「這一句話,我會記上一輩子。」1451Please respect copyright.PENANAKNl7QgOCCt
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA4ExT04Q0lo
二十年前,我拋下這麼一句話,頭也不回,離開那個家。
某位於港島區的咖啡店內。淺啡木紋地磚和同調木紋膠板桌椅,配襯白色牆身和米黃色燈膽,輔以多個小盆栽和青色咕𠱸作點綴,簡潔得來帶有滿滿的溫馨。完全符合阿妹理想中「家」的形象。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAW7QxsaG2pv
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAQrUiC66gyO
我們齊齊長大於日本文化盛行的年代,對日系風格情有獨鍾實屬在所難免。惟鍾愛歸鍾愛,我不禁在心裡吐糟眼前的芝士蛋糕:虛假的芝士味道和香氣,甜得發膩的化學甜,有如焦土的乾癟質地。怎麼可以如此難吃?1451Please respect copyright.PENANA7pbioYw1Bt
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA452XgFuUO8
「不喜歡?」阿妹冷道,沒望我一眼,逕自品嚐她的芝士蛋糕和朱古力咖啡。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAlLdovZsQmG
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA0enUF4JmYO
「嗯。」我放下叉子,放棄價值五十元的蛋糕,暗嘆浪費。我寧可花同樣價錢,去茶餐廳吃鹹魚雞粒炒飯。1451Please respect copyright.PENANATPoiS03LEr
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAp7bmTZOdwr
「這是區內最有名氣的芝士蛋糕。」阿妹對我的口味不以為然。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAVMprwqgchd
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAKlll2VkQMh
「以『難吃』見稱嗎?」我冷嘲,惹得鄰桌的情侣竊笑。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAx13aUi8x98
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAXgv99bLXVA
阿妹面色玄青,無視我,低頭享用她的下午茶。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAibqZGqj0eK
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAq9PHucZt4f
我沒趣地拿出手提電話消磨時間,目光時而在通訊軟件上遊走,時而偷瞄對座的阿妹。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAFQdnX9ZY3y
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA0Y899fPCop
我倆之間,是一張深度六百毫米的枱,也是二十年的空白。見面之前,我記憶中的阿妹是個廿三歲大學畢業生,純真無邪,略懂打扮;碰面當刻,舊印象驟然消失,獨一無二的阿妹變成充斥中環的普通辦公室女郎。微卷深啡長髮,濃妝豔抹,粉綠色及膝連身裙,純白色短袖小外套,三吋高跟鞋。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAFpTyQqYcPG
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA3Nv9wWYpjF
曾幾何時,我深信自己會跟阿妹一樣,成為打扮斯文的辦公室女郎。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAkCAYREV3L8
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAuK2VIDoYvr
我的思緒飄到遙遠的平行世界去,直至阿妹放下叉子:「走吧。」1451Please respect copyright.PENANApcB0pIHoOr
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAr59J5k240l
截下的士,我們直驅醫院去。車廂中,又是令人窒息的沉默。我從倒後鏡瞥望阿妹。她托著下巴,似是對著窗外景物發呆,亦似是從玻璃車廂的模糊倒影觀察我。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAjg8XOZh8Ls
1451Please respect copyright.PENANADBTIu5bnBx
「待會兒,態度必須要溫和。」阿妹的口吻帶有「命令」的味道。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAZiSwoMBves
1451Please respect copyright.PENANApgkCHzY9RA
「盡量。」我是個直腸直肚的人。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAY9Vf2uCDZV
1451Please respect copyright.PENANALqRbjQFY6i
「難道你沒能大發慈悲,讓媽咪『離開』得安詳?」她略略加強語氣。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAt0k16UWeA6
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAwkzIr1hLaP
「所以我沒有拒絕,而是答『盡量』!」我強抑怒火:「你不是不知道她的嘴巴就是不饒人!難道我要盲目啞忍所有過份要求?」1451Please respect copyright.PENANAv51bzQ2hpE
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAuD7Drq6HUe
「那天以後,她性格大變,嘴巴再也硬不起來。」阿妹神色放軟。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAKyvze6LBqO
1451Please respect copyright.PENANApQtCW7SEpg
我沒駁斥,任由沉默張牙舞爪。
進入私人病房前,阿妹從手袋拿出一個小紙袋,塞到我手裡:「給媽咪的小禮物,佯稱是你買的。」沒待我答允,她已推門內進,不讓我有拒絕的機會。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAErOkvu01eU
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAbeqJlAXFNg
病床上的媽咪,戴著頸箍,缺了左腿,全身插滿連接儀器的喉管。床頭櫃有熱水壼和膠杯,櫃側有一灰色的膠椅,椅上有她最鍾愛的墨綠色的毛衣。出乎意料,毛衣多年以來仍忠實地守候在她身邊,活像她幻想出來的完美女兒。1451Please respect copyright.PENANA6DWtfvMtQd
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA4s8OBC5JUE
「送你的。」根據阿妹的指示,我奉上紙袋。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAbIQzWUM8pz
1451Please respect copyright.PENANARgy3CDsaWi
媽咪的頭動不了,眼皮使力地開開合合,眼珠子艱難地轉動著,幾經辛苦才成功對焦,看見我。眼淚暴瀉,雙唇微顫,千言萬語卻離不開齒間。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAzoczWpFUo4
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAeLdcEzMa7j
「喚媽咪吧。」阿妹怒目相向,恨我的狠。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAvMQ8kCgbXP
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAmZEJQPRk1Z
縱先前對媽咪的病情略知一二,惟在此情此境,我竟反應不來,原地愣住。喜怒憂懼愛憎欲,好比混在一起的彩砂,沒能再分開。粒粒彩砂本來顏色鮮明,在此刻偏偏成了惹人眼花撩亂的雜訊,佔據每吋視線,令我看不清楚自己的心意。1451Please respect copyright.PENANA8xhuZ7CplL
1451Please respect copyright.PENANANqwsh00BsP
「媽……咪……」我耗盡力氣,千辛萬苦才擠出兩粒字。不情不願,因為找不到自己的位置;心甘情願,因為這是最後的聚頭,該盡力讓事情有個不差勁的結局,算是清還她的養育之恩。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAXXJgR7OdwO
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA9yWbkGcy2B
阿妹招招手,要我湊近媽咪,讓她看清楚多年不見的女兒。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAHEHmHbM1pd
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAVzkH9arQ58
一絲抗拒掠過。我沒打算捕捉它,隨它消逝。我的手腳開始沒那麼生硬,乖乖依從阿妹的指令,走近床邊。阿妹要我給媽咪奉水,我照辦如儀。阿妹要我為媽咪披上毛衣,好,沒問題……不知底蘊的人看見「母慈女孝」的畫面,定會誤會我仨關係良好,感情深厚。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAmJsj3WTk9h
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA7BIjOKgZ3Q
整個探訪過程,媽咪沒能吐出片言隻字:她的喉嚨受惡菌感染,非但沒能進食固體食物,甚至失去語言能力。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAM6hm5fTG3Z
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAJfRZVTMx1K
不得不承認,我賤格。表面和藹謙恭,底裡毒如蛇蠍。我幻想,如果二十年前的媽咪已失去語言能力,我會否仍生活在這個家,是個千依百順的好女兒?1451Please respect copyright.PENANAG4t3CtX1AN
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA6SIiAJMDLw
兩小時後,媽咪倦極入睡。阿妹要我先離開病房,在門外等候她。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAQLr8A83ztk
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAuQ9MhPuqUh
甫踏出房門,我與阿姨碰個正著。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAE8bkYwihou
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAG0EHKtd4NV
婆娘!若非她當年在旁煽風點火,我和家人的關係未必會破裂收場。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAw2eI5d9Blz
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAntMZS9xwTr
「我就是知道你會來。」阿姨擺出料事如神的姿態,以冷峻目光掃視我全身:「很缺錢吧?」講完莫名其妙的一句後,她掏出一張支票予我。「你的報酬。」1451Please respect copyright.PENANA9lKpjPCETh
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAdRJ5TpSzb9
我沒有立即接下,思疑她在打甚麼鬼主意。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAvWF8qM3ejV
1451Please respect copyright.PENANABNOPWgT4RE
湊巧,阿妹從病房出來,看見我和阿姨在門口僵持,立即上前解釋事情因由:「我沒有告訴她關於支票的事。」1451Please respect copyright.PENANAqPQQXotugy
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAwH4K8CEvtk
「你的意思……她不是為錢而來?」阿姨拿著支票的手緩緩垂下。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAVcQZOSRC4u
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAnF4tcJT36q
「嗯。」受壓於阿姨的強勢,適才不慍不火的阿妹怯怯點頭。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAMxWhtgIkZB
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA0uBQHTC9Pr
「那麼……」阿姨猶豫了半晌,最終還是決定將猜忌放進問題裡。「你為何而來?」1451Please respect copyright.PENANASXDsi9ale6
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA2Bbehy7hJA
「出於對老人家的憐憫和惻隱。」我胡謅,強裝正氣凜然。其實我未曾細想自己為何而來。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAu9RZrYOyRJ
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAWaKgcEaIRt
「很好。可以省掉。」阿姨有意無意地將支票在我面前晃來晃去。逗狗似的。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAeNJnaXpBOQ
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA7TTzqlbnRY
「如果沒有別的要事,我先離開。」我選擇了忍耐。
醫院外的大路上,人不多,三三兩兩的。探病的、求醫的、久病初癒的、迴光反照的。我屬於哪種?該是「半死不活的」:情況沒有差得要死,卻怎也活得不好。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAhNsvJGsGo9
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA90P9IxMNUm
缺錢?工作不順利?與丈夫婚姻不和諧?與子女有代溝?統統不是。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAdFzcmSycqY
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAjbjBOAG4LS
僅是純粹的不快樂,若有所失。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAuedZUZJEuZ
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAt1DRVjGI1D
每當我感到幸福時,記憶就會成為粘粘的漿糊,將我黏在內心的缺口上。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAZMxXPRXitX
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAb64OL8kJ7O
「等……我……」阿妹的聲音從後傳來。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAyooWu9z8R4
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAhPr4ybIBSR
我佯裝聽不見,加快腳步,務求撇下腳踏三吋高跟鞋的她。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAeCqfD2EG39
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA0Ji1lOkO8y
「家姐!」豈料阿妹不顧儀態,高呼大叫,吸引途人們的目光。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAiQxHYelWWn
1451Please respect copyright.PENANABkeYPBAvUw
我的雙腳不自已停下來。1451Please respect copyright.PENANA7UIovdzOAY
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAaBWxuZzm3R
不消十秒,氣喘如牛的阿妹跑到我身邊來:「謀……殺……嗎?」1451Please respect copyright.PENANAytsXdECOSW
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAMuqXjIfO16
我鐵著臉,沒意欲跟她開玩笑。「那張支票,是誰的主意?」1451Please respect copyright.PENANAcZrukz7JuQ
1451Please respect copyright.PENANACHJtGcaTVa
「媽咪。」阿妹不敢正視我雙眼:「她覺得你會拒絕到來。」1451Please respect copyright.PENANAoLOetT2sQT
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAG5XEXwsHCj
「你們仍舊認為我是嫌棄家境窮困而離開嗎?」我本不欲重提舊話,奈何我忍不住要再次辯解。1451Please respect copyright.PENANA9wAm1nfQL5
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAUNukHUYJ8R
「我們想不到其他原因。」阿妹的答案隱含委屈。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAqS21csEbL3
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAje0ogm8xRQ
「我從不認為我們家境窮困。」我氣得開步走。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAsu9X9yEHIS
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA6qBdcpj2lS
阿妹連忙拉住我的衣袖,轉換話題:「有興趣跟我和阿姨吃晚餐嗎?我們會與你討論遺產事宜。」1451Please respect copyright.PENANAWIhg9mbnod
1451Please respect copyright.PENANArEg3gHWHW6
「沒有。」我乾脆利落地拒絕。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAdwMacIwb9r
1451Please respect copyright.PENANApmR7fWQL6b
「僅僅一頓便飯而已。」阿妹屢敗屢試。1451Please respect copyright.PENANA0rm1u2CIBm
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAEMKivDPjcN
「不了。」我稍稍施力甩開她的手。「你倆把錢分掉吧。無需通知我。」1451Please respect copyright.PENANAZLIUoWN3XP
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAC5fzdofzLA
「我會轉告阿姨。」世故的阿妹知道我在顧忌誰。「但你可以和我一起晚餐嗎?只是我跟你!」1451Please respect copyright.PENANAk15YoiuXz1
1451Please respect copyright.PENANATDujMvDvjt
我意識到這是她最後一次的邀約,再也講不出拒絕的說話,迷迷糊糊地與她並肩而行,行到醫院附近的咖啡店。她為我點了抹茶蛋糕和朱古力砂冰,聽聞是鎮店之寶。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAcDCX98G0jf
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAkQTKGQIcfM
我嚐了一口。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAum9LK3ETS7
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAak3EdvMrEA
甜得要命。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAzN9qGY8qzn
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAvEQapd4eEn
「你是否不再喜歡吃甜品?」阿妹從我的難受表情找到端倪。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAQU2LXRqhUy
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAzgFFMBjE15
我傻傻點頭,驀然記起自己曾經是個無甜不歡的傢伙,對咖啡店的精緻甜品更是愛不釋手。1451Please respect copyright.PENANArD7AIRSG3l
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAhdLq9JqACn
「我對你的印象停留在二十年前。」阿妹眼裡盡是懷緬。「溫柔的、膽小的、笨笨的家姐。」1451Please respect copyright.PENANAODN7HQsQgy
1451Please respect copyright.PENANATt2XQWnpoo
「我自問從不是溫柔的傢伙,純粹是害怕開罪別人而假裝溫柔;我不是膽小的,至少我比你更有離家出走的勇氣;我不是笨笨的,起碼我有能力比你更先離開。」我努力提起叉子,再嚐一口蛋糕。很難吃。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAzlCuzrS6KW
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAWUBHZ5GhIG
「難怪你要走。」阿妹噗嗤假笑,表情苦澀得複雜。「我們自以為了解你、明白你,不明白何以你最後竟捨棄我們……」她那握叉的手重覆戳向蛋糕,直至它成漿成糊。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAEKiePEeE7o
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAkRkH8Qx3ke
「其實我也不了解你們。至少,我沒有想過你們會利誘我來探望媽咪。」我苦笑搖頭:「我理解他們何以會不明所以。」由始至終,我在意的人只有阿妹。「你呢?你比他們更了解我的處境!別以為我不知道你當時同樣想走!」1451Please respect copyright.PENANAuY9gia5sNH
1451Please respect copyright.PENANACcg1VegGej
「你終於承認當時是知道我的想法!」被我戳到痛處,阿妹失儀地將叉子擲在碟上。金屬叉子碰瓷碟,有如我的話碰她的心,發出響亮而清脆的碰擊聲。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAkUVtiIgVNX
1451Please respect copyright.PENANALvcWiNQoYP
「為何你不帶我走?我日盼夜盼,盼望你會聯絡我,帶我走。在意識到你不會帶我走時,我又開始催眠自己,說你遇到意外,說你被壞朋友騙了,說你尚未安頓下來……我不知道該要怎麼辦!1451Please respect copyright.PENANAV9PzTlMJrF
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAepPUFXxEem
我有很多很多問號!1451Please respect copyright.PENANA4Gm4KuQVah
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAtO0gyQLhl1
我不明白你的想法!我不清楚自己在你心目中的位置!我不明白為何我要為你編作解釋!我不明白為何我信任的人會拋棄我!我不肯定自己能否負擔起整個家!明明是我倆的共同責任,為何我要獨自承受?」1451Please respect copyright.PENANAkOxAdaz3Du
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAxLR9mgjvnG
「因為你是壓垮我的最後一根稻草。」思緒千迴百轉,最終我決定長話短說,淡然將描述她揮金如土的萬字怨言吞回肚子去。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAJLiqXKef78
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAsKVmB28W3E
霎時間,阿妹答不上話,直視我雙眸,似是觀察我的表情,希望能夠從中找出一絲歉疚,亦似是在乞求我大開金口,施捨半句道歉話。1451Please respect copyright.PENANARFZ09IOYg5
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA9fEp4NQVxf
可惜,我沒打算繼續在她的生命裡留下甚麼。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAaajf0dkLg8
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAojTdohbnaC
「算了吧。」為打圓場,阿妹選擇口不對心:「反正我們以後不會見面,不需要執著彼此。」若果她真的能夠放下執著,適才就沒能細數她的痛苦點滴。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAXl10PcKDF0
1451Please respect copyright.PENANApLJvt7eXK2
「是的。」我釋懷一笑,放下叉,不再勉強自己清掉碟上的蛋糕。
用餐過後,我和阿妹公式化地道別,從此分道揚鑣。1451Please respect copyright.PENANApniFwdzKYT
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA7dVnFNrwfp
我看看手錶,晚上十時許。路人不多,疏疏落落的。黃光路燈斜照著路人們,照出多個長腿叔叔。故事中的長腿叔叔是個擁有美滿人生的紳士,現實中的我們卻是破碎殘缺的獨立個體。東一塊,西一塊,難以湊成一個家。1451Please respect copyright.PENANApZBk0DWjeD
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAd9VZcUlAFY
需要感到遺憾嗎?無需要。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAcNXjYAnTd6
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAWJmlWWhfmi
曾有感到遺憾嗎?曾有。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAfVdXGtKq9i
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAOPfhAC39Lm
會繼續感到遺憾嗎?不會。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAhkAwMC6VzG
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAnsiIZ6VCut
我慢步走向鐵路站。1451Please respect copyright.PENANATS9Yhg07Xz
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAFLsiGKkX4x
慢慢的,慢慢的,有如二十年歲月一樣慢。漫長的二十年裡,我一步一步走過來,無數次踏在內心的缺口上。自以為腳掌會感受到缺口的虛空與不平,自以為低頭就會看見缺口的廣闊與無邊,自以為缺口會永遠存在。殊不知缺口已在不知不覺間被時間撫平。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAQlCVZTDNiY
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAp7Jrzfyni6
剛才我不是故意將不快記憶輕描淡寫,而是無論我怎麼努力去回想,所有細節都經已模糊不堪。最清晰的,只有我當年留下的那句話。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAfN0HUt9y0m
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAifleiJEH3w
「這一句話,我會記上一輩子。」1451Please respect copyright.PENANAET5904zntS
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAkR5DAOr3t4
簡單的十一個字,濃縮了多年的壓抑和不滿,是負面情緒的頂點。1451Please respect copyright.PENANA0OFiBvpW31
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAvmDf6S99Xn
說話離開了唇角,繃緊的情緒失去支撐物,慢慢紓緩下來。由最無關痛癢的,至最為要緊的,一點一滴隨年月悄悄消逝。我忘記了誰講出讓我記上一輩子的說話,忘記了對話的內容,忘記了對話的前因……取而代之的,是能夠被握在手心的現在和能夠被觀望的將來。1451Please respect copyright.PENANA3yy4TJw4si
1451Please respect copyright.PENANASHNtXbalhP
我倏忽停下腳步,換個方向,走到便利店,買了罐冰凍啤酒。1451Please respect copyright.PENANA164QNi7UBr
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAdQCzmiraEr
為何仍清楚記得那份恨意?1451Please respect copyright.PENANAqkMEaRuwUs
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAV9YZu10t8b
我知道答案。1451Please respect copyright.PENANA5sWLMs84P5
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAqOLumor5Wb
答案像啤酒。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAR7KZa8ScGi
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA6FcOT2mfq7
啤酒不是必需品,但我習慣在心情欠佳時喝啤酒。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAoQFJlpnFeY
1451Please respect copyright.PENANADS0ebE8PJ9
那份恨意不是必須存在,但我習慣了它的存在,習慣用它去概括描述我離家出走前的人生。久而久之,那份恨意就成了那段日子的代名詞。那段日子只有恨意,沒有願望,沒有七情,沒有喜好,遑論快樂。1451Please respect copyright.PENANAolsS5htCiv
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAmh6XFC2lt4
我將啤酒一飲而盡。空空如也的啤酒罐精準地落入垃圾桶裡。1451Please respect copyright.PENANA4UeQFSAadt
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAYMxRvwi6l5
若果我可以同樣將記恨習慣拋入垃圾桶,該多好!1451Please respect copyright.PENANA4Xu6IFxGpK
1451Please respect copyright.PENANAaRaqGNmFrs
不要緊。給我二十一天,戒掉壞習慣。1451Please respect copyright.PENANA6VvjTF5CUJ
1451Please respect copyright.PENANA5TQX6NFJyQ
我保證,往後滴酒不沾,吋恨不記。


