the most beautiful time

Chapter 44 Those Promises You Forgot to Keep (2)

Then one day, he got into a fight with another prisoner.A prison guard who used to be Shen's student called him into the office, closed the door, came up and slapped him a dozen times without saying a word.After the beating was over, the prison guard sat down dejectedly, choked with sobs, and said, "I slapped you instead of your father. It was you who pushed such a good teacher to the precipice of despair!"I really regret that I let my colleague delay your release from prison for a year, and told him so quickly; he was tortured by you overnight, deaf in both ears, and almost blind in his eyes!When you see him holding a bamboo pole and groping to come here to visit you step by step, when you see him meet his students and bow their heads and avoid them because of embarrassment, when you know a man who used to be high-spirited in his career, Now when you are forced to retire early because of your health, wouldn't your heart as cold as a stone feel a little sad and guilty? !This man is the father who gave birth to you and raised you!
He finally understood why Shen came up to touch his face again and again, but always touched the wrong place; understood why Shen's waist suddenly hunched; understood why Shen needed the support of prison guards every time he walked; understood that Shen was in prison On the outside, he actually bore several times the pain and fear in prison for him.It was him who made a man who was so proud to the bone grow old overnight and lose all his dignity.

In a "street fight", he was beaten to the point of bleeding and never shed tears. Finally, at this moment, he burst into tears because of the embarrassment and shame he had brought to his father for 19 years.

When I was in middle school, my grades improved rapidly in one year. There was a final commendation meeting in the school, and I was selected as a student representative to give a speech.In order to give some inspiration to the parents attending the meeting, the teacher came to me specifically and said: Can you let your father or mother speak a few words on stage, and share the tutoring experience with other parents of students?
At that time, my father was working in other places and couldn't come back, so I had to tell my mother about it, and asked her to go to the stage to say a few words instead of my father.When my mother heard it, she panicked and shook her head like a rattle, just like the shy me when I was young, and kept saying: How can it be?So how?I'm a housewife with no culture at all, what does it look like to show off in front of your teachers!I joked and said: You usually have such a powerful mouth when bargaining with people. The vegetable sellers on the street are afraid of your mouth. , what's so difficult?

But no matter how much I persuaded, even using my father's majesty, my mother still resolutely refused to speak on stage, and, fearing that something unexpected might happen, she didn't even attend the parent-teacher meeting, and let me Help her ask for leave, saying that she is sick at home and really can't get out of bed.

On that day, she really hid at the neighbor's house early, pretending to help others with work. I passed by the neighbor's yard and saw her having a lively conversation with the neighbor's aunt. Inherent fear.She just looked up and saw me, like a student who was afraid of being called up by the teacher to answer questions, she quickly lowered her head, pretending not to meet my gaze.But when I was on stage to speak, I still subconsciously glanced at the auditorium, but I didn't find my mother's figure. I started to speak in frustration, and when it was about to end, I suddenly saw my mother's figure flashing past outside the window, as if A child who was timid to eavesdrop outside the classroom was afraid that the teacher would find out, so he hurriedly slipped away along the wall before the end of class.

A few years later, I graduated from university and made a small achievement in my career. When I returned to the county, a teacher who had always cared for me in the past suddenly said that he wanted to visit me on the way back after the party. Parents, telling them that having such an excellent daughter as me is the greatest pride in this life.It's a pity that when I walked to the door of the house, I found that my parents were outside, busy with a blocked pipe.I called my father, and my father said: Let your mother go back to meet your teacher, I really can't leave the job that just started.Before I hung up the phone, I heard my mother arguing with my father over there. It seemed that she wanted my father to come back, but I was afraid that the teacher might misunderstand, so I still didn’t persuade my mother. Instead, I told the teacher: My mother will soon ride a bicycle. I'm here, so please wait patiently for a while, teacher.

But this wait lasted for half an hour, and my father said on the phone that he would be there in 10 minutes, but I looked around many times, but I didn't see my mother.I kept looking for reasons to comfort the teacher, saying that my mother was riding too slowly, so in the county town with constant traffic, she always stopped the bicycle in a panic when she encountered a car, and others walked 10 minutes It will take her half an hour to complete the journey.

After waiting for another ten minutes, my teacher finally got up politely and said goodbye. In my apologetic retention, I was almost annoyed with my mother, and even wanted to call and get angry with her.As soon as the teacher left, my father hurried over by bicycle.I was surprised. When I asked why I didn’t see my mother, my father smiled helplessly and said: I have never seen your mother so timid. She has already arrived at the door of the house, but she dared not come to see your teacher. The key, turned around and went back, in fact, the key was always in her pocket.

I suddenly felt a little distressed when I heard it, because my mother was so old that she was still timid.I know that this time she is afraid that her muddy clothes will be sympathized by my teacher; she is afraid that a dull housewife like myself will have no words to say when she sits face to face with my knowledgeable teacher. ;Afraid that my rudeness would make the teacher look down on her, together with her excellent daughter.

At this time, my mother had already passed the age of knowing the destiny, but, like the woman many years ago, she was in awe and timidity towards my teacher and those who were higher than her, and because of this, she was humbled. It is like a small grass in the corner, shyly hiding the yellow stems and leaves, so that no one can see the restlessness and cowardice in her heart.

A friend of mine was hit repeatedly for a year.A job that could bring meager income to the family was quit by the boss.His parents became seriously ill again and again, so they handed over all the remaining money to the hospital.But at this time, his wife was pregnant with a child.He was alone, almost unable to continue to support himself in the pincer attack.

And I, who also came from the countryside, had just graduated from university at the time, not only did I not have the slightest savings on hand, but I also owed the bank tens of thousands of yuan in tuition fees.On the way to accompany him to the hospital to visit his parents, apart from gossiping with him and giving him some spiritual comfort, I was almost powerless to give him any practical help.When passing through a bustling commercial street, I saw some well-off people taking leisurely walks after meals, shopping, shopping, and I, who never slowed down to enjoy life, felt sad for a while and said to my friend: If I have 2 Ten thousand yuan, I will definitely give you ten thousand.

At that time, my friend only said a word "thank you" lightly, then turned his face to one side, pretending to look at the scenery in the distance.The two of us walked silently on the crowded road, carrying the chicken soup prepared for his sick parents and pregnant wife.I know that my powerless consolation will not have any real effect on my friends at this time. Life continues to flow, and all we can do is to go with the flow.

A year later, I left that city. My friend’s career and family situation gradually began to improve. Later, I was able to give my friend not only 1 yuan, but also 10 yuan. I neglected to contact him, and gradually I completely forgot what I had said.

Many years later, we inadvertently started connecting with each other again.Once at a party, after a friend drank a few glasses of wine, he raised his glass suddenly, stood up, bowed to me, and said, you know, you have a sentence that has still warmed me up to now, and, Will continue to keep me warm.I was surprised. Looking at his slightly red face, I thought he was drunk, because I really don't remember what touching words I once said, which he still can't forget for more than ten years.My friend paused for a moment, looked me in the eyes sincerely, and said, do you still remember, I was very poor that year, you said, if you had 2 yuan at that time, you would share 1 yuan with me; this sentence , until now, every time I think of it, it still warms my heart solidly.

I remember that my face turned red all of a sudden, and I stammered, saying, but, but I didn't do that.The friend replied with a smile, but you, who were also poor at that time, had this kind of heart, which was enough for me to remember for a lifetime.

I also remembered when I was young, one day my parents came back from work and used a towel in the yard to scrub the dirt on their bodies tiredly.Standing behind them, I watched my mother straighten up from time to time and beat her sore back with my fist. I felt distressed. I walked over and gently massaged my mother with my small hands that I couldn't use much strength.While massaging, I also made my parents happy, saying, when I finish college and earn money, I will definitely buy them the best massage chairs, so that they can lie down when they are tired, not only comfortable, but also able to fall asleep soon. In the past, I had a good dream that was as fragrant and sweet as toast.

I remember my mother turned around at that time, helped me adjust my clothes lovingly, and said, Mom and Dad are not tired, so I don’t need you to buy anything.I was young and careless, and I didn't see that when my mother turned around again, her eye circles were already red.

After I graduated from university, I really made money, but I had already forgotten that promise.Even, because I wanted to buy a house and get married, I had to accept the savings my parents had saved for half their lives.I rarely buy anything for my parents, but every time they call, they still ask me if I need money, and when they have difficulties, they must remember to tell their parents.

Then one day, my mother was sitting at home drinking tea with a few neighbors and chatting about their children's childhood. Suddenly, the mother couldn't wait to speak and said, "Our children have been very considerate to adults since they were young. Watch us do things when we are ten years old." Tired of work, he said that he would buy us a massage chair in the future. Up to now, every time I think of his words, I still feel warm in my heart.I listened to the pride and happiness in my mother's voice through the window. I remembered that since I graduated, I had caused no less trouble to my parents than when I was studying. .

How many of these uncashed checks do we owe our friends and family?How many promises have we made and forgotten, but are gratefully remembered by outsiders for a lifetime?The white stripes we laid down have turned yellow and lost their original color over the years, but in the hearts of some people, they are always fresh and full, just like an autumn daisy, blooming in the cool wind with the most moving posture middle.

And when will we be able to truly honor the checks we have written, one after another that have deeply warmed relatives and friends?
(End of this chapter)