【英语时差8,16】被公婆排挤

Dear Annie:

My husband's parents come to town every so often, but they never give us information about their schedule. They do, however, contact other family members. My husband thinks it's because they don't like me, but I have asked them directly¹ and they insist they love us both.

The last time the in-laws were in town, we popped in where they were staying and took food and gifts. They were friendly enough, but they never said thanks for the gifts we brought. The next day, we stayed close to home in case they called, but they never did. However, they managed to see other family members.

This happens every time they visit and I'm sick of it. My husband always takes their side and says they are just busy. Frankly², the only time we hear from the in-laws is when they need something. I am feeling more resentful as time goes by. What do you suggest? － All Alone HereDear All Alone:

You need to step back from your involvement. When you next hear your in-laws are coming, tell them they are welcome anytime, but don't change your schedule in anticipation³. If they want your company, they will call or e-mail. If your husband becomes upset, be sympathetic⁴, but don't place blame. Expect nothing and you'll be less disappointed⁵.

to contact  (v.)   联络；联繫to insist  (v.)   坚持；强调to pop in   突然出现to manage to   设法；处理frankly  (adv.)   老实地；坦白地resentful  (adj.)   愤恨的；憎恨的involvement  (n.)   捲入；牵涉anticipation  (n.)   预期；预料sympathetic  (adj.)   富同情心的；相怜的to place blame   怪罪

1 directly   

adv.直接地，径直地；马上，立即

参考例句：

• I will telephone you directly I hear the news.我一听到消息，马上打电话给你。
• She answered me very directly and openly.她非常坦率地、开门见山地答复了我。

2 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

3 anticipation   

n.预期，预料，期望

参考例句：

• We waited at the station in anticipation of her arrival.我们在车站等着，期待她的到来。
• The animals grew restless as if in anticipation of an earthquake.各种动物都变得焦躁不安，像是感到了地震即将发生。

4 sympathetic   

adj.有同情心的；表示好感或赞同的

参考例句：

• He is a sympathetic person.他是一个有同情心的人。
• They were quite sympathetic to our proposals.他们很赞同我们的建议。

5 disappointed   

adj.失望的，不满意的，不如意的

参考例句：

• He seemed disappointed when the man refused his request.当那个人拒绝了他的要求时他看起来很失望。
• He was disappointed so often that he became hopeless.他屡次失望，以致变为了绝望。