Mrs. Applebum was thrilled to be back in the classroom. After several years of retirement, the novelty of being home all day wore off. She missed the kids. She missed math. She missed the paycheck. She decided to teach one more year and use that money to pay for the cruise to Antarctica she'd always dreamed of.

She waved at a few familiar faces who greeted her warmly as she started to decorate her classroom. Students didn't arrive until the next day, and it was nice to have time to set everything up.

She stood on a desk to hang her Divisibility Rules poster when she was interrupted by a male voice.

"You're supposed to ask maintenance to help you with things like that," he said.

"I'm sorry, and who are you?" Mrs. Applebum didn't take kindly to strangers telling her what to do. She turned around to see a very handsome gentleman who she estimated was in his sixties. She looked at his left hand and noticed there wasn't a ring.

"I'm Mr. Padilla, the science teacher here. You must be new." He put out his hand for her to shake.

"No, you must be new, Mr. Padilla. I've taught at this school for over twenty years." She stepped off the desk and walked toward him to shake his hand. She noticed his very sturdy handshake.

"My name is Mrs. Applebum."

"Like the song?"

"Excuse me?" She asked, confused.

"Never mind. Anyhow, I've heard about you, Mrs. Applebum," he said with a smile. "You retired the year before I started here."

"And what exactly did you hear about me?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe I can tell you over coffee or a meal? Do you have plans after school?" he asked.

"I don't date coworkers. That's tacky," she said, pursing her lips.

"Who said anything about a date?" he asked with a chuckle.

"Mr. Padilla, we are grown," she said and walked toward her box of math decorations. "I'm an attractive, shapely lady in a cute dress and boots, and you are a handsome gentleman with a full head of hair." She started ruffling through items in her box.

"So you think I"m handsome?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.