Reading Comprehension: “The Decision – Chapters 1 and 2”

Hi!

It’s lovely to have you here!

Especially today: we are premiering Severo Figarola, the founder of ABA English’s, novel “The Decision”.

You can read more about it here.

And because today is the premier day, we will be showing 2 chapters!

Chapter 1 – Mike Brown

Mike is always dissatisfied. There is no future in his relationship with Pamela. They have been together for seven years. His job doesn’t interest him. And the years go by. He is already 58. That’s nearly sixty!

His life flies by, and he is not happy with it. He is not doing what he would like to do. But what would he like to do? He is not strong enough for changes. Should he stop working for a year? A sabbatical year? But, is that possible? And Pamela? He would feel better alone, free, able to go where he wanted, with whom he wanted.

He still likes women, and is still successful with them. But for how long?

Chapter 2 – The Decision

Today he is really upset.

Another argument with Pamela. There are arguments every day about nothing. And he can’t concentrate at work. Years and years doing the same thing. He is definitely not happy. He is not interested in anything. He could give it all up.

But how? That phrase suddenly becomes very important. “Give it all up.”

This is a great advantage. None of his friends enjoy this luxury. Nothing in his life is indispensable. He only sees his children once every two years when they travel to Europe. He suddenly realizes what he must do. What he wants to do.

What he is going to do right now: go. Instinctively he looks at his watch: ten past eleven. He is leaving but he doesn’t know where to. Or for how long. But he knows for sure he is going now.

Before Pamela returns from visiting a friend.

He just needs his passport and a credit card. He packs a small suitcase. And writes a note: “I’m off for a couple of days. I need to think.” He hails a taxi: “To the airport, please.”

He looks at his watch. It’s half past eleven.

(to be continued next Wednesday!)

Vocabulary

 Fly by – something that is moving very quickly.

Sabbatical – a period of time during which someone does not work at his or her regular job and is able to rest, travel, do research, etc.

Upset – angry or unhappy.

Arguments – a statement or series of statements for or against something.

Indispensable – extremely important and necessary.

Instinctively – relating to or based on instinct : based on feelings or desires that do not come from thinking or learning.

Suitcase  – a large case that you use to carry your clothing and belongings when you are traveling.

Hails – to call out in order to stop or get the attention of (someone or something).