“They may look grown-up, ”she continued, “it’s a disguise. It’s just the clay of time. Men and women are still children deep in their hearts. They still would like to jump and play, but that heavy clay won’t let them. They’d like to shake off every chain the world’s put on them, take off their watches and neckties and Sunday shoes and return naked to the swimming hole, if just for one day. They’d like to feel free, and know that there’s a momma and daddy at home who’ll take care of things and love them no matter what. Even behind the face of the meanest man in the world is a scared little boy trying to wedge himself into a corner where he can’t be hurt.” She put aside the papers and folded her hands on the desk. “I have seen plenty of boys grow into men, Cory and I want to say one word to you. Remember.”

“Remember? Remember what?”

“Everything, ” she said. “ And anything. Don’t you go through a day without remembering something of it, and tucking that memory away like a treasure. Because it is. And memories are sweet doors, Cory. They’re teachers and friends and disciplinarians. When you look at something, don’t just look. See it. Really, really see it. See it so when you write it down, somebody else can see it, too. It’s easy to walk through life deaf, dumb, and blind, Cory. Most everybody you know or ever meet will. They’ll walk through a parade of wonders, and they’ll never hear a peep of it. But you can live a thousand lifetimes if you want to. You can talk to people you’ll never set eyes on, in lands you’ll never visit.” She nodded, watching my face. “And if you’re good and you’re lucky and you have something worth saying, then you might have the chance to live on long after-” She paused, measuring her words. “Long after,” she finished.

“他们也许看起来长大了，”她接着说，“这是个幌子。这是时间的尘土。男人和女人在内心深处还是小孩儿。他们仍然想要蹦蹦跳跳玩耍，但是尘土太重令他们身不由己。他们想要摆脱世界的枷锁，脱掉手表和领带，蹬掉鞋子回去裸泳。一天就够了。他们想要自由，知道父母在家不论何时都会照料一切并爱他们。就算是世界上最邪恶的人脸之后也有一个想要把自己藏到安全角落免受伤害的怕怕小孩儿”她把试卷放到一边，手叠着放在桌上。“Cory，我看到过许许多多男孩儿长大变成男人。我就想和你讲一个词——记得。”

“记得？记得什么？”

“所有的事儿，”她说。“还有任何事情。Cory，不要过了一天什么都记不得，要把记忆当宝贝一样藏起来。因为记忆就是宝贝。记忆还是甜蜜的大门。他们是老师、朋友和训导师。当你看着东西的时候，不要只是看着。要看懂。真的，真的要看懂。看懂了你就写下来，其他人也能看懂。Cory，一辈子像聋子听而不闻、瞎子视而不见，哑巴浑浑噩噩就过去了。你认识的和你会遇见的大多数人都是这样。他们会经历神奇的喧嚣，却一点声音都听不见。但如果你想的话，你可以活一千次。你可以和你从来没有见过的人聊天，访问你从未去过的地方。”她点了点头，看着我的脸。“而且如果你够好够幸运并且有有价值的东西要说，你就有机会万古长存-”她停了一会儿，掂量了一下。“长存。”她说完了。