Marie took the late afternoon bus into town with a 12-gauge shotgun under her summer coat. Her kids wouldn't be home until late as this was a campfire night. She sat stiffly in the back trying to avoid being goosed by the long barrel of Mickey's prized Remington. She talked to no one. Marie stationed herself across the street from Charlie s Grill, nearest the second hand store where she could browse unnoticed for the longest time. Under her coat Marie fingered the safety mechanism on the gun, repeating to herself again and again, Back is safe, forward is fire, back is safe, forward is fire. When Corporal Jackie Carroll's body comes home from Vietnam, the family and townspeople of Peekskill, New York, try to cope with the loss of a son and star athlete. Flood brilliantly captures the spirit of a town filled with quirky and endearing characters whose animosities and friendships bring about an unexpected celebration. A fast-moving story that both charms and disarms. The Midnight Mile is a vibrant tale with a surprise ending that will move you to tears.