阅读理解
Even before my father left us my mother had to go back to work to support our family.Once I came out of the kitchen complaining “Mom I can't peel potatoes.I have only one hand.”
Mom never looked up from sewing.“You get yourself into that kitchen and peel those potatoes ”she told me.“And don't ever use that as an excuse for anything again!”
In the second grade our teacher lined up my class on the playground and had each of us race across the monkey bars swinging from one high steel bar to the next.When it was my turn I shook my head.Some kids behind me laughed and I went home crying.
That night I told Mom about it.She hugged me and I saw her“we'll see about that”look.The next afternoon she took me back to school.At the deserted playground Mom looked carefully at the bars.
“Now pull up with your right arm ”she advised.She stood by as I struggled to lift myself with my right hand until I could hook the bar with my other arm.Day after day we practiced and she praised me for every rung(横档)I reached.I'd never forget the next time crossing the rungs.I looked down at the kids who were standing with their mouths open.
One night after a dance at my new junior high I lay in bed sobbing.I could hear Mom come into my room.“Mom ”I said weeping “none of the girls would dance with me.”
For a long time I didn't hear anything.Then she said “Oh honey someday you'll be beating those boys off with a bat.”Her voice was soft and weak.I glanced at her to see tears running down her cheeks.Then I knew how much she suffered on my behalf.She had never let me see her tears.