Excerpt: Linear Equation

Linear equation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"A linear equation is an algebraic equation in which each term is either a constant or the product of a constant and (the first power of) a single variable. Linear equations can have one, two, three or more variables."
y=mx+b

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Chapter One

The sharp twanging ring of the phone startled me away from my ardent pursuit of algebra. Normally my interest in math was not quite so keen, but it was 11pm and I had a major exam the next day in school. I pulled my brain away from linear equations and graphs to look at the caller I.D. It was her. My mother.

I shuddered involuntarily and tried to ignore the noise. I'd tell her I'd been asleep. I'd tell her she'd woken me up and disturbed my much needed repose - because of her I'd been awakened in the night and lost precious sleep. Because of her constant intereference I was failing algebra. I'd tell her she'd ruined my life!

Well, maybe not. I mean, she had ruined my life, but I probably wouldn't tell her that.

She didn't normally call this late at night, but it was kinda like she had a radar that told her when Dad ws working the late shift - or maybe she had spies watching our house who kept her informed; I certainly wouldn't put it past her. Somehow she knew he was gone and that all the other kids were in bed. Somehow she knew I was up staring at the phone.

She never called Cassie. With Cassie it was emails and letters. I told Cassie to change her email address. I told her to throw the letters away unread - Dad had told her the same, but she just couldn't do it. She'd read and then she'd either get angry or hurt and she'd cry. When she could think of something clever to say she'd write back. But that wasn't often.

The phone gave one more clang and then quit. The sudden silence was deafening, unnerving. I abandoned my schoolwork and stole quietly to the kitchen for a late night snack. Mrs. Tanbum, my nutrition and health teacher, had mentioned that carbohydrates could help a person unwind and relax. I needed some carbs!

I started to nosh on some cookies Cassie had made and washed them down with some milk. Suddenly I was aware of a concerned shadowy form standing in the kitchen doorway. It was my stepmom, Evie. She and Dad had been married since I was 6 and Cassie was 3. She was everything my mother was not - kind, tactful, involved, diplomatic, thoughtful, loving. Cassie and I adored her. We were also pretty fond of the three siblings she and Dad had brought into our lives. 8 year-old Bethie was our sweet and shyly smiling ballerina. Marcus, who was 6 (he'd say "almost 7") was a fireball of fun who kept us all on our toes. And little Seth, 3, was always good for a laugh. It would be a perfect family life if it wasn't for her.

"Hi Mom...Sorry if the phone woke you." She looked exhausted. Homeschooling the younger brood, taking care of the home, trying to start a new business with Dad, and cleaning the church was more than enough work for one woman. It really goaded me that she also had to put up with my mother.

She briefly gave me a tired smile, "Forget me. What about you? What are you doing up at this hour? Don't you have a test tomorrow? You need your rest."

"Yeah, I know, but I needed to brush up on my algebra, linear equations and all that. I guess I got carried away."

"And then she called?" her eyebrows rose questioningly.

I sighed, "Yeah. But I didn't answer. It kinda weirds me out how she knows when Dad's gone and I'm up."

"It bothers me too." Her face had taken on grey shades of worry. I winced. I shouldn't have told her how much it concerned me - she had enough to worry about. I hastily sought to reassure her.

"Well, I didn't talk to her and alls well as ends well, right? I was just having a snack and then going to bed. You want me to fix you something?"

"No thanks, but I will take a hug."

I gave her a quick squeeze and smiled at her. Her eyes started to tear up.

"To bed," she insisted, trying to pretend she was OK. "Now. I don't want a call from the school tomorrow asking me why you fell asleep in class."

"Yeah, I'm tired. I'll head to bed in minute." I opened the fridge to return the milk carton. I closed the door and turned to face her. "Don't worry. If she's true to form, she won't call again tonight."

She stared at me for a long moment, then sighed, "Night, Honey." She headed down the hall toward her and Dad's room.

My mind was still swirling, details fuzzy, linear equations colliding with ringing phones. Yeah, I'm tired now. Too tired to wrestle with variables and constants and ringing clairvoyant mothers. I packed up my studies and went to bed.

Tomorrow would be a new day.