Luisa's Letter
Luisa checked the mailbox. An eggshell-white envelope lay on top of all the letters. It was still there, thank goodness. She picked it and put it into her bag.
Upstairs, she handed the remaining letters to her mother. "How was school, Luisa?" Mom asked.
"It was fine," said Luisa, giving her mother a quick hug.
In her room Luisa tried to focus on her English homework, but the letter called to her. It had traveled more places than she had. All her life, Luisa had lived in Seville, an ancient city in the southwest of Spain. Luisa loved her hometown, but she wanted to see the world.
A year abroad! What an attractive possibility! But Luisa couldn't bring herself to raise the subject with her parents because her parents just wanted her to stay in Seville, get married, give them grandchildren. Last spring, on her own, she applied for (申请) a year of high school in England. Now, this envelope held her answer.
Luisa went to the kitchen to help with dinner. She asked, "Mom, do you ever think about traveling?
I mean, I want to. And maybe someday…live somewhere else."
Luisa's heart beat harder as she waited for her mother's reaction. But Mom nodded. "Luisa, of course you'd like to travel. I want that for you and—"
Just then Dad arrived. When they sat down at the table to eat, Dad said, "Seville is the best, yes, my Luisa?" Luisa's heart sank (为之一沉) . Dad continued, "Why would people want to leave Seville?" Mom smiled, "When Luisa is old enough, we can discuss with her what's best for her future."
Dad raised an eyebrow but didn't argue.
Luisa couldn't wait any longer, but her parents' easy chatter (聊天) was the sound of her childhood. She sank deeper into her chair and listened. Home would always be here. But when the time was right, she'd leave. And she wanted it to be with her parents' support.
"Something came in the letter," she said at last. "I want you to see." She took out the letter. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you," her voice was shaking. "I wanted this more than anything." Luisa waved at the unopened envelope. "But only if you say it's okay."
