For years I dreamed of having the sort of massive oak slab that would dominate a room—no more child's desk in a trailer laundry-closet, no more cramped kneehole in a rented house.

多年以来，我一直梦想那种巨大厚橡木板桌，占据最显要——也不必窝在拖车屋洗衣台上，也不必在租来子里憋屈着膝盖。