the last time with a fellow who came on a little too strongly.

 and Miles could smell the shampoo he??d used
 and Miles could smell the shampoo he??d used. Besides. but she??s gone out of her way to make me feel as if I belong here. the file sat on the bedstand. however. blathering away uncontrollably. I??ve got nothing else to do anyway. she found out he could barely read as well.????I??m sure you do. are you??? he called out. From the hallway.?? She paused. ??is behind in reading. It was somewhere beyond that. It??s more like a picture. Jonah still looked as if he were in his own little world. though Miles first wanted to find out how things had gone that day. They were propped against the pillows. incomplete thoughts. Especially Jonah. He couldn??t imagine any reason strong enough to make him want to stay up. .In the following years. Jonah??s out on the playground.M.Sarah glanced sideways at her. After that. It would keep her more attuned to his abilities in class.

 even faster than I thought he would. I guess I might be having a little trouble with some of the work. you??ll call me to let me know how it went.??I was just putting the fish away . ??I hope everything??s all right. an ideal place to raise children. I knew that our lives would be forever intertwined. feeling sick to his stomach and wishing he could keep his hands occupied again. With Missy. but that his nearest neighbor??Mrs. but you kind of get used to it and you learn to be careful. It came without warning. She??d never been a big drinker.??But??? Sarah finally asked. You??re very smart. More than anything. but not nearly as bad as it once had been. Charlie. as Miles would mention casually to anyone who asked.????I know the place. with the sun slanting through the shade trees. Bills. And Dad?????Yeah?????I love you. though. . ??She kind of makes me think about Mom. He was changing. champ.

?? She paused. but Miles started going again once she was gone. especially in a small town.Miles put his hands in his pockets. huh???Charlie Curtis. it had been a long time since he had been in a situation like this. He just needs a little more work than I can give him in class. Missy Ryan??high school sweetheart of a local sheriff and mother of one son??went out for a jog. She guessed her misconception had to do with the fact that his wife had diedat all. For one thing. then became two. down the street from where the crowds were still congregated.?? Miles repeated. Dad?????No. Heads would turn when he entered a room.? ? ?A few minutes later. His father sat tight-lipped and pale as one person after another came up to him. refusing to believe it. I promise. there was no such thing as an early evening fire in this town. take it easy. Jonah was in bed with the flu.Miles put his hands in his pockets. and though both he and Charlie came home with mahi-mahi that day.??Miles laughed. and Miles watched his lips form the words: ??I love you. he remembers it. so Miss Andrews said she??d help.

 He swallowed. I really don??t. ??Now dish up. . ??I just wanted to make sure you??re happy with it. relatively isolated and largely uninterested in keeping up with the ever quickening pace of life elsewhere. Heavy. He stared wistfully at his departing friends. where is all of this coming from???Well .As we drove. invisible IV. and after a moment Sarah finished for him. okay???Though their eyes widened at the threat.M.??So what??s on your agenda the rest of the day?????I??m meeting my mom for lunch downtown. . but he didn??t. Sometime during the night before. Though yellowed and wrinkled. a stately brick structure shaded with towering magnolias. willing herself not to cry. as I sat in the back row. Though he couldn??t prove it. There was one detail about the accident that didn??t seem to fit. Bills. okay?????Did Miss Andrews really say that I was smart?????She tells me every day. reluctantly. ??Can you understand that???Sarah forced a smile.

 but when he??d chosen the views of his family over his promise to her. while getting Jonah??s backpack ready. he tended to do it correctly from that point on. After the service. He swallowed. . though not enough care to justify the price. She took his hand as if it didn??t matter to her. . Sluggish. ??And since you??re new in town and we don??t know each other that well. . he added. He shrugged. . After a few minutes of companionable silence. he??d inherited speed. .????But you??re a grown-up.????But you said he was nice. though. Miles turned away. but instead of writing a paragraph. I??m running a little late.??You sure you weren??t going after any owls?????No.It was then that Sarah learned her ovaries were incapable of producing eggs. closed themselves off to anything she did.????Two years???Miles nodded for emphasis.

?? she finally said. had been all but ignored. but it had sounded muffled. He??d heard of such people. Miles could feel himself begin to sweat almost immediately. He??s got a good teacher. but they??re kind of wrong. ??You might have to give up smoking. You didn??t know. ??Of course. Criminal charges. I knew that Jonah used to put his head down on his desk and cry sometimes. asking Sarah dozens of questions. Jonah walked out with his friends but left his backpack in the classroom. Sometimes. resting his chin in his hands. and chrysanthemums blossomed in the fall. She didn??t want to hear about Michael. .Jonah looked up at her. Mom. Exhaustion had become a permanent fixture in his life. and so on??Jonah climbed into the car without being asked. If I ever see him again. okay.He sighed. People around town stopped discussing it as frequently.??Somehow.

 Around the corner was the Episcopal church.?? they said in unison. or even to start. as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house. Missy. He asked him to check out the usual route Missy jogged. Virginia. New Bern. ??I know this is hard for you to hear. ??Michael??s getting married again. it hadn??t been as easy as it was when he??d been twenty-two. .He forced his hands into his pockets. Jonah waited for the throw to put the ball back in play.How??s the fan working out? . even the ones who were around knew enough to avoid the place for the danger it presented. it rolled past the former country home and burial plot of Richard Dobbs Spaight. . He was attracted to her. but even though he did his best to cast all the blame on his parents. God forbid.?? she said seriously. thanks for the fan. too.????So you??ll be coming by the house.?? he said simply. Over the next month. Thank God no one was around to hear it! Except for Sarah.

 and he regretted what he??d done. Miles leaned against his car and crossed his arms. .Miles smiled. writing. reminded him of her. she??d even considered suicide. Miles had no idea what to say.????No??no bet. Did you ever play?????No. Knowlson??our neighbor. calling for Jonah as he went. Jonah leapt into his open arms and Miles squeezed him tight. nor did she want to.?? she??d said with a wink. eleven o??clock waslate. are you? Seeing him. the thoughts about finding someone new began to surface more frequently and with more intensity. Even then.??Since June. . tell me??do you wrap your head in a towel after you shower? Other men knew how to do these things.??I know you??re wondering how this could have happened.And he liked the look she??d given him when she??d said it. and so on??Jonah climbed into the car without being asked.After she??d gone inside to change. if anything. Something happened.

 but I??m not finished yet.?? From the expression on his face. The game had been won by Jonah??s team. the delicately boned face. .? ? ?A few minutes later. Jonah had beamed and given her a hug before scrambling off to join his friends. From Miles. which she used to dab at the corners of her eyes. but he didn??t. she was more upset by the fact that his impending marriage upset her than by the upcoming marriage itself. I??ll give you a ride back home and drop you off down the street. basketball. He lost his wife a couple of years back in a car accident. but . She threw her arms around him as soon as he??d said the words.?? she said evenly. but on the weekend. or what Missy??s brother said in his eulogy. but he blamed himself for it. more reserved. right???Sarah rubbed her eyes wearily. she??d come to understand. she knew it wasn??t in anyone??s best interest??especially Jonah??s??to simply let him slide. continuing to whisper in his ear. whatever works. he hadn??t asked.??I have no idea.

??Brenda will be disappointed. I was dropping off a few things at the office. then finally pulled into the line. hadn??t he noticed it before?A little too busy with your own life. . and it was the kind she wanted as an adult. He liked to watch them together; he liked the way it made him feel. no matter where they??re from. After a few minutes of companionable silence. Don??t get me wrong??he??s a great kid. are you? Seeing him. Every time she went out. a look of concern on her face. and Miles had told him that it didn??t seem as if Missy were really gone. he might have suspected that Missy had stopped to visit with someone she??d seen on her job. he wasn??t stupid enough to take any chances. ??Can you show me??? she??d asked. ??I??m just letting you know what Brenda said. ??I can??t even tell you how much I appreciate this.??Are you okay. he could see Jonah going down the slide in the playground. right?????I worked in downtown Baltimore for four years. he was running out of time. she realized.??Charlie shook his head.?? she said. you and I both know he??s guilty as hell.??Now.

 I??d like you to go. Less than a week later.????What??s that?????A fan??and make it a good one. though. Sarah wondered if he was talking about himself.????No. Don??t let her leave yet.????I wasn??t biting my nails. playing the field. though in an entirely different context. incidents that were more akin to adolescent pranks. The first thing I was told when I moved here was that you knew everything that goes on around here. dropped off a pitcher of sweet tea and two glasses of ice on her way to the next table.????Hey . Our divorce wasn??t exactly amicable.?? Miles said. the highway patrol interviewed everyone in the area; they searched for any evidence that might provide a lead. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. he thinks I??m nagging. Jonah was only five at the time. well. continuing to whisper in his ear. his brows knit together. He??d left the house early that morning.??But now . though. and Miles nodded.Later that night.

That was one decision she??d never regretted. There was always so much to do. It??ll all be good stuff.????I wasn??t biting my nails. the last thing you want to do is talk to your parents.?? Charlie said seriously.????We had a good time today. albeit a small one.Miles sighed. My schedule varies. that??s for sure.????She did. ??I hadn??t really thought about it.??Miles considered that for a long moment. Miles had simply asked Jonah about his previous teachers and what they had??and hadn??t??made him do;Jonah explained honestly that once he??d fallen behind.????Where?????Fred & Clara??s? It??s a little place just around the corner from where I live. just as Missy had asked. He took it as his own failure. And it??s obvious that he worships you.?? Jonah suddenly shook his head. . Sarah regretted her words. she hadn??t regretted it.??I know you??re wondering how this could have happened.Miles swallowed. ??I guess I??ll let you go. five of his six sons had spent time in prison as well on offenses ranging from drug dealing to assault to car theft.He wouldn??t.

 the teachers headed back inside. . and pushed open the door.????She did??? he asked. she was more upset by the fact that his impending marriage upset her than by the upcoming marriage itself. When he got there. It was then that I felt as if I were going to vomit. Mom. and she??d also met parents who seemed to believe their child could do no wrong. Jonah looked toward Miles with wide eyes that were nearly brimming with tears. He wanted to find the nearest rock to crawl under. she found Michael sitting in the dining room. I??d like you to go. she quickly scanned the mail and then set it on the table by the door. Missy. my father took off. It was exactly what she needed. Half the time. not with him. As they sat across from him. he??d let her down. Oddly. a nice dark spot where he could hide from the world forever. while standing inside the Lincoln Memorial. ??Oreos are way better. We??ll do that. He didn??t mix up letters or words. ??You??re late every morning.

??Sarah raised a skeptical eyebrow.?? Miles said. for peace of mind she??d finally taken their advice.?? he answered again. and his palms were slick with sweat. He kind of shut himself off from the world after that. Only I didn??t have to do it for only a couple of months. while we??re on the subject of Miles Ryan . I??d had no choice.??Part of her knew their relationship had taken an irreversible turn that night.????I know.????Why???Brenda looked away.??Jonah bent over and grabbed his pants. he hadn??t been grounded. Perhaps naively. even though the driver had stopped the car to see what he had done. It was then that I felt as if I were going to vomit. All of their raids had come up empty. and tests were scheduled. Jonah. . Not family. covering his arms and fingers. She worked and walked.????Nothing???Miles looked away. Shaky and pale. It was only May. he??d drawn a picture of himself fishing from a small boat.

 he could see his wife in the small features of his son??s face. Half the time. There were a thousand things that could doom a relationship. She lost contact with his family and friends. Sure. do you know how you play with your friends? When you joke around and laugh and have a good time? That??s all a date is. . It was the saddest thing I??ve ever seen. hadn??t changed after the funeral. the memories of the day Missy died came back to Miles in bits and pieces. So stay away from him. ??Listen.He shook his head. The sun was dropping lower in the sky. the conversation lasted for another ten minutes. And her smell??that was something Miles would never forget.??Sarah shook her head.??You would??? she asked.????I know that. ??Well. His report cards said he was doing fine. Kids matured at different rates. He was sure they??d rather run than have Miles bring them home to meet with their parents. rooted in the numbing realization that she??d never really known him at all. but once I was in college. and sifting through the same information. But that was two glasses of wine ago.??I know??you??ve got to go.

 about Miles. well . ??Jonah is very intelligent. complete with some of the most breathtaking and exquisite gardens in the South. Like a robot. Sarah didn??t think she??d ever known someone like that in Baltimore. she??d learned almost right away. when she saw the blinking light on the answering machine. She wasn??t a close friend of the woman??s??she??d socialized with Sarah casually. Miles grew them. ??This is the sheriff. ??He??s sort of cute. she??d immediately pictured a caricature of southern law enforcement: overweight. too. .??He pointed in the direction of the rifles. He looked more confused than sad. Jonah kicked two more. He??d had no reason to call. ??You??re welcome. that it was okay to have these feelings. and sifting through the same information. Your father would have them tarred and feathered. Miles took one last glance in Jonah??s direction before following them into the school. but I think there is. tired. like three plus two. .

 of waking up in an empty bed. waiting until the commotion outside finally began to die down. the hot-water heater in her apartment had stopped working and she??d had to take a cold shower before heading off to school. Sarah laughed. The odor was sweet and untainted. The driver waved and Miles returned the gesture just as Sarah looked up again.??Sarah nodded. but good. But not really. He picked up around the kitchen.?? she said absently. . but Charlie had decided it would probably be better if he handled it. Jonah stepped over and hugged Sarah??who returned the squeeze with a hug of her own??before he scrambled off. He supposed he could hang up if the answering machine picked up. and she??d be able to better guide Miles when he was working with his son. As she strode past the fire station. their usual order. though. usingtheir wit and charisma. invisible IV.????What??s that?????A fan??and make it a good one. He was still sitting in bed. Sarah wondered if he was talking about himself. the shower groaned and hissed for a moment before the water finally came. next March??and his hair was streaked with gray. Yes.??Hey.

 Charlie said he??d be glad to do it.??What??s that???Sarah met his eyes. their guns drawn. and he probably chided himself for imagining the worst. As she searched for them. Besides. he actually got to the sixth number before chickening out. though Miles had no way to prove that. She moved around the desk. After what he did to you.??Miles turned out the light. it was a little extra work. she wouldn??t take him back. of course.????And?????And nothing. he hadn??t threatened him. Both were dressed in faded blue jeans and torn-up sneakers. it was the same thing. The soft flannel material scrunched back and forth in a seamless rhythm. It was all the energy he could summon. Maybe he was reaching for another beer. but that was fifteen years ago. Miles imagined himself as the man. sir. sometimes. Miles waited to see if Jonah would add anything more. Miles. Miles Ryan had become a widower at the age of thirty.

??What??s that???Sarah met his eyes. Not only wasn??t there a resolution. isn??t it???Their looks were guilty this time.?? she said simply. 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. or rather Sarah talked. he thinks I??m nagging. Criminal charges. okay? You??ve moved on??remember that. Even me. . While driving downtown. Miles had been trying to lower the speed limit for years.??Brenda will be disappointed. The nicotine wasn??t cutting it anymore.?? Maureen touched Sarah??s knee gently. ??I??m sorry. so content. ??You two seemed to have hit it off.??She nodded. each of them worse than the last.?? ??Well. . . ??I just assumed you??d decided to go out. knowing he was ready .?? Brenda paused and set her sandwich off to the side. then I??d be neglectingmy responsibility.

 not wanting her to leave just yet. and Miles crossed his arms and scanned the crowd. The first thing I was told when I moved here was that you knew everything that goes on around here. Sarah finally slowed down. I was dropping off a few things at the office. stopped at a traffic light. he went in the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. champ. He??s a good guy and I??m not saying that just because I like him. the words were lost. hoping it would satisfy her mother.?? they said in unison. offering her hand. By the time he came home. was a picture of Sarah??s family: Maureen and Larry in the middle. nor did she. but I don??t want you to forget that because of what??s going on here. ??You don??t have to know me better: I admit it. It??s just that I??ve noticed a big change in him these last few weeks. For some reason.????Who watches him after school?????Mrs.????Two years???Miles nodded for emphasis. and that bothered her. I promise.Miles sighed and looked out the window again. My mother died when I was finishing up high school. are you? Seeing him. almost charming.

 and he certainly wasn??t going to have his ramblings recorded on her answering machine for posterity.??There was a long pause on the other end. The adrenaline seemed to enter his system as if he were hooked to a giant.??As Miles tried to work it out. There weren??t many places to meet people.????You are??? he asked. I know. my father took off. seemed even busier.She??d heard about Miles Ryan. There were people here in town who??d lost their spouse and never remarried. .But he would find the driver. And it??s obvious that he worships you. said that he??d help Jonah and that if everything went well. Miles knew he??d taken the first step. We haven??t even gone out yet.??Jonah looked up from his bed. . and he filed a complaint???? Miles slammed his hand against the table. She needed a place where the memories wouldn??t be so painful. blathering away uncontrollably. evaluating the evidence at the scene.????How do you like it???She looked over at him.?? Miles demurred. a routine usually ensures that you??re consistent. Next to the photo was the manila file filled with information he??d compiled himself. There was always so much to do.

 as if daring Miles to find out who??d been driving the car that night. Even though she knew the wine wouldn??t help. Even then. they hadn??t talked since their last meeting in the lawyer??s office almost a year earlier. he squeezed back. Miles sometimes wondered if he would have turned out the same way had Missy never come into his life. no older than three. ??I said I would. Sarah glanced up at him. he would have made the call.??With that. Once or twice. You can pull up a chair and we can talk here and maybe we both pass out. Sarah. someone. her lips slightly parted. we were talking about your schedule and you were telling me how impossible it was going to be to get a routine going. in hopes that they could find a way to work it out. I??m telling you this for your own good. I wanted to get up and leave.????I can tell. Now. ??Can you show me??? she??d asked. stepping up. but then Brenda thinks everyone is great. He rose from the table. And Dad?????Yeah?????I love you. ??I said I would.

 Macdonald Junior High School. I turned mine on. ??Now dish up. But in the end. driving away??but she wasn??t laughing at Miles as much as she was laughing at how hard he??d made it seem. and Miles was thankful not only for the fact that his home sat on an acre of land.??I??ll be sure to ask him for you. then I??d be neglectingmy responsibility. ??Oreos. and math??just about everything. ??I didn??t expect to see you out here. ??The what?????Miss Andrews helping you with your schoolwork. and that the woman was with him.?? he said seriously. where she??d lived until just a few months earlier.After making sure she had heard correctly. Even then. ??Not today. where many of the old mansions had stood gracefully for the past two hundred years.????Tell him that I said he has to. especially in a small town. Miles had seen the look before??a look of apprehension??but before he could say anything. and a weekday.??Don??t look so surprised. its brackish waters partially hidden by the cypress trees clustered at the water??s edge. trying to compose herself.?? ??What about someone else? A grandparent or someone like that??? Miles shook his head.Miles looked up at him.

 I even talked to Brenda about the best way to tell you. When she pressed him. In time. no porch lights flicked on. Throughout the grounds. Miles and Sarah stood together on the sidelines. or we can do this outside where it??s a little cooler. and just think.Despite herself. He??d tried. In the first two years of their marriage. their guns drawn.??Since June. she??d immediately pictured a caricature of southern law enforcement: overweight. Sarah laughed. ??I didn??t expect to see you out here. playing the field.??I have no idea. a routine usually ensures that you??re consistent. Are you ready to get started?????Do you have any cookies?????Of course. refusing to believe it. oblivious to everything except his need to depart.??On Thursday.??Three days a week. raised her eyebrows. ??Will you talk about me?????Probably a little.????But you??re a grown-up. the driver didn??t panic.

 . reluctantly. Michael hadn??t come home from work.Miles took a deep breath and said the first and only thing that came to mind. In the beginning. Standing in front of the blackboard. Just let me make sure I have everything.????I know the place. She didn??t want to cry anymore. and if he had trouble falling asleep.??Really.????I think she??s pretty. Miles was worried enough to place a call to Charlie. .?? he said. When she slammed the door on her way out. Sarah Andrews was alone in her living room.This road always made him think of her. He wasn??t the type of sheriff who intimidated people on sight. He had a checkup earlier this week and he seems to be doing fine. for peace of mind she??d finally taken their advice. He didn??t know anything about her; in the end. her lips slightly parted. since Jonah was already asleep and he didn??t want to leave him alone unless he had to.?? Charlie said. I know??you??ve already told me that.Charlie raised his hands. there was no way she saw herself living here forever.

 It seems like I know everyone. .??Yeah??? he said cautiously. Even in those rare moments when Miles found himself with a little free time on his hands. pants hanging too low. She??d come to view them asher kids. you two stay together. Missy was rocking four-month-old Jonah in the living room when a brick came crashing through the window. . These and even more frightening thoughts must have raced through his head. Really. one that didn??t pose much of a threat to him.????I??m sorry to hear that. ??It??s good to hear you laugh again.??Sarah simply nodded before leaning back against the bench. 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. . . if it was my son. New Bern. She??d known all along that Michael would marry again; he??d told her as much. and in less than a few minutes the place would be surrounded by every law enforcement officer in the county. .Miles lowered Jonah to the ground. you know.??So . It??s more like a picture. .

 they hadn??t talked since their last meeting in the lawyer??s office almost a year earlier. groaning slightly. Missy glanced from side to side and stood. wondering if she was flirting with him again. he actually got to the sixth number before chickening out. his mouth set in a straight line.?? he said.He kept it to remind him of his failure. and it made him feel new as well. but even though he did his best to cast all the blame on his parents.??Sarah nodded almost imperceptibly. oblivious to everything except his need to depart. breaking into a grin. In the months following her divorce. She didn??t say anything at all. . I just want to make sure you??re happy with it. Miles felt as if he??d just swallowed a ton of lead. I don??t belong here. the argument went downhill fast. It touched her to know that Miles had people in his life who cared so much about him. lit it. Sometimes. and she smiled??again. they met with the doctor. . Jonah was only seven. ??This is the sheriff.

 . He??d read once that one of the symptoms of clinical depression was ??undue lethargy. I guess I might be having a little trouble with some of the work. Michael??s parents threw a lavish engagement party to formally announce the upcoming marriage. tired. okay? And don??t go wandering.????Schoolis going okay. She lost contact with his family and friends. as if he were moving around underwater.Sarah opened her can of Diet Pepsi.????Would that be okay?????If you don??t mind. Sarah told no one. Jonah??s classroom.??Sarah stared out over the water. I??d be glad to help. Though she sometimes missed the energy of city life. rooted in the numbing realization that she??d never really known him at all.??Yes??? she whispered. she quickly scanned the mail and then set it on the table by the door. The pallbearers brought the coffin to the grave.??Sarah glanced toward the folder in front of her.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. pushing his hands into his pocket. As she swung the door open. ??The what?????Miss Andrews helping you with your schoolwork. She kissed the camera lens. Miles glanced through the pages??two math tests without a single correct answer. but he suggested she see him again later that year if they were still having problems.

????And you??re good at it. still black above. ??Nothing??s wrong.?? he murmured. too. I don??t know if we??ll have time. Miles always asked how school was going; Jonah always answered that it was fine. he??d probably never had to ask a woman out??his wife had been his high school sweetheart. okay?????Did Miss Andrews really say that I was smart?????She tells me every day. stemmed from the fact that he??d simply never had to do his schoolwork before. ??You did?????Yeah. He still had a job. ethereal and ghostlike; small puddles formed in the street. Miles stole a good look at her.??Miles simply stared at her. Michael simply waved off the suggestion: ??My parents won??t accept that.?? Brenda said. that??s when Miles went. ??He??s a great kid??he really is.????No??no bet. I wouldn??t have been so worried about him. and Sarah winked. He was different from the men she had known in Baltimore.I fought back my nausea.?? Miles said. I just can??t do some of it. Knowlson??our neighbor. Miles doubted he even knew about them.

 you know. If I tell him. Originally named for the woman who once ran one of the most famous brothels in North Carolina.??Sarah glanced toward the folder in front of her. too.He didn??t fully understand that until after Jonah was born. since he??d been so young when most of them were made.?? The whistle sounded and Jonah kicked the ball to a teammate. Next to his pillow was a teddy bear Missy had given him when he??d turned three. . and aside from visiting her parents. the one who??d been driving the car.?? he said.? ? ?Miles Ryan made his way down Madame Moore??s Lane. ??No problem. But in the end.?? ??Thank you. but she couldn??t help it. He??d read once that one of the symptoms of clinical depression was ??undue lethargy. Sarah told no one.?? He hadn??t expected to say it. he didn??t look the part. or what Missy??s brother said in his eulogy. the delicately boned face.????I know.????You picked a good one. and though there were moments when he wanted to ask. the last time with a fellow who came on a little too strongly.