「這一句話,我會記上一輩子。」395Please respect copyright.PENANAerXNE3vuYY
395Please respect copyright.PENANAeMykRwa9qS
二十年前,我拋下這麼一句話,頭也不回,離開那個家。395Please respect copyright.PENANAxoSRd3AmjD
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANA3Gj8We6fhb
395Please respect copyright.PENANAUcYqCH1gLQ
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?395Please respect copyright.PENANAVfG44CPPQh
395Please respect copyright.PENANAv6ADonwbJI
「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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAw01AJevmUX
395Please respect copyright.PENANAG32gva8lSp
「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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAI9QcbiARBP
395Please respect copyright.PENANAm2SxfKuHcR
「這是區內最有名氣的芝士蛋糕。」阿妹對我的口味不以為然。395Please respect copyright.PENANAv5nUJwwYRs
395Please respect copyright.PENANAM4PwKXfINa
「以『難吃』見稱嗎?」我冷嘲,惹得鄰桌的情侣竊笑。395Please respect copyright.PENANAnvaPd1rri9
395Please respect copyright.PENANAXRU3cNyz09
阿妹面色玄青,無視我,低頭享用她的下午茶。395Please respect copyright.PENANA0EnWowZUrG
395Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8MK4l37kL
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAFoeAlDOt61
395Please respect copyright.PENANAmVtJ7JEG1C
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANA7MpcEVHzYm
395Please respect copyright.PENANAWCNjYtPNIQ
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAB4n1ohxjdT
395Please respect copyright.PENANAe5HXQYxeFK
我的思緒飄到遙遠的平行世界去,直至阿妹放下叉子:「走吧。」395Please respect copyright.PENANAQVh2OEBe3C
395Please respect copyright.PENANAf61SmHFMR4
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAfAbWldaM1x
395Please respect copyright.PENANATtL7IS9caM
「待會兒,態度必須要溫和。」阿妹的口吻帶有「命令」的味道。395Please respect copyright.PENANA7k0Tz4fUOK
395Please respect copyright.PENANAlmX2M91QZ4
「盡量。」我是個直腸直肚的人。395Please respect copyright.PENANAgNgssekwta
395Please respect copyright.PENANApFLOAhM4yS
「難道你沒能大發慈悲,讓媽咪『離開』得安詳?」她略略加強語氣。395Please respect copyright.PENANAL5KjNSuqXU
395Please respect copyright.PENANA8EnmcNhVyB
「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?」395Please respect copyright.PENANAiU3eOHwdLd
395Please respect copyright.PENANAw9cgTBSQV8
「那天以後,她性格大變,嘴巴再也硬不起來。」阿妹神色放軟。395Please respect copyright.PENANAq0AA9LRHS2
395Please respect copyright.PENANAHuUSXw1Dvz
我沒駁斥,任由沉默張牙舞爪。395Please respect copyright.PENANAiDSDjXqJ18
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAJUJy5zzCrn
395Please respect copyright.PENANAg2liBzNlkS
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAF7lKORilXG
395Please respect copyright.PENANAitbMZozoG3
「送你的。」根據阿妹的指示,我奉上紙袋。395Please respect copyright.PENANAl7QpU27Omy
395Please respect copyright.PENANA67KxWIm63f
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAt85Qbrm1ev
395Please respect copyright.PENANAGf6w3RALlS
「喚媽咪吧。」阿妹怒目相向,恨我的狠。395Please respect copyright.PENANAkCmDCHcXth
395Please respect copyright.PENANAU3gGf7d6N8
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAwwJjBvCoSw
395Please respect copyright.PENANAhZy7N76GHw
「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。395Please respect copyright.PENANABilEAcXYm2
395Please respect copyright.PENANAXSOJcbRHlF
阿妹招招手,要我湊近媽咪,讓她看清楚多年不見的女兒。395Please respect copyright.PENANAqqZiYN4S2j
395Please respect copyright.PENANA273fBthcvx
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAD7aXfkBbN7
395Please respect copyright.PENANAF6bCQWkMxN
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAGeeKDH1wN5
395Please respect copyright.PENANA4kiNtHmIvB
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?395Please respect copyright.PENANAdJKZ0ZS0Lg
395Please respect copyright.PENANARqx2wX6ns1
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANA8IoTfY7ss3
395Please respect copyright.PENANAbyytARkGVT
甫踏出房門,我與阿姨碰個正著。395Please respect copyright.PENANAEl242Mf0Ce
395Please respect copyright.PENANA4XRUxHj3DU
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAYudtERMGxT
395Please respect copyright.PENANALIuoHTtM9z
「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。」395Please respect copyright.PENANAGyXtSNUP1g
395Please respect copyright.PENANADdEnh3zVwZ
我沒有立即接下,思疑她在打甚麼鬼主意。395Please respect copyright.PENANA1Eg5vw3nsy
395Please respect copyright.PENANAJZ799Pt7IV
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。」395Please respect copyright.PENANAZXG6xPgu8d
395Please respect copyright.PENANAQNCi9XB0XF
「你的意思……她不是為錢而來?」阿姨拿著支票的手緩緩垂下。395Please respect copyright.PENANAcZ5T1IPlN7
395Please respect copyright.PENANAfeVcMGZ4Ih
「嗯。」受壓於阿姨的強勢,適才不慍不火的阿妹怯怯點頭。395Please respect copyright.PENANAKXXTMui1s7
395Please respect copyright.PENANAl5m1ocK6Wl
「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?」395Please respect copyright.PENANAagUUv6tnkG
395Please respect copyright.PENANAlvttCPliVX
「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。395Please respect copyright.PENANABzvNZdffsC
395Please respect copyright.PENANAjuAAFSxxvQ
「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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAzknJUaJHXV
395Please respect copyright.PENANArixISGRY2f
「如果沒有別的要事,我先離開。」我選擇了忍耐。395Please respect copyright.PENANA5yF2IqJK2l
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANA7lxWeyzCAk
395Please respect copyright.PENANA6cRe6oj9uv
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAiXnqfIrodZ
395Please respect copyright.PENANAfVhRlno7J0
僅是純粹的不快樂,若有所失。395Please respect copyright.PENANAWkGq1vMUfW
395Please respect copyright.PENANAB8U1URpw2L
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANABEOMx2b2LZ
395Please respect copyright.PENANAuGI0t1fEav
「等……我……」阿妹的聲音從後傳來。395Please respect copyright.PENANAoWrp7yR3V4
395Please respect copyright.PENANAHV7XqOpcun
我佯裝聽不見,加快腳步,務求撇下腳踏三吋高跟鞋的她。395Please respect copyright.PENANAXjaahfQHB1
395Please respect copyright.PENANAdVSro64Yfy
「家姐!」豈料阿妹不顧儀態,高呼大叫,吸引途人們的目光。395Please respect copyright.PENANAOsBcZTMl4T
395Please respect copyright.PENANA0IRjxVCbXZ
我的雙腳不自已停下來。395Please respect copyright.PENANA3eDQgPT1oG
395Please respect copyright.PENANA76scNsE0Au
不消十秒,氣喘如牛的阿妹跑到我身邊來:「謀……殺……嗎?」395Please respect copyright.PENANAmCy8aL5CB2
395Please respect copyright.PENANAIF1DNP9d7n
我鐵著臉,沒意欲跟她開玩笑。「那張支票,是誰的主意?」395Please respect copyright.PENANAja1WuuYD2w
395Please respect copyright.PENANA40krbxjAyD
「媽咪。」阿妹不敢正視我雙眼:「她覺得你會拒絕到來。」395Please respect copyright.PENANAh1PJbx2g2t
395Please respect copyright.PENANADUEhIGhr8k
「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。395Please respect copyright.PENANA36nD29dZXz
395Please respect copyright.PENANA3XDKYm5Bru
「我們想不到其他原因。」阿妹的答案隱含委屈。395Please respect copyright.PENANA07Ka2CxZR2
395Please respect copyright.PENANA2LIPhMlC0I
「我從不認為我們家境窮困。」我氣得開步走。395Please respect copyright.PENANAj2ERLVt0Ft
395Please respect copyright.PENANAHPStImUbuy
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。」395Please respect copyright.PENANADcLF9sLv7z
395Please respect copyright.PENANAwaXda9AnHQ
「沒有。」我乾脆利落地拒絕。395Please respect copyright.PENANAhYrUPqWv3L
395Please respect copyright.PENANAd1kIy5ajv7
「僅僅一頓便飯而已。」阿妹屢敗屢試。395Please respect copyright.PENANAbDr7Yv8CH8
395Please respect copyright.PENANAEnTafrcv00
「不了。」我稍稍施力甩開她的手。「你倆把錢分掉吧。無需通知我。」395Please respect copyright.PENANAxrIrK4p0r1
395Please respect copyright.PENANAPitwpnKa7A
「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!」395Please respect copyright.PENANA2cnhpYJsN8
395Please respect copyright.PENANARnyUqupuGZ
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANA4zwZZbbDWt
395Please respect copyright.PENANAPz2DD5EYwu
我嚐了一口。395Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9vKlKefIQ
395Please respect copyright.PENANAkxOEbDFDqn
甜得要命。395Please respect copyright.PENANATpyMtLJKDB
395Please respect copyright.PENANA288sm4euCp
「你是否不再喜歡吃甜品?」阿妹從我的難受表情找到端倪。395Please respect copyright.PENANAyFk6tqQGd4
395Please respect copyright.PENANAsN54hvZw7V
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAMR5yAuwRtj
395Please respect copyright.PENANAcWS9GTHQ2F
「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。」395Please respect copyright.PENANA7J5pHQwg4a
395Please respect copyright.PENANAXyrWVAmpmd
「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。395Please respect copyright.PENANA3S5emRtUwK
395Please respect copyright.PENANA3X9tmGQFKc
「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。395Please respect copyright.PENANATDg4lyA9ux
395Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2UoDO5xqO
「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!」395Please respect copyright.PENANACeNqFG9Z2x
395Please respect copyright.PENANAmx299c47Xw
「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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAnHxTMdR9vm
395Please respect copyright.PENANAN7fOpRaptE
「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!395Please respect copyright.PENANARtzTSVPAYj
395Please respect copyright.PENANAl2oSfHLY7E
我有很多很多問號! 395Please respect copyright.PENANA4I8qF0oBND
395Please respect copyright.PENANAqlPhqdHD7F
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?」395Please respect copyright.PENANABfC5lyCj7w
395Please respect copyright.PENANAl3v8DttRzY
「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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAA108WMiTto
395Please respect copyright.PENANAedz3PAD79P
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANA75e3Y2Wn3q
395Please respect copyright.PENANAxmP4U7o76s
可惜,我沒打算繼續在她的生命裡留下甚麼。395Please respect copyright.PENANA4yCFOuUid4
395Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4NdKqFVVt
「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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAqW8P2l5VHO
395Please respect copyright.PENANA4cqjNpCD9t
「是的。」我釋懷一笑,放下叉,不再勉強自己清掉碟上的蛋糕。395Please respect copyright.PENANA0HBDWx5NQ4
用餐過後,我和阿妹公式化地道別,從此分道揚鑣。395Please respect copyright.PENANAXvwoa5sVB4
395Please respect copyright.PENANAFQzeABa5HY
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAPoeC62nWPa
395Please respect copyright.PENANAAPXBh6Dycg
需要感到遺憾嗎?無需要。395Please respect copyright.PENANAjcZMrknqVb
395Please respect copyright.PENANAlzht9CFxWd
曾有感到遺憾嗎?曾有。395Please respect copyright.PENANArdoSTEQ7NF
395Please respect copyright.PENANAv3upAtJEir
會繼續感到遺憾嗎?不會。395Please respect copyright.PENANA5bePBCU0uy
395Please respect copyright.PENANAAjHol3qlXA
我慢步走向鐵路站。395Please respect copyright.PENANAnQnQTT3Bpg
395Please respect copyright.PENANAXSjs5gRMES
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAkmumI1NkIx
395Please respect copyright.PENANAv825O7Kdpb
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAIZuPn016ZA
395Please respect copyright.PENANACZ3P8LXfer
「這一句話,我會記上一輩子。」395Please respect copyright.PENANAvCb89kJj0n
395Please respect copyright.PENANA9oH9W86lvd
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAJAwwa2EQE0
395Please respect copyright.PENANAlqNrJRPoaF
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAtjMDGg8hYn
395Please respect copyright.PENANAkAJlsyKoEA
我倏忽停下腳步,換個方向,走到便利店,買了罐冰凍啤酒。395Please respect copyright.PENANAjgYf8ydGkM
395Please respect copyright.PENANAMJujIefOIv
為何仍清楚記得那份恨意?395Please respect copyright.PENANAJh0fsLHI6t
395Please respect copyright.PENANAaWdxj99vUL
我知道答案。395Please respect copyright.PENANASkrOwsqjnd
395Please respect copyright.PENANAkWHBg380MY
答案像啤酒。395Please respect copyright.PENANAhamRe4ajwm
395Please respect copyright.PENANATxXvoXuYQC
啤酒不是必需品,但我習慣在心情欠佳時喝啤酒。395Please respect copyright.PENANAu0P5SeNDMX
395Please respect copyright.PENANAnUkFMAKLRr
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANATEphlJV3hv
395Please respect copyright.PENANAGBPxx7uWeY
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。395Please respect copyright.PENANAGCB6mOV6ha
395Please respect copyright.PENANAoiOOSXhQOo
若果我可以同樣將記恨習慣拋入垃圾桶,該多好!395Please respect copyright.PENANAp7OgoPKXhi
395Please respect copyright.PENANAXAt4WPfNgp
不要緊。給我二十一天,戒掉壞習慣。395Please respect copyright.PENANAaZx5qpAQC9
395Please respect copyright.PENANAScRUQE0t2y
我保證,往後滴酒不沾,吋恨不記。