"'Don't lie to me!' she said. 'You stole it, didn't you? Maggie told me the kids were taking money from little Sean. Tell me the truth.' "I found it on the couch. "'You're lying.' "It's five o'clock--Sergeant Preston . . . "'You're not listening to the radio until you tell me the truth."' Joe made a face. "I was so desperate to hear Sergeant Preston that I told her I stole the dime." Brendan was silent. "She wouldn't believe me," Joe said. "That was the worst. She wouldn't believe me." Brendan looked at the napkin Joe had crumpled in one hand, and he shook his head. "I guess," Joe said, putting the napkin ball on the table, "if I wanted to be adult about it, I'd say she was too high strung--one of these people with major league talent but without the courage to use it." "Too bad," Brendan said. "We know people like that in San Francisco." He was genuinely sympathetic. "I'm glad we had a chance to talk," Joe said, on their way out. "Right on." Joe made Ann and Brendan promise to visit him in Hawaii. Ann told them that she had decided to stay on in the house, at least for a while; she needed time to adjust. She had friends on the island and money enough to cope with the coming winter. Joe said that he would be leaving first thing in the morning and that they shouldn't bother getting up to say goodbye. He slept restlessly and dressed at first light. Ann was already up. "You must have coffee, at least," she said. "It smells great. Thanks." He poured milk from a little pitcher into a mug decorated with a Maine Public Radio logo. "Just like your father," Ann said, "ready to go in the morning." "Mmm--delicious. Goodbye, Jeremy," he said to the cat who was rubbing against his ankle, anxious to be let out. "Well, get going then. Take the mug. Keep it. Maybe it will remind you of Maine and help bring you back." "Thanks, Ann. It was very good to see you and Brendan. Take care of yourself." He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. She followed him outside and picked up Jeremy, holding him, tawny and orange, against her white bathrobe as Joe drove away. He bought a doughnut in Bucksport and took the coastal route for old time's sake. He stopped for breakfast at Moody's, in Waldoboro. Moody's hadn't changed much in twenty years; they'd extended the dining room; the non-smoking area had gotten larger. Waitresses ran chattering back and forth to the kitchen, unimpressed as ever with anyone who did not live in Lincoln County. He ate bacon, eggs, toast, and homefries, taking his time.