“No，no,he' d say, "I was just waiting for you."
“不，不累，”他总说，“我只是在等你。”
Then we'd lock up the house and go to bed.
然后，我们便各自关上房门，上床睡觉了。
My father waited up for me all through my high school and college years while I danced my way out of his life.
在我上高中和大学的几年里，每次我出去跳舞，父亲都会一直等我回家。
Shortly after my first child was born, my mother called to tell me my father was ill.
在我的第一个孩子出生不久的一个晚上，母亲打电话告诉我说父亲病了：
“A heart problem,” she said. “Now, don't come. Three hundred miles. It would upset your father. a proper diet would restore him to good health. ”
“是心脏的问题。现在不要过来，三百英里太远了，你父亲会生气的。合理的饮食会使他恢复健康。”
My mother wrote that they had joined a dance club. The doctor says it's good excercise.“You remember how your father loves to dance.”
母亲写信说他们参加了一个舞蹈俱乐部。医生说跳舞是很好的健身运动。“你还记得你父亲多么喜欢跳舞吗？”
Yes, I remember. My eyes filled up with remembering.
是的，我记得。我的眼中充满了对过去的回忆。
When my father retired, we mended our way back together again; hugs and kisses were common when we visited each other.
父亲退休之后，我们又聚在了一起。每次见面，我们都要相互拥抱，亲吻。
He danced with the grandchildren; but he did not ask me to dance.
他和外孙女们跳舞。但是父亲从未让我陪他跳舞。
I knew he was waiting for an apology from me, and I could never find the right words.
我知道父亲在等我的道歉，而我总是很难找到恰当的语言。
As my parents'fiftieth anniversary approached, my brothers and I met to plan the party.
而随着父母结婚五十周年纪念日的到来，我的兄弟和我计划为他们举办一次舞会。
My older brother said, “Do you remember that night you wouldn't dance with him? Boy, was he mad!
我哥哥说：“还记得你拒绝陪他跳舞的那个晚上吗？天哪，他简直疯了。
I couldn't believe he'd get so mad about a thing like that. I'll bet you haven't danced with him since.” I did not tell him he was right.
真不敢相信他为了此事竟如此伤心。从那以后，你肯定没和他跳过舞吧。” 我没有回答，但他说得没错。
My younger brother promised to get the band.
弟弟说他能够搞定一支乐队。
“Make sure they can play waltzes and polkas,” I told him.
我告诉他：“一定要保证他们能够演奏华尔兹和波尔卡舞曲。”
I did not tell him that all I wanted to do was dance once more with my father.
我没有告诉他，我只是想和父亲再跳一次舞。
When the band began to play after dinner, my parents took the floor. They glided around the room, inviting the others to join them.
晚餐过后，乐队开始演奏，父母步入了舞池。他们在房间里翩翩起舞，并邀请其他人加入。
The guests rose to their feet, applauding the golden couple. My father danced with his granddaughters and then the band began to play the “Beer Barrel Polka.”
客人们都站起来，一齐为这对金婚夫妇喝彩。父亲开始和他的外孙女跳舞，乐队演奏起了“Beer Barrel Polka”。
“Roll out the barrel,” I heard my father sing. Then I knew it was time.
我听见父亲在唱：“Roll out the barrel”。我知道现在是最佳时机。
I wound my way through a few couples and tapped my daughter on the shoulder.
我穿过人群，拍了拍女儿的肩膀。
"Excuse me,”I said,looking directly into my father's eyes and almost choking on my words, "but I believe this is my dance.”
“对不起。”我直视父亲的眼睛，几乎说不出话来，“我想该轮到我了.”
My father stood rooted to the spot. Our eyes met and traveled back to that night when I was fifteen.
父亲呆了一样站在那里。我们都注视这对方，思绪飞回到我十五岁的那个夜晚。
In a trembling voice, I sang, “Let's get those blues on the run.”
我用略带颤抖的声音唱道：“Let's get those blues on the run。”
My father bowed and said, “Oh, yes. I've been waiting for you.”
父亲鞠躬道：“噢，当然。我一直在等你。”
Then he started to laugh, and we moved into each other's arms, pausing for a moment so we could catch once more the rhythm of the dance.
说完，他大笑起来。我们挽着彼此的胳膊，停了一下，以便跟上舞曲的节奏。
