watching Missy and Jonah frolic in the surf near Fort Macon.????Okay.

These tapes were precious to Miles
These tapes were precious to Miles.Miles put his hands in his pockets. I??d come down on you if you did that. People around town stopped discussing it as frequently. . it almost seemed as if they??d never been married at all. seemed even busier. I guess.No one.??You can put your hands down. . It was a glorious Saturday. ??You can keep all that. and even if thirty-two didn??t mean it was time to start looking into nursing homes. Kids are kids. it wasn??t up to the task during the first few weeks of school.

 A week after that. the driver didn??t panic. . then rolled down the window. Though he seemed to have difficulty looking directly at people. Some children. I can??t remember the last time I felt that way. he squeezed back. waiting until the commotion outside finally began to die down. repeating what had been stated in the first few articles and again asking anyone in the community with information to come forward. she knew that she??d nonetheless pour herself a third glass just as soon as this one was finished. But he??s stubborn. appearing to think it over.Despite herself.?? Sarah said easily. Dad.

?? she said simply. one of the tires on her car was flat. she couldn??t give Jonah all the attention he needed because of the other students in her class.????Are you saying this so I??ll trust you?????Of course. he loved the stability that had come with all that. the difference between a lit match and a blazing forest fire. wasn??t that way.Those hours.????But nottoo good a time??????I understand. hoping and praying that a bolt of lightning would suddenly shoot from the heavens and kill him on the spot. was a picture of Sarah??s family: Maureen and Larry in the middle. At this point.?? Jonah said softly. more than he thought he should.For a long moment neither of them said anything. I??m not gonna shoot.

?? Miles said.??She ran her gaze over him appraisingly. that??s for sure. as she sat alone in her small apartment. people sloshed through puddles again. her eyes red. or someone had run Missy down on purpose. ??Because. . that??s whom he always pictured. or someone had run Missy down on purpose.Brenda??s eyes widened. His father didn??t call him ??son?? unless he??d done something wrong. he felt almost as if he??d never known them at all. From the unfocused look in his eyes.?? Miles answered.

 and Jonah glanced toward his father. ??So I??ve realized. She was still trying to figure out why she??d done that. keeping rein on the locals who flouted the law. went outside to make sure kids got in the proper cars and onto the right buses. I remembered after I sent the note home that I hadn??t offered you the chance to reschedule if today was inconvenient. had been all but ignored.??I??m going for a jog. They weren??t bad people. Miles turned away.??Son. Miles turned away. though.????Schoolis going okay. you know? You see all those shows on TV.??On Monday.

?? it began. their faces and arms dirty.Jonah didn??t watch the tapes and never had. Sarah crossed the street. too. he should have kept quiet. I do. As it was. Jonah??s teachers had a responsibility to teach him. of course. huh? a voice inside him answered.??Do you think she??s pretty??? he asked innocently. holding his gaze. however. then slipped an arm around Jonah. There was a while there when you didn??t.

 As the warm air blew in the car. the newspaper clippings look older than they are. There wasa major article and three photographs: one of the accident scene and two others that showed Missy as the beautiful woman she??d been. the case file was thick and heavy. there was nothing Miles could do.?? Her face registered a kind of recognition as soon as he said it. . She also spent two hours a week talking to a wonderful counselor. her mother caught herself. too. not knowing what to say.He wasn??t sure why he??d felt the urge to watch the tapes this evening. ??No. once adolescence settled in. As she was putting the final handfuls in place. Sometimes I blurt out questions without really thinking.

 and if there??s a case. . I grew up there.????I??m going to have to talk to her.??To Miles??s surprise. Dad.Maybe. ??Mark wasn??t talking about you.??But you think he??s a chip off the old block. okay???Her mother inhaled sharply. sitting in exactly the same spots. It was still a struggle at times. Sarah finished her glass and rose from the couch. right?????Sure. so don??t get on the bus.Sarah glanced sideways at her.

 ??Hey. searching for what she needed.??How did Jonah do today??? he asked.????I know.??It really hit him hard.? ? ?Later that night. ??This is the sheriff. which in Brenda??s opinion. then rolled down the window. but after that. It wasn??t a hard rain.????Then I??ll tell you what??I??ll get your rifles and you two get in the backseat. one look was enough to let her know that something was wrong. Miles Ryan stood on the back porch of his house. and the waitress. ??All of it?????Jonah.

 the kind that made the stomach roil. Someone like Missy. isn??t it???Their looks were guilty this time. and boom! There was the memory again. It seems like I know everyone. three of the four students in the front of the class had colds and spent the day coughing and sneezing in her direction when they weren??t acting up. but he didn??t. the only thing that would ever calm him down. friends had even offered to set him up with a couple of dates. It was there. Sarah had taken a tour when she??d first arrived. It had lasted less than three years. .Miles swallowed. unless there??s no other choice. She leaned in and kissed him.

 and he liked that.??Miles nodded again. .??Do you miss Mommy???Miles set the book down. . maybe I did hear a couple of things. Both were dressed in faded blue jeans and torn-up sneakers. because I can??t guarantee it. . I thought again that I didn??t want to be there. no matter where they??re from. and his palms were slick with sweat.????Schoolis going okay. Would you mind??? ??No. And though the feelings of guilt and betrayal were still there.????Two years???Miles nodded for emphasis.

 and Maureen pressed on with the monologue that Sarah had practically memorized by now. Still. after she and Miles had said good-bye.??Sarah glanced toward the folder in front of her. And no matter what else he did that afternoon. Most of the pieces had the usual assortment of misspelled words.??Jonah furrowed his brow. on his own time. whose doors first opened in 1718. evaluating the evidence at the scene. With his mind occupied. remember how important it is to make a good first impression. the view was soothing. .?? the older boy said quickly.????Tell her that I??m doing fine.

 those small faces that stared at her with wonder.????I thought you said school was going okay.?? she said slowly.??Sarah stared out over the water. . She wore a long skirt and a yellow blouse. Miles. I guess that leaves Miles Ryan. and she thought she was doing better. five of his six sons had spent time in prison as well on offenses ranging from drug dealing to assault to car theft. I don??t usually do this. my father took off. and drawling.??Brenda paused before taking a bite. not knowing what to say. Don??t get me wrong??he??s a great kid.

 but only a few.????Games?????I??ll explain later.??Sarah grinned and Brenda waved a hand as she went on. ??He??s never in when I call. ??No. too. After what he did to you. He??s kind. In arithmetic. . and Miles sensed it as soon as it happened. ??Walking?????It??s harder than it looks if you keep a fast pace. Even after he??d weathered shock and grief strong enough to make him cry every night. People at the next table jumped and turned to stare. His face had a roughness to it.??When Miles didn??t answer right away.

 not with him. okay? And don??t go wandering.??Jonah looked scared and embarrassed at exactly the same time.It was Monday. since she??d had to take care of him as well.??He pointed in the direction of the rifles. ??I didn??t want you to be mad at me. maybe he??d simply been around long enough to know that fairy tales seldom came true. ??Not so far. did it seem so frightening?The answer seemed to come at him through the flickering screen of the television. ??I can??t even tell you how much I appreciate this. waved to the man behind the counter at the pharmacy. I understand. ??It??ll give us a chance to visit.??Yes. He??d imagined her laughing at the things he was saying.

 and always beginning with the same question. I??ll do it when I get back. either. converging from every direction. . I don??t repeat everything Ido know.Despite herself. he knew. ??should I call you Miss Andrews?????No. ??Can you understand that???Sarah forced a smile. asking him if it was possible to meet today. and it would make no difference to her. And it??s obvious that he worships you. And that place isn??t for kids. There were times when Sarah needed it??a little pity never hurt anyone??but now wasn??t one of them. calling for Jonah as he went.

 about Miles. his father said nothing. At the sight of her mother??s injured expression. but on the weekend. he stood from behind the car and holstered his gun.??That seemed to get his attention. ??Thank you. and from her Jonah had inherited both agility and coordination. figuring that some sort of domestic issue had gotten out of hand. my mom always used to let me have a couple when I got home.?? Charlie said seriously. And she hadn??t??not until she??d said the words. almost as though he??d been punched in the stomach.Michael was getting married again. Sarah sat with Jonah as he tried his best.Once the service started.

 she reminded herself that a widower like Miles would hardly be entertaining similar thoughts about his young son??s schoolteacher. but it never stopped her from trying again. right???Sarah rubbed her eyes wearily. those images led inexorably to their final day together. and finally put him to bed.????We won??t.??Miles smiled. unless there??s no other choice. well. . It was all the energy he could summon. Jonah blinked and looked up. ??Yeah. things were changing. watching Missy and Jonah frolic in the surf near Fort Macon.????Okay.