Thử dịch những mẩu chuyện nhỏ các bạn ơi!!! Mục lục trang 1

Hey friend, I have just found out that you made some mistakes in your paragraph.
So, it is better to write by Vietnamese in this contex. Addionally, we take part into this English box to have fun besides gaining the knowledge. Is it correct?
It is said that there is always a gap between your native language and your second one despite how good at English you are.
To have fund, I often write "Em hơi bị nể bác", "Em chỉ có một ít để to toe" and "Em phắn đây bác ơi".
It is impossible for me (maybe others in this box) to turn its funny meaning into English. As a result, we often write Vietnamese.
I do hope that my small explaination helps you understand our situation.
Được sửa chữa bởi - 2h vào 13/04/2002 13:15

Không rõ có phải bạn thắc mắc câu này không.
Nhưng câu này có thể dịch là :
"Những lời tuyên hứa của Thánh Nữ Margaret Mary Alacoque"
Thánh Nữ Margaret Mary Alacoque ( thế ki thứ 17) là người, sau khi được chữa khỏi bệnh nhờ sựhiện hình của Đức Mẹ đồng trinh . Rồi sau khi đuợc Chúa hiện hình đã hiến dâng đời mình cho Chúa. Bà ra nhập dòng tu Chúa chịu nạn năm 1617.
Năm 1675, bà đuợc thọ ân sự khải thị Chúa và đã thực hiện 12 lời tuyên hứa ( the promissed made ... :-&gt để tỏ rõ sự hi sinh và tinh thần xả kỉ để cứu chuộc cho nhân loại ...

V@
[/size=4

Không rõ có phải bạn thắc mắc câu này không.
Nhưng câu này có thể dịch là :
"Những lời tuyên hứa của Thánh Nữ Margaret Mary Alacoque"
Thánh Nữ Margaret Mary Alacoque ( thế ki thứ 17) là người, sau khi được chữa khỏi bệnh nhờ sựhiện hình của Đức Mẹ đồng trinh . Rồi sau khi đuợc Chúa hiện hình đã hiến dâng đời mình cho Chúa. Bà ra nhập dòng tu Chúa chịu nạn năm 1617.
Năm 1675, bà đuợc thọ ân sự khải thị Chúa và đã thực hiện 12 lời tuyên hứa ( the promissed made ... :-&gt để tỏ rõ sự hi sinh và tinh thần xả kỉ để cứu chuộc cho nhân loại ...

V@
[/size=4

Ờ ờ ờ!!!!!!
I will keep in mind your words "look at yourself before judging others"
But, do you? Hope "The sister I never knew" will remind.

Ờ ờ ờ!!!!!!
I will keep in mind your words "look at yourself before judging others"
But, do you? Hope "The sister I never knew" will remind.

[/quote]
Hey friend, I have just found out that you made some mistakes in your paragraph.
So, it is better to write by Vietnamese in this contex. Addionally, we take part into this English box to have fun besides gaining the knowledge. Is it correct?
It is said that there is always a gap between your native language and your second one despite how good at English you are.
To have fund, I often write "Em hơi bị nể bác", "Em chỉ có một ít để to toe" and "Em phắn đây bác ơi".
It is impossible for me (maybe others in this box) to turn its funny meaning into English. As a result, we often write Vietnamese.
I do hope that my small explaination helps you understand our situation.
Được sửa chữa bởi - 2h vào 13/04/2002 13:15
[/quote]
Hehe!
Thanx for your explaination....However, you're the worst corrector, I've seen. Plz ! I know there's always a gap b/w your native language and your second language, but what da hell this forum for? Is this for learning ENGLISH or what? So I just suggest if we can all write english then it'd make better. Since you pointed out I had couple of mistakes on my paragraph*s, I just let you know that you're even worse than mine....<---honestly. Anyways, hope you don't take it too personal. Peace bro!

EVIL CLOWN

[/quote]
Hey friend, I have just found out that you made some mistakes in your paragraph.
So, it is better to write by Vietnamese in this contex. Addionally, we take part into this English box to have fun besides gaining the knowledge. Is it correct?
It is said that there is always a gap between your native language and your second one despite how good at English you are.
To have fund, I often write "Em hơi bị nể bác", "Em chỉ có một ít để to toe" and "Em phắn đây bác ơi".
It is impossible for me (maybe others in this box) to turn its funny meaning into English. As a result, we often write Vietnamese.
I do hope that my small explaination helps you understand our situation.
Được sửa chữa bởi - 2h vào 13/04/2002 13:15
[/quote]
Hehe!
Thanx for your explaination....However, you're the worst corrector, I've seen. Plz ! I know there's always a gap b/w your native language and your second language, but what da hell this forum for? Is this for learning ENGLISH or what? So I just suggest if we can all write english then it'd make better. Since you pointed out I had couple of mistakes on my paragraph*s, I just let you know that you're even worse than mine....<---honestly. Anyways, hope you don't take it too personal. Peace bro!

EVIL CLOWN

Gone Fishin'
A father and son spend a unique day together.
Content Rated: G
Type: Static Item: Short Story
Genre(s): Emotional, Family, Inspirational
As they walked down the pier David looked down at his son Robbie and felt an overwhelming surge of love flow through him. It was so strong he could almost taste it in his mouth. The wonder of having a child had faded very little in the eight years since Robbie was born. Sure, there had been difficult times, very difficult times, but what an awesome privilege it was to raise this beautiful son. Both of them had sandy blonde hair, blue eyes and matching fishing rods. Today was their day and they were going to catch some whoppers!
They reached the end of the pier and busied themselves with their usual ritual. They set their seats up, opened the tackle boxes and both dived into the cooler for a soda. They baited their hooks and both cast into the water. David loved this time with Robbie, nothing to do but fish and talk; they had been fishing together since Robbie was four. David took a deep, satisfying breath and tasted the tangy salt upon his tongue. Overhead the seagulls were shrieking and beneath him he could hear the waves lapping at the pier.
?oHow?Ts school Robbie?? asked David.
?oOk,? said Robbie.
?oHow?Ts that crazy dog of ours doing??
?oOk.?
?oDid you get that science project finished??
?oYeah.?
?oYou?Tre pretty talkative today aren?Tt you?? said David, but there was no response from Robbie.
?oWhat?Ts on your mind son?? David looked out across the blue water and felt grateful for the calming effect it had on him. This was going to be a difficult day and David had to tread very gently. It seemed like an eternity until Robbie finally replied.
?oDaddy, I?Tve been trying really hard to be good, but it?Ts just not working. I pray to God to make me a good boy but he doesn?Tt help me!? Robbie wiped roughly at his nose and gave his eyes a quick swat.
?oBut Son, you are a good boy,? said David. ?oWhat ever gave you the idea that you weren?Tt??
?oBecause you still haven?Tt come home,? replied Robbie. ?oIf I was a good boy then I just know you would come home and then Mommy would stop crying and everything would be like it used to be.?
?oOh Robbie,? said David. He could feel the tears building up in the back of his eyes. ?oWhen your mother and I got divorced we told you that it wasn?Tt your fault. You?Tve got to believe me on that one kiddo. I couldn?Tt ask for a better boy and you have nothing to do with me moving out.?
?oBut why can?Tt you just come home Faddy??
?oBecause your Mom and I both agree that it's better if we do not live together. You remember how much we argued. Neither of us were happy. I know this is hard for you Robbie, but it?~s not your fault.?
They sat there in silence for awhile. The sun beat down upon their already tanned skin. Looking around him David saw a few other father and son duos and wondered how many of them were in the newly divorced club. David looked at his son and felt an overwhelming desire to pick him up and cuddle him, to protect him from ever being hurt again. But no, Robbie was at that age now where such an action would embarrass him. How quickly they grow up.
?oYou?Tve only been gone a week but already it feels like forever!? said Robbie, his voice quivering.
?oIt?Ts felt that way for me too Robbie,? said David. ?oBut I call you every day and wê?Tll still be able to spend our weekends together.?
?oWhat about my little league games?? asked Robbie.
?oI?Tll still come to all your games son, so will your mom.?
?oWill you sit together??
?oSure, of course we will. We may not be married anymore but we are still both your parents. Nothing is going to change that.?
?oOk,? said Robbie. He was obviously thinking about this so David left him to it.
Side by side just like so many other Saturdays and yet this one was entirely different. This was the first Saturday after he had moved out and that seemed to change everything. David?Ts heart broke at the look of misery on his son?Ts face. Oh how he wished that he and Mary had been able to work things out. They had tried but ultimately they had both agreed that they weren?Tt going anywhere. In fact, they had stayed together for years just because of Robbie.
Suddenly Robbiê?Ts line started spinning.
?oI?Tve got one; I?Tve got one!? shouted Robbie.
?oGood job son, give him some slack. Look at the way your rod is bending, I bet it?Ts a big ?~un!?
Robbie let the fish run and then began to reel him in; then he would let him run some more and then reel him in some more.
?oDad, this fish just isn?Tt getting tired, maybe it?Ts a shark!?
David laughed. ?oPerhaps it is Son, are you getting tired, do you want me to reel him in for you??
?oNo, I can do it,? said Robbie, his face screwed up with determination.
?oOk, but I?Tm here if you need me.?
Robbie spared his father a quick look. ?oThanks.?
David watched with pride as Robbie battled the fish. He was a plucky kid all right. He and Mary had done a good job raising him, despite their personal problems. He could see that Robbiê?Ts shoulders were starting to sag and so he placed his hand on Robbiê?Ts back.
?oGood job Robbie, but if you need a rest just ask??
?oI?Tm ok Dad, the fish is getting just about as tired as my arms are.?
David laughed and Robbie looked at him and smiled. The smile was so sweet that David almost cried.
?oI see it Daddy!? shouted Robbie.
David could make out the silhouette of the fish and he grabbed the net.
?oReel it in son.?
Robbie reeled the fish in until David could scoop it up with the net. It was a pretty decent sized fish, about a foot long. Robbie carefully took the hook out of the fish?Ts mouth and put the fish in the bucket that they had brought.
?oI thought it was bigger Dad.?
?oSometimes things seem bigger than they are Robbie,? said David. ?oIt's still a good size fish and bigger than anything I?Tm likely to catch.?
?oDad??
?oYes.?
?oWhen the fish was fighting so hard part of me wanted to let him go.?
?oWhy?? asked David.
?oHe just seemed like he earned it,? replied Robbie.
Robbie didn?Tt say anything more; he baited his hook and cast again. They sat together in companionable silence.
?oPenny for your thoughts, said David.
?oHow about a dollar? replied Robbie with a grin.
?oYou drive a hard bargain young man, but you?Tre on!?
?oI was just thinking about whether you will ever get back with mom.? Robbie wouldn?Tt meet his father?Ts eyes.
?oI?Tll be honest with you Robbie, I don?Tt think therê?Ts any chance of that. Neither of us wants to be together.?
?oBut what if one day you decide that you don?Tt want to be with me, or mom decides that she wants to leave too!? Robbie started sobbing.
?oOh son? said David softly. He put his arm around Robbiê?Ts shoulders. ?oThat just isn?Tt going to happen. You are the most important thing in my life and in your mother?Ts. Neither of us are going to leave you and it?Ts impossible that either of us could ever not love you. It?Ts different when you have a child; you?Tre a part of my heart. I couldn?Tt live without you son.? David was crying too.
?oDo you promise?? said Robbie.
?oYes, I promise.?
Robbie thought about this some more.
?oOk, maybe we should go back to your house dad. I still haven?Tt seen my new bedroom yet. We can BBQ my fish for lunch. After all, it?Ts not like you?Tre going to catch anything,? said Robbie laughing.
They packed up their stuff and headed back toward the car.
?oDad??
?oYes son.?
?oWhen you and mom got divorced I thought it was like the fish.?
?oWhat do you mean by that Robbie?? asked David.
?oI guess I just thought it was really, really big. But maybe it?Ts not as big as I thought it was.?
?oYou?Tre pretty smart son,? said David. ?oDivorce is a big thing Robbie, but the three of us will get through it together and whenever you?Tre scared you can talk to me or your mom. None of those bad things you?Tve been thinking are going to happen.?
?oThanks Dad? said Robbie, smiling up at him. ?oI?Tll race you to the car!?
And he was off. David sighed, this day had gone pretty good. It would take a lot of reassurance but he had all the time in the world for his son. He ran after Robbie screaming ?oI?Tm right behind you!?
***************
apricot

Gone Fishin'
A father and son spend a unique day together.
Content Rated: G
Type: Static Item: Short Story
Genre(s): Emotional, Family, Inspirational
As they walked down the pier David looked down at his son Robbie and felt an overwhelming surge of love flow through him. It was so strong he could almost taste it in his mouth. The wonder of having a child had faded very little in the eight years since Robbie was born. Sure, there had been difficult times, very difficult times, but what an awesome privilege it was to raise this beautiful son. Both of them had sandy blonde hair, blue eyes and matching fishing rods. Today was their day and they were going to catch some whoppers!
They reached the end of the pier and busied themselves with their usual ritual. They set their seats up, opened the tackle boxes and both dived into the cooler for a soda. They baited their hooks and both cast into the water. David loved this time with Robbie, nothing to do but fish and talk; they had been fishing together since Robbie was four. David took a deep, satisfying breath and tasted the tangy salt upon his tongue. Overhead the seagulls were shrieking and beneath him he could hear the waves lapping at the pier.
??oHow??Ts school Robbie???? asked David.
??oOk,??? said Robbie.
??oHow??Ts that crazy dog of ours doing????
??oOk.???
??oDid you get that science project finished????
??oYeah.???
??oYou??Tre pretty talkative today aren??Tt you???? said David, but there was no response from Robbie.
??oWhat??Ts on your mind son???? David looked out across the blue water and felt grateful for the calming effect it had on him. This was going to be a difficult day and David had to tread very gently. It seemed like an eternity until Robbie finally replied.
??oDaddy, I??Tve been trying really hard to be good, but it??Ts just not working. I pray to God to make me a good boy but he doesn??Tt help me!??? Robbie wiped roughly at his nose and gave his eyes a quick swat.
??oBut Son, you are a good boy,??? said David. ??oWhat ever gave you the idea that you weren??Tt????
??oBecause you still haven??Tt come home,??? replied Robbie. ??oIf I was a good boy then I just know you would come home and then Mommy would stop crying and everything would be like it used to be.???
??oOh Robbie,??? said David. He could feel the tears building up in the back of his eyes. ??oWhen your mother and I got divorced we told you that it wasn??Tt your fault. You??Tve got to believe me on that one kiddo. I couldn??Tt ask for a better boy and you have nothing to do with me moving out.???
??oBut why can??Tt you just come home Faddy????
??oBecause your Mom and I both agree that it's better if we do not live together. You remember how much we argued. Neither of us were happy. I know this is hard for you Robbie, but it??~s not your fault.???
They sat there in silence for awhile. The sun beat down upon their already tanned skin. Looking around him David saw a few other father and son duos and wondered how many of them were in the newly divorced club. David looked at his son and felt an overwhelming desire to pick him up and cuddle him, to protect him from ever being hurt again. But no, Robbie was at that age now where such an action would embarrass him. How quickly they grow up.
??oYou??Tve only been gone a week but already it feels like forever!??? said Robbie, his voice quivering.
??oIt??Ts felt that way for me too Robbie,??? said David. ??oBut I call you every day and wê?Tll still be able to spend our weekends together.???
??oWhat about my little league games???? asked Robbie.
??oI??Tll still come to all your games son, so will your mom.???
??oWill you sit together????
??oSure, of course we will. We may not be married anymore but we are still both your parents. Nothing is going to change that.???
??oOk,??? said Robbie. He was obviously thinking about this so David left him to it.
Side by side just like so many other Saturdays and yet this one was entirely different. This was the first Saturday after he had moved out and that seemed to change everything. David??Ts heart broke at the look of misery on his son??Ts face. Oh how he wished that he and Mary had been able to work things out. They had tried but ultimately they had both agreed that they weren??Tt going anywhere. In fact, they had stayed together for years just because of Robbie.
Suddenly Robbiê?Ts line started spinning.
??oI??Tve got one; I??Tve got one!??? shouted Robbie.
??oGood job son, give him some slack. Look at the way your rod is bending, I bet it??Ts a big ??~un!???
Robbie let the fish run and then began to reel him in; then he would let him run some more and then reel him in some more.
??oDad, this fish just isn??Tt getting tired, maybe it??Ts a shark!???
David laughed. ??oPerhaps it is Son, are you getting tired, do you want me to reel him in for you????
??oNo, I can do it,??? said Robbie, his face screwed up with determination.
??oOk, but I??Tm here if you need me.???
Robbie spared his father a quick look. ??oThanks.???
David watched with pride as Robbie battled the fish. He was a plucky kid all right. He and Mary had done a good job raising him, despite their personal problems. He could see that Robbiê?Ts shoulders were starting to sag and so he placed his hand on Robbiê?Ts back.
??oGood job Robbie, but if you need a rest just ask????
??oI??Tm ok Dad, the fish is getting just about as tired as my arms are.???
David laughed and Robbie looked at him and smiled. The smile was so sweet that David almost cried.
??oI see it Daddy!??? shouted Robbie.
David could make out the silhouette of the fish and he grabbed the net.
??oReel it in son.???
Robbie reeled the fish in until David could scoop it up with the net. It was a pretty decent sized fish, about a foot long. Robbie carefully took the hook out of the fish??Ts mouth and put the fish in the bucket that they had brought.
??oI thought it was bigger Dad.???
??oSometimes things seem bigger than they are Robbie,??? said David. ??oIt's still a good size fish and bigger than anything I??Tm likely to catch.???
??oDad????
??oYes.???
??oWhen the fish was fighting so hard part of me wanted to let him go.???
??oWhy???? asked David.
??oHe just seemed like he earned it,??? replied Robbie.
Robbie didn??Tt say anything more; he baited his hook and cast again. They sat together in companionable silence.
??oPenny for your thoughts, said David.
??oHow about a dollar??? replied Robbie with a grin.
??oYou drive a hard bargain young man, but you??Tre on!???
??oI was just thinking about whether you will ever get back with mom.??? Robbie wouldn??Tt meet his father??Ts eyes.
??oI??Tll be honest with you Robbie, I don??Tt think therê?Ts any chance of that. Neither of us wants to be together.???
??oBut what if one day you decide that you don??Tt want to be with me, or mom decides that she wants to leave too!??? Robbie started sobbing.
??oOh son??? said David softly. He put his arm around Robbiê?Ts shoulders. ??oThat just isn??Tt going to happen. You are the most important thing in my life and in your mother??Ts. Neither of us are going to leave you and it??Ts impossible that either of us could ever not love you. It??Ts different when you have a child; you??Tre a part of my heart. I couldn??Tt live without you son.??? David was crying too.
??oDo you promise???? said Robbie.
??oYes, I promise.???
Robbie thought about this some more.
??oOk, maybe we should go back to your house dad. I still haven??Tt seen my new bedroom yet. We can BBQ my fish for lunch. After all, it??Ts not like you??Tre going to catch anything,??? said Robbie laughing.
They packed up their stuff and headed back toward the car.
??oDad????
??oYes son.???
??oWhen you and mom got divorced I thought it was like the fish.???
??oWhat do you mean by that Robbie???? asked David.
??oI guess I just thought it was really, really big. But maybe it??Ts not as big as I thought it was.???
??oYou??Tre pretty smart son,??? said David. ??oDivorce is a big thing Robbie, but the three of us will get through it together and whenever you??Tre scared you can talk to me or your mom. None of those bad things you??Tve been thinking are going to happen.???
??oThanks Dad??? said Robbie, smiling up at him. ??oI??Tll race you to the car!???
And he was off. David sighed, this day had gone pretty good. It would take a lot of reassurance but he had all the time in the world for his son. He ran after Robbie screaming ??oI??Tm right behind you!???
***************
apricot

Đi câu cá
Khi họ bước xuống chân cầu, David nhìn đứa con trai Robbie và cảm thấy không kìm nén được tình yêu thương dâng trào lên. Nó mãnh liệt tới mức ông có thể cảm thấy ở vị giác. Điều sung sướng tuyệt vời khi có đứa con trai không hề phai nhạt trong 8 năm qua kể từ khi Robbie ra đời. Chắc chắn rằng, đã có những thời gian khó khăn, rất khó khăn, nhưng quả là một đặc ân khi được nuôi một đứa trẻ tuyệt vời như thế. Họ đều có mái tóc vàng hung, đôi mắt xanh và mang những chiếc cần câu tương xứng. Hôm nay là ngày của họ và họ sẽ làm những điều phi thường.
Họ đi tới cuối chân cầu và bận rộn làm theo trình tự của riêng mình. Họ dựng chỗ ngồi, mở hộp dụng cụ và cùng châm ống hút vào lon soda (câu này bịa). Họ mắc mồi vào lưỡi câu và cùng quăng xuống nước. David yêu thích thời gian cùng với Robbie, chẳng làm gì trừ việc câu cá và trì chuyện; họ đã cùng nhau đi câu cá khi Robbie lên 4. David hít thở sâu, hài lòng và cảm thấy vị mằn mặn trên lưỡi.. Trên cao, những con mòng biển đang kêu và bay gần ông như có thể nghe thấy tiếng những con sóng đang vỗ nhẹ ở phía chân cầu.
"Ở trường thế nào Robbie?" David hỏi con trai
"Tốt ạ" Robbie đáp.
"Thế chú chó nhà mình sao rồi?"
"Khoẻ ạ!"
"Con đã hoàn thành môn khoa học chưa?"
"Rồi ạ"
"Hôm nay con không thấy dễ chịu lắm khi nói chuyện à?" David nói, nhưng Robbie không trả lời.
"Cái gì trong đầu thế con trai?" David nhìn xuống mặt nước xanh đợi chờ và cảm thấy dễ chịu bởi sự êm ả của nó. Đây sẽ là một ngày khó khăn và David phải bước qua nhẹ nhàng. Dường như vĩnh viễn yên lặng như thế cho tới phút cuối Robbie trả lời.
"Bố, con đang thực sự cố gắng hết sức để trở nên tốt nhưng không có hiệu quả. Con cầu chúa biến con thành người tốt nhưng chúa không giúp con! Robbie quệt mạnh ngang mũi và mắt.
"Nhưng con là đứa con trai ngoan mà", David nói, "Sao con lại có ý nghĩ con không phải thế?"
"Vì bố vẫn không trở về nhà", Robbie trả lời. "Nếu con ngoan thì con biết bố sẽ trở về nhà và mẹ sẽ ngừng khóc và rồi mọi thứ sẽ lại như cũ".
"Ôi, Robbie của bố", David kêu lên. Ông có thể cảm thấy những giọt nước mắt chảy ngược vào bên trong".
"Khi bố mẹ chia tay, bố mẹ đã nói với con rằng đó không phải lỗi của con mà. Con phải tin bố rằng that one kiddo. Bố không thể đòi hỏi một người con trai tốt hơn được và con không làm gì mà khiến bố phải dọn đi cả".
"Thế tại sao bố không thể về nhà?"
"Vì mẹ con và bố đều nhất trí rằng không ở cùng nhau sẽ tốt hơn". Con nhớ bố mẹ đã cãi nhau nhiều thế nào. Chẳng ai vui vẻ cả. Bố biết thật khó khăn cho con, Robbie, nhưng đó không phải lỗi của con."
Họ ngồi đó trong yên lặng. Mặt trời lặn xuống khi làm da đã rám nắng của họ. Nhìn quanh mình, Daivd thấy một vài ông bố và những cậu con trai khác đang bên nhau và tự hỏi có bao nhiêu trong số họ là những ra đình tan vỡ. David nhìn con trai và cảm thấy niềm khát khao mạnh mẽ được nhấc con lên và âu yếm, được bảo vệ con để không phải chịu đớn đau thêm nữa. Nhưng không, Robbie đang ở cái tuổi mà hành động như thế sẽ gây ngượng nghịu cho nó. Nó lớn nhanh quá.
"Bố đã đi được một tuần nhưng như thể là vô tận vậy". Robbie nói, giọng run lên.
"Bố cũng cảm thấy như thế, Robbie ạ!" David trả lời. " Nhưng hăng ngày bố vẫn gọi cho con và chúng ta vẫn có thể ở bên nhau vào cuối tuần mà"
"Thế còn trò chơi *liên minh" của con?"Robbie hỏi

"Bố cũng sẽ tới chơi và cả mẹ con nữa"
"Bố mẹ vẫn ngồi với nhau chứ?"
"Ừ, chắc chắn, dĩ nhiên là bố mẹ sẽ bên cạnh con. Bố mẹ không còn là vợ chồng, nhưng bố mẹ luôn là bố mẹ của con. Không có gì thay đổi cả."
"Thôi được ạ". Robbie nói. Nó đang xem xét cẩn thận vì điều đó vì thế mà David để im cho con suy nghĩ.
Thời gian bên nhau cũng giống như các ngày thứ 7 khác và hôm nay thì hoàn toàn khác. Đây là thứ 7 đầu tiên sau khi ông dọn đi và điều đó dường như thay đổi mọi thứ. Trái tim ông tan vỡ khi thấy sự đau đớn trên khuôn mặt đứa con trai. Ôi ông ước sao ông và Mary có thể giải quyết được mọi việc. Họ đã cố gắng nhưng phút chót đều chập nhận không đi đâu cả. Thực tế họ cùng nhau sống những tháng ngày ấy chỉ bởi Robbie mà thôi.
Bất ngờ dây của Robbie bắt đầu quay.
"Con có một con cá. Con được một con cá rồi!" Robbie kêu to
"Làm tốt đấy, con trai, cho dây chùng một chút. Nhìn cần câu của con bị uôn cong kìa. Bố cược con cá này lớn đấy!"
Robbie cho con cá lướt đi và sau đó bắt đầu cuốn dây; rồi lại cho con cá trượt đi để lại cuốn dây thêm nữa.
"Bố ơi, con cá chẳng mệt gì cả, có lẽ là cá mập mất!"
David cười, "Có lẽ vậy con trai, con mệt rồi à, con có muốn bố kéo nó cho con không?"
" Không, con có thể làm được mà," Robbie đáp, mặt nó nhăn lại quả quyết.
"Được thôi, nhưng bố sẽ ở bên con khi con cần".
Robbie liếc nhanh nhìn bố. " Cám ơn bố"
David quan sát với sự hãnh diện khi Robbie vật lộn với con cá. Thằng bé quả là đứa trẻ gan dạ. Ông và Mary đã nuôi dạy nó tốt bất chấp những vấn đề của riêng họ. Ông có thể thấy đôi vai của Robbie bắt đầu chùng xuống và vì thế, ông đạt bàn tay mình lên vai đứa con.
"Tốt lắm Robbie, nhưng con có cần nghỉ nghơi không?"
"Con khỏe mà bố, con cá đang mệt nhừ như cánh tay của con vậy".
David mỉm cười và Robbie cũng nhìn bố rồi cười. Nụ cười đáng yêu tới mức khiến David suýt khóc.
"Trông nó kìa bố", Robbie hét lên
David nhânh ra cái bóng của con cá và giật lấy cái luới
"Cuốn nó vào đi con trai!"
Robbie kéo con cá voà cho tới khi ông có thể hất nó lên bằng cái lưới. Nó quả là con cá hấp dẫn, dài khoảng 1 foot. Robbie cẩn thận rút cái móc câu khỏi mồm con cá và cho nó vào cái xô mang đi.
"Con nghĩ nó còn to hơn cơ bố ạ!"
"Đôi khi mọi thứ dường như trở nên lớn hơn bản thân nó, Robbie" David nói, "nó vẫn là con cá có kích thước khá lớn và to hơn những thứ bố muốn câu được."
"Bố này!"
"Gì con?"
" Khi mà nó cố gắng hết sức vùng vẫy, con đã muốn thả nó ra rồi"
"Tại sao vậy?" David hỏi lại
?oHe just seemed like he earned it,? Robbie trả lời bố.
Robbie không nói thêm điều gì, nó tiếp tục mắc mồi vào cần câu và quăng xuống. Họ lại ngồi trong im lặng.
"Con nghĩ gì mà mải mê thế?"
"Về 1 dollar", Robbie toe toét trả lời
"Con mặc cả à, đồng ý đi!"
"Con chỉ đang nghĩ bố sẽ quay về với mẹ không?"
Robbie không nhìn vào mắt người cha.
"Bố sẽ nói thật với con, Robbie ạ, Bố nghĩ điều đó là không thể. Bố mẹ không muốn ở cùng nhau nữa".
"Nhưng rồi tới một ngày, bố quyết định không muốn ở bên con, và mẹ cũng quyết định muốn bỏ đi thì sao?" Robbie bắt đầu thổn thức.
"Ôi con trai", David nhẹ nhàng nói. Ông quàng tay lên vai Robbie. "Điều đó sẽ không xảy ra dâu. Con là điều quan trọng nhất trong cuộc sống của bố và của mẹ con. Bố mẹ sẽ không bao giờ bỏ con và không thể khi nào không yêu con nữa. Nó khác nhau khi con có con. Con là một phần trái tim bố. Bố không thể sống thiếu con được". David cũng khóc.
"Bố hứa chứ?" Robbie hỏi
"Ừ bố hứa".
Robbie nghĩ kĩ thêm về nó.
"Tốt rồi, chúng ta có lẽ nên trở về nhà bố ạ. Con vẫn chưa nhìn thấy cái giường mới. Mình có thể lám cá cho bữa trưa. Rồi như thể là bố chưa bắt được cái gì cả", Robbie cười nói.
Họ thu dọn đồ đạc và trở ra xe ô tô.
"Bố ơi!"
"GÌ vậy con?"
"Khi bố mẹ li dị, con nghĩ điều đó giống như là con cá vậy".
"Sao con lại nghĩ thế?" David hỏi lại.
"Con chỉ nghĩ rằng nó đã thực sự, thực sự là ghê ghớm. Nhưng chắc là nó không đến nỗi như con nghĩ."
"Con thông minh lắm con trai", David nói, "Li dị là điều ghê ghớm, Robbie, nhưng cả ba chúng ta sẽ vượt qua được và bất kể khi nào con thấy sợ, con có thể trò chuyện với bố hay mẹ con. Không có điều gì tệ hại mà con lo lắng sẽ xảy ra cả.
"Cám ơn bố", Robbie nói và mỉm cười, "Con sẽ chạy thi với bố ra xe nhé?"
Và nó chạy đi. David buông tiếng thở dài, ngày hôm nay qua đi khá tốt đẹp. Nó làm cho ông lấy được sự yên lòng rất nhiều và dành mọi thời gian cho đứa con trai. Ông chạy theo Robbie, hét lên:
"Bố ở ngay sau con này!"
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apricot