It

Donna Faulkner Schulte游余

One day， my mother and I went out to eat at a seafood restaurant. We got therejust at the lunch time. There were many people in a line to get in. I looked over tothe side and saw a very thin lady with no coat and a chemo shunt1 in her arm. Shewas holding a sign that read：“Homeless2 and hungry. Please help.”

I looked around at everyone， and no one cared at all. I knew that I must dosomething. I went over to her and asked if she would like to get something to eat.She looked like she was not sure I was talking to her. Then she put her head downand said，“Yes.”

I helped her to her feet and walked her up to my mother， who was in line. Westood there together3 until we sat at our table. When the waitress came， she lookedat the woman as if she were a scary disease4. She asked what we wanted to eat butdidnt ask this woman.

Then the owner came over and asked if we wanted this woman to sit at ourtable. I told her we did. She then asked what her name was. I said that we hadntgotten to ask that yet because the waitress had run over as soon as we sat down.Then she said something that put me over the top. She said，“Well， you did right bygetting her food instead5 of giving her money.”

有一天，我和媽妈出去一家海鲜餐厅吃饭。我们刚好在午餐时间到达那里，很多人在排队等候进去。我向旁边看了看，看到一位非常瘦的女士没穿外套，手臂上有化疗分流器。她举着一块牌子，上面写着：“无家可归，饥肠辘辘。请帮帮我。”

我环顾四周，没有一个人关心她。我知道我不能袖手旁观。我走到她面前，问她想不想吃点东西。她看起来好像不确定我是在和她说话，接着她低下头说：“想。”

我扶她站起来，一起走向正在排队的母亲。我们一同站在那里，直到我们坐到餐桌旁。当女服务员过来的时候，她看着这个女士，好像她是一种可怕的疾病。她问我们想吃什么，但没有问这个女士。

一会儿，店主走过来问我们是否想让这个女士坐在我们桌旁。我告诉她我们愿意。然后她问她叫什么名字。我说我们还没来得及问这个问题，因为我们刚坐下，女服务员就跑了过来。接着她说了一句让我觉得过分的话。她说：“噢，你没有给她钱，而是给她买食物，这个做法很明智。”

I almost shouted at her， “This woman is sittingright here. She is just as good as anyone in here， andshe shouldnt be treated6 any differently than anyother customer in here.”

I called the waitress back over and told her totake the womans order and get her a cup of coffee.After the waitress left， we talked and I found out thather name was Judy. She had been released7 from the army8 on amedical discharge9 because she had cancer10. When she came backhome， she could not find a job because of her cancer and she lost herhouse. Her chemo took too long， so she missed the bus to a shelter11.

When the food came， she took out some paper bags andstarted putting food in them. I asked her why she was doing that.She said so she could eat that night. I told her she could order ato -go plate12. I also told her we would give her a ride to theshelter so she didnt have to sit in the cold. She thanked mequietly， looked down， and started eating.

After that for a long time， I think about Judy every sooften and wish her a better and healthy life. I really hope so. Ifyou can help someone in need， do it. The feeling you get out ofit is priceless13.

我差点朝她大喊起来：“这位女士人就坐在这里。她和这里所有人是一样的，不应该受到和这里所有其他顾客有任何不同的待遇。”

我把女服务员叫了回来，让她拿走这位女士点的单，给她拿杯咖啡。女服务员离开后，我们聊了聊，我了解到她叫朱迪，因为得了癌症，她从军队中病退了。回家以后，由于癌症，她找不到工作，然后又失去了房子。她化疗的时间太长了，因此错过了去收容所的公汽。

食物来了，她拿出几个纸袋，开始往里装食物。我问她为什么这么做。她说这样今天晚上就有东西吃了。我告诉她可以点个外卖。我还告诉她我们会载她去收容所，这样她就不用坐在外面挨冻了。她轻声向我道谢，然后低下头开始吃东西。

在那之后的很长一段时间里，我时常会想起朱迪，并祝愿她生活得更好、更健康。我真心希望如此。如果你能帮助有需要的人，就去做吧。你从中得到的情感体验是无价的。

Notes

1. chemo shunt.化疗分流管

2. homeless.无家可归的

3. together . 在一起；共同；位置；在一起；紧挨地

4. disease . 疾病；病害

5. instead .代替；頂替；反而instead of 代替；而不是

6. treat.对待；看待；请客；招待

7. release.解除；职务或工作；解雇

8. army .陆军；军队

9. medical discharge.因病退伍

10. cancer.癌症

11. shelter .遮蔽物；庇护处

12. to-go plate.外卖

13. priceless . 无价的；非常有用的