英文佳作欣赏：Right Beside You

 　　Right Beside You

　　The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the young woman with the white cane 1 made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and then, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, settled in to one. She placed her briefcase 2 on her lap and rested her cane against her leg.
　　It had been a year since Susan, thirty-four, became blind. As the result of a medical accident she was sightless, suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration 3 and self-pity. All she had to cling to was her husband Mark.
　　Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and he became determined 4 to use every means possible to help his wife.
　　Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but she was now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Mark volunteered to ride the bus with Susan each morning and evening until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened.
　　For two weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat.
　　Each morning they made the journey together, and Mark would take a taxi back to his office. Although that meant he had to travel through the city and the routine was costly 5 and exhausting, Mark knew it was only a matter of time before Susan would be able to ride the bus on her own. He believed in her.
　　Finally, Susan decided 6 that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived. Before she left, she embraced her husband tightly. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude 7 for his loyalty 8, his patience, and his love. She said good-bye and, for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday... Each day on her own went perfectly 9, and a wild gaiety took hold of Susan. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself!
　　On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was exiting the bus, the driver said, “Miss, I sure envy you.” Curious, Susan asked the driver why.
　　“You know, every morning for the past week, a fine looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing 10 across the corner watching you when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches you until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a salute 11 and walks away. You are one lucky lady,” the bus driver said.
　　Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. She was so lucky for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to see to believe—the gift of love that can bring light where there is darkness.