(A) When I was 8 years old, I decided to run away from home. With my suitcase packed and some peanut butter sandwiches in a bag, I started for the front door of our bungalow in Wantagh. My mom asked where I was going. “I’m leaving home,” I said. “Billy, what’s that you’re carrying?” she asked. “Some clothes and food,” I replied. “If (a) you want to run away, that’s all right,” she said. “But you came into this home without anything and you can leave the same way.” I threw my suitcase and sandwiches on the floor angrily and started for the door again.
(B) “Who’s there?” I heard. “It’s Billy! Let me in!” The voice behind the door answered, “Billy doesn’t live here anymore. (b) He ran away from home.” Glancing behind me to see if anyone else was coming down the street, I said, “Aw, Mom! I’m still your son. Let me in!” The door inched open and Mom’s smiling face appeared. “Did you change (c) your mind about running away?” she asked. “What’s for supper?” I answered.
(C) “Wait a minute,” Mom said. “You didn’t have any clothes on when you arrived, and I want them back.” This annoyed me. I took my clothes off — shoes, socks, underwear and all — and shouted, “Can (d) I go now?” “Yes,” my mom answered, “but once you close that door, don’t expect to come back.” I was so angry I slammed the door and stepped out on the front porch. Suddenly I realized that I was outside, completely naked. Then I noticed that down the street, a neighbor friend was walking toward our house.
(D) Looking for a place to hide, I spotted the big spruce tree that took up half our yard. Hoping (e) he hadn’t seen me, I hid under the lowhanging branches. A pile of driedup brown needles had accumulated beneath the tree, and you can’t imagine the pain those sharp spruce needles caused to my body. After I was sure he had passed by, I ran to the front door and banged on it loudly.
* spruce: 전나무