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Professor Said Mathematicians Failed 50 Years — But Truant Freshman Girl Cracked It in Class

Professor Said Mathematicians Failed 50 Years — But Truant Freshman Girl Cracked It in Class

Chapter 31

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"Roy Delaney, do you know what time it is?""I do, Ruth, and I'm sorry, but I need a favor."He explained it the same way he had to Frank: plain and simple, no exaggeration needed. Ruth's expression hardened the way it always did when she heard about someone being treated unfairly—a look Roy had seen at church potlucks and town meetings alike over the years."That poor girl pours coffee for half this town and never once complains," Ruth said. "You tell me where to be, Roy Delaney, and I will be there."She was already reaching for the phone on her kitchen wall before Roy had even finished speaking, calling her own sister two towns over, spreading the word further than Roy had even asked her to.He made three more stops that night to people who had watched Ren work double shifts without complaint, who had let her remember their birthdays and their grandchildren's names without ever once asking for anything back.His last stop was the small house belonging to Harold Voss, a retired shop teacher who ate breakfast at the diner every single morning without fail: rain, shine, or snow. Harold answered the door in his pajamas, squinting against the porch light."Roy, it's nearly midnight.""I know, Harold. I'm sorry, but I need to ask you something, and I need an honest answer.""When have I ever given you a dishonest one?"Roy told him everything, same as the others. Harold listened, arms crossed, jaw tightening more with every sentence."That girl brought me a second cup of coffee every morning for a year without me ever once asking for it," Harold said when Roy finished. "Never charged me for the second, either. Not that she was supposed to be giving it away for free. I always figured she just liked taking care of people.""She does," Roy said."Well, then," Harold said, already reaching for his coat off the hook by the door, "sounds like it's somebody else's turn to take care of her for once." He grabbed his hat, too, muttering something about setting an alarm earlier than usual, already halfway planning his morning before Roy had even finished thanking him.
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Professor Said Mathematicians Failed 50 Years — But Truant Freshman Girl Cracked It in Class

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