Late that afternoon, Ralph Malph was in his apartment, teaching piano to the kids of all ages, from kindergarten to high school. He had noticed how big his class had grown recently. He had figured he couldn't teach it in his apartment anymore since he had got new students. He saw six o'clock was growing near and parents should be here to pick up the younger kids and the high school kids could leave on their own.
"Class is now over for today, everyone. I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good night," Ralph told his class.
That's when the parents started walking into the apartment. Ralph talked with the parents and the high school kids were already walking out of the door as well with a wave from Ralph since he was busy talking with the parents of the younger children.
Once the last of the kids were out of the apartment for the day, Ralph saw the apartment was quiet again. He saw the class was starting to get better at the piano and he had a few beginners. Ralph decided to get started on dinner once the telephone started ringing.
"Great. I haven't had peace and quiet at all today," Ralph said to himself when he walked over to the wall kitchen.
"Hello?" Ralph said on the second ring.
"Hi, Ralphie," he heard a familiar voice say on the other end of the line.
"Hi, Karen," Ralph said to his girlfriend, Karen McCarey.
He knew they had seen each other for a while now. He remembered all the trouble he had got with other girls but this girl was the first one who would not walk away from him and that made him happy.
"How was your class, Ralphie?" Karen asked.
"Great, sweetcakes, just great. I just finished the class," Ralph said.
"I know. Six o'clock is the ending of the class, right?" Karen asked.
"Right, sweetcakes. My class has gotten a lot bigger now. I can't teach it in my apartment anymore. I need a classroom," Ralph told her.
"A classroom? Who would take you in?" Karen asked.
"I don't know. I'm going to start searching first thing tomorrow morning," Ralph told his girlfriend.
"Good luck, Ralphie. Let me know once you get a job. I have something to ask you," Karen said.
"What's that?" Ralph asked, all ears.
"I was wondering if you would like to go to Washington and meet my parents sometime. I know you haven't met them yet. I'm sure they would love you," Karen said.
"I would like to meet your parents, Karen. Would they like to hear my jokes?" Ralph asked.
"I'm sure they would. I've been telling them all about you," Karen said.
"You have? What do they think of me after hearing all about me?" Ralph asked her.
"I don't know. I'm sure they would want to meet you in person to decide that," Karen said.
"I see," Ralph said.
"I'll set up a date with Mom and Dad and see when would be a perfect time for you to fly to Washington to meet them," Karen said.
"Okay. You know I have my piano class during the week," Ralph reminded her.
"Right. I haven't forgotten that," Karen said.
They said a few more words and Ralph blew Karen a kiss on the telephone and they were off the line.
"Finally I get to eat," Ralph said.
It was finally 6:45 that evening when he made himself a TV dinner. Once Ralph finished eating dinner, he found out he was tired so he went to bed early that night. Before he could go to bed he heard the telephone ring again.
"Again? Who could it be this time?" Ralph asked himself, making another trip to the telephone.
"Hello?" Ralph said, picking up the telephone.
"Hi, Ralph," Richie said.
"Hi, Rich," Ralph said, yawning.
"Are you tired, Ralph? If you are, I can always call in the morning," Richie said.
"I was planning on going to bed earlier tonight. I had a hard day with my class today," Ralph said.
"You did?" Richie asked.
"I sure did," Ralph said, yawning a second time.
He knew he wasn't faking the yawns.
"I even got a few new students today in the class, Rich. Haven't you noticed how big my class has grown recently?" Ralph asked Richie.
"No, I haven't, Ralph. That's a good thing," Richie said, hearing his friend's news.
"I know. I have noticed I can't teach piano in my apartment anymore. I'm going to look for a classroom first thing tomorrow morning. I just realized I need a real job, Rich. I don't know who would take me in, but I'll look around," Ralph said.
"Maybe Fonzie can give you an idea," Richie said.
"Thanks, Rich, but I want to do this on my own," Ralph said.
"Good luck on job hunting tomorrow, Ralph," Richie said.
"Thanks, Rich," Ralph said.
After the conversation with Richie, Ralph went straight to bed. He knew how tired he had been so he went straight to sleep.