Album 20：Quality Time - ACT2_走遍美国

ellen: hello there, robbie. what are you doing up this late?

robbie: reading.

ellen: reading? at this hour? ah, come on, robbie. what are you doing up this late?

robbie: things on my mind.

ellen: do you care to talk about them?

robbie: sure, if you don't mind listening.

ellen: robbie, robbie, remember me? i'm your mother. if you have something you want to talk about, i'm always prepared to listen.

robbie: you haven't been around much lately.

ellen: so that's it. ok, let's talk.

robbie: you and dad are like ships that pass in the night. dad works hard, and he works late. you work hard on all your committees, and you work late.

ellen: i thought you were proud of the work i do.

robbie: i am, mom. real proud. you are one fantastic mom, but...but i've been noticing how little quality time you spend with dad and me... and the family.

ellen: it's a real problem, robbie. i know it.

robbie: i'm concerned. there must be a way that day and you can spend more time together.

ellen: well, we always talk about taking a vacation together with the family.

robbie: i think you ought to take a vacation away from the family-alone. kind of a second honeymoon.

ellen: it would be wonderful, but our schedules won't allow it.

robbie: i think i have an idea.

ellen: you do?

robbie: yup. i think i have an idea that will bring dad and you together in a more scheduled way.

ellen: what is it?

robbie: well, you know how dad is always talking about the kids in the ward and how important it is for them to be paid attention to?

ellen: yes.

robbie: well...and how hard it i because the doctors and murses are so busy?

ellen: yes.

robbie: well, how would it be if you took some time to work with dad towards solving that problem?

ellen: i don't get it.

robbie: like setting up a regular weekly reading program. you and dad. you and dr.philip stewart-going to the children's ward once or twice a week and reading to them.

ellen: not bad. not a bad idea, robbie. as a matter of fact, it fits right in with something i'm working on right now with the school-board committee.

robbie: what's that?

ellen: i've been trying to work out a program in the public school that will bring parents and teachers together once a week to read to the students-their own children, really. by doing that, it will encourage reading.

robbie: so it might fit in with a program for reading to the kids in the hospital.

ellen: you're right. we'll do it! i'm going to talk to daddy about it right now.

robbie: but dad was so exhausted when he came home from work. why don't you talk to him about it tomorrow?

ellen: you are a very smart young man, robbie. i think i'll wait until tomorrow.

robbie: you won't forget, will you?

ellen: believe me, i won't. it is a great idea, and i promise you i won't forget.

robbie: thanks, mom.

ellen: thank you, robbie.