That "Other Woman" in My Life
我生命中的“另一个女人”
1. After 22 years of marriage, I've discovered the secret to keeping love and intimacy alive in my relationship with my wife, Peggy: I started dating another woman.
1、经历22年的婚姻，我发现如何同妻子佩吉保持爱恋和亲密关系的秘密：去约会另一个女人。
2. The "other woman" my wife was encouraging me to date is my mother, a 72-year-old widow who has lived alone since my father died 20 years ago. Right after his death, I moved 2500 miles away to California and started my own family and career. When I moved back near my hometown six years ago, I promised myself that I would spend more time with Mom. But with the demands of my job and three kids, I never got around to seeing her much beyond family get-togethers and holidays.
2、我妻子鼓励我去约会的“另一个女人”就是我的母亲，一位72岁的寡妇。20年前父亲去世后，她一直独居至今。就在父亲去世后，我搬到了2500英里以外的加利福尼亚，成家立业。6年前我迁回到靠近老家的地方，那时，我曾承诺要花些时间同妈妈在一起。但是由于需要兼顾我的工作和3个孩子，除家庭聚会和节假日外，我很少抽时间去看望她。
3. She was surprised and suspicious, then, when I called and suggested the two of us go out to dinner and a movie. "What's wrong?" she asked. My mother thinks anything out of the ordinary signals bad news. "I thought it would be nice to spend some time with you," I said. "Just the two of us." I'd like that a lot." she replied.
3、我打电话给母亲，建议我们俩外出一起吃饭、看电影，她感到惊讶和疑惑。“出什么事了吗?”她问，妈妈把任何不寻常的信号都当成是坏消息。“我想跟您共度一段时光会很愉快的。”我说。“就我们俩。”“那太好了，”她答道。
4. As I drove to her house, I actually had a case of predate jitters ! What would we talk about? What if she didn't like the restaurant I chose?
4、我开车驶往母亲住所，竟感到约会前的紧张不安。我们将谈些什么呢?如果她不喜欢我选的餐馆怎么办?
5. When I pulled into her driveway, she was waiting by the door with her coat on. Her hair was curled, and she was smiling. "I told my lady friends I was going out with my son, and they were all impressed," she said as she got into my car. "They can't wait to hear about our evening."
5、我的车驶进母亲家门前的车道时，她已穿好外套等在门口了。她的头发卷好了，面带笑容。“我告诉我的女伴们，说我要和儿子一道外出，她们都深受感动，”母亲边说边上了我的车。“她们急着想知道我们怎样度过今天晚上。”
6. We didn't go anywhere fancy, just a neighborhood place where we could talk. My mother clutched my arm, half out of affection and half to help her negotiate the restaurant steps. Since her eyes now see only large shapes and shadows, I had to read the menu for both of us. Halfway through reciting the entrees, I glanced up and saw Mom looking at me, a wistful smile on her lips. "I used to be the menureader when you were little," she said. I understood what she was saying. From caregiver to cared-for, from cared-for to caregiver, our relationship had come full circle. "Then it's time for you to relax and let me return the favor," I said. We had a nice talk over dinner. Nothing earth-shattering, just catching up with each other's lives. We talked for so long that we missed the movie. I 'll go out with you again," my mother said as I dropped her off, "But only if you let me buy dinner next time." I agreed. | 
