The phone rings. The phone never rings in our house. I have a bad feeling. I open my bedroom door and listen.
Mum (on the phone):Hello?. . . Yes, speaking . . . How are you?. . . Yes?. .
Oh, really?. . . No, I don't. . . I understand. . . Yes, of course . . No, I don't understand . . . Problems at home?. . . No. . . Yes . . Tonight . Leave it with me. . . Thank you for telling me. . . Goodbye
And then there's silence(寂静) . I can see Mum downstairs. Now she's looking up at my bedroom door. Now she's thinking. And now she's walking into the kitchen.
Two minutes later the three of us are sitting at the table. Tonight we're having potatoes, a fried egg and a fried tomato. I don't like fried tomatoes but I don't tell Mum. She thinks I like them. Dad speaks first.
Dad:So . . . Eoin . . . How are things at school?
Me:Good, Dad.
Mum:Really?Mr Stirling doesn't agree.
Mr Stirling is our History teacher. Now I understand.
The phone call+Mr Stirling = ____
Dad:Do you know the result(结果)of your History test?
Me:Oh. . .
Dad:2 out of 100!
Mum:Don't get angry, Dad.
Dad:I'm not angry!
I never understand why Mum calls Dad "Dad". He isn't her dad. Her dad lives in a flat in London. My dad's name is Martin. And Martin is angry.
Mum:You're usually good at History, Eoin.
Me:I'm sorry, Mum.
Dad:Mr Stirling says you're not doing well in any school subject.
Mum:Except (除了)sport.
Dad:You hate sport, Eoin. What's going on?
Me:I like sport now.
Dad:Do you know what I think?
Me:I can't read your mind(思想), Dad.
But this time I can read minds. I know clearly what Dad thinks.
Dad:I think your new friends—the twins next door are the problem. They are strange.
Me:They are special.
Mum:Maybe it's good if you don't see the twins for a while.
I can't believe she's saying this.
Mum:Only if things get better at school.
I look at Mum and shout:
Me: I hate fried tomatoes!
I walk out of the door and run upstairs. I'm foolish.
