2-5 眼里有心

Hearts in His Eyes

　

Cody started life weighing 24 ounces.

　　

Due to extreme prematurity¹¹, our son had eye surgery to prevent blindness. As a result of the surgery, he lost peripheral² vision² in his right eye. And his near sightedness would mean glasses and close monitoring by an ophthalmologist³ for the rest of his life.

　　

Such a small price to pay, in our opinion, compared to the alternative.

　　

Cody wore glasses with great pride, making it abundantly clear to his little brothers that Mommy and Daddy also wore glasses, and wasn't it a shame that they didn't have any themselves. This usually prompted a round of begging from his siblings³ that it was only fair they get glasses, too.

　　

Then kindergarten happened.

　　

One day, a couple of kids at recess⁴⁴ derailed⁵ Cody's bright outlook on having glasses in his possession. One boy said, your glasses look stupid, Cody. Another kid yanked⁶ them off his face and bent⁵ them.

　　

Cody was a timid, small child. Seeing tears well up in his eyes, as he recounted⁷ the event, wrung⁶ our hearts⁸ dry.

　　

Just recently though, something changed his outlook.

　　

It was the morning of Valentine's Day. I shut off the alarm and groped⁹ around in the dark until I found my glasses. I donned¹⁰ them and without turning on the light, blindly made my way to the bathroom. I flipped⁷ the bathroom switch, and there I discovered why it was extra dark in my bedroom.

　　

My husband, Stephen, had placed two red heart stickers on my glasses. And plastered all over the mismatched¹¹ antique mirrors above our bathroom basins were the same stickers.

　　

“VALENTINE,” my husband had scrawled⁸ on one mirror, “I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH¹²!”

　　

In one mirror was drawn⁹ a stick arm with a hand pointing west. And in the other mirror was the same thing pointing east. I was chuckling¹⁰ under my breath, so as not to wake the rest of the household, while staring at my reflection.

　　

I penned my response in the mirror, “Thanks to you, sweetie, I've got hearts in my eyes!”

　　

While dressing¹¹ Cody for school, he whispered, “Mom?”

　　

“Yes, big boy?” I whispered back.

　　

“You got hearts on your glasses.”

　　

“Yep, I sure do.”

　　

“You're funny, Mom,” he said, his eyes sparkling. We both climbed into the cab of the pickup¹² truck, where other hearts ambushed¹³ us. Stuck to the steering¹⁴ wheel¹⁴ was a heart. Another one was on the rearview mirror¹⁵, on my truck key, on the stick shift¹⁶, and on my wallet. All compliments of my heart happy husband.

　　

I peeled the hearts from my glasses and handed them to Cody. He stuck them carefully on his own glasses and smiled the whole way to school.

　　

I parked in front of his school.

　　

“Get your book bag, sweetie,” I said.

　　

“Mom, can I wear my hearts to class?”

　　

I debated it for a moment. Pulling a “stunt¹⁵¹⁷” like this could go either way. But the pleading in his eyes sealed¹⁸ it for me. How could I deny him what may turn out to be a fun opportunity?

　　

“I don't see why not, big boy.”

　　

I placed two hearts on my own glasses, and together we entered his school, hand in hand, parting the crowd in the hallway on our way to his classroom.

　　

“Ha! Look at Cody Oliver! He's got hearts on his glasses!” one observer called out.

　　

“Oh, look at Cody! How cute!” shouted an other, pointing and giggling¹⁶.

　　

Cody smiled shyly, gripping my hand for dear life¹⁹.

　　

When we arrived at the doorway¹⁷, classmates gathered around my little guy, while I saw him trying to shake off the biggest grin I'd ever seen on his face.

　　

“That's neat! Hearts on your glasses!”

　　

“Cody, can I try them on?”

　　

One little girl tugged¹⁸ at my sleeve. “Mrs. Oliver?”

　　

“Yes?”

　　

“I wish I had glasses.”

　　

I knew then without a doubt that Cody's outlook was back on track.

　　

Just by having hearts in his eyes.

 

注释：

1.prematurity [9premE5tjuErEti] n. 早产

2.peripheral [pE5rifErEl] adj. [解]体表的；周围（神经系统的）；～vision [生理]周边视觉，间接视

3.ophthalmologist [7CfWAl5mClEdVist] n. 眼科学家；眼科医师

4.recess [ri5ses] n.〈美〉（学校的）课间休息，假期

5.derail [di5reil] vt. 使离开正常进程

6.yank [jANk] vt.〈口〉猛拉，使劲拉

7.recount [ri5kaunt] vt. 描述，说明

8.wring¹⁹ [riN] (p.t.＆p.p.wrung [rQN]) vt. 使痛苦，使苦恼；～sb.'s heart 使某人心碎

9.grope [^rEup] vi. 触摸；摸索

10.don [dCn] vt. 戴上；穿上，披上

11.mismatch [5mis5mAtF] vt. 不匹配；不协调

12.this much这么多；到这样的程度

13.ambush¹³ [5AmbuF] vt. 伏击

14.steering wheel （车辆的）方向盘，驾驶盘

15.rearview [5riEvjU:] mirror （车辆上的）后视镜

16.stick shift （汽车等的）换档杆，变速杆

17.stunt [stQnt] n. 意在吸引人的举动；pulla～耍花招

18.seal [si:l] vt. 决定，确定；注定

19.for dear life 拼命地；逃命似地

 

 

眼里有心

 

　　科迪出生时仅仅24盎司。

　　因为是极度早产，我们的儿子做了眼部手术以防止失明。手术结果是，他失去了右眼的周边视觉。右眼近视就意味着他终身都需要戴眼镜，终身都需要有眼科专家的密切监察。

　　相对于失明，我们认为这点代价实在是微不足道。

　　科迪极为骄傲地戴上了眼镜，那种骄傲劲让他的弟弟们一眼就能看出：爸爸、妈妈都戴眼镜，而他们却不戴，简直有点不像话。于是弟弟们时常轮番恳求也要戴眼镜，否则不公平嘛。

　　转眼该上幼儿园了。

　　有一天课间休息时，两个小男孩彻底摧毁了科迪对戴眼镜所抱有的自豪感。一个男孩说，科迪，你的眼镜看上去好蠢。而另一个竟猛地把科迪的眼镜摘下，把它弄弯。

　　科迪个头小，生性腼腆。他回家跟我们说起

这件事时，眼泪直在眼睛里打转转，我们的心里好

难受。

　　但就在最近，有件事改变了他对眼镜的看法。

　　那是情人节的早晨。闹钟一响，我赶紧按住，然后在黑暗中摸索着找到我的眼镜。我戴上眼镜，没有开灯，摸黑走进卫生间。轻轻按下卫生间的电灯开关，我才明白过来为什么卧室是那样出奇地黑暗。

　　我先生斯蒂芬，在我的眼镜片上分别贴了两个红色心形贴画。而在我们卫生间盥洗池上方那些大小不一的古董镜子上也都贴满了红心。

　　“我的爱，我这么地爱你！”我先生在一面镜子上潦草地写道。

　　在一面镜子上画有一只伸直的胳膊，手指向西边。而另一面镜子上也画有一只伸直的胳膊，手指向东边。瞅着镜中的自己，我使劲忍住不笑出声来，怕弄醒丈夫和孩子。

　　我也在镜子上写下了我的回复：“谢谢你，亲爱的。我的眼里满是心！”

　　在给科迪穿衣服准备去学校时，他低声说：

“妈妈？”

　　“嗯，我的大男孩？”我低声应和。

　　“你眼镜上有红心。”

　　“没错，有啊。”

　　“你真有意思，妈妈，”他说了句，眼里放着光芒。我们俩钻进小货车的驾驶室里，又有好多心将我们包围。方向盘上贴有红心，后视镜上有一个，钥匙上有一个，换档杆上有一个，我的皮夹上还有一个。我那不知忧愁为何物的老公真是大献殷勤。

　　我把那两颗心从我的眼镜上揭下，递给科迪。他小心翼翼地把它们贴到自己的眼镜片上，去学校的一路上他都是笑眯眯的。

　　我在校门口停下来。

　　“拿上你的书包，宝贝，”我说。

　　“妈妈，我能戴着红心上学吗？”

　　我心里斗争了一会儿。如此当众“表演”可能一鸣惊人，也可能一败涂地。但是科迪眼里流露出的恳求让我不再犹豫。我怎能剥夺有可能让他开心的一个大好机会呢？

　　“我看没有什么不可以的，小伙子。”

　　我又把两个红心贴在我自己的镜片上，然后我们一起走进学校，手拉着手，穿过走廊中的人群，朝他的教室走去。

　　“哈！快看科迪·奥利弗。他眼镜上有红心！”一个人看见了，嚷了起来。

　　“啊，看科迪！多酷呀！”另一个发现者也嚷着，指着我们咯咯地笑。

　　科迪腼腆地微笑着，紧紧地抓住我的手。

　　当我们来到教室门口时，同学们围住科迪，而我看到他在努力克制他的笑容，那是我在他脸上看见过的最开心的笑容。

　　“真有意思！眼镜上有心！”

　　“科迪，让我戴一下好吗？”

　　一个小姑娘扯了扯我的衣袖。“您是奥利弗太太？”

　　“是啊。你有什么事？”

　　“我要是戴眼镜就好了。”

　　就在那时，我一点也不再怀疑，科迪又重新拾回了他的自信。

　　很简单，就是让眼里有心。

1 prematurity   

n.早熟，过早，早开花

参考例句：

• Associated anomalies and prematurity significantly influence the mortality rate. 并发畸形与早产儿显著地影响死亡率。 来自辞典例句
• Prematurity may also result in visual impairment or blindness. 早产也可导致视力障碍或失明。 来自互联网

2 peripheral   

adj.周边的，外围的

参考例句：

• We dealt with the peripheral aspects of a cost reduction program.我们谈到了降低成本计划的一些外围问题。
• The hotel provides the clerk the service and the peripheral traveling consultation.旅舍提供票务服务和周边旅游咨询。

3 siblings   

n.兄弟，姐妹( sibling的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• A triplet sleeps amongst its two siblings. 一个三胞胎睡在其两个同胞之间。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She has no way of tracking the donor or her half-siblings down. 她没办法找到那个捐精者或她的兄弟姐妹。 来自时文部分

4 recess   

n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处）

参考例句：

• The chairman of the meeting announced a ten-minute recess.会议主席宣布休会10分钟。
• Parliament was hastily recalled from recess.休会的议员被匆匆召回开会。

5 bent   

n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的

参考例句：

• He was fully bent upon the project.他一心扑在这项计划上。
• We bent over backward to help them.我们尽了最大努力帮助他们。

6 wrung   

绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水）

参考例句：

• He has wrung the words from their true meaning. 他曲解这些字的真正意义。
• He wrung my hand warmly. 他热情地紧握我的手。

7 flipped   

轻弹( flip的过去式和过去分词 )； 按（开关）； 快速翻转； 急挥

参考例句：

• The plane flipped and crashed. 飞机猛地翻转，撞毁了。
• The carter flipped at the horse with his whip. 赶大车的人扬鞭朝着马轻轻地抽打。

8 scrawled   

乱涂，潦草地写( scrawl的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• I tried to read his directions, scrawled on a piece of paper. 我尽量弄明白他草草写在一片纸上的指示。
• Tom scrawled on his slate, "Please take it -- I got more." 汤姆在他的写字板上写了几个字：“请你收下吧，我多得是哩。”

9 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

10 chuckling   

轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• I could hear him chuckling to himself as he read his book. 他看书时，我能听见他的轻声发笑。
• He couldn't help chuckling aloud. 他忍不住的笑了出来。 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子

11 dressing   

n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料

参考例句：

• Don't spend such a lot of time in dressing yourself.别花那么多时间来打扮自己。
• The children enjoy dressing up in mother's old clothes.孩子们喜欢穿上妈妈旧时的衣服玩。

12 pickup   

n.拾起，获得

参考例句：

• I would love to trade this car for a pickup truck.我愿意用这辆汽车换一辆小型轻便卡车。||The luck guy is a choice pickup for the girls.那位幸运的男孩是女孩子们想勾搭上的人。

13 ambush   

n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击

参考例句：

• Our soldiers lay in ambush in the jungle for the enemy.我方战士埋伏在丛林中等待敌人。
• Four men led by a sergeant lay in ambush at the crossroads.由一名中士率领的四名士兵埋伏在十字路口。

14 steering   

n.操舵装置

参考例句：

• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration. 他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。
• Steering according to the wind, he also framed his words more amicably. 他真会看风使舵，口吻也马上变得温和了。

15 stunt   

n.惊人表演，绝技，特技；vt.阻碍...发育，妨碍...生长

参考例句：

• Lack of the right food may stunt growth.缺乏适当的食物会阻碍发育。
• Right up there is where the big stunt is taking place.那边将会有惊人的表演。

16 giggling   

v.咯咯地笑( giggle的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• We just sat there giggling like naughty schoolchildren. 我们只是坐在那儿像调皮的小学生一样的咯咯地傻笑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I can't stand her giggling, she's so silly. 她吃吃地笑，叫我真受不了，那样子傻透了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

17 doorway   

n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径

参考例句：

• They huddled in the shop doorway to shelter from the rain.他们挤在商店门口躲雨。
• Mary suddenly appeared in the doorway.玛丽突然出现在门口。

18 tugged   

v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She tugged at his sleeve to get his attention. 她拽了拽他的袖子引起他的注意。
• A wry smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. 他的嘴角带一丝苦笑。 来自《简明英汉词典》

19 wring   

n.扭绞；v.拧，绞出，扭

参考例句：

• My socks were so wet that I had to wring them.我的袜子很湿，我不得不拧干它们。
• I'll wring your neck if you don't behave!你要是不规矩，我就拧断你的脖子。