Note: Hello, everyone. I thought this story would be something you would like to look at, even though Bob isn't our favorite character. I started this last night, and this story has been in my head for a while. Yes, I am still writing, and I haven't forgotten about you Hey Arnold fans.

Bob Pataki was having memories lately. This memory he's been looking back when he first began working at his beeper store. He didn't bother to share with Miriam again because she was there when he first began since they were in high school. Helga might or might not be interested in hearing about this memory, but it's worth a try, he told himself. Lately, Bob and Helga have a better relationship between father and daughter. At least it's a start.

Miriam wasn't home. She'd been with a friend most of the day. He didn't have a busy day at the beeper store, so he thought this is a good time to look back instead of doing it at the office. It was only three – fifteen that Friday afternoon. He'd pick up Helga soon. About fifteen minutes later or so later, Bob found his keys and drove to PS 118.

He saw Helga heading to the car.

"Hi, Bob. I didn't expect you to pick me up here today," Helga greeted him as she opened the passenger's door.

"I thought we made an agreement about you saying Dad more often than my name."

"That's right. I guess I forgot. I'm just so used to calling you Bob."

"I have a story I think you might be interested in."

"Another story? Are you adding more to that 1957 story you told me about a while ago?"

"Of course I'm not adding anything new. This story is something different."

"do you want to start telling me now or wait until we get home?"

"I'll start it when we get home. I'm not sure if you might want to be interested in hearing this story."

Lately Bob has been sharing stories about his life when he was younger.

"Do Olga and Mom know this story?"

"Of course they know. I shared this same story with Olga when she was younger, and that was before your mother got pregnant with you."

"I see. How does Mom know about this story?"

"She was there with me when it happened," was his answer.

"Do you remember how how old you were what you are about so share?"

"Of course I do. I thought I'd share this with my daughter."

"Cool. Do you and Mom ever look back to this story?"

"No. She doesn't seem to want me to remind her."

That's when he parked his vehicle in the driveway. Both father and daughter noticed Miriam's car was parked also.

"Were you expecting Mom back at anytime?" Helga asked.

"No."

"Oh. She might be in the kitchen or somewhere else in the house."

This school year, Helga and her classmates are fifth – graders now. It turned out that she was right about Miriam – she was indeed in the kitchen.

Bob opened the front door for his younger daughter to show her that he was letting her in first since she's still a child. At least both of them seem to make up from all of these years that he has ignored her. They'd been having this new relationship between them for a while now. Helga is happier now since Bob is starting to have more faith in her.

"Hi, B. Hello, Helga."

Miriam was standing in the kitchen, but she was at the sink. She'd been drinking water.

"Why are you standing behind the sink, Mom?"

"I got thirsty, that's why," was her answer.

"How did it go with Phyllis today?" Bob asked.

Phyllis happened to be an old college friend of Miriam's, but he and Phyllis didn't seem to get along much back then, but he likes to hear what's the latest.

"She'd doing good, B. She asked about how you and Helga were getting with your new relationship."

"And what did you tell her?"

"I told her you're both getting along very well."

"Did she say anything about Dad and I starting over again?"

"Not much."

"Miriam, I'm going to share with Helga another story about the past."

"Another one? What are you going to share with her this time?"

"About working with the beeper store," Bob answered.

"I don't remember much about that anymore, but you can go ahead and tell her if you want."

"That's my plan."

So Helga went upstairs first so she could put her backpack in her bedroom. She rejoined her father a couple of minutes later. He was already just starting to sit down on the couch.

"Are you ready, Helga?"

"I am. You may start your story now."

So Bob did.

Flashack:

I was just starting my sophomore yet in high school. I applied to find a job. I had a few interviews. I only heard from one of the stores, and I would start working at a beeper store. I was about to turn fifteen, so this was going to be my first job. My father was on the telephone when I walked in from track practice. I'd recently joined the track team, and was enjoying it.

"He just walked in. I'll put him on," I heard my father say.

"Bob, it's for you."

"Who is it?"

"A guy calling about a job you applied for."

"What's this name?"

"Tom Parker."

"Okay. I'll talk with him. Aren't you supposed to be at the church?"

"I'm going over there for a prayer meeting after supper."

My father happens to be a minister, and I am either losing interest in Christ or keeping my faith.

I thanked my father and took the phone from him. Then he left me alone so I could have some privacy for this phone call.

"This is Bob Pataki speaking."

"Hello, Bob. My name is Tom Parker. I am calling to tell you that you're going to start working with my beeper store."

"When do you want me to start the job?"

"Saturday this weekend. You can come at nine o'clock. We'll talk more about this when you show up."

"Sounds pretty good. Just to remind you, I'm only a high school student."

"That's fine. Maybe someday if you are still at the store, you could end up being boss, depending how hard you will work at this store."

"I will see you on Saturday."

That's when I ended the conversation. I reminded myself there wasn't a single track meet this weekend, so it was the perfect time to start my new job.

That's when my mother called me to sit down to dinner. So I did what she told me.

"Tell us about that conversation with this Tom Parker," he said.

"I will, Dad.''

Before Bob was about to share this good news, my father said a prayer. We usually do this every night, which is one thing that's part of the family routine. When we finished the prayer, I was able to start my good news.

"Okay, here's the news: I just got hired to work at some beeper store this Saturday."

"That's great news, Bob! When do you began working with Mr. Parker?" she asked as she cut a piece of porkchops.

It was one of my favorite meals.

End Flashback

Helga interrupted the story.

"What happened next, Dad?"

"I thought you weren't paying much attention to this story."

"I have been," Helga said truthfully, and she meant it too.

"B, Helga, supper's ready!" Miriam called from the kitchen.

Tonight they were having chicken and dumplings.

"Be right there, Miriam!"

When they sat down, Bob asked, "Do you want to hear the rest of the story or wait for tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow works best. I have homework to do."

Bob noticed Helga's tone of voice told him she was starting to get busy, and he understood that. Helga's schoolwork always come first. Helga told herself this was worth sharing with her friends this latest story.