Leo married my mother when I was 1l, two years later we moved into a house in a new suburban development. At first our lawn (草坪) was just a mud pile with a few untidy clumps of grass, but Leo saw bright possibilities. "Your mother wants flowers; she can plant them here, where there's lots of sun," he said, "We'll plant trees over there, to give us shade. And in the backyard, I'd like a barbecue.” Then he smiled. "After so many years of apartment living, now we can have cookouts (野餐)!”
Weekday mornings when the weather was bad, Leo often drove me to school. Having a father drop you off may have been taken for granted, but I always thought it was wonderful. During dinner, Leo would tell my brother and me stories about his job and we'd talk about our friendship and school-work.. "If you need any help, just ask me," he would say. "But I doubt that you need it. You two are so clever."
Some people might think that doing errands (差事) and eating meals together are nothing special, but , I , who had spent my childhood watching other families do these everyday activities before, enjoyed them now with great delight. Looking back, I realize that Leo gave me what I needed most--the experience of doing ordinary things together as a family.
One day, we learned that my "real" father -- who hadn't seen or supported my brother or me for more than five years --- wanted to see us again, on a regular basis. We remembered too well the early years we had spent with him. He had been angry and cruel, violent and unloving. Since my brother was then 17 years old, he didn't have to follow family-court rules. But because I was still a "minor", I had to meet with the judge.
When Leo, my mother, and I entered the courtroom, my "real" father was already present. I avoided his look and told the judge I was one of a new family now, and that Leo taught me how to make things, that he always listened to me and never raised his voice. I said I didn't want to see my "real" father any more because he had never shown any love for me or even much attention.
The judge looked at Leo. "How are things going?" he asked.
"They couldn't be better," Leo answered. "I'm a lucky man to have such a family."
Aren’t the best parents also good friends to their children, accepting them without reservation and telling them they can be counted on? Step families aren't bound by traditional ties, so the love and friendship they develop is extremely precious. Was Leo "perfect''? He'd deny it if I said so. And that's one reason why he was so "perfect" to me.
Soon after we moved to the suburb, one of our new neighbors introduced herself to me. She had already met my mother and Leo. "You know," she remarked, "you look just like your father."
I knew she was just making conversation---- but even so...
"Thank you," I said.
Why tell her anything different?
67. What is the best title for the story?
A. My childhood B. My “Real father”, My Enemy
C. My Stepfather, My Friend D. Precious Friendship
68. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. Leo had lived in a large house alone in the country before he married my mother.
B. Thanks to Leo, our lawn took on a new look.
C. Before Leo came. I was always picked up by my "real" father when the weather was bad.
D. Leo wouldn’t like to help my brother and me because we were very clever.
69. What was very important to step families according to the writer?
A. Love and friendship B. Care and respect
C. Wealth and understanding D. Politeness and kindness
70. It can be inferred from the passage that _____.
A. My "real" father’s request was refused and he was out of my life.
B. My mother and "real" father didn’t separate until my brother was 17.
C. Leo was no one special in my life.
D. Leo and I were so alike that my neighbors couldn’t tell us apart.
