The Other Einstein

by Marie Benedict

I sensed God’s patterns unfolding in the physical laws of the universe that I was learning. These were the places I felt God, not in the pews of Mama’s churches or in their cemeteries.

“A day so fine deserves a grand gesture,”

Jealousy is a hard, unpredictable business,

“You are always careful to obey the letter of the law, Mr. Einstein, but I fear you have no intention of obeying the spirit of it.”

Mama had indeed risen up with a ferocity I didn’t think she possessed. I’d been wrong about her my whole life. Her quietude was not weakness; it was an ardent watchfulness that would be replaced by a roar when required.

“You are a genius at everything but the human heart.”

What did you discover, Dollie?” “I think that the notion of relativity—the

“Shall we write a paper on your theory?” he asked, his eyes sparkling. “Together, we could change the world, Dollie. Will you do this with me?”

was my daughter’s death that inspired the insight and allowed me to see God’s patterns in science.

To every action there is always opposed an equal reaction: or the mutual actions of two bodies upon each other are always equal, and directed to contrary parts. Sir Isaac Newton

I am traveling faster than the speed of light, and the hands of the clock are rolling backward.

As for point of view, the idea of drafting the story from Albert’s perspective never really occurred to me; my interest is in unearthing the unknown, and Albert’s past has been examined exhaustively. I felt like it was time for a new voice.

The Other Einstein is about a relationship,