(2015·吉林长春市第三次质检)Raised in a motherless home，my father was extremely tightfisted towards us children.His attitude didn’t soften as I grew into adulthood and went to college.I had to ride the bus whenever I came home.Though the bus stopped about two miles from home，Dad never met me，even in severe weather.If I grumbled，he’d say in his loudest fathervoice，“That’s what your legs are for！”
The walk didn’t bother me as much as the fear of walking alone along the highway and country roads.I also felt less than valued that my father didn’t seem concerned about my safety.But that feeling was canceled one spring evening.
It had been a particularly difficult week at college after long hours in labs.I longed for home.When the bus reached the stop，I stepped off and dragged my suitcase to begin the long journey home.
A row of hedges (树篱) edged the driveway that climbed the hill to our house.Once I had turned off the highway to start the last lap of my journey，I always had a sense of relief to see the hedges because it meant that I was almost home.On that particular evening，the hedges had just come into view when I saw something gray moving along the top of the hedges，moving toward the house.Upon closer observation，I realized it was the top of my father’s head.Then I knew，each time I’d come home，he had stood behind the hedges，watching，until he knew I had arrived safely.I swallowed hard against the tears.He did care，after all.
