Even though it's a morning early May, it's hot and muggy when you step into your son's school, Bernhardt Primary. According to an email from the principal, budget cuts had forced them to run the air conditioners on only the hottest days. The other parents also here for student-teacher conferences are sweating and panting as they move from classroom to classroom and you hear muttering that the principal has done this on purpose to try to drum up support for restoring the budget.

The last time you saw your son's sixth-grade teacher Nicole Martin had been back in November when the classroom was decorated in fall colors and a collage about Thanksgiving and she'd been wearing a thick sweater and wool skirt against the cold. You thought you and the attractive young teacher had hit it off. But, it had been so soon after your divorce that you hadn't pursued anything at the time. Your ex-wife Helen had taken the spring conference as part of your joint-custody agreement, but you find yourself eager to meet Miss Martin again.

Unfortunately, she has a stern look on her face and crosses her arms when she sees you. This makes you smile. Nicole has a reputation as a fairly strict disciplinarian and has a history of taking a teacherly tone with parents she thinks are doing their children's education some disservice. She says "Thank you for coming in. I have some concerns about Tyler's performance in class lately. He's been having trouble concentrating."

You cover your mouth to hide your smile this time. With Nicole standing in front of you, arms crossed, her white linen blouse half unbuttoned to fight the heat, and just a hint of sweat on her cleavage, you can understand why your son is focused on something other than long division.