一双新鞋（4）（2/2）
《穿过爱的时光》作者：杨柳青 2017-01-24 02:12
roperly dressed.” Her brown eyes sought confirmation that I understood her statement. “That means stockings and a decent pair of shoes, Mama, and look at me!” She thrust out her feet in their dusty running shoes.
Instinctively, I glanced at the old felt slippers I wore. There were no shoes in the house that could meet Acme’s standards, and there was no money to buy a new pair. My heart ached with the folly of having sent my young one to find work, and I stepped behind her chair to comfort her with a hug.
“Honey, we have a whole week to work on it.” I kissed her soft hair, still warm from the sun. “Maybe something will come our way.”
“That’s what you always say, Mama. What’s the use of hoping!”
It wasn’t till I began to prepare our meager supper that I remembered the young man, and I went to the porch for my tray. Had I found him sitting at the old wicker table, as dejected5 as Alice, I suppose I would have kissed the top of his head, too, before sending him on his way. I sent him a silent wish, instead. Take care, young man.
All that week the sun continued to scorch the land. I watered my garden in the cool of the mornings, with each cupful willing the plants to grow and bear fruit. This morning ritual of mine became my morning prayer. As I stooped in the garden with my pitiful cups of water, I prayed for Jack and Alice to find work; I prayed for Jack’s safety on the road; I prayed for the forlorn, beaten land, and for the young man who had come and gone and had asked for so little.
Instinctively, I glanced at the old felt slippers I wore. There were no shoes in the house that could meet Acme’s standards, and there was no money to buy a new pair. My heart ached with the folly of having sent my young one to find work, and I stepped behind her chair to comfort her with a hug.
“Honey, we have a whole week to work on it.” I kissed her soft hair, still warm from the sun. “Maybe something will come our way.”
“That’s what you always say, Mama. What’s the use of hoping!”
It wasn’t till I began to prepare our meager supper that I remembered the young man, and I went to the porch for my tray. Had I found him sitting at the old wicker table, as dejected5 as Alice, I suppose I would have kissed the top of his head, too, before sending him on his way. I sent him a silent wish, instead. Take care, young man.
All that week the sun continued to scorch the land. I watered my garden in the cool of the mornings, with each cupful willing the plants to grow and bear fruit. This morning ritual of mine became my morning prayer. As I stooped in the garden with my pitiful cups of water, I prayed for Jack and Alice to find work; I prayed for Jack’s safety on the road; I prayed for the forlorn, beaten land, and for the young man who had come and gone and had asked for so little.