FAMILY IS FIRST

by Renato Alvarez

Chapter 1
On a normal night in a small town on the outskirts of Lima, Peru, a fire station got
a call about a house burning now. Firefighters getting up of their beds to go to their fire
trucks. Inside the truck, the leader begins to explain the situation. He said Its an old
house, there lives one family. Two adults and three kids. The cause of the fire is
unknown. Thats all. Everyone was listening but they start to smell the ashes in the air.
they are close to the house. A firefighter goes to the house and yelling, Mr. Ramires!
many times. And somebody yells, Right here!. It comes from the bottom of the room. It
was the kids. So the firefighter take them outside. But after doing this, the kids saw their
house blow up in many pieces. The youngest one started to cry. That kid was me. My
brothers were also crying. The man that saved us said, You three, dont worry, its
gonna be okay. Then he asked my older brother if we knew any relatives. But of course
my brother said no. Our grandparents passed away about two years ago, and we dont
even know if we have or had any uncles.
I see but dont worry, I have a idea, says the firefighter.
That night he takes us to his house but, the next day in the morning he takes us to
the church.
Well, that was fast, TOO fast, we thought. He said to us that he doesnt have
enough money to take care of us. Then he said, You three will be fine here, because I
was also an orphan who ended up in this place. I was scared at first but the sisters were
so nice to me, and, and he starts to tell his whole life. We were doing the face that we
were listening to him but none of us was really listening. We stood in front of the door
of the church, and he said, Hey its me! Im here to leave the kids, while knocking on
the

door. A young sister attends him. She looks friendly and beautiful but suddenly she
grabs his shirtneck and she yelled, You bastard! Do you know what time is now?! Its
10:30! It is still the time to sleep! Saying that, she threw him like a piece of garbage to
the road. We were stunned to see that. When we went to the church, I always saw that
the sisters were very kind, modest and harmless. But everything shattered apart at this
moment.
Next the sister turned her eyes on us. Look what we have here? So youre the
brats that are gonna stay here for a while. Dont be scared, Im not gonna hurt you all.
yet, she said while she staring at us. Then suddenly she feels something behind her
back and she start to tremble. When she looked behind, her face was slapped by
someone. It was the chief sister. She looks angry with her. She said, Whats going on
here? Why is too loud? Sister Lucia, why are you here? Didnt I gave you some duty to
do? with an angry voice. For all that happened, she goes inside the church in an instant.
Then she calls for the firefighter. Hugo. Take the children and go to the cafeteria. Hugo,
the firefighter, stands up and walks like nothing happened. In the churchs cafeteria, the
three of us sat down like we did something bad.
Before you leave them here. Do you want to say something? says the chief
sister to Hugo.
Id talked to them everything before we get here, but if you want me to say
anything right now, saying that, he told us to stand up and said to get closer to him.
I know that you three are gonna be difficult to adapt here, but at least youre
brothers. You can help each one of you. Instead of me. I came here alone, but I make a lot
of friends here like the sister that throws me in the road. He looks to the door while
saying that, like if someone is watching us. When he said that, we heard someone is
running away from the doors. He looks to the chief and nodded. Okay! So let me take

them to their room now, but before that you three need to say thank you to Hugo, said
the chief. My older brothers say it really fast but I cant say it. I dont know why, maybe
is
for the short time with him, or its because of losing my parents too quick.
Our first day in the church. How do I explain this? It was very confusing. So let
me talk about a one days routine. First we get up early at six and pray. Second, the chief
sister call all the kids to introduce ourselves. We just only say our names and ages. It
just costs only seconds to be in everyones eyes. We were being questioned by everyone.
But none of us give a respond. After eating we get back on our room. We stay in silence
for a minute.
Well, that wasnt kind to us. Dont you think the same? Daniel! Diego! said the
oldest brother, David with anger in his voice.
That makes Diego cry. In other words, me. Looking me crying, Daniel start to
fight verbally with him.
It cant be helped, we lost our house about two days ago. What would you expect
for us? says Daniel with a voice of anger and sadness.
I just said that we need to move forward, said David.
Are you saying that we need to forget them?! How dare you say something like
that?! You heartless fucker! said Daniel.
Hey! Dont insult me! And Im not saying we need to forget our parents. Im
trying to say dont be depressed. We need to focus on the future and be strong. I know
is difficult for us but we need to do that if not our parents will be sad too. Saying this,
David calms the situation in the room, and he says, Now since we all are calm, I want to
ask to you to about your dream. Tell me about it. The two brothers were very
impressed for the suggestion.

Oh really? How about if I say I want to be a soccer player? said Daniel.

3

Good. How about you? Diego? said David. I was prepared to answer to the
question, but I cant speak anything, like my tongue was tied up really hard. On this
moment, I just babbling, Maybe a singer. I thought they gonna laugh, but they didnt.
Good! You dont need to be ashamed. If you are interested, I want to be a
doctor! said David.
Now that we all know our dreams, lets make a promise not to us but to our
parents. That no matter what is upon on us, we are going to make it through it and
never give up. Whenever family takes us apart, we are gonna reunite here in this church.
OK? David said.
OK! we replied. It was the moment that we are full of determination and
courage. We work on the study, collect information about our goals to achieve them. It is
a matter of time to get adopted by separate families, and it was very difficult to
understand the fact that I will never see my brothers again, but I stay brave because I
know that we gonna see each other again.
A promise that well never forget. With a vision of three brothers making their
parents proud. On this moment we didnt realize what worse can happen. .

Chapter 2
Fifteen years later, in this time many thing change for myself. After my new
family adopted me, they play with me, make me to go to the school, helping with my
studies in the beginning, but as the years keep passing, they got bored of me. At first it
was really good because, everytime when I did not know something, they helped me
anytime or anywhere but now, I need to do it for myself. Which means that I need to
learn to surpass my older me to change, until I realize that I cant do anything of myself.

My grades descend very fast. Instead of helping me, my parents didnt care of it, like
they
4

just give their back on me. That makes things even worse. Id stopped go to the school.
They get divorced for reason that I dont know. They fight for on whose side I would go.
Actually, parents fight for the custody of the child, but, in this case they fighting for not
get the custody. Anyway, after I graduate from the junior high school, I start working in
a store that barely people come in for three years. It was a bad job, but nevertheless is
the only job I can found.
One day, a letter came to my post. It was from Sister Lucia. It said,
Dear Diego, How you doing? I hope that you are okay, if not its your
problem. Anyway maybe you are busy with something but I want you to
know that 15 years had passed when you are reading this. So I think is
time tobe reunited in the church this weekend. You were thinking that I
didnt know about this. Whatever, I am sending this to your brothers too,
so your presence is required. Obviously. with pleasure. Lucia.
With this letter, I remembered that I do such a promise like that. Im not
surprised only by this, Im wondering how she knew where I live? Anyway, looks that I
dont have time to be slow, I need to go back to the church, however, I was also thinking
to not go because it will be a shame that Im the only that didnt get his dream, but, after
a long debate inside my head, Ill decide to go there.
That day, I put on my good clothes. Its not elegant - just a t-shirt with old jeans
pants. The distance between the church and my apartment wasnt too far so I made it
normally. Which means that I arrived first. I didnt enter inside because I havent the
courage to enter. Instead I watched inside from the window on the side of the church.
To somebody that was passing by the church, that was the image of a thief trying to rob

a religious place. but the truth is that I was looking inside to be sure if one of my
brothers
arrives earlier. The window was covered with dust and sand so I cant see very well. In
5

that moment I feel like someone is behind me. Then with a loud voice a man with a pipe
on his hand is trying to beat me with it when I turn around. I dodged it and try to talk to
him. I say, Wait! Put down that and listen to me, let me explain to you. Ill just
He says, Dont lie to me! I know what you were trying! You trying to rob on this place.
A place that have many children who have nothing. and today, I came to see my brothers
and I found somebody doing stupid things like rob. While he lift the pipe to beat me.
Then when I heard that. I say, I came for the same reason.
Wait a minute. Diego? he says. I say, Yeah! Are you. Daniel?
Yes! Its me, brother. Its me, he says while dropping the pipe. We hug at the
same time. It was a touching moment, leaving behind that earlier he was trying to beat
me with a pipe, but in this time, it doesnt matter at all.
Wow, how are you? I mean, just look at you. Youve grown a lot. Daniel says it
while hes smiling.
Im very good. You look like youve got more years than me, I answered with a
joke on it. Then, No, it looks like I am the one that grown up too much, someone says
from the entrance of the church. It was David.
Hey long time no see. How you doing my little brothers? Hahahaha, he says
with a cheerful face. Remember when I said It was a touching moment? Well forget that
because this is the real touching moment. After we talked about how our lives didnt go
well. We enter the church and start to find Sister Lucia. David was calling with his loud
voice, Lucia! Lucia!

Then she appears from the far door saying. I heard you in the first call, so shut
up, But shes smiling to see us again.
You three guys really grown up, that makes me feel older, she says but makes a
serious face in the next second and says, I know that you want to stay and talk, but
6

you need to listen to me about what I gonna say. Okay?

We are thinking about what could be?. Why do we have to do that? We just
reunited just minutes ago. Theres no need to be worry about anything.
Whats happened? Is everything okay? I say.
First of all. Promise me that you three will stay in calm when you read it. And
when she was still talking, Daniel couldnt stand for and ask with angry voice, Read
what?!
This, after she says as she showed the letter. When we see the letter, it was written
something that we never thought before. In the letter is written:
Dear David, Daniel and Diego,
Sorry for this unexpected letter and maybe you dont know about me. My name is
Pablo Ramirez. Im your fathers twin brother and your uncle. And yes I know the
tragedy of my brother. I been depressed about a year. When I knew that you
three survived, I tried to see you three as fast as I can, but, I had a lot of work to
do. When my work was over, I knew that you have been adopted. In that moment
I decided not to look for you three because it will be very confusing to you. In the
end, I wait until you three grew up to tell this. It will be very hard but I want to
see you guys, but I cant leave my workplace, so I put the money and your
passports from the travel agency in the letter. I dont mind if you couldnt come,
if you could, and Im waiting with the doors open.

After we read this letter, the room stay in silence. I couldnt believe it, my father
had a twin brother. We had a uncle, a relative. David broke the silent and said, When
did this letter arrive?
Like a month ago, she said.
I cant believe it. It is a joke? Or not? Daniel said with a serious voice.
7

We dont know, but, we can find it out. Were going to where he lives, David
said. I break my silence and said, But wait, I have a question. Where exactly does he
live? We looked on the letter again and it written, New York City, United States. Now
we know what to do. We are going to the U.S.A. and find him.

Chapter 3
After we arrived in the airport of New York City, we didnt have time to enjoy the
city, otherwise, we go straight to the address that is written in the letter. I was tired for
the travel but not as much as when I read the letter. In the taxi I was wondering how to
accept him. Why didnt he show up before? And more. While I was thinking on that, we
arrived to the place. I lost my words when I saw it. It looked like a museum, so, Daniel
asked to David, It is really the place? Because I think that taxi dont know it.
I think youre right. I dont think this is the real place. Do you want me to ask
there? David said He knocked on the door and said, Hello? Excuse us but we want to
know if is it Mr. Ramiress house?
A hoarse voice aswered.
Yes. Im Ramires. Who are you?
Guess who, we came from Peru.

After saying this, a bunch of padlocks being unlocked sounds over the place,
Then, the door start to open. We were sweating for the anguish, but, we arent the only
ones with that sigh. It was a skinny man with old, used, and dirty pajamas, but, when
we looked at it very closer, he had the same characteristics as our father, if our father
could been get older like this. He had a smile on his face. In the other hand we want to
be happy, but, we werent. So. These are my nephews. I thought you refuse to come.
How was your trip? he said as he approached to us, but, David raised his hand to point
8

to him and said, Before you have an attack of happiness. We want to know the reason
you call us. With this, his smiling was gone and said, Oh okay. I was trying to be gentle.
Sorry, but, please come in.
We enter to the museum and we saw that this was his house. It looked like you
were in another place. The whole place were covered with jewels and diamonds, the
wall had pictures of somebody who we dont even know. And he had a room that was a
swimming pool. And at that moment, I realised something strange. If it had a lot of
rooms, how does he can manage to keep it clean. Therefore to keep this place clean, he
should need many servants, but, I didnt see anyone. He leads us to the guest room and
he said, All right. I was thinking to talk to you guys but I think I dont have time so let
me be straight. I have a business about construction worldwide. Do you hear about PRP
company?
Of course we knew that name. It was the only company that raised from the
bottom to the top in only 20 years. The luck of success in business makes the rival
companies surrender and sell it to them.
Im the chairman of the company, but, not for long. I have lung cancer and I
know Im not gonna make it. So I need a replacement. In other words, I gonna choose
one of you to be my replacement, he said. The three of us were paralyzed by the news.

A replacement, meaning a successor. Why? I just didnt understand it. He thinks that
somebody of us gonna accept it. He is very wrong. With anger in my veins, I tried to
yell at him but David stopped me and said, Why do is need to be one of us? Why would
you not choose somebody that is working now?
Because I dont trust anyone from there. They are just wondering the right time
to erase me, he said.
But we have no knowledge about business, Daniel said.
9

Yeah, we just barely graduated from school and worse, we have bad jobs that
we cant do well, I said.
Dont worry about that. It doesnt really matter when you go out to the world.
Ill teach to you all the secrets of my company. And last, it will need to be one person,
Pablo said.
As he said this, his words went through our heads and hands. It was really hard
to do it. I was also thinking to give up for the whole work, but, seeing my brothers
struggling too. It slipped my mind. It looked to be impossible to learn this in two months
but we did it, we survived this hell so far, and it was very good. But inside of me I wasnt
okay because only one person will be selected as the replacement. Which means this is
not over yet. This will become very hard because is every man for himself.

Chapter 4
After two months later, the day I never wanted to come, came as if it didnt care
about anything. We three been called by our uncle to his office. We were very nervous,
Whats gonna happen to us later, whats gonna happen to the two that werent selected,
and what would happen to the selected one? These three questions surrounded me this
whole time. And of course its not only my problem. My brothers felt the same as me.

When we enter to the office, our uncle was lying on his bed with medical devices that
can keep him alive. with a weakened, dying voice he said, Id never thought I will make
it to this far. You three do it very well, and I and your parents are very proud of you
three. Now as I said before, I gonna choose one of you to make my successor.
When he said that, I remember the talk I had with my brothers before we entered.
Hey, before we enter there. I want to know what would you do when you not get
picked, I said.
10

Well. I will work here on another company. With this knowledge I have right
now, Im sure they gonna hired me, David said.
Maybe I can use that in another way. I might go to travel to many countries and I
want to help people there. said Daniel.
I think Ill go back to Peru to teach the children in the church. Its better than to
do the same job I had, I said.
So this is a good-bye again, but, at least we saw each other again. The first one
was tough, but this time we know it will be different. Anyone who is chosen will know
that he can count on us, David said with a smile on his face. We shook hands and
entered the offices.
Back where we were, my uncle is going to say the name. We all were serious, and
he said it, David. It was very obvious, hes the older brother and he has the mind to do
it, but, my uncle wasnt done yet, he said, Daniel.
All of three were with our mouths open. He just now chose two people more, and
worse I was having a bad idea. I might be the only one that wasnt selected. And he said
the unexpected, And Diego. All of us were selected but why had he changed his mind?
That is the only question I want to be answered.
I dont know why you three are surprised. Yeah I told you that I gonna choose

One, but, after see you three working together, helping each one of you. Id notice that
by individual, you three are nothing. But nevertheless, if you three are working
together, it will go well. So be happy because you three are my successors, he said
while laughing.
However, later he start to scream of agony. We rushed to help him, but he went to sleep.
In the end, we need to stay together. We didnt talk in that office, but, inside of our
hearts, we had an attack of happiness.

11

Chapter 5
Do you want to know what happened later? Well, after one month, our uncle
passed away. We didnt cry for sadness, on the other hand, we cried for gratitude. I
thank him for all the things he teach me and I forgive him for not help us when we need
it and last I hoped that he was reunited with our parents in the heaven. The next day
was very tough, we needed to attend the journalists that were trying to get the topic of
the year:
The chairman of the PRP company passed away. And one of them asked, Who will be
the next chairman? I said, Theres not going to be a next chairman.
So is it the end of the company? he asked. Then I smiled and said, Theres not
going to be any chairman, but, it will have three co-owners. This makes the media
go wild and start to ask one by one by one. I leave there and go inside to the house.
There was my two brothers waiting for me. David said, Youre too late. We need to go
now. And Daniel said, So co-owners, huh? with a smiling face.
I dont even know how to say it, but I think it works, I said with a troubled face.

We know that maintaining a company of course will need hard work, but each one of us
knows that if we stay together, we can do it. like the old expression goes.Together we
stand, Divided we fall.

The end

Family Is First
Renato Alvarez
July22, 2016
TIU EPW Class