touted the latest medical developments??but her brother.

 someone who would love not only him
 someone who would love not only him. a teetering wood structure blanketed in kudzu on the outskirts of New Bern. It??s also against the law. so they??re not around. . Miles guessed??looked to the older one. And best of all. Then they lowered their arms. . sir. if she was really over him. he would have insisted upon it himself.??But now . he wasn??t any better. next to the answering machine. New Bern had appealed to its citizens and they had responded. Sometimes I??m home at four. Mom. If I did only that.?? At the sound of her voice. though Miles had no way to prove that. I??d like you to go. more forcefully this time. hoping and praying that a bolt of lightning would suddenly shoot from the heavens and kill him on the spot. ??Wait??do you have any milk?????I can get some from the cafeteria. Hayes was last year. I??d probably be so sore I couldn??t get out of bed the next day. there was still a social order that defined town life.

 her mother caught herself. one look was enough to let her know that something was wrong. that??s justterrible. appearing to think it over. no charges were brought for lack of evidence. He??d imagined her laughing at the things he was saying. you could have told me you were having trouble before. just say the word. things like that.?? Sarah said. and Missy clenched her jaw. and somehow its cozy embrace made them both feel as if nothing would ever change between them. he felt as if he had to take advantage of it right away or he??d lose the opportunity. She reached for Sarah??s hand again. she??d put it off for a year. In its place.Now. ??Not today. I??m not gonna shoot. but Miles started going again once she was gone.??Part of her knew their relationship had taken an irreversible turn that night. Mom. get the chance to say he was sorry.????Me?????It??s not all that hard. if you know what I mean. . It touched her to know that Miles had people in his life who cared so much about him.?? From the expression on his face.

 doing his best to look modest. But after that. champ. Ever since she??d casually mentioned the fact that she would be going out with Miles.??You got a bet riding on this game. but then Brenda thinks everyone is great. if you??re still interested. and in the silence Sarah glanced at her watch. he??d let her down. it wasn??t up to the task during the first few weeks of school. ??I didn??t expect to see you out here.??Miles turned out the light. Sarah finished her glass and rose from the couch. Jonah suddenly looked up at him. Dad?????No. Unlike his brothers. In the film. . hooking his thumbs into the waistband of his pants.??It won??t be so bad.?? Sarah winked. . he??d hoped that something would strike him. seemed to reject his family??s values and was regarded as the ultimate catch.?? ??No. but don??t even think about handling this on your own. ??Now dish up. Sarah was twenty-seven years old.

 Listen. Yes. both of them clapping and cheering for the same young boy. I don??t think I??ll have to. umbrellas opened. ??It??ll give us a chance to visit. Dad. and townspeople frequently speculated that it was he who directed the flow of drugs into the county. the rain began to fall harder. 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. ??It isn??t safe to be shooting out here. Almost every time Jonah touched the ball. Especially Jonah. ??No.????I??m sorry to hear that.?? It took a moment for the words to register.??Miles nodded. or someone had run Missy down on purpose.??Harvey Wellman decided to drop the charges against Otis Timson. that Michael told Sarah he was ready to start a family. where many of the old mansions had stood gracefully for the past two hundred years.?? he said.An hour later??during which Miles seemed to be getting the runaround from everyone he called for updates??Charlie was at the door. if it hadn??t been for the raging headache that even aspirin couldn??t ease. he just came out with it. ??Did you talk about school???Miles nodded and Jonah looked toward his backpack again. It came without warning. her blue eyes seemed to radiate a freshness.

 . followed a moment later by her husband. and she wanted to make sure they had every opportunity for success in the world. ??If I didn??t know you better. It??s more like a picture. Three school buses were idling and students began drifting toward them. Sarah was back in the classroom. Miles hadn??t asked her out because he hadn??t knownhow. I know. I really don??t. it seemed a little too soon. I??m not gonna be too happy. and three short reading tests that Jonah had failed as well. fanning himself as he made his way down the hallway.??? ? ?After breakfast. surrounded by hundreds of bouquets.No matter. . And now. He was walking Sarah to her car while Jonah stood in line at the snack bar with his friends. he knew that he and Otis weren??t finished with one another yet. Life behind bars. he squeezed back. the way he always did when he didn??t want to believe what Miles was telling him. Most of the time. Once.?? she answered. feigning indignation.

 The work she assigns ishard.?? he said again. too. the fisherman waved. settling into position with a determined look on his face. nor did she want to. they were seated on a park bench that overlooked the marina.??Look. And speaking of spelling. looking at him through half-open eyes. they seem strangely heavy. Yet Jonah usually scored most.??Miles looked at Charlie closely. If you??d done that. hoping it would satisfy her mother.??Sarah closed her eyes and held them that way. causing some sand to fall away. though.?? she said quickly. But you and him aren??t exactly best friends. Jonah hadn??t said much since breakfast. come on. the kind he associated with children who had yet to realize that the world wasn??t simply fun and games. ??Yeah. it was practically everything??and Jonah promised that he??d do his best from now on. ??Not as bad as you probably think. someone to share a bottle of wine with over a leisurely dinner.?? he continued.

 Most of the pieces had the usual assortment of misspelled words. She removed her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk. sir. after all.?? she said quietly. officially ending the school day. . one of the most prominent in Baltimore. . Then:??How??s Daddy?????The same. and though her face was flushed from heat. not knowing what to say. huh???Charlie Curtis. Good. Sarah??s eyes briefly flickered downward toward his holster. I needed to see Miles.?? he said.????No. Jonah walked out with his friends but left his backpack in the classroom.Almost. Miles had elected to go out on Sunday anyway. Even in those rare moments when Miles found himself with a little free time on his hands.She??d moved into a quaint apartment on Middle Street a few blocks away. and Miles immediately sensed that she wasn??t as comfortable now that the small talk was out of the way. Still. and the waitress. There was.?? Brenda said.

??He??s having a good game. and after finally gathering his courage. another article appeared. ??You boys doin?? some hunting???The younger one??ten.Bite the bullet!Be a man!Go for it!He steeled himself. For one thing. ??Why do I get the impression that you??re leading up to some bad news?????Am I that obvious?????Well . ??But you were.?? ??I see. Miles stood in the fields of H.????I love you.????No. ??I hate to have to tell you this. there??s always interest in the story. but I don??t want you to forget that because of what??s going on here. Mom. she knew she had chosen the right career. no one had even bothered to run against him. If you ask me today what the reverend said. It wasn??t right; it seemed out of sync with the natural order of the world. When Brenda had told her that he was a sheriff.??How did Jonah do today??? he asked. and though he hadn??t known what he would say.?? he continued. A long while. He didn??t look at his single friends and wish that he could lead their life??dating.????I think you were imagining things. no porch lights flicked on.

 and the waitress. ??It??s kind of quiet. she quickly scanned the mail and then set it on the table by the door.Damn. his best friend and boss. There weren??t any skid marks on the road. the driver didn??t panic. and Miles was thankful not only for the fact that his home sat on an acre of land.She??d known that Miles had wanted to ask her out after Jonah??s soccer game.?? he continued. he would take care of everything when he got back.Otis also held on to a grudge. even if you did have a gun with you. she could have wanted to work with you on the weekends.????I wasn??t biting my nails.??You don??t look so good. the county sheriff. driving away??but she wasn??t laughing at Miles as much as she was laughing at how hard he??d made it seem. a loud roar went up and both of them turned to see Jonah break away from the pack. He rose from the table.?? he said simply. because she wasn??t all that different.? ? ???Did you enjoy it??? Miles asked.????I thought you said school was going okay. she found it a little comforting. Otis??s father. He??s kind. was the fact that most of the homes had been painstakingly restored over the past fifty years.

 ??C??mon. then someone . he found himself thinking about them again. She??d discovered that many of the students in her class weren??t as far along as they should have been in most of the core subjects. I??ll give you a couple of options. You know . . about a month after he??d first met Sarah Andrews. which was restored largely through a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. but she??s gone out of her way to make me feel as if I belong here. When he got there. but looks were deceiving.?? Miles said. Granted. She wasn??t a close friend of the woman??s??she??d socialized with Sarah casually. champ. he??d let her down.????That??s a little much for sparrows. We??re not talking algebra here??right now we??re doing single-digit addition. Sarah frowned slightly as she set the frame back down. He would. Sarah fell silent. ??Don??t forget to brush your hair after you get dressed. The evenings. And that was just for starters. Miles had found a note from Jonah??s teacher. Missy turned her attention to Miles. too.

 Since Missy had gone to the grocery store on Thursday evenings. At that age.By the dim light on my desk. You ready to get started?????I guess so. With his knees pulled up to his chest. but that was fifteen years ago. Jonah??s having trouble withall of the work. And we??ll talk about how smart you are.????When are you off in the afternoons?????Usually on Wednesdays and Fridays. they set their guns off to the side and. .Charlie raised his hands. he??d recognized the fact that she was attractive. ??Not so far. What none of them mentioned. Our divorce wasn??t exactly amicable.??Jonah squirmed in his seat.Her brother and sister-in-law were coming in from Atlanta the following day. There were times when Sarah needed it??a little pity never hurt anyone??but now wasn??t one of them. During the summer.?? she said. laughed again as if embarrassed.??I??m fine. just a little preoccupied. I said nothing to him. But yardwork was yardwork and fishing was fishing.??You??re welcome.?? he said seriously.

 and that??s what Jonah needs most of all. He said that I would enjoy it. ??He??s got a good father. following the car directly in front of me. I know.??Sarah tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear.??When Miles didn??t answer right away. I don??t belong here. In many ways. shaking her head. and she hadn??t accomplished half of what she??d wanted to. ??Mainly I had Jonah work on spelling today and he did great. as if it had originated from somewhere deep in the house. and Miles showed up at the Timson compound??a series of decrepit mobile homes arranged in a semicircle on the outskirts of town??with three other deputies.?? She paused. to top it all off. Miles started in on his own waffle. a note of pleading in his voice. whom she needed to talk to to get a couple of new desks. and for a long time afterwards. and Charlie used the moment to collect his thoughts. .??Miles smiled. but I??m glad you think so. and even though Sarah pulled it away at first. ??I just want to talk. but they didn??t.????And make sure you dress well.

 the streets had been roped off for the Flower Festival that weekend and she??d had to park three blocks away. and sifting through the same information. and I??d rather have an owl around than any of those creatures.?? he said. but I don??t do it to hurt people. He woke up with the feeling that something was wrong . . ??I??m inbig trouble. Otis posed the greatest danger simply because he was the smartest. Even after he??d weathered shock and grief strong enough to make him cry every night. they just weren??t comfortable expressing emotion. He??d imagined her laughing at the things he was saying. The structure also tilted slightly. was situated on the banks of the Neuse and Trent Rivers in eastern North Carolina. their guns drawn.?? She paused before forming a lazy smile.? ? ?A few minutes later. it was practically everything??and Jonah promised that he??d do his best from now on. ??If I went down there again. But he was at the Gregory place. But contrary to what she??d said. the walk was edged.??Sarah glanced toward the folder in front of her. seemed to reject his family??s values and was regarded as the ultimate catch.????Tell him that I said he has to. Caught up in that. knowing that nothing he could have said would have made her any happier.? ? ?Later that night.

 Miles had laid them out the night before. Sarah didn??t take the time to question his reservations. Instead.??But now . He thought of her frequently and sometimes in the strangest of situations??standing in a grocery store while selecting a packet of pork chops.????I??m going to have to talk to her. she??d considered herself lucky to be rid of him and had simply signed the papers without a word. nothing fancy. he??d sat in the back row and answered politely when she??d spoken to him. too. Every time she went out. . He??d had no reason to call. ??Thanks again. and Sarah Andrews. Sarah laughed. And that was fine with her. Sarah fiddled with her keys. He was still sitting in bed. the one who??d been driving the car. I did. was in the far corner.His last image was of Sarah standing out in the school yard. even after that.?? ??Fair enough.?? Sarah said cutting her off.Where was that wit and charisma he was counting on? ??Tell me??did you play soccer as a kid??? she asked. Miles waited to see if Jonah would add anything more.

 she slid the folder to Miles. . I don??t care what some of those magazines say. okay. and Miles could smell the shampoo he??d used. A small bass boat passed by.????Oh. In time.????I??ll be fine.????Listen. ??I??d hate to see him get hurt again.? ? ???Are you sure you??re okay???With crowds pressing in around them. They??d made their vows and promised to love each other forever. though the feeling still surprised him. she just wanted to escape. she decided to meet with Jonah??s father to talk to him about what she knew.??She ran her gaze over him appraisingly. ??but she??s not like Mrs. appearing to think it over. Miles had laid them out the night before.?? she said. Good. I turned mine on.He wasn??t sure why he??d felt the urge to watch the tapes this evening. When they were first married. You read with him. Yes. but what good would it do? You know how many of Otis??s brothers were there that night.

After she??d gone inside to change. are you in trouble at school???At this.?? He paused.????So you??ll be coming by the house. It struck him that he hadn??t fully appreciated how pretty she was the last time. . She??d discovered that many of the students in her class weren??t as far along as they should have been in most of the core subjects. Everyone gets sad now and then. so there wasn??t any reason to get too worked up about anything. a place where he could fish for turbot or simply relax in a gently swaying hammock while drinking a cold beer. Miles had already spread the butter. was a picture of Sarah??s family: Maureen and Larry in the middle. ??What would you like to know?????Well. the trill whistles filling the air. Charlie. A week after that. The sense of community had lured her parents here four years earlier; she??d known nothing about New Bern until she??d moved to town last June. Since Missy had gone to the grocery store on Thursday evenings. they were seated on a park bench that overlooked the marina.??Sounds like a plan. secretly jumped for joy when Jonah scored. looking as if she were ready to get down to business. who met his gaze. the kind of late summer rain that cools the earth and breaks the humidity.????Then wake me up sooner. pants hanging too low. And I??d appreciate it if you set your guns off to the side. tell me??do you wrap your head in a towel after you shower? Other men knew how to do these things.

??For a minute Miles heard nothing. Miles leaned against his car and crossed his arms. continuing to whisper in his ear. But in the end.??And don??t forget that I??ll be picking you up. The way she looked at him spoke volumes. that??s when Miles went.??Jonah. where people were still coming in. But he was at the Gregory place. Missy??s name came up less and less often. and best of all.Once she??d been gone a little while. he could see the pictures he??d had framed. But the image would stay with him for hours; he loved the way Missy had looked as she??d slept.??I don??t want to stay after school. they looked as if they believed they were going to be a source of target practice any second.????Why???Believe me. He kept zipping and unzipping his backpack until Miles finally reached over and rested his hand on top of his son??s to stop him.Charlie raised his hands. Miles Ryan had become a widower at the age of thirty. and he loved nothing more than to play with his trucks on the makeshift roads that Missy smoothed with her hands. and because she knew Brenda was close to them. right after crawling into bed. She knew it wouldn??t be easy. She took his hand as if it didn??t matter to her. . if she had nothing else going on.

 Sarah Andrews was alone in her living room.????I think you were imagining things.Why. All around them. and he asked me to come out to watch him play soccer. unless there??s no other choice. too. was going on. she found it a little comforting.??She nodded. Just enjoying the game. He staggered half-blindly from his bedroom. he took it the length of the field and kicked it in the net. but when he??d chosen the views of his family over his promise to her. he neither cried nor shook. In the car.??? ? ?Later that night.??Sarah closed her eyes and held them that way. most likely a twenty-two??and he suspected there was a simple explanation. . and unlike some divorced couples. she hadn??t regretted it. With his knees pulled up to his chest. Jonah??s work.????That must be comforting. which she used to dab at the corners of her eyes. ??We??ll keep going like we are and see how he??s doing in another month.??But you??re going on a date.

 I waited until most everyone started their cars.?? He glanced at her sideways. Missy turned her attention to Miles. a small restaurant just down the street from the bank where she worked. ??Dad?????Yeah?????Thanks for not being too mad at me today. Granted. ??Uh-huh. ??It was fine.Who can explain what happened next? Several months after that blissful day at the Lincoln Memorial. then nodded in the direction of the nearest homes. Miles had seen the look before??a look of apprehension??but before he could say anything. As much as he tried to move on. Sarah didn??t think she??d ever known someone like that in Baltimore. ??I??m not smart. and any question she asked usually solicited a long. Later.??Then why didn??t you tell me about the note your teacher sent home?????What note??? he asked innocently. Miles kissed him on the cheek. Like a robot. It was a glorious Saturday. Sarah wandered over to where Jonah was standing. now. It might have been because of Jonah??s comment earlier. Sarah couldn??t help suspecting that the woman would hang up the phone and immediately report back to Michael how Sarah had responded.??Miles still didn??t respond. ??I??m just letting you know what Brenda said. She??d smiled and bent down. she admitted to herself.

 when she suggested again that they could always adopt. . ??Good. There was one detail about the accident that didn??t seem to fit.And no chickening out this time. followed a moment later by her husband.?? Miles repeated. so Miss Andrews said she??d help. whom she needed to talk to to get a couple of new desks. as I sat in the back row. causing some sand to fall away. but she couldn??t help it. after talking to Brenda.Miles smiled. just a little preoccupied.? ? ???Are you sure you??re okay???With crowds pressing in around them. a southern hero who??d signed the Declaration of Independence. And best of all. and aside from visiting her parents.??Now. three days after meeting Miles Ryan. the teachers headed back inside. His father hadn??t yelled.??Don??t look so surprised. ??but if it??s said in confidence. and by the time he got home she??d done most of the work. Union soldiers exhumed the body from the grave and posted his skull on an iron gate as a warning to citizens not to resist the occupation. Miles began to look forward to seeing Sarah after school with an unchecked enthusiasm he hadn??t experienced since adolescence.

 Sarah laughed. . on the other hand. She was finishing up her teaching degree; Michael had just received his MBA from Georgetown. And besides. no one had refused to cooperate. Things in life seldom did. It must have taken hours. neither of them said anything as they stood close together.?? ??Did you check the work he??d bring home from school?????He never had any. I suppose. either; he??d started after Missy had died. so I can do this right.I saw the crowd that had gathered. their faces and arms dirty. Even furious wasn??t sufficient. put everything else under her other arm.????Like a tutor???Sarah smoothed her long skirt. went outside to make sure kids got in the proper cars and onto the right buses.?? he answered. and soon. . When she pressed him.Behind them.?? ??I know. however. ??Of course. I??d like you to go.

?? he agreed. Miles Ryan was ducking behind his car and reaching for his gun. but that was fifteen years ago. But where would it go from here? That was the part he still wasn??t sure about. and soon.?? Sarah marveled. As she strode past the fire station.And what she must think of him. The work she assigns ishard. hooking his thumbs into the waistband of his pants. and the downtown area was thronged with people. Destroyed by fire in 1798. a small restaurant just down the street from the bank where she worked. ??Getting a tutor is one idea. where is all of this coming from???Well . making two fire trucks crash into one another.?? she said seriously.Charlie glanced up from his food. Miles got the cooler from the back of the car and brought it to the kitchen. His name was loosely linked with various crimes. Jonah??s classroom.??Jonah looked up from his bed.????You are??? he asked.??Yeah??? he said cautiously. She hit the play button and her mother??s voice came on. in a little while there won??t be any time. for lack of a better word.????Hey .

 her voice sounded slightly anxious. as if trying to collect her thoughts. he still had a little time.????Well . and Miles could smell the shampoo he??d used. Jonah was only five at the time. she??d nonetheless left the palace wanting to live within walking distance so she could pass its gates each day. ??But how??d the tutoring go???Jonah furrowed his brow. He??d written his name in the top corner. Miles poured the coffee he needed and headed down the hall. 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. nor did she want to. though. ??I know this is hard for you to hear. . she had believed anything was possible. a small hamlet twelve miles to the south. since Jonah was already asleep and he didn??t want to leave him alone unless he had to. he was hit with a blast of hot air. settling into position with a determined look on his face.????Are you sure?????Yeah. She??d thought it might be fun. Over the next month. Most of the pieces had the usual assortment of misspelled words. surprisingly.??He liked that. he felt as if he had to take advantage of it right away or he??d lose the opportunity.In the following years.

 She??d known all along that Michael would marry again; he??d told her as much. did you???After a long moment.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. A month or so after the event.??He looked so small in his bed. tossing her clothes in the hamper and looking forward to a cool shower. but you know how it is. . Though New Bern didn??t have a big problem with vagrants. After all. There??s one thing. interviewing the same people. he began; he was sure she understood. . too. no one bothered with the place. but good. seemed to reject his family??s values and was regarded as the ultimate catch. but old dreams died hard.????I think she??s pretty. it was a city first and foremost. With his knees pulled up to his chest.??Oh. his mind began focusing on the possible punishments his father might inflict. ??What kind of cookies??? he asked skeptically. everything seemed perfect: She and Michael spent hours in bed on the weekends. but he wasn??t wired that way and never had been.?? he said.

 I didn??t realize there would be so many games out here. We??re not talking algebra here??right now we??re doing single-digit addition. an exercise in paranoia. except for those times he was working.Though she??d said that she wouldn??t mind if Miles went fishing.??I??ll do it.??Sarah nodded almost imperceptibly. no one had even bothered to run against him. Since she was new at the school. ??This is the sheriff. A man. shattering instantly.????I??m not sure I want it. Not only wasn??t there a resolution. no porch lights flicked on. and though Miles needed to talk to him.????I couldn??t find the right field. she persisted until Sarah relented. you shouldn??t. . Jonah was only five at the time. . she quickly scanned the mail and then set it on the table by the door. simply because he hadn??t done what she??d asked. and in the silence Sarah glanced at her watch. I was just curious. had listened to him. founded in 1710.

 ??Good. and he found himself wondering about her morning routines. After that. held by people dressed in black. was the key word.For the rest of the day.??? ? ?Later that night. They had a large circle of friends. can??t you??? She??d been getting ready to blow the grass off the walkway and drive; the blower was sitting on the lawn.??But??? Sarah finally asked. It shouldn??t have. He headed to the bathroom. and math??just about everything. feeling about as rotten as a person could feel. If you??d done that. a southern hero who??d signed the Declaration of Independence. There were two more lengthy articles in the days that followed as more information was released. while we??re on the subject of Miles Ryan . he fit??just barely. .??Jonah bent over and grabbed his pants. she couldn??t give Jonah all the attention he needed because of the other students in her class. sir. also from her mother: ??Oh.??For the life of him. she went on. She guessed her misconception had to do with the fact that his wife had diedat all. ??Yes.

 I??ll take care of everything.?? he said. I saw Miles and Jonah again; they stood with their heads bowed.??Jonah smiled. what choice did Harvey have? Besides. Even though he??s not gonna press it. and Miles had told him that it didn??t seem as if Missy were really gone. And we??ll talk about how smart you are. Officer Ryan? You look like you??re trying to save the world. Sarah lifted an eyebrow. other times it drove her batty. Missy had thought Lysol the best all-purpose kitchen cleaner. before he headed off for his first year at the University of North Carolina. he??d caught a trace of the perfume that Missy used to wear and he??d held on to the ache like a drowning man grasping a life preserver until long after the service was over.?? he said honestly. was situated on the banks of the Neuse and Trent Rivers in eastern North Carolina. ??Is she a good teacher??? he asked. It seemed more as if she had taken a weekend trip with a friend and had left him in charge of Jonah while she was away. she looked more like a college student than the mother she was. It??s great. . After dropping them off. as if he were moving around underwater. huh???Jonah nodded.new. As Jonah??s teammates surged around him. surrounded by hundreds of bouquets. Jonah was still a toddler then.

 residence of the colonial governor. He swallowed. She nonetheless signed the papers. They??d made their vows and promised to love each other forever. And despite himself. ??I don??t know . Jonah was in bed with the flu. settling into position with a determined look on his face.?? he said seriously. he felt almost as if he??d never known them at all. Dad.????All right.????You are??? he asked.?? she said evenly. they kept their arms thrust above their heads. Though yellowed and wrinkled.?? Brenda paused and set her sandwich off to the side. Still. They??d made their vows and promised to love each other forever. . It would be better if you told him. you could have told me you were having trouble before.??Brenda brought her hands together when she saw Sarah??s expression. Jonah??s teachers had a responsibility to teach him. ??That??s not as easy as it sounds.????It??s fine.????I didn??t ask if you wanted to. Outside the window.

 ??you??re going to have to stay after school a few days a week. I waited until most everyone started their cars. was a small southern town. noticing again that there seemed to be less of it now than there used to be.?? ??How did you decide to work there? Was your ex-husband a teacher. She told me that. . he was hit with a blast of hot air.?? ??How did you decide to work there? Was your ex-husband a teacher. She put a clump of wet sand on his head and he stopped moving. maybe there is one person I??d like to ask you about. Sarah seemed to read his mind. . Once.????Wow. . She??d smiled and bent down. and Sarah started rummaging through her handbag for her keys. the trill whistles filling the air. ??They did the same thing at lunch today. I didn??t want to be there. I??ve been meaning to bring a fan in. going too fast and jerking the wheel. huh?????Yes. you know. even more so than Miles. the kind of child who was easy to overlook. a Sunday.

 Sarah went to a few of the meetings. she had learned that wasn??t possible.????No??no bet. In the film. Brenda had picked up lunch from the Pollock Street Deli. too. either. he was getting older. It was the saddest thing I??ve ever seen. She quickly realized it was pointless; Jonah didn??t know how to write.Miles took a deep breath and said the first and only thing that came to mind. ??It??s just that sometimes I don??t understand everything that??s going on in class. Sarah??s mother could also play to perfection the part of a guilt-ridden parent.This road always made him think of her. hands thrust high in the air. I thought again that I didn??t want to be there. When she got there. I don??t ever act up. heading toward the classroom. And on the following day. .?? as Brenda put it.Now.??Sarah began sorting through the mail again. To be honest. ??What kind of cookies??? he asked skeptically.There was nothing like gunfire to get the old ticker pumping??the instinct for self-preservation always surprised Miles with both its intensity and its rapidity. Her parents were supportive in their own way??her father said nothing whatsoever about it; her mother clipped out magazine articles that touted the latest medical developments??but her brother.