Amy smiled as the last student filed out of the music room. “That went well. I’m impressed.”

Terri nodded. “It helps that many of the kids participated last year, so they know some of the songs. That’s why we started with that particular set. I like that you’re mixing in the original ideas of this batch though—that Little Drummer Boy is going to be amazing once we get the details figured out.”

“I missed it all, didn’t I?” Zach strode into the empty room and looked around. “Sorry. I really thought I’d be able to at least make part of it.”

“It’s fine. Seriously. What you’re doing for those kids is more important than anything else.” Amy patted a desk. “Come on in and have a seat.”

Zach pulled out a chair and sat. “I’m not sure I’m doing anything beyond annoying them. Honestly, if I have to explain that yes, you really will use algebra in real life, one more time...I might just lose it.”

Terri snickered. “Oh sure, they’ll use algebra. When?”

“Really?” Zach massaged the back of his neck. “Let’s say you have a budget of one hundred dollars for the stage sets for the school holiday program.”

“That sounds about right, actually.” Amy hunched her shoulders at Zach’s frown. Touchy. “Sorry.”

“Okay, so we’ve got a hundred bucks. And we know we need six four-by-eight panels to provide a reasonably not-ridiculous backdrop. How much can we spend on each panel?”

Terri cleared her throat. “That’s just division.”

He shook his head. “Not really. It’s the basics of algebra. We’re solving for x. In this case, x is how much we can spend on each. But if you don’t like that, what about figuring out when you can pay off your car or your house based on differing interest rates or premium payments? All algebra.”

Terri frowned. “Why didn’t my math teacher ever explain it like that?”

“They probably did. Unfortunately, most students don’t hear it. They see the word ‘algebra’ and all of the sudden they’re paralyzed because it’s supposed to be both impossible and worthless.”

Amy chewed on her lower lip. He sounded so discouraged. What would it be like to teach a subject you loved that most students hated? Not for the faint of heart.

“Anyway. It always takes longer than I think it will because first I have to remind them that there’s a reason to learn in the first place and then, and only then, do we manage to get down to understanding what it is we’re trying to figure out. Any takeaways from today’s rehearsal?”

“Not really. It’s already starting to sound great. We had a couple of the guys asking about helping you with sets, so there’s interest, and probably some ideas. I think you’ll be pleased.” Amy stood and inclined her head toward the door. “Can you come down to the after school room for a minute, Zach? I left the budget and measurements for the stage there. But I’m guessing you might want it, in case you get some ideas and want to start planning.”

“Sure.” He stood and lifted a hand. “See you, Terri.”

Amy waited until they’d turned the corner before slipping her hand into Zach’s. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

He sighed. “Yeah. It’s just been a day, on top of not sleeping well last night...it makes it harder to remember why I do this, you know? Sometimes I don’t understand why I didn’t start taking the actuary exams when I had the chance.”

“You wanted to be an actuary?” She had trouble picturing that. Zach always looked so at ease—at home, even—at the chalkboard talking about math. Would he really be content to sit at a desk and do...whatever it is actuaries did?

“Considered it. But I also love teaching. When I had the opportunity to be a TA while finishing my Master’s, it changed everything. So I added in education classes and here I am.” Zach lifted a shoulder. “It’s probably where I’m supposed to be. It’s just not always as easy as I feel like it should be.”

Her mother’s words flitted into her head. Before she could stop herself, she let them out. “Are you looking for easy or for where God wants you to be?”

He let out a mirthless laugh. “I guess there’s that, isn’t there.”

“You can’t come over on Saturday.”

Amy pulled the phone away from her ear and frowned at it. “Why not, Mom? We don’t have to have tamales, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“No, no, it’s Halloween. I forgot all about it, but you know how the kids get if you’re not there to answer your door. And we can’t leave ours, either. None of us need to spend the next week scrubbing egg off the door.”

Halloween. How had she missed it? Usually the kids were all babbling about their costumes...and now that she thought about it, they had been. She’d been preoccupied. “Crud. You’re right.”

“I can bring you tamales earlier in the day if you want to have Zach over, and he can help you with handing out candy. Maybe you can have your own game night.”

That was one option. Or she could just reschedule. He’d understand, wouldn’t he? “I don’t know, Mom. Does it send the wrong signal to have him over, alone? I don’t want him to get the wrong idea.”

“You’re a good girl, Amy, and I can’t imagine Zach doesn’t know that already. But it’s up to you. If you’re worried, then maybe it’s not the right choice. Your father and I trust you. That probably goes without saying, but sometimes those are the exact things you need to hear. You let me know if you want tamales. I’ve already promised your father, so I’ll be making them either way.”

“Thanks, Mom. Love you.”

“You too, baby.”

Amy hung up the phone and dropped onto the couch. What should she do? On the one hand, she didn’t want to come across as too forward, and inviting Zach over...seemed forward. She didn’t have roommates like he did. Though the doorbell would be ringing for most of the night. The kids in her neighborhood were diligent trick-or-treaters. On the other hand, she couldn’t deny that being alone with Zach held enormous appeal. Maybe the best course of action was just to ask.

She grabbed her phone and punched Zach’s number.

“Hey, Amy.” His voice was thick and sleepy. It was barely after nine.

“I woke you up, didn’t I? I’m sorry.”

“Nah, I wasn’t asleep yet. I’m still trying to grade a few more papers, maybe make it to nine thirty before calling it a night. What’s up?”

Amy cleared her throat. “I forgot that Saturday is Halloween. I can’t really leave my apartment empty—the kids around here are serious about their candy.”

Zach laughed. “Yeah, Ben and Rebecca are planning to hang here to make sure we don’t get egged. Did you want to reschedule? Do something tomorrow instead?”

“Sure. Or...you could come over? Help me hand out candy? I could borrow a game or two from my parents, and Mom said she’d bring over tamales. Or I could cook something if you’re not into tamales, though Mom’s are something special.”

“I’d like that. Do you have candy already?”

She winced. One more thing she needed to remember to take care of tomorrow. “Not yet. I guess I’ll see what I can get on my way home.”

“How about I bring it? I have to run out and get candy for us—it’s my year. It’s just as easy to get extra for you.”

She smiled. What a sweet man. “You’re sure?”

“Totally.”

“That’d be great then, thanks.”

“So, tomorrow?”

“What about it?”

“Feel like grabbing dinner after school?”

Friday and Saturday? What would they talk about? Maybe that wasn’t a valid question; they’d never been at a loss for conversation before. But two dates in a row? “Um. Okay.”

“Feel like hanging out in the kitchen at Paige’s restaurant? She’s been begging me to bring you. The positive side is that the food is generously portioned and fabulous. The potential negative is that the kitchen gets loud, and she and Jackson make a lot of gooey faces at one another.”

Amy laughed. “You have a way with words. That sounds nice. If I walk to school, can you give me a ride home?”

“You don’t even have to ask. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Night, Zach.”

Amy dragged herself off the couch and plugged in her phone. Two dates in one weekend. Unheard of. She smiled. But definitely not unwelcome.