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by Jeff Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 13+ · Chapter · Drama · #2331851
(Short part of story)Story about Sydney family, which in debts and tries to change life.
Did you know, guys, that Thomas Edison failed 1000 times before the light bulb lit up? And do you know what he said about his failures?
"I haven't failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." He achieved success only in 1879.

Suddenly, the sound of yawns interrupted the speech.

Grandpa: What? What happened?
Guys: Sorry, Grandpa, we didn't mean to interrupt you, we're just a little sleepy.
Grandpa: Sleepy? Ok. Would you like to hear a story?
Guys: Is it about some boring and scientific facts or something?

Grandpa started giggling and shook his head negatively. Putting the book on the table, he got up and took an album from the top shelf, glasses from the windowsill, and sat down in an armchair. He opened the album and showed us photos.

Grandpa: A couple of years ago, in 1973, a new building was built, called the Sydney Opera House. This is a large theater consisting of several halls with stunning views of the Sydney Harbor and the Harbor Bridge. The opera was located in New South Wales. On the neighboring street "Newtown," there was a small family of three people: 27-year-old Amelia Donnely, 9-year-old Leo Connely, and the head of the family, 30-year-old Robert Connely.

Guys: Robert? Like our uncle?
Grandpa: Yes. Listen carefully, guys.

Grandpa: It was not a rich family. The father worked as a master at a local construction company Comic Group, and the mother worked as a school teacher, but their salaries barely covered the debts for the car and apartment. Miraculously, they managed to pay everything on time. While the parents were at work, little Leo was reading a book at school. He was in 3rd grade at the local school "Green." He was a cheerful and sociable boy; besides, he was smart and athletic. He had a lot of friends. His favorite subjects at school were math and drawing. After school, he was always willing to play basketball on the street until late. He played in a Chicago Bulls uniform, and in the future, like Michael Jordan, he wanted to make all fans of this sport fall in love with him.

The parents returned home late, so our youngster could walk outside until night. Everyone came home tired and barely had enough strength for dinner, after which Leo went to his room, and his parents discussed problems in the kitchen.

Amelia: Rob, we need to close the debt for the car. This month is the deadline. We have already postponed payment three times; this time, they will take it away from us. What should we do? We still need to pay for the child's education.
Robert: Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm trying my best. I've been working overtime already. My back has been hurting for months, but because of work, I can't even find time to go to the doctor.
Amelia: I know, dear, but you have to find a new job.
Robert: New? But I love my job.
Amelia: Rob! Either a job or a family.
Robert: Ah, you're right. I'll try to find a new job tomorrow.
Amelia: Love you, honey.
Robert: Me too. It's getting late. Let's go to bed. See what happens tomorrow.

Grandpa: The next day, Robert went to the newsstand to get a newspaper. Sitting down on a bench, he began to look at the ads, and suddenly came across an ad for a job as an auto mechanic in Dave & Co for a salary of $30,000, which was enough to pay off debts not only for the car but also for his son's studies. Without taking too long, he decided to go to the main office. When he entered the office, he came to the receptionist.

Receptionist: I'm glad to welcome you to Dave & Co. How can I help you?
Robert: Hi, I'm here about an ad.
Receptionist: Ok, go up to the 4th floor and turn right, 2nd office from the window. You'll be interviewed there.

Grandpa: Slightly agitated, he went up by elevator and soon found the office. He went in there and started the conversation. Rob came out only half an hour later. With a happy smile on his face and tears in his eyes, he left the building and went home to please his family. While he was driving, he thought about Leo, and decided to buy a ball for him. He returned home early, and therefore, there was no one at home. Taking advantage of the moment, he decided to go to sleep. After 4 hours, he woke up refreshed and felt better than ever. There was still no one at home. Then he looked at the phone and saw that it was very late and they should have already returned. Then he saw missed calls. It was Amelia. He started to worry and quickly called her.

Robert: Darling, what's wrong? Why aren't you at home?
Amelia: Come to the hospital, hurry up! Leo was hit by a car.

Grandpa: Upon hearing this, he dropped the phone, ran to the car, and drove to the local hospital. Once there, he started looking for Amelia. About 10 minutes later, he found her on the bench, all in tears. He came over and hugged her.

Robert: Don't cry, dear. Everything will be fine. I'm with you. What happened? Tell me.
Amelia: He was playing basketball after school, and during the game, the ball went off the field, and he ran after it but didn't notice that a car was driving at high speed. The same person took him to the hospital, and the hospital called me. Then I called you, but you didn't pick up the phone. You had a chance to see your son. I've been here for six hours, and I'm waiting for a doctor to come out.

Grandpa: The doctor came out an hour later.
Doctor: (The Doctor sighs and looks away before saying the words.) I'm sorry... We did everything we could, but he lost too much blood. We couldn't save him.

Grandpa: The parents could not keep their tears. After that, their life was never
the same.
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