365个英语简短小故事- 54. I’ve Got You Covered

Abigail and Jeremy got divorced¹ about 10 years ago. Abigail did not want to see a lawyer, worried that it might turn ugly. So she talked to Jeremy, who agreed that it was a good idea to not use lawyers. He said not to worry, he would take care of her. She said she wasn’t looking for a free ride—she could take care of herself. But, Jeremy insisted, he would help her out, then or whenever she needed money. It was the least he could do for her, since she was not taking 50 percent of his income and property².

So, Jeremy gave her $10,000 before they got divorced, because Abigail said that would be all she would need to finish getting her master’s degree and start teaching³. And that was it. For the next 10 years after getting her degree, Abigail worked as a teacher. She liked her job and the people she worked with. Unfortunately, a tornado⁴ wiped out the entire school and half the town. Many teachers got laid off. Abigail spent a month visiting family and friends, but then had to find a new job.

She decided⁵ to change careers. To do so, she needed to go back to school for two years. Her tuition⁶ and living expenses would cost her $25,000. She called Jeremy. She and Jeremy had remained friendly over the years.

“Jeremy, I need a big favor,” she said over the phone.

“Sure, Abi, you name it,” Jeremy replied agreeably⁷. Jeremy had a great job and a good life. She told him that she had been laid off, and she needed $25,000 for a degree and a new career. The friendliness⁸ left Jeremy’s voice. She reminded him of his promise ten years ago to help her out whenever she needed it.

“Yeah, Abi, but that was ten years ago. That’s history now, right? Have you tried your local bank?”

 

1 divorced   

adj.离婚的；分开的；不相干的；脱离的v.与…离婚(divorce的过去式和过去分词)；分离；与某人离婚，判某人离婚

参考例句：

• Apparently they are getting divorced soon. 看样子，他们很快就要离婚。
• Many divorced men remarry and have second families. 许多离婚的男子再婚组成了新的家庭。

2 property   

n.财产，所有物，所有权，性质，特性，（小）道具

参考例句：

• He has made over his property to a hospital.他已将财产转交给了一家医院。
• Oil has the property of floating on water.油有浮在水上的特性。

3 teaching   

n.教学，执教，任教，讲授；(复数)教诲

参考例句：

• We all agree in adopting the new teaching method. 我们一致同意采取新的教学方法。
• He created a new system of teaching foreign languages.他创造了一种新的外语教学体系。

4 tornado   

n.飓风，龙卷风

参考例句：

• A tornado whirled into the town last week.龙卷风上周袭击了这座城市。
• The approaching tornado struck awe in our hearts.正在逼近的龙卷风使我们惊恐万分。

5 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

6 tuition   

n.（某一学科的）教学，讲授，指导，学费

参考例句：

• Students can apply for individual tuition.学生可以申请个别指导。
• Is this money enough for the tuition fee?这些钱交学费够吗？

7 agreeably   

adv.欣然，依照

参考例句：

• an agreeably warm day 暖洋洋的一天
• The teacher is correcting the examination papers agreeably because all her students have done well in the examination. 老师非常高兴地批改着考卷，因为她的学生都考得不错。

8 friendliness   

n.友谊，亲切，亲密

参考例句：

• Behind the mask of friendliness,I know he really dislikes me.在友善的面具后面，我知道他其实并不喜欢我。
• His manner was a blend of friendliness and respect.他的态度友善且毕恭毕敬。