Father in Need

I quietly placed my ear against the kitchen door. Mom had a male ____! I peeked (从缝隙偷看) around. Sitting there was a gentleman, the most handsome man I’d ever seen.

Mom was a young widow (寡妇) then with three children. My sister was ten, my brother four and I six. I ___ having a daddy. And I knew he was the one. Then I marched right into the kitchen.

“Hi! I’m Patty. What’s your name?”

“George.”

____ towards Mom, I asked, “Don’t you think my mom’s pretty?”

“Patty!” Mom scolded (责备) with embarrassment. “Go and check on Benny.”

George leaned forward and whispered, “Yes, I do. I’ll see you later, Patty. I think we’ll be good friends.”

George started _____ on Mom more often. He always seemed happy to see me and never grew tired of my endless questions.

Soon they entered into a marriage. But one evening was especially bad. Benny was crying on the kitchen floor. Annie was complained ____ it wasn’t her place to look after that spoiled child. And I spilled（使溢出） a whole pot of butter milk. With an empty look, George muttered, “I must have been _____ to marry a woman with three kids.”

Mom flew to their bedroom in tears，and George walked out. I hurried to the porch (门廊). “I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful next time. Please don’t _____!”

Gently wiping my tears, he said, “We’re friends, and friends never abandon (抛弃、遗弃) the people they love.”  Then he went to comfort Mom.

Over the years, George has always been there for me, through many ups and downs. I still turn to him with my ___ though he’s already 85.