Passage 3

Questions 11 to 15 are based on thefollowing passage.

Last week I returned toAmherst. It's been years since I was there, the time met Tom. I was hoping thatTom would show up again; I even looked for him, but he didn't appear. Iremember he proudly represented New York City during the few minutes we spoke,so I suspect he'd moved back or maybe he was busy or he didn't know I was intown. I have a distinct memory of Tom in the signing line, saying nothing toanyone, intense. I assumed he was going to ask me to read a manuscript or helphim find an agent, but instead he asked me about an incident in my book. Heasked, quietly, if it had happened to me.

Tom caught me completely bysurprise.

I wish I had told Tom thetruth then, but I was too scared in those days to say anything. Too scared, toocommitted to my mask. I responded with some vague reply. And that was it. Isigned his books. Tom thought I was going to say something, and when I didn'the looked disappointed. But more than that, he looked abandoned. I could havesaid anything but instead I turned to the next person in line and smiled. Outof the corner of my eye I watched Tom pick up his backpack, slowly put away hisbooks, and leave. When the signing was over I couldn't get away from Amherst,from Tom and his question, fast enough. I ran the way I've always run. Likedeath itself was chasing me. For couple of days afterward I fretted(焦虑不安);I worried thatI'd given myself away. I tried to forget it and bury it all. Like always.

But I never really didforget. Not our exchange or Tom's disappointment. How he walked out of the hallwith his shoulders hunched(弓起的).

I know this is years toolate, but I'm sorry I didn't answer Tom. I'm sorry I didn't tell him the truth.I'm sorry for Tom, and for me. We both could have used that truth, I'mthinking. It could have saved me (and maybe Tom) from so much. But I wasafraid. I'm still afraid-my fear like continents and the ocean between-but I'mgoing to speak anyway, because, as Audre Lorde has taught us, my silence willnot protect me.

Yes, it happened to me.

 
What does the author want to tell Tom now?