Warren had the perfect life. A handsome bachelor popular with all the good-looking ladies in town, he also worked at the prestigious Gately Academy teaching mathematics. The only fly in his ointment was Patty, one of his second grade students who had a huge crush on him. Warren kept warding off her attacks of puppy love, noting the nearly 20-year difference in their ages. "Go find a boy your own age," he repeatedly told her.

One day, Patty told Warren she had something that would end all her problems. It was a brass coin that was inscribed, "Good for one wish." Warren smiled at her naivety. "Do what you think best," he chuckled.

The next morning, Warren awoke disoriented. He thought nothing of it when his sister Rachel, with whom he shared their parents' old home, yelled, "Hurry up or you'll be late for school!" But he briefly puzzled why the bathroom sink seemed higher that morning. The same with having to stand on tiptoes to look into the mirror, which reflected the face of a young boy. Or that Rachel set out for him jeans and a rugby shirt (not a suit and tie) as his school clothes. Downing his oatmeal at breakfast, Warren obeyed Rachel's order to finish his glass of milk. Still wondering why these normal events seemed so queer, Warren dug into his school bag and pulled out an arithmetic textbook. Opening it to a random page, he read "8+9." More puzzled, he pondered, "Didn't I used to know that?"

At Gately Academy, Warren instinctively took a seat among the students in the second grade classroom. "Bet we'll have a substitute teacher today," he thought. To his horror, Patty occupied the seat next to him. "Told you I'd wish away my problems. No more age difference. Now you can be my boyfriend," Patty said, sweetly smiling in Warren's direction. Warren didn't ponder what she said. He was too busy thinking to himself, "Yuck! Who wants anything to do with a giiirrrrlllll!"


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