美文欣赏

编者按：

我闭上眼睛，仍能闻到她的气息：粉扑的香味，优雅、安全、坚强，以及一种无条件的爱的气息。

Hepburn, the Mother

I remember whenever she had to go to a dinner or a cocktail party, she would always say, “Oh, if only I could stay home and eat in the kitchen with you.”

I remember school days, cramming for exams for which she probably fretted more than I did. She would test me before bed and again in the morning, waking up with the sort of sleepy head only adults enjoy.

I remember her elation at good grades, her support and positiveness for the “not so good ones.”

I remember sleepovers on weekends, when we would chat with the lights out. We would talk about feelings and plans and people and things, but in that way that is specific to that darkness, like two souls suspended.

I close my eyes and remember, through the nose, her scent: powdery, elegant, safe, strong, the scent of unconditional love. I look down and see her delicate hands, their skin so thin I can faintly see their veins, her nails round, soft, and clear. They caressed me, they walked me to school, and I held on to them when I was scared. Oh, how I miss them!

参考译文

母亲赫本

我记得，每次她不得不去参加晚宴或者鸡尾酒会时，她总会说：“噢，我多希望可以呆在家，和你留在饭厅吃晚饭。”

我还记得上学时，为应付学校的考试而临急抱佛脚。可能那时侯母亲比我更焦虑。因为临睡前，她考我一次，第二天早上她混混沌沌醒来后，又考我一次。在那种刚醒来时头脑浑沌的状态下学习，我想，只有大人才会忍受得了。

还记得，她会为我取得好成绩而兴高采烈，也会在我成绩不太理想时给予支持和鼓励。

在周末我们会关了灯彻夜聊天，然后饱睡一顿。 在那样特别的黑暗中，就像两个灵魂悬浮在空中，我们讨论感情、计划、人和事。

我闭上眼睛，仍能闻到她的气息：粉扑的香味，优雅、安全、坚强，以及一种无条件的爱的气息。我低下头，看见她那双精致的手。那是如此的纤瘦，我几乎能看见那手上的脉络。她的指甲圆润而柔软干净。这双手曾爱抚我，护送我上学。当我感到恐惧时，我曾紧握着它们。噢，我是多么怀念这双手啊!

词汇解释

1. cram vt.塞进；塞满 vi.(into)塞满；强行灌输

2. fret v.(使)发愁(烦躁，苦恼)

3. elation n.得意，振奋

4. sleepover n. 在别人家里过夜的人, 彻夜作客

5. suspend vt.暂停，中止；悬，挂，吊

6. unconditional a.绝对的，无条件的