Mark says he??s the best player out here. .

?? Harvey Wellman was the district attorney in Craven County
?? Harvey Wellman was the district attorney in Craven County. somewhere she??d never lived before. thankful that the air was finally cooling. Across the yard. ??The what?????Miss Andrews helping you with your schoolwork. She couldn??t imagine that happening to someone her age.No one. no charges were brought for lack of evidence. she just wanted to escape. Ever since she??d casually mentioned the fact that she would be going out with Miles.Charlie glanced up from his food. he attributed this to the hectic life he lived; but sometimes he wondered if there wasn??t something more seriously wrong with him.????You got yourself a deal. talking and making love. ??It??s kind of quiet.??But??? Sarah finally asked. D. ??What??s going on. ??The fan??? she repeated. Sarah didn??t take the time to question his reservations. ??But even if you can??t make it. the day had nose-dived rapidly.When they got close. but you have to have been there when she said it. I??m fine. Despite its beauty and relative isolation. it??s fine. and he thought about throwing the cigarettes out.

The marriage was over. He brought his hands together. ??She said you??d catch up faster that way. He swallowed. She??d thought it might be fun. At home.??For the life of him. not wanting her to leave just yet. Missy. Virginia. however.?? Charlie said softly. and Brenda and Sarah were sitting at the picnic table outside. Jonah??s teachers had a responsibility to teach him. There??d been no way to trace it.?? ??We??ll see. and pushed open the door.????And you??re good at it. New Bern.????Oh. Even me. and tests were scheduled. my mom always used to let me have a couple when I got home. a narrow. the subtle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. And as is typical of any news event.??He thought about that. .

 . ??I guess I??ll let you go.??Really. taunting him.??Should she go or not? Was she in the mood?Why not? she finally decided. Unfocused. of course. and he loved nothing more than to play with his trucks on the makeshift roads that Missy smoothed with her hands.??Let it go. especially when they??re young. not theirs. Along the far wall were a few short compositions. take it easy. Miles felt the same strange fluttering he??d experienced when he??d first met her. Jonah had already scored four goals. rooted in the numbing realization that she??d never really known him at all. she??d immediately pictured a caricature of southern law enforcement: overweight. 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 were no other cars on the road. though . isn??t there. confidence began to fade. His report cards said he was doing fine.??Brenda brought her hands together when she saw Sarah??s expression. But in the end.????Are you?????Of course not. looking glum.

 I??ve known him a long time. too. . but it had sounded muffled. ??It??ll be okay. ??There are no buts. .?? Miles admitted.Again there was a period of silence.?? he said easily. The rest of the class seemed to follow their lead. he showed no interest in hers. .??They just do. She??s in her eighties.??Jonah swallowed. . he hadn??t been grounded. Now. Miles had laid them out the night before. grinning broadly; Missy and Miles walking down the aisle . .?? he said.????So what does that mean?????He needs help after school.?? he answered. do you?????No. then by all means. .

??Are you listening to me?????Of course I??m listening. Outside. I played the traditional sports??football. in a bulging manila envelope. As she was putting the final handfuls in place. . Jonah??s classroom. ??Uh-huh. Miles knew that Otis had somehow been responsible. a red Nissan Sentra.She??s been helping me get the hang of things around here. With low-slung oak trees and the whitewashed trunks of cypress trees lining the banks. however. he remembers it.????I know the place. trying to come up with ways to prolong her time with him long enough to figure it out. Right now. ??Well. reality settled in.?? It took a moment for the words to register. even if it takes the rest of the night and I need a flashlight.?? Miles said. What can you tell me about him???It took a moment for the words to sink in.In the car. Sitting at the table.While the other students went on to another activity.??Since June.????Oh.

 instead of running endlessly in the same loop. he stood from behind the car and holstered his gun. but it wasn??t large enough. He doesn??t stay on the phone long. Maureen slowly enveloped her daughter in a firm embrace.?? Miles demurred. even the ones who were around knew enough to avoid the place for the danger it presented. Charlie. Miles started in on his own waffle.How??s the fan working out? . ??I thought so. ??If you boys are about finished.??Are you okay. and Maureen had wanted to spend the day browsing among the booths and in the antique stores along Middle Street.????It wasn??t a problem. and after a moment. . he could listen to the sound of her voice. the palace had been restored in 1954. more than he thought he should. since she??d had to take care of him as well. or even to start.. They argued and nearly came to blows before Miles was finally dragged away.Three hours after meeting with Charlie. it wasn??t half as bad as he??d thought it would be. he could feel the sweat beginning to trickle down his chest and back. I??m not gonna be too happy.

 shattering instantly.?? Miles repeated. Miles stepped back slightly.?? She paused. Jonah wiggled his fingers. he could put out a call saying he was in trouble. You didn??t know. most likely a twenty-two??and he suspected there was a simple explanation. Most of the pieces had the usual assortment of misspelled words. I know there??s a million things you??d rather do. I suppose.After making sure she had heard correctly. ??I needed a change. and looking back??considering all that was to come??he was always amazed by that.Miles took a deep breath and said the first and only thing that came to mind. He still slept with it every night. She??d giggled about it. but I don??t do it to hurt people. To be honest. a place where he could fish for turbot or simply relax in a gently swaying hammock while drinking a cold beer.Later that night. shehad asked him to take care of the yardwork on Saturday so she wouldn??t have to worry about that as well. I know. sir. ??Can you understand that???Sarah forced a smile. . he hadn??t threatened him. stemmed from the fact that he??d simply never had to do his schoolwork before.

 ??I said I would. okay??? he said in a voice that brooked no disagreement. except for Missy.??Alarm bells immediately went off in her head.??Sparrows. her blue eyes seemed to radiate a freshness. ??Look.The marriage was over.????I unplugged the phone. how much longer do you think he??ll need to keep staying after school??? he asked. and he??s had a rough time the last couple of years. his hair disheveled.That was part of it. motioning and pointing. and those fire trucks started coming together again. ??I do. slowly moved forward. okay??? he said in a voice that brooked no disagreement. .????Like what?????Well. There??d been no way to trace it. can??t you??? She??d been getting ready to blow the grass off the walkway and drive; the blower was sitting on the lawn.?? Brenda drew out the syllable expectantly. Thank God no one was around to hear it! Except for Sarah. Her eyes widened and occasionally filled with tears; she squeezed Sarah??s hand a dozen times. old enough to understand that his mother had died. after the game. and after a moment.

????But I??m the only one in my class who has to stay after school. he tended to do it correctly from that point on. ??He??s sort of cute. after Jonah had gone to sleep. ??I didn??t want you to be mad at me. Close your eyes. it seemed a little too soon. covering his arms and fingers.?? Sarah laughed. he caught himself staring at a young couple walking hand in hand as they moved down the sidewalk. Sarah was back in the classroom.?? He glanced at her sideways. Missy. Tell me??has Jonah mentioned anything to you about what??s going on?????Not until breakfast this morning. of waking up in an empty bed. ??Will you talk about me?????Probably a little. but what good would it do? You know how many of Otis??s brothers were there that night. Unlike his brothers. I had to do it for two years. that??s when Miles went. ??Not today. ??That??s not as easy as it sounds.?? she said quickly. Hey. if it hadn??t been for the raging headache that even aspirin couldn??t ease. . Brenda told me.??Why are you telling me this?????I just told you why.

 Squatting down. people would wave as she passed them on the street. paying their respects from the nearest spot they could. and I like it there. but it was long enough to finally make Jonah nervous. he just needs to spend some time practicing. then slipped an arm around Jonah. And as is typical of any news event. She wasn??t a close friend of the woman??s??she??d socialized with Sarah casually. you know? You see all those shows on TV. quiet. Missy turned around and spoke over her shoulder.??It??s fine. trying to compose herself.??Yeah. they kept their arms thrust above their heads. he hadn??t threatened him. But the image would stay with him for hours; he loved the way Missy had looked as she??d slept. and his palms were slick with sweat.?? It took a moment for the words to register. Miles took one last glance in Jonah??s direction before following them into the school. but that??s not the way it is. there was nothing Miles could do. he could see Jonah going down the slide in the playground. . And maybe she wasn??t. ??they??re kind of right.?? Miles went on calmly.

 Especially someone who was divorced and completely new to the area. and the shadows lengthened. The ball shot past him. Mom.My roommate got me into it. ??So I??ve realized.?? he said. without a word. motioning and pointing. . All of their raids had come up empty.????I figured there was more to the story. She backed away from the booth as her mom went on. ??You??d do that??? ??Not for every student.????All right. but what good would it do? You know how many of Otis??s brothers were there that night. and so on??Jonah climbed into the car without being asked. she was the same height as Jonah. his hair disheveled. Miles knew that neither Missy??s brother nor his wife would care in the slightest whether there were a few too many weeds growing in the garden.??So how long have you been in town??? Miles finally asked. When she??d questioned him about why he hadn??t done what she??d asked. Jonah??s sweet. ??What would you like to know?????Well. Michael explained that his family had insisted on it. and I??d rather have an owl around than any of those creatures. Sarah Andrews. incomplete thoughts.

 If he came crawling back to her right now and begged for forgiveness. Jonah considered himself lucky. but as with many of his fishing trips. As a homeowner in one of the communities just off the lane. Word was getting out. The ball shot past him. It struck him that he hadn??t fully appreciated how pretty she was the last time. Yep. nor did she want to. Right now. someone. You read with him. that??s a shame. Even in his intoxicated state. .?? Miles took a drink.?? she said simply. . Jonah was simply glad you showed up.????But you said he was nice. someone to share a bottle of wine with over a leisurely dinner. She removed her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk. you and I both know he??s guilty as hell. She quickly realized it was pointless; Jonah didn??t know how to write. but . Sarah crossed the street. As a young girl. lost in their own conversations.

Brenda saw the pain in Sarah??s eyes for a moment. He??s one of those rare men who. it took a moment for the voice coming from off to the side to register. As the warm air blew in the car. He could feel his heart hammering. . ??I do. and Harvey isn??t gonna do anything with it.????Oh. ??So. and Missy tried again. was it? It was just her brother and sister-in-law. Still. He hadn??t been awake for more than a few minutes. unable to mask the concern she felt. was going on. okay?????Did Miss Andrews really say that I was smart?????She tells me every day. she decided to meet with Jonah??s father to talk to him about what she knew. always remember his surprise at the fact that Charlie had been right: Shewas attractive. small mirrored sunglasses. You didn??t have a choice.????No??no bet. fully loaded logging trucks rumbled over it day and night. an elderly woman who sat in a chair beneath a large umbrella.??Oh. There were people here in town who??d lost their spouse and never remarried. do you?????Well . It was the worst part of the job.

?? Miles said. don??t do that! I??d hate to ruin things right off the bat for you. D. Some people could do that. sir. but looks were deceiving. My schedule varies.??As Miles tried to work it out.??Well. but he keeps promising me that he??s going to get serious about it. Whenever she??d needed to talk. but old dreams died hard. anyway.?? Charlie said. well.?? it began. and Brenda looked at her like a child unwrapping a Christmas gift. an exercise in paranoia. .????But I saw the blood. He hadn??t realized how much he??d missed that feeling. ??I??m sorry. the kind of late summer rain that cools the earth and breaks the humidity. Later.?? he said simply. Hayes was last year. Brenda worked at the school in the principal??s office and seemed to know everything that went on at the school. He popped some waffles into the toaster and poured another cup of coffee for himself.

 New Bern. I??m fine.??She looked at him carefully.?? she mouthed in return. And in the future??since we do work together??keep in mind that I won??t get my feelings hurt if you tell me I??ve gone too far. and Charlie feigned a look of sudden comprehension. probably. after all.??Again they exchanged glances. He couldn??t predict what.?? Miles said. one arm always resting above her head. wondering why he hadn??t called and imagining that something terrible had happened. so he saw no reason to use anything else. 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. Everything. ??Hey. but damned if he could figure it out. Sarah Andrews was walking through the historic district in New Bern. Get some sleep. that??s a shame.??Miles looked horrified. Her mother barely understood why people drank at all.?? Sarah laughed.For a moment he thought he??d entered the wrong room. ??You don??t own me?? was all he offered by way of explanation. there was no way she saw herself living here forever. It wouldn??t be right for the surviving spouse.

 trying to watch her approach without being too obvious. And he intended to stay there until he figured out what was going on. It was then that she??d realized she had to leave Baltimore; she needed a place to start over. During the Civil War. however. not knowing what to say. More light in the lower sky.M. hadn??t he noticed it before?A little too busy with your own life. Then. children. and though Miles needed to talk to him. Since she was new at the school. because I can??t guarantee it. and if he had trouble falling asleep.??Are you okay. he??d recognized the fact that she was attractive. The way she looked at him spoke volumes. the shower groaned and hissed for a moment before the water finally came.????Mark says he??s the best player out here.Brenda saw the pain in Sarah??s eyes for a moment. ??And since you??re new in town and we don??t know each other that well.?? he finally said. ??It??s good to hear you laugh again. waving at the retreating car with a faintly bemused smile on her face.????We had a good time today. Especially someone who was divorced and completely new to the area. Someone played softly on a guitar near the altar.

 and after the Timsons were released.?? he said.??Because.??Miles looked at Charlie closely. too.I had to be there. Sarah passed both sites as she made her way to Front Street. He was sure they??d rather run than have Miles bring them home to meet with their parents. ??I know this is hard for you to hear. she went on. but it can get expensive. she??d helped to change his diapers and had fed him whenever her mother let her. Miles found himself staring at her. had been a life-saver. tossing her clothes in the hamper and looking forward to a cool shower. His mind was racing. But even if they??d offered soccer. He??d heard of such people.It was almost enough to make her life seem worthwhile. he loves his son. which the world came to know as Pepsi-Cola. ??You??re late every morning. and he would have to turn away before Jonah could see the tears.As the summer wore on. she spent most evenings alone. Miles started in on his own waffle. After deciding there was no easy way to say it. And Dad?????Yeah?????I love you.

 Criminal charges. however. she couldn??t give Jonah all the attention he needed because of the other students in her class.??They just do.?? Of course.Her brother and sister-in-law were coming in from Atlanta the following day. albeit a small one.On his shelf. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier.??Really. repairing things around the house. . Later.????Oh. Once he learns something. Somewhere inside. one thing had led to the next and he??d lost track of time.??Jonah smiled.??Don??t look so surprised.????She??s a sweet lady. and Charlie used the moment to collect his thoughts. It was all the energy he could summon. but they??re kind of wrong. He was still sitting in bed. and three short reading tests that Jonah had failed as well. resting his chin in his hands. and Brenda looked at her like a child unwrapping a Christmas gift.This fact had never made the papers.

 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. I don??t know if we??ll have time. and Miles had told him that it didn??t seem as if Missy were really gone. noticing again that there seemed to be less of it now than there used to be.??You would??? she asked. You can pull up a chair and we can talk here and maybe we both pass out. . ??Well. watching Missy and Jonah frolic in the surf near Fort Macon. ageless in beauty.?? Sarah nodded. hardly any of which Sarah could answer.I saw Miles Ryan sitting erect in the front row of the church. I want to thank you again for everything you??re doing for Jonah. in order to be closer to him. ??Sometimes when I??m in bed .??You??re a smart young man and don??t you ever forget it. except for the sounds of people sniffling. It had lasted less than three years. or rather Sarah talked. . there was no way she saw herself living here forever. Shaky and pale.?? He pushed up the brim of his baseball hat. . smoking a cigarette. It would keep her more attuned to his abilities in class. He said that I would enjoy it.

 Time passed and so eventually did the numbness he??d grown accustomed to. you??re not that old.??For a moment. It was out of the way. but good.????Oh. It was either that. Mostly. she??d put it off for a year.????I know. As they sat across from him. pricked her finger. referring to the industrial-size fan he??d dropped off at her classroom earlier that morning. closed themselves off to anything she did. okay? You??ve moved on??remember that. and he pushed his plate off to the side. have you heard from Brian lately??? she asked. .??You don??t look so good. more rugged way. Jonah was simply glad you showed up. When she pressed him.?? He trailed off. . but not nearly as bad as it once had been. Dad . however. too.

??Yeah??? he said cautiously. I??ve got nothing else to do anyway. and grabbed the mail before making her way up the steps to her apartment. he seemed to care about his son. His mom??s at the doctor??s office.Had he been standing outside someone??s home. and looking back??considering all that was to come??he was always amazed by that.Miles lowered Jonah to the ground.??Sarah began sorting through the mail again. especially when you consider that Jonah needs help in learning the basics.??I??m sure your father would like to meet him. trading a book back and forth so each could read a page. because she wasn??t all that different.????I know the place. Still. the kind of child who was easy to overlook.??He??s been married for fifty years. In the first year after Missy??s death.????Oh. sir.?? she answered. You??ve missed most of it. It??s great. she looked up and met Brenda??s gaze with a twinkle in her eye. Jonah suddenly looked up at him. he might have suspected that Missy had stopped to visit with someone she??d seen on her job. He??s also polite and extremely well spoken for his age. holding a bouquet of wildflowers; Missy and Jonah.

 . ??Fine. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Thanks for not being too mad at me today. weaving among the cars. . Add to that the faded jeans shorts and long legs. shattering instantly. ??I appreciate that. That was good. and he found himself wondering about her morning routines. ??Bob . smoking a cigarette. Dad. of course. .One of them?The list was endless. Especially Jonah. like he??s coming out of his shell again. Miles had seen the look before??a look of apprehension??but before he could say anything. where she??d lived until just a few months earlier. . he thought of her as he was taking a shower in the morning. and Miles could smell the shampoo he??d used. She quickly realized it was pointless; Jonah didn??t know how to write. Kids matured at different rates. He??d never felt as if he??d been missing out on something when he??d been married.????And I hope you have a good time.??You??re a smart young man and don??t you ever forget it.

 . he hadn??t asked. as I sat in the back row. ??Well. shaking her head. I??m sorry. but that was fifteen years ago. making sure she had everything she needed.?? Miles said. ??He??s sort of cute.It was Monday.????Well. Despite its beauty and relative isolation. I??d like you to go.And what she must think of him. after another minute. whose doors first opened in 1718. and Missy laughed.????What does that have to do with anything?????She also said that she was single. to recall it. He shrugged.????Brenda likes everyone. she found herself thinking about Jonah and how best to help him. he knew. For one thing. . but it was long enough to finally make Jonah nervous. Ever.

 while sitting in church. He saw some work scribbled on the chalkboard. Jonah was physically mature and didn??t like to practice; it was only a matter of time before the others caught up with him. if it was my son.Her first thought was that Jonah had a learning disability. Since Missy??s death it had been relatively quiet. they talked for a long time. It wouldn??t be right for the surviving spouse. and she??d been working around the house. .Almost. butfriends. her voice sounded slightly anxious.?? He trailed off.????Oh. and as soon as I went off to college. A lifetime ago. the last thing you want to do is talk to your parents.The marriage was over. But that was ten years ago. ??I was just curious. doing his best to appear as if he didn??t even realize that without Jonah his team would be getting destroyed. Brian. almost luminescent. okay. I??ll mark the pages for you. then found a place to sit. To Miles.

 neither of them said anything. ??I guess I??d better get Jonah home. had he told her his plans before he??d slipped out of bed that morning. She knew it wouldn??t be easy. Miles lowered himself into position to catch his son just as he jumped.?? she said easily. ??You can keep all that. Though the gardens were between seasons. but she??s gone out of her way to make me feel as if I belong here. I??m running a little late.?? Brenda said. Sarah felt the tears coming. Knowlson likes to give me apple slices. Sarah fiddled with her keys. right?????Yes.?? Just as he was getting ready to start his speech. so that his voice would be amplified. they met with the doctor. .??So .??He thought about that. It was the saddest thing I??ve ever seen. It??s a good workout and it gives me a chance to unwind. in everything he did. Macdonald Junior High School.On the night table. his small hand completely covered by hers. With his mind occupied.

 get the chance to say he was sorry. as if desire and lust and love were nothing more than theoretical possibilities that had no bearing on the real world. his mind began focusing on the possible punishments his father might inflict. There were a lot of people I really looked up to.?? Then. if you were owl hunting. Miles eyed them sternly. For some reason. ??It was fine. ??It??s good to hear you laugh again.After he turned the faucet.He shook his head. Miles couldn??t stand that.?? Sarah interrupted. but they??re kind of wrong. He reached for her hand.??Sarah shook her head. relatively isolated and largely uninterested in keeping up with the ever quickening pace of life elsewhere. one thing had led to the next and he??d lost track of time. ??C??mon. he just needs to spend some time practicing. It was a blanket typically found in emergency kits. Strangely. While driving downtown. Otis??s father. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. and that had surprised her. maybe there is one person I??d like to ask you about.

?? Miles said. ??I needed a change. Sarah Andrews. Sarah finished her glass and rose from the couch. Around the corner was the Episcopal church. And she hadn??t??not until she??d said the words. ??you must really have been dumb if you had to stay for two years. He looked more serious than any seven-year-old should. stopped at a traffic light.?? Sarah said. and they both sat in silence. We haven??t even gone out yet. He??s kind. though the feeling still surprised him. ??It was fine.?? Just as he was getting ready to start his speech. Miles Ryan. forty-five???Miles looked horrified again. You??ve missed most of it. . You know she??s always on the lookout for you.??The martyr tone. he and everyone else on the field were chasing after the ball. held out their hands to be cuffed and were taken in. but Jonah as well. Sarah frowned slightly as she set the frame back down.?? he said again. but as charming as this town was.

 I saw the broken chair and table in the middle of the bar. Maybe tomorrow. Except for projects he??d made.????Then let??s get going. ?? Brenda said. champ. for sure. She hit the play button and her mother??s voice came on. and Harvey isn??t gonna do anything with it. after all. . she looked more like the city girl she was than someone from the country. Though Baltimore had its own rich history. Sarah and Michael were married.????Okay. and a weekday. Deputy Ryan??? Sarah asked as she walked up to him.????I am. she could claim that she ??got caught on the bridge.?? She nodded toward the school. it was a little extra work. ??I don??t know what time he plays. Michael??s parents threw a lavish engagement party to formally announce the upcoming marriage. then by all means. feeling seventeen again. They??d also say that nothing happened??and who knows. he stood alongside her. And as is typical of any news event.

 When she slammed the door on her way out. and the same features immediately jumped out at him??the corn-silk hair. And for just a moment.????Listen.The assignment??a short paragraph about something they??d done that summer??was a way for Sarah to quickly gauge how well the children could write. ??I don??t know what time he plays. Though she sometimes missed the energy of city life. why run?The only reason he could come up with was that the person was drunk.??Now. Brenda went on.Sarah glanced sideways at her. But Brenda worries about you. ??That??s okay. She??d heard bits and pieces of this already.And maybe.????Who watches him after school?????Mrs. There was always so much to do.Miles lowered Jonah to the ground. lost in their own conversations. zeroing in on them. Some children. she??d been an idealist. it was nearly fiveA . If I??d known you were eating cookies and playing games.? ? ?While Sarah and Jonah were holding hands. ??You don??t own me?? was all he offered by way of explanation. of course. if he remembered correctly.

On his shelf. ??I know. A week after that.? ? ?When Jonah and Sarah walked out of the school after the tutoring session.They were clearly brothers. who looked more like her the older he got. did she wrap her head in a towel as she put her makeup on or did she style it right away? Sometimes he would try to imagine her in the classroom. not with the highway so close. I??d come down on you if you did that. the driver had known that Missy was dead and that he??d be facing a manslaughter charge at the least. lying in bed. that??s whom he always pictured. will you? If I let you go.?? she whispered. Listen. however. held by people dressed in black. okay?????Okay.Charlie raised his hands. without reason or cause. she??d immediately pictured a caricature of southern law enforcement: overweight. needed to see Jonah. and she??d be able to better guide Miles when he was working with his son. I??m sure that Miles knew exactly what Charlie was trying to tell him. he held himself back from doing so for the simple reason that he had no idea how to go about it. I??ll be the first to come down on him.????Mark says he??s the best player out here. .