除了“我爱你”，你还能说什么

by Carrie Laski

Sometimes those three words just arent right. You think you feel what most people feel when they say those words， but those words arent the right ones. Theres got to be an alternative[替代品] somewhere in the English language， but you havent found it yet. In the meantime， sit across[对面而坐] from someone at a Puerto Rican[波多黎各的] restaurant and listen as he talks about politics or his childhood or something completely unrelated. Listen more to the tones of his voice than the words he says and be aware of your own words bubbling up[冒泡] in your throat like the beer in your glass. When you just cant stop yourself anymore， tuck[收拢] your hair behind your ears， take a deep breath and say：

“These plantains[（可当蔬菜烹饪食用的）大蕉] are really well cooked.”

He will agree that they are.

But perhaps youre not at a restaurant. What then？ Perhaps youre on the sidewalk， and its cold， and he doesnt have gloves[手套] so he puts his hand in your pocket. Youre walking quickly because the wind is whipping[鞭打] through the evening streets， and all you can think of is his bare hand[不戴手套的手] tightening around your gloved one. If only you werent wearing gloves， then it would be better because touching is better than most things. Being with this person is better than most things. You come to a stop because the light has changed， and he looks at you all goofy[傻瓜的] from above the collar of his coat that he has buttoned[扣住] as far as it can go and squeezes[紧握] your hand. Look him straight in the eyes and say：

“You should really get yourself some gloves.”

And he will agree that he should.

Maybe by now youve found your way to a sort-offriends house party. How do you go about this now？ Youve said hello to all the people you know， youve had three-to-five glasses of wine， and youve been listening to some [某一] kid wearing an ugly sweater play his lousy[糟糕的] guitar for half an hour. COOL he covers Lana Del Rey“Thats awesome”. How much is the appropriate amount of time to stay？ Youre sure youve exceeded[超过] it by now. You must have. The boy youre with has just come back from the kitchen and sits next to you on the window sill[窗台]. Hes not touching you， just sitting there holding a can of Hamms， looking like he doesnt want to be there either. He turns to you but doesnt say anything， so you say：

“I cant stand these people.”

And he will agree theyre the worst.

The dark helps， it always does， but if its morning， and the sun has got you freaked[烦躁的]， youve still got options. You might be sitting with him at the kitchen table， drinking coffee from mismatched[不相配的] mugs[马克杯]， and saying nothing because sometimes saying nothing is the best thing to say. Hes miles away， and youre thinking you should take a shower， or fix your hair， or at least brush your teeth because you feel dirty and selfconscious[自觉的]. You wish the sun werent so bright on your face， and you wish there was something other than corn flakes for breakfast so your stomach wont start making hideous[可怕的] noises. Youre about to open your mouth and say something to break the silence， but he speaks first. He tilts[倾斜] his head slightly and says：“You make me really happy.”

And you will agree he does， too.

有时候，那三个字就是不符合情境。你觉得你能体会到大多数人在说出这些字眼时的感受，但是这三个字并不合适。英语中一定有其他可以替代的词语，只是你还没找到而已。与此同时，在波多黎各的一家饭店里，你坐在某个人对面，听着他谈论政治或他的童年或是其他毫不相关的内容。你听着他说，更多的是注意他讲话的声调而不是所说的内容，你意识到想说的话不断涌上喉头，就像杯子里（冒着泡）的啤酒。当你再也克制不住的时候，把头发捋到耳后，深吸一口气，然后说道：

“这些大蕉做得真好吃。”

他会同意你所说的。

但是可能你不是在饭店。情况又会怎么样呢？也许你走在人行道上，天很冷，而他没戴手套，于是把手插在你的衣兜里。你走得很快，因为晚上冷风肆虐的街道上，你脑子里唯一想的就是他不戴手套的手紧握着你戴着手套的手。如果你也没戴手套就更好了，那样就可以直接触摸到他的手，那比大多数事情都美好。跟这个人在一起胜过大部分事。交通灯变换，你们停了下来，他从他那一直扣到顶部的大衣领口上方傻傻地看着你，手握得更紧。你直直地望着他的眼睛，说：

“你真应该买副手套。”

他会说是的。

也许现在你来到某个朋友办的家庭派对。这下你该怎么办？你跟所有你认识的人打招呼，喝了三五杯酒，还听了一个穿着难看毛衣的小孩弹着差劲的吉他，一弹就是半个小时。酷的是他弹的还是拉娜·德雷的《棒极了》。应该待多久才合适呢？你很清楚你已经待得过久了。一定是的。和你一起的那个男孩刚从厨房回来，正挨着你坐在窗台上。他并没有碰触到你，只是拿着一罐哈姆啤酒坐着，看起来他也不想待在那儿。他转向你，但什么也没说，于是，你说：

“我受不了这些人。”

他会表示赞同，说这些人太逊了。

夜晚帮了忙，总是如此，但如果是在早上呢，阳光使你变得烦躁，但你还是有选择的。你可能和他一起坐在厨房餐桌上，喝着用不相配的马克杯装着的咖啡，你们什么都没说，因为有时候无声胜有声。他在神游，而你还在考虑应该去洗个澡，或者修剪下头发，或者至少刷个牙，因为你觉得自己很脏。你希望太阳不要把你的脸照得那么清楚，你希望除了玉米片还能有其他早点，这样你的胃就不会发出可怕的声音。你正准备说点什么打破沉默，但是他先开口了。他微微歪头，说：“你让我感到真正的幸福。”

而你也会同意他所说的。