His Biggest Fan

His Biggest Fan Written by Larry Fleece Illustrated by Penny Weber Focus Question How does it feel to become more independent as you get older?

《他最铁杆的粉丝》 作者：拉里·弗利斯 插画：佩妮·韦伯 思考问题：随着长大变得更独立是什么感觉呀？

Shoulders square, knees high, pump hard, Kenny's coach recited each part of their race strategy as the moments ticked off till the starting gun. Remember, don't run TO the finish line, run THROUGH the finish line. Kenny heard every word from Coach Fisher, but he was having trouble staying focused. He tried to tell himself to concentrate. After all, this was the finals. It was the most important race of the year, the one he'd worked so hard to qualify for. It was an honor just to be here to represent his school against the very best in the state. He had to do well.

肩膀放平，膝盖抬高，用力摆臂，发令枪响前，肯尼的教练一遍遍念叨着比赛策略的每个步骤。 记住，不要跑到终点线就停下，要冲过终点线。 费舍尔教练说的每一个字肯尼都听见了，可他就是没法集中注意力。 他努力提醒自己要专心。 毕竟，这是总决赛啊。 这是今年最重要的比赛，他拼了好久才拿到参赛资格。 能代表学校来这里，和全州最厉害的选手比拼，这本身就是一种荣誉。 他必须好好发挥。

Kenny's mind was somewhere else, though. He sat on the infield, pulling the toes of his track shoes to stretch out his calf muscles. Kenny was surrounded by all of his teammates, by race officials and assistants, and by the fans up in the stands. Still, Kenny felt alone.

可肯尼的心思早就飘到别的地方去了。 他坐在内场，拉着跑鞋的鞋尖抻小腿。 他身边全是队友、裁判和工作人员，看台上也坐满了观众。 可肯尼还是觉得孤零零的。

Kenny thought back to the argument he'd had with his dad the night before. His dad had been giving him advice as usual. Get plenty of sleep, his dad had said. Eat light in the morning. Run two laps and three sprints before the race. Kenny knew his dad meant well. He's just trying to help, Kenny told himself. He tried to be patient, but then his dad asked the question Kenny didn't want to answer. What time's your race?

肯尼想起了昨晚和爸爸的争执。 爸爸像往常一样给他提各种建议。 要睡足觉哦，爸爸说。 早上要吃清淡点。 比赛前先跑两圈，再冲三次短跑。 肯尼知道爸爸是为他好。 他只是想帮我，肯尼对自己说。 他本来忍着耐心，可爸爸问了一个他不想回答的问题。 你的比赛几点开始？

Uh, I'm not sure, Kenny lied. Not sure, his dad asked, then how are you going to be on time? Oh, I, uh, I'm going on the bus, Kenny said. They'll get me there, okay. Well actually, Kenny, his dad explained, I wanted to know about your race time so I can

唔，我不确定，肯尼撒谎了。 不确定？爸爸问，那你怎么准时赶到呀？ 哦，我，唔，我坐校车去，肯尼说。 他们会带我去的，没问题。 其实呀，肯尼，爸爸解释说，我问你比赛时间 好让我

Kenny's heart sank. This was the discussion he didn't want to have. He paused for a moment. Uh, Dad? Kenny began. Do you have to go? Now it was his dad's turn to hesitate. Well, his dad said slowly, it's not that I have to, it's that I want to.

肯尼的心一下子沉了下去。 这正是他不想聊的话题。 他停顿了一下。 唔，爸爸？ 肯尼开口说。 你一定要去吗？ 这下轮到爸爸犹豫了。 唔，爸爸慢悠悠地说，不是我必须去，是我想去呀。