The Apology Letter
小华上大学第一年的春天，他写了一封信。
Xiaohua attend university first year (POSS) spring, he write (PERF) one (M) letter.
In the spring of his first year of university, Xiaohua wrote a letter.
信是写给他高中的语文老师林老师的。
Letter is write give his high school (POSS) Chinese teacher Teacher Lin (POSS).
It was for his old high-school Chinese teacher, Teacher Lin.
高中三年，他对林老师不好。
High school three year, he toward Teacher Lin not good.
For three years of high school, he had treated her badly.
他上课说话，作业经常不写。
He attend-class speak, homework often not write.
He talked in class. He often didn't do his homework.
有一次，他还在大家面前对她说了重话。
Have one time, he still at everyone front toward her say (PERF) heavy word.
Once, he said something sharp to her in front of the whole class.
可是林老师从来没生过他的气。
But Teacher Lin from come not give-birth (EXP) his (POSS) anger.
But Teacher Lin never lost her temper with him.
她只是说：“小华，老师等着你长大。”
She only is say: "Xiaohua, teacher wait (CONT) you grow-big."
She only said, "Xiaohua, I'll wait for you to grow up."
上大学以后，他才慢慢明白这句话的意思。
Attend university after, he only slowly understand this (M) sentence (POSS) meaning.
Only after starting college did he begin to understand what she had meant.
他在信里写了很多对不起。
He at letter inside write (PERF) very many sorry.
He filled the letter with apologies.
可是写完以后，他没有寄出去。
But write-finish after, he not have send-out.
But after writing it, he never sent it.
信放在他书桌的一个小盒子里，一放就是七年。
Letter place at his desk (POSS) one (M) small box inside, once put then is seven year.
He kept it in a small box on his desk, where it sat for seven years.
毕业、上班、搬家——他一直没忘。
Graduate, go-to-work, move-home — he continuously not forget.
Through graduation, work, and a move, he never forgot it.
今年春天，他听说林老师已经不再教书了。
This year spring, he hear-say Teacher Lin already not again teach book (PERF).
This spring, he heard that Teacher Lin had stopped teaching.
她身体不太好，住在城南的一个小区里。
Her body not too good, live at city south (POSS) one (M) neighborhood inside.
Her health wasn't great. She lived in a quiet neighborhood in the south of the city.
他想了很久，决定亲自去看她。
He think (PERF) very long, decide self-personally go see her.
After a long time thinking, he decided to visit her himself.
那天他穿了一件干净的衬衫，把信放在口袋里。
That day he wear (PERF) one (M) clean (POSS) shirt, (BA) letter place at pocket inside.
That day he wore a clean shirt and put the letter in his pocket.
敲门的时候，他的手有点儿冷。
Knock door (POSS) time, his (POSS) hand a-bit cold.
When he knocked, his hands were cold.
林老师开门，看了他一会儿，慢慢说：“是小华吧？”
Teacher Lin open door, look (PERF) him a while, slowly say: "Is Xiaohua (SUGG)?"
Teacher Lin opened the door, looked at him for a moment, and said softly, "It's Xiaohua, isn't it?"
她请他进去，给他放了一杯热茶。
She invite him enter, give him put (PERF) one cup hot tea.
She invited him in and poured him a cup of hot tea.
他坐下来，把信从口袋里拿出来。
He sit-down, (BA) letter from pocket inside take out.
He sat down and took the letter from his pocket.
“老师，这是我七年前写的。我想读给您听。”
"Teacher, this is I seven year ago write (POSS). I want read give you (formal) listen."
"Teacher, I wrote this seven years ago. I'd like to read it to you."
林老师没说话，只是看着他，点了点头。
Teacher Lin not speak, only is look (CONT) him, nod (PERF) nod head.
Teacher Lin said nothing, just looked at him and nodded.
他读了二十分钟。中间有几次说不下去。
He read (PERF) twenty minute. Middle have several time say not down-go.
He read for twenty minutes. A few times his voice gave out.
林老师一直没打断他。
Teacher Lin continuously not interrupt him.
Teacher Lin never interrupted.
读完以后，房间里很安静。
Read-finish after, room inside very quiet.
When he finished, the room was very quiet.
她终于说：“谢谢你。这个，我比你想的更需要。”
She finally say: "Thank you. This, I than you think (POSS) more need."
Finally she said, "Thank you. I needed this more than you know."
他们喝了茶，说了一些以前班里的事。
They drink (PERF) tea, say (PERF) some previously class inside (POSS) matter.
They drank their tea and talked about old classmates.
他要走的时候，把信留在桌子上。
He want leave (POSS) time, (BA) letter leave at table on.
When he stood to leave, he left the letter on the table.
林老师拿起信，放在自己手里：“这个，我留着。”
Teacher Lin pick-up letter, place at self hand inside: "This (M), I keep (CONT)."
Teacher Lin picked it up and held it. "I'll keep this."
走在回家的路上，外面下着小雨，可他心里很轻。
Walk at return home (POSS) road on, outside fall (CONT) small rain, but he heart inside very light.
On the walk home, a light rain was falling, but his heart felt light.