美国国家公共电台 NPR After Prison, A Mom Finds Her Way Back Into Her Daughter's Life

 

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

DAVID GREENE, HOST: 

And that music means it is time for StoryCorps. Today, two conversations recorded 10 years apart. Recently, 25-year-old Kayla Wilson sat down with her mom at StoryCorps. We'll hear that interview in a bit, but first a conversation from 2006. Kayla was 15 at the time, and her mom was serving a three-year prison sentence on felony drug charges. Kayla talked to her grandmother Teri Lyn Coulter-Colclasure about her mom's drug addiction¹.

KAYLA WILSON: When I asked mom how she got started, she told me that after her papa died, she was just mad at the world and mad at God. And that's when she told one of her ex-boyfriends that she wanted to get high.

TERI LYN COULTER-COLCLASURE: How old was she when this happened?

WILSON: Fifteen, I think.

COULTER-COLCLASURE: You're right.

WILSON: Yes, ma'am. When she got busted² she was at a house. And I think they were making making dope and it had spilled on my younger sister. And it was just so heartbreaking to understand that this is what's going on and this is how it's going to be. When I saw her in prison, it was horrible because you see her come out of the door in that white suit. And her hair was gone, and she loved her long hair and I just had to cry. And then having to say bye and holding on to her knowing you couldn't take her with you was the most horrible experience I've ever had.

COULTER-COLCLASURE: When your mom gets out of prison, what do you think your life is going to be like?

WILSON: I think I will have the ability to actually be a child for a little bit and not have to worry about being the mature responsible adult. I think that it'll really be nice.

(SOUNDBITE OF FABRIZIO PATERLINI SONG, "PROFUNDO BLU")

WENDY FOUNDS: My name is Wendy Founds. Today's date is December the 12, 2016, and I am here with my daughter.

WILSON: You remember the day you were released from prison and got to come home?

FOUNDS: I do (laughter). I remember how you smelled, it was vanilla³. And I remember the relief of our lives get to really start from this point forward.

WILSON: I do remember specifically when you came home and you wanted to apologize. I think that was a defining moment for us because I got to tell you what I'd always wanted to tell you, which was that, you know, you can never make up for that time.

FOUNDS: I bawled⁴ for days after that conversation, but it helped me to be a better mom, and I'm still far from perfect. Did you ever wish that I was different?

WILSON: Yeah, for sure. I can remember, you know, writing in diaries how much I hated you because you chose drugs over me.

FOUNDS: Why did you decide to forgive me?

WILSON: When you finally decided⁵ to get clean, it was obvious you were sincere. And you're my mom and, you know, as my mom, I loved you. I wanted that relationship.

FOUNDS: Did that come too late?

WILSON: I don't think so. Sure would have been great to have growing up, but I'm happy you're here, and I'm happy where we're at today. And I think what we've got is awesome⁶ considering where we've been, so I'm excited to see what happens next.

(SOUNDBITE OF FABRIZIO PATERLINI SONG, "PROFUNDO BLU")

GREENE: That was Kayla Wilson with her mom Wendy Founds at StoryCorps. Kayla is now a high school teacher in Benton, Ark., and Wendy helps counsel other parents struggling with addiction. And their interview will be archived in the Library of Congress.

(SOUNDBITE OF FABRIZIO PATERLINI SONG, "PROFUNDO BLU")

1 addiction   

n.上瘾入迷，嗜好

参考例句：

• He stole money from his parents to feed his addiction.他从父母那儿偷钱以满足自己的嗜好。
• Areas of drug dealing are hellholes of addiction,poverty and murder.贩卖毒品的地区往往是吸毒上瘾、贫困和发生谋杀的地方。

2 busted   

adj. 破产了的，失败了的，被降级的，被逮捕的，被抓到的 动词bust的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• You are so busted! 你被当场逮住了！
• It was money troubles that busted up their marriage. 是金钱纠纷使他们的婚姻破裂了。

3 vanilla   

n.香子兰，香草

参考例句：

• He used to love milk flavoured with vanilla.他过去常爱喝带香草味的牛奶。
• I added a dollop of vanilla ice-cream to the pie.我在馅饼里加了一块香草冰激凌。

4 bawled   

v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物）

参考例句：

• She bawled at him in front of everyone. 她当着大家的面冲他大喊大叫。
• My boss bawled me out for being late. 我迟到，给老板训斥了一顿。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

6 awesome   

adj.令人惊叹的，难得吓人的，很好的

参考例句：

• The church in Ireland has always exercised an awesome power.爱尔兰的教堂一直掌握着令人敬畏的权力。
• That new white convertible is totally awesome.那辆新的白色折篷汽车简直棒极了.