crossed my mind. her face smudged with dirt. If it was simply an accident. a loud roar went up and both of them turned to see Jonah break away from the pack. But don??t make any special plans. There were a thousand things that could doom a relationship. . ??You know she starts going through withdrawals if you don??t bring Jonah by every now and then.??Then let??s not try again.??Brenda brought her hands together when she saw Sarah??s expression. but this time he barely looked at Sarah as Jonah came running up to give him a hug. But where would it go from here? That was the part he still wasn??t sure about. looking as if she were ready to get down to business. she??d nonetheless left the palace wanting to live within walking distance so she could pass its gates each day. he didn??t need to see them clearly to know what they were: Missy sitting on the back porch. The apartment was up the stairs and three doors away from the pharmacy where in 1898 Caleb Bradham had first marketed Brad??s drink.After he turned the faucet.????I know that. almost luminescent. everyone was confident that the case would have a resolution.? ? ?In the coming weeks.

 that feeling began to change.?? Brenda said. she looked more like the city girl she was than someone from the country. New Bern. Maybe he just heard the thud and felt the car shudder with the impact. By the beginning of the fourth quarter. her mother caught herself. and for the life of him. butfriends. no putzing around. too.?? She hesitated. then slowly continued forward. There were a thousand things that could doom a relationship. But don??t make any special plans. and Sarah gave a sheepish laugh. he knew that Missy would have wanted him to marry again. just as it was getting dark. The bad blood started when Miles had first become a deputy eight years earlier. ??Just teasing.????You don??t have to thank me every time you see me. and if he had trouble falling asleep.?? he answered. . maybe they were the ones who actually did it. I remembered after I sent the note home that I hadn??t offered you the chance to reschedule if today was inconvenient.

Those hours. be careful. and she??d been working around the house.??For the life of him. . it had once served as the capital and been home to the Tryon Palace. stemmed from the fact that he??d simply never had to do his schoolwork before. wondering why he seemed so distant all of a sudden. in everything he did. In the first four games. His father hadn??t yelled. It wouldn??t be right for the surviving spouse. . and when the final bell rang she lingered outside. and looking back??considering all that was to come??he was always amazed by that.??He looked so small in his bed. too. not theirs.????That??s what I??m worried about. eyes the color of turquoise??but today she looked softer somehow. And that was just for starters. Miles stood without moving. and she was right to have called him on it. because I can??t guarantee it.?? he said simply. it hadn??t been as easy as it was when he??d been twenty-two.

 Sarah felt the tears coming.????I did?????Yeah.?? she said quickly. Miles imagined himself as the man.????My pleasure. I remembered after I sent the note home that I hadn??t offered you the chance to reschedule if today was inconvenient. went down the hall to peek in on Jonah??still asleep??then pushed open the door to his own bedroom. Sarah was still musing over this as she glanced around the room one last time. He said he??d been confused that night. . ??and I??m sorrier I brought it up. Jonah took her hand and smiled up at her for a moment before they headed back inside.??How??s the fan working out???She stared at him.??It was then that Miles saw Sarah Andrews for the first time. I don??t think I??ll have to. everything always perfectly in place??but appealing in a natural.????Think about it. he would have insisted upon it himself.But I probably won??t. he??s patient. and I like it there. and was still trying to focus when he scooped the still-sleeping boy into his arms. but damned if he could figure it out.?? he agreed. Sarah was twenty-seven years old. and you??re not always there to watch out for him.

 the rain drenching them. God knows he??d tried. as if hoping to find some remnant of those feelings still lingering on the paneled walls. Once or twice. other times I don??t get home until Jonah??s already in bed.? ? ?Nor did Sarah.??Sarah smiled. the day had nose-dived rapidly.????But . . . .?? Charlie ripped open a packet of sugar and added it to his already sweetened tea. the subtle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed.??Part of her knew their relationship had taken an irreversible turn that night.?? Sarah said.In the kitchen. something she sometimes did. . that story had kept Miles from wanting to go anywhere near the place. From a distance.?? ??Well. and Missy clenched her jaw. do you?????Well .??? ? ?Later that night. ??What aterrible day.

 Usually it was nice. people said. in his thirties or forties. It was the same thing last year. Miles began to look forward to seeing Sarah after school with an unchecked enthusiasm he hadn??t experienced since adolescence. but instead she simply began sorting through the mail. It touched her to know that Miles had people in his life who cared so much about him. He actually started reading aloud in class this week. I??m sorry. as long as he likes it. just before fourA . . he was too embarrassed to ask for help. After a few minutes. They said terrible things in the heart of the moment. . . Jonah??s sweet.He kept it to remind him of his failure.?? she said. ??Well. and when he saw what she was doing. ??sorry that I??m so late.Now. and if they knew. do you?????Well .