In my whole life I was frightened by doctors. So when I recently launched a series of writing and publishing courses, I was shocked to find among my students several physicians, the same profession as my father. And they all wanted to be writers. Whenever someone mentioned their medical background, I’d think: I have to call Dad to tell him, but I couldn’t.
Raised up in a big Michigan family with three brilliant loud science brain brothers, I’d always felt left out by their Disease Game at dinner, where Dad threw out cases for them to diagnose. Our house was their laboratory. I was frequently scared by bees in jars in the refrigerator and pet rats.
Getting to study medicine was always Dad’s dream, so he encouraged the boys to follow in his footsteps. But I never truly settled down, chasing my dream for literary here and there. My father opposed my liberalism. I was overjoyed when Random House published my humorous memoirs (回忆录) about my past addictions. My father wasn’t so joyful. “You’re bringing disgrace on our family,” he snapped.
At 87, when my father was admitted to hospital with heart and kidney failure, we had a rare afternoon alone. Sitting by his bed, I apologized for taking so long to figure out my life.
“I have a lot of regrets,” he said, “It took me too long to make a decent living, screwing up jobs because of my bullheadedness and big mouth.”
I was nervous when his physician Olaf emailed me, but it wasn’t bad news. “Your dad says you’re a professor who helps people publish. Could you help me?” he asked.
“What did you tell Olaf about me?” I questioned Dad that night, still surprised.
“That you stuck to your guns and became a success,” he said.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me that?”
“I’m telling you now,” he said. He was pleased when I helped Olaf publish his first magazine piece.
I wish Dad were here so I could share the latest stories by my physician students. But I lost him four years ago. In a way, he still is, as I channel everything he taught me about hard work, and never giving up doing what you love.
28. What do we know about the author’s brothers?
A.They used to make loud noise. | B.They were addicted to playing games. |
C.They were interested in medicine. | D.They distanced the author on purpose. |
29. What do the underlined words “screwing up” probably mean?
A.Taking over. | B.Focusing on. | C.Contributing to. | D.Messing up. |
30. Why did Dad recommend the author to Olaf?
A.To help Olaf publish articles. | B.To discuss his physical condition. |
C.To promote the author’s courses. | D.To share the author’s memoirs. |
31. Which of the following can best describe the author’s dad?
A.Enthusiastic but dishonest. | B.Modest but demanding. |
C.Conservative but loving. | D.Helpful but selfish. |