
「這一句話,我會記上一輩子。」534Please respect copyright.PENANA95z5scduZ1
534Please respect copyright.PENANAaWxeEUuP6n
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAkCuXKLhswO
534Please respect copyright.PENANATL44verepw
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?534Please respect copyright.PENANA1GFwpThXo7
534Please respect copyright.PENANAdxKyACkbUZ
「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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAmzPoDFMyMy
534Please respect copyright.PENANAVufb8Y9JgG
「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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAMuBLKADq6y
534Please respect copyright.PENANAt4mYDywxrj
「這是區內最有名氣的芝士蛋糕。」阿妹對我的口味不以為然。534Please respect copyright.PENANAEgFShmBhOm
534Please respect copyright.PENANAy0GmI3eFbG
「以『難吃』見稱嗎?」我冷嘲,惹得鄰桌的情侣竊笑。534Please respect copyright.PENANAoAHiYxFX9E
534Please respect copyright.PENANAsFdDUDe5q7
阿妹面色玄青,無視我,低頭享用她的下午茶。534Please respect copyright.PENANABHToTMyWBe
534Please respect copyright.PENANAIdlZNowynE
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANASX2Rcs1Flh
534Please respect copyright.PENANA4z1VGsM4XR
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAwazAnExjTs
534Please respect copyright.PENANAVPsTqDQwfd
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAx4z5aCELt7
534Please respect copyright.PENANA4FgZd0XBr0
我的思緒飄到遙遠的平行世界去,直至阿妹放下叉子:「走吧。」534Please respect copyright.PENANAoGvDZpZEoq
534Please respect copyright.PENANAW3cOQlfgv6
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAzgpZmBgdNh
534Please respect copyright.PENANAp7CbrLY1ch
「待會兒,態度必須要溫和。」阿妹的口吻帶有「命令」的味道。534Please respect copyright.PENANA9M7AJuUQzD
534Please respect copyright.PENANAIiqTzXsfku
「盡量。」我是個直腸直肚的人。534Please respect copyright.PENANAGKLnkP8d93
534Please respect copyright.PENANAdXqHrOHJTB
「難道你沒能大發慈悲,讓媽咪『離開』得安詳?」她略略加強語氣。534Please respect copyright.PENANAIuAyE4gE3v
534Please respect copyright.PENANAuwhiQ4lC1x
「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?」534Please respect copyright.PENANApE2Pq3TxMj
534Please respect copyright.PENANAd9ntffQOLY
「那天以後,她性格大變,嘴巴再也硬不起來。」阿妹神色放軟。534Please respect copyright.PENANAO9CN42PDUR
534Please respect copyright.PENANAMD1SRSIE1w
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANA5bGPHul4hs
534Please respect copyright.PENANA7UhG4AWdrb
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANABhwWMsMmqi
534Please respect copyright.PENANA4cSbTc8Ukl
「送你的。」根據阿妹的指示,我奉上紙袋。534Please respect copyright.PENANAFUTBwlbeOa
534Please respect copyright.PENANAeRc1y0Dh0o
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANApVVNplLRo2
534Please respect copyright.PENANAGShNONGGT6
「喚媽咪吧。」阿妹怒目相向,恨我的狠。534Please respect copyright.PENANAR1d0uYwHD0
534Please respect copyright.PENANArYwmwFoBVe
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAYqU5qJpxPQ
534Please respect copyright.PENANA6JLMuhdcgv
「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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAzmEWEXDKTO
534Please respect copyright.PENANAi0hwthUKRq
阿妹招招手,要我湊近媽咪,讓她看清楚多年不見的女兒。534Please respect copyright.PENANARYJ9LSsp2f
534Please respect copyright.PENANAAHdI6CcMod
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAFsTb1iyysc
534Please respect copyright.PENANAQjCC3ZargR
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAj1GHPgKbRN
534Please respect copyright.PENANAG8rRAMEQfX
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?534Please respect copyright.PENANAkn53ilO4XB
534Please respect copyright.PENANAQSkJr3SeEz
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAKmZJJRzMLE
534Please respect copyright.PENANAoxhmUEtG9O
甫踏出房門,我與阿姨碰個正著。534Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5khHFJULD
534Please respect copyright.PENANADbVs0NBleD
死八婆!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。534Please respect copyright.PENANA9dXvbf5zSw
534Please respect copyright.PENANAcH7pDQs9Qv
「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。」534Please respect copyright.PENANAx2kgL4OxdK
534Please respect copyright.PENANA44ODDQX0M6
我沒有立即接下,思疑她在打甚麼鬼主意。534Please respect copyright.PENANAds26jNnLYl
534Please respect copyright.PENANAkzbC5qSMFK
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。」534Please respect copyright.PENANAGqkFffPEHA
534Please respect copyright.PENANAtWnIcopsPr
「你的意思……她不是為錢而來?」阿姨拿著支票的手緩緩垂下。534Please respect copyright.PENANAN5o7fKKxWz
534Please respect copyright.PENANAH6VilK5hND
「嗯。」受壓於阿姨的強勢,適才不慍不火的阿妹怯怯點頭。534Please respect copyright.PENANAhAX5Jbfs2C
534Please respect copyright.PENANAjSwATkiBrF
「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?」534Please respect copyright.PENANA55BI7PzM5D
534Please respect copyright.PENANAL9XbNuWzZk
「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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAA5P1Wp3S5s
534Please respect copyright.PENANAd8vnbmvann
「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。534Please respect copyright.PENANARqUSeWKH5M
534Please respect copyright.PENANAMbJotf5t2j
「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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAKB2XDxm6Gy
534Please respect copyright.PENANAubpRQpW7Po
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANA2aIC2UB7yk
534Please respect copyright.PENANA6b8wNTwdc3
僅是純粹的不快樂,若有所失。534Please respect copyright.PENANAhs9OixVG14
534Please respect copyright.PENANAEHSKiz6Qfn
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAj6PQoPbzf8
534Please respect copyright.PENANADqnOdLGG7W
「等……我……」阿妹的聲音從後傳來。534Please respect copyright.PENANAbXTVfrVRxf
534Please respect copyright.PENANAzMp26rHjt4
我佯裝聽不見,加快腳步,務求撇下腳踏三吋高跟鞋的她。534Please respect copyright.PENANARvBhfZoKVo
534Please respect copyright.PENANALqzGOiGpW1
「家姐!」豈料阿妹不顧儀態,高呼大叫,吸引途人們的目光。534Please respect copyright.PENANAGgQbkehymn
534Please respect copyright.PENANAyOU9UBBiWh
我的雙腳不自已停下來。534Please respect copyright.PENANAnzfg5ArCUV
534Please respect copyright.PENANAlsZcbczhGA
不消十秒,氣喘如牛的阿妹跑到我身邊來:「謀……殺……嗎?」534Please respect copyright.PENANARjaeSijFpv
534Please respect copyright.PENANAUMXkiFo8v4
我鐵著臉,沒意欲跟她開玩笑。「那張支票,是誰的主意?」534Please respect copyright.PENANAeXgBw6TiUt
534Please respect copyright.PENANAiqjQN758De
「媽咪。」阿妹不敢正視我雙眼:「她覺得你會拒絕到來。」534Please respect copyright.PENANABq2l69pwOO
534Please respect copyright.PENANAzRdru0McqQ
「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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAC9yBevIQ3x
534Please respect copyright.PENANAyPx3OJ0gLX
「我們想不到其他原因。」阿妹的答案隱含委屈。534Please respect copyright.PENANAoyuMOfi0Rj
534Please respect copyright.PENANAu6tJkbcR43
「我從不認為我們家境窮困。」我氣得開步走。534Please respect copyright.PENANAX7rGSw3c4A
534Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6gWyXe7Er
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。」534Please respect copyright.PENANAs0Xppn0l2b
534Please respect copyright.PENANATW5OqZNyn7
「沒有。」我乾脆利落地拒絕。534Please respect copyright.PENANAZe3MB1BpAK
534Please respect copyright.PENANAB9ctqRkbfb
「僅僅一頓便飯而已。」阿妹屢敗屢試。534Please respect copyright.PENANA5RyeNBDV8r
534Please respect copyright.PENANA3PGVOuJeqZ
「不了。」我稍稍施力甩開她的手。「你倆把錢分掉吧。無需通知我。」534Please respect copyright.PENANA59UQTzWPd6
534Please respect copyright.PENANA7SZuWwDEUF
「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!」534Please respect copyright.PENANAe9cW1Rlcka
534Please respect copyright.PENANAWT3O4oLG2X
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAyiyaw09uhE
534Please respect copyright.PENANAsEKgrG1Gqo
我嚐了一口。534Please respect copyright.PENANAZThipX9HRa
534Please respect copyright.PENANAVn4OSHhl06
甜得要命。534Please respect copyright.PENANAijsQeWQGH8
534Please respect copyright.PENANAGw7EDgYc16
「你是否不再喜歡吃甜品?」阿妹從我的難受表情找到端倪。534Please respect copyright.PENANAxlaMNi8ICS
534Please respect copyright.PENANAGHnWqK3EzK
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANABPWa1dDTOR
534Please respect copyright.PENANATG0fs4XW7v
「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。」534Please respect copyright.PENANAaQeaYOstyZ
534Please respect copyright.PENANALgjVbBiiso
「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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAS8Yz2LGYOd
534Please respect copyright.PENANA3aAuf6Kp6R
「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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAvVIIyN9V5M
534Please respect copyright.PENANAagYmzo0DqF
「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!」534Please respect copyright.PENANA0C5Vt8Hj4D
534Please respect copyright.PENANApA0rh09eP6
「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。534Please respect copyright.PENANATkuzRd37fE
534Please respect copyright.PENANAUZJ8kYIbn2
「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!534Please respect copyright.PENANA6KqK72cHIc
534Please respect copyright.PENANAVYwqxL7tvd
我有很多很多問號!534Please respect copyright.PENANAwCVk5THCMB
534Please respect copyright.PENANArOox6JXOMZ
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?」534Please respect copyright.PENANAcscgDsWbN0
534Please respect copyright.PENANA7wd8Q6CEuk
「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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAqTNEUfHAoF
534Please respect copyright.PENANAU91s4IfFKI
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAwosqolXb1D
534Please respect copyright.PENANAgiya3KNY9I
可惜,我沒打算繼續在她的生命裡留下甚麼。534Please respect copyright.PENANA7TSK21nuRw
534Please respect copyright.PENANAYM6zQPiUG5
「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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAdvj50XSZB7
534Please respect copyright.PENANAadumsOSgX0
「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。534Please respect copyright.PENANATebmNlb5jv
534Please respect copyright.PENANA6Vzc3QWdNv
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAMD1eiOrZdj
534Please respect copyright.PENANAMcVIVxhCfU
需要感到遺憾嗎?無需要。534Please respect copyright.PENANAkEj7AFniG2
534Please respect copyright.PENANAkn2s2YHHuC
曾有感到遺憾嗎?曾有。534Please respect copyright.PENANANPP3OHlQhc
534Please respect copyright.PENANA48prMqxmLq
會繼續感到遺憾嗎?不會。534Please respect copyright.PENANAvknkwrRbki
534Please respect copyright.PENANAaZS3Jmt6YY
我慢步走向鐵路站。534Please respect copyright.PENANAToeLrW9l2V
534Please respect copyright.PENANAjnskUKUiCR
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANA7isX1FB48r
534Please respect copyright.PENANAn7tw6S5MIX
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANALbJV71Ae9I
534Please respect copyright.PENANAOnXQu1gB4j
「這一句話,我會記上一輩子。」534Please respect copyright.PENANAm694XeeuzP
534Please respect copyright.PENANAhWL1I4IND2
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAIRusPE3xYk
534Please respect copyright.PENANA7yJWKEdHST
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAAyQEgKyn2x
534Please respect copyright.PENANAxjw3n5fnc7
我倏忽停下腳步,換個方向,走到便利店,買了罐冰凍啤酒。534Please respect copyright.PENANAncrnA1QsPz
534Please respect copyright.PENANAmUtBYottY5
為何仍清楚記得那份恨意?534Please respect copyright.PENANABoVfD4bL2T
534Please respect copyright.PENANASq4QkFXB7k
我知道答案。534Please respect copyright.PENANAgfxjwTwWpz
534Please respect copyright.PENANA7C6wJXADku
答案像啤酒。534Please respect copyright.PENANAR6xmB7R0Sy
534Please respect copyright.PENANA5bus8GZUOa
啤酒不是必需品,但我習慣在心情欠佳時喝啤酒。534Please respect copyright.PENANARBt2SqCc55
534Please respect copyright.PENANANwIbCXt15N
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAKPhWJ6fiSU
534Please respect copyright.PENANAhp69jy7Pl3
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。534Please respect copyright.PENANAmV8OqBr6MZ
534Please respect copyright.PENANA2oxhR0TjJN
若果我可以同樣將記恨習慣拋入垃圾桶,該多好!534Please respect copyright.PENANA93hJpZPDiR
534Please respect copyright.PENANARp01wIrPr8
不要緊。給我二十一天,戒掉壞習慣。534Please respect copyright.PENANAzzQS4C8I8Z
534Please respect copyright.PENANA4dNaAL809i
我保證,往後滴酒不沾,吋恨不記。