阅读理解
DEAR Daughter,
We have not seen you for a while now, so I
thought we might check in. Did you fall off the edge of the Earth? Your mother
worries, you know, and I am just curious. Well, I am more than curious. I feel
abandoned.
Apparently you've dumped us for
your career. I can understand that, because you've always had a wonderful work
ethic (道德).
Look, obviously your long
absence has confused us. As we go about our daily routines, your mother and I
are distracted – both by your absence and our pride in your career. The
other day, I entered my work password into the microwave, then stood there
cursing it for not working. And I was so off my game (状态差) that I actually used that cholesterol-free mayo (不含胆固醇的蛋黄酱) your mother insisted on buying in an effort to drive me from the
house.
Listen, a lot has happened
since you've been away. Abraham Lincoln was shot. We had two more children – a
princess, now 23; a boy, now 12.
Yesterday I bought a very clean
2001 Camaro car from an older woman. Your mother is not happy about this. She
says it is the kind of muscle car driven by ex-convicts (有犯罪前科的人)
when they examine your house at 2 am.
In response, I tell her it was
the car of my dreams (when I was 18). So that's where your long absence has
left us. Your long absence is not so bad, though we miss your roaring laughter
... the way your cheeks flush (晕红) when you eat Thai food. How you always march too
hard into the house, like a Scotsman stepping on snakes.
Each evening, your mother now
waits by the window the way she did when you used to step off the bus in first
grade, your hair full of rubber bands.
Bet that drove you crazy even
then, her running out on the porch (门廊) like you'd just returned from a
month-long journey to the moon.
Look, parents are not easy
people.
But should the urge ever hit
you, feel free to stop by some time. Our house is your house. Our hearts are
yours too.
And your mother is still
waiting by the window.
Love,
Dad
