Story of US - 14th episode!
(14)
“My parents were employees of Halliburton Petroleum. When the plant exploded, my parents were on shift that fateful day. Their bodies along with afew other hundreds were nowhere to be found after the explosion. My dad had a cousin; we used to call him Uncle Robbie. He is the wealthiest merchant in Halliburton who owes a few electronics stores.” Ralph paused.
“No wonder I find your last name familiar. So you are the electronics tycoon of Halliburton, Robbie Paris’s nephew!” Jim exclaimed. “If he’s your uncle, shouldn’t you be staying with him since your parents are not around anymore?”
“I don’t have an uncle like him! He looked right through us and told his servants to chase us away claiming that he do not know us at all!” Ralph was mad the moment he thought of that scene. Realizing his sudden raised voice, Ralph apologized. “I’m sorry for that, I don’t mean to.”
“We understand, Ralph.” Angie said as she stroked Ralph’s head.
“Ralph…” Naomi spoke.
“Naomi, I am here.” Ralph said as he hugged the awaken Naomi.
“Enough say, let them have their breakfast before it turns cold.” Angie turned and handed the tray to Ralph.
“Listen there, Ralph. You are on my territory now and I won’t let you go till I solve your problems!” Jim winked.
“But sir…” Ralph started to speak.
Holding out his hands in front of Ralph, Jim said, “No buts.”
“Even if we were to stay here, we couldn’t stay here for free.”
“I heard from Joy you are her club president. You sing well too, right? Stay here with this little sister of yours and attract patrons to Hartford Pub!” Jim smiled.
“Don’t worry, Hartford is a healthy pub. No troubles were created for us since we opened in 1975.” Angie added.
Since then, Jim offered a part time job in his pub for the Paris siblings. Both of them were very talented, Ralph knew all kind of instruments and Naomi was a gifted singer. Business at Hartford Pub started growing at a rapid rate, attracting crowds of all sorts and it was full house almost every night.
Some teenage girls often came to support the talented Ralph who looked cool whenever he played on his favorite instrument, the saxophone. Some others came to listen to the sweet looking girl whose pleasant voice could touch any hearts when she started to sing. Many became regular patrons after they have watched the Paris siblings’ performance for the first time.
16th April 1999, Hartford’s Pub was crowded as usual.
All of a sudden, it went blackout.
“Aaaaahhhhhhh!” Loud screaming was heard.
“Relax folks!” came the voice of the friendliest pub owner in Halliburton, Jim. The candles on the birthday cake that Jim was carrying lighted the pub dimly.
“Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to Ralph! Happy Birthday to you!” Naomi was leading the Reynolds family in singing the birthday song together with the crowd.
“Aren’t you surprised, big boy? Go on, blow the candles first.” Jim presented the birthday cake to Ralph.
“Sir, I am touched for words. My sister and I have given you enough trouble by putting up at your home. You gave us a job and now, I really do not know what to say.” Ralph was overwhelmed.
“Don’t be mushy all over. It’s just a birthday cake specially baked by these ladies we have here. It doesn’t cost much.” Jim said with his usual cheerful tone.
“Both you and Naomi are part of our family, Ralph. And that is the way family members should be.” Angie said.
“If you want to repay in any ways, just concentrate on your studies and play more good music in Hartford’s Pub!” James gave Ralph a friendly punch.
Though James’ first impression of Ralph was not very good, they became buddies soon after Ralph stayed in Hartford’s Pub with his sister, Naomi. No matter how close they were with their younger sisters, guys simply need other guy friends to share certain things with.
“Yup, and attracts more patrons!” the twins chipped in.
“Ralph, thanks for being the best brother I can have! I wish for happiness to be with you always!” Naomi kissed Ralph on his cheeks. *muacks*
“Ok! As part of my half-son’s birthday celebration, drinks on the house tonight! Drink to your heart content, folks!” Jim announced to the crowd.
“YOHOO!” cheered the crowd.
It was six in the evening, Ralph was setting up the stage as he prepared for the show that night. Someone tapped on his shoulders and he turned around.
“My parents were employees of Halliburton Petroleum. When the plant exploded, my parents were on shift that fateful day. Their bodies along with afew other hundreds were nowhere to be found after the explosion. My dad had a cousin; we used to call him Uncle Robbie. He is the wealthiest merchant in Halliburton who owes a few electronics stores.” Ralph paused.
“No wonder I find your last name familiar. So you are the electronics tycoon of Halliburton, Robbie Paris’s nephew!” Jim exclaimed. “If he’s your uncle, shouldn’t you be staying with him since your parents are not around anymore?”
“I don’t have an uncle like him! He looked right through us and told his servants to chase us away claiming that he do not know us at all!” Ralph was mad the moment he thought of that scene. Realizing his sudden raised voice, Ralph apologized. “I’m sorry for that, I don’t mean to.”
“We understand, Ralph.” Angie said as she stroked Ralph’s head.
“Ralph…” Naomi spoke.
“Naomi, I am here.” Ralph said as he hugged the awaken Naomi.
“Enough say, let them have their breakfast before it turns cold.” Angie turned and handed the tray to Ralph.
“Listen there, Ralph. You are on my territory now and I won’t let you go till I solve your problems!” Jim winked.
“But sir…” Ralph started to speak.
Holding out his hands in front of Ralph, Jim said, “No buts.”
“Even if we were to stay here, we couldn’t stay here for free.”
“I heard from Joy you are her club president. You sing well too, right? Stay here with this little sister of yours and attract patrons to Hartford Pub!” Jim smiled.
“Don’t worry, Hartford is a healthy pub. No troubles were created for us since we opened in 1975.” Angie added.
Since then, Jim offered a part time job in his pub for the Paris siblings. Both of them were very talented, Ralph knew all kind of instruments and Naomi was a gifted singer. Business at Hartford Pub started growing at a rapid rate, attracting crowds of all sorts and it was full house almost every night.
Some teenage girls often came to support the talented Ralph who looked cool whenever he played on his favorite instrument, the saxophone. Some others came to listen to the sweet looking girl whose pleasant voice could touch any hearts when she started to sing. Many became regular patrons after they have watched the Paris siblings’ performance for the first time.
16th April 1999, Hartford’s Pub was crowded as usual.
All of a sudden, it went blackout.
“Aaaaahhhhhhh!” Loud screaming was heard.
“Relax folks!” came the voice of the friendliest pub owner in Halliburton, Jim. The candles on the birthday cake that Jim was carrying lighted the pub dimly.
“Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to Ralph! Happy Birthday to you!” Naomi was leading the Reynolds family in singing the birthday song together with the crowd.
“Aren’t you surprised, big boy? Go on, blow the candles first.” Jim presented the birthday cake to Ralph.
“Sir, I am touched for words. My sister and I have given you enough trouble by putting up at your home. You gave us a job and now, I really do not know what to say.” Ralph was overwhelmed.
“Don’t be mushy all over. It’s just a birthday cake specially baked by these ladies we have here. It doesn’t cost much.” Jim said with his usual cheerful tone.
“Both you and Naomi are part of our family, Ralph. And that is the way family members should be.” Angie said.
“If you want to repay in any ways, just concentrate on your studies and play more good music in Hartford’s Pub!” James gave Ralph a friendly punch.
Though James’ first impression of Ralph was not very good, they became buddies soon after Ralph stayed in Hartford’s Pub with his sister, Naomi. No matter how close they were with their younger sisters, guys simply need other guy friends to share certain things with.
“Yup, and attracts more patrons!” the twins chipped in.
“Ralph, thanks for being the best brother I can have! I wish for happiness to be with you always!” Naomi kissed Ralph on his cheeks. *muacks*
“Ok! As part of my half-son’s birthday celebration, drinks on the house tonight! Drink to your heart content, folks!” Jim announced to the crowd.
“YOHOO!” cheered the crowd.
It was six in the evening, Ralph was setting up the stage as he prepared for the show that night. Someone tapped on his shoulders and he turned around.
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