My wife, Loretta, who had terminal pancreatic cancer, received a package containing a beautiful white ceramic swan.
我的妻子洛蕾塔得了晚期胰腺癌。她收到了一个包裹里面装着一只陶瓷天鹅。

It had cost $100, and our bills were multiplying rapidly.
它价值100美元,而当时我们(用于医疗等方面的花销)已经如流水。

“How could you do this?” I burst out.
“你怎么可以这样?”我咆哮道。

“I ordered it a long time ago. I really wanted it,” she replied tearfully.
“我很早以前就定了,而且我真的很想要,”妻子泪流满面的说道。

“It’s all right,” I said, ashamed.
“好吧。”我说着感到内疚。

“I love you, Bill, and I don’t want to die,” she said.
“比尔,我爱你,而且我也不想死。”妻子又这样说道。

“I love you too,” I said.
“我也爱你。”我回答道。

The darkness of my scolding turned into a bright moment of mutual love.
于是,本来是我无情的责骂,就这样演变成了一段充满爱的片刻。

Twenty-five years later, the swan remains. That moment is etched upon my heart.
25年了,这只陶瓷天鹅依旧还在,它似乎提醒着我,而那段与妻子的对话已经被深深地刻在心里。

(翻译:林浔鸥)

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