ðeɪ bɪkˌʌm fɹˈɛndz ænd hiː ɹᵻplˈeɪsᵻz hɜː pˈɛɹənts ɪn ðɛɹ ˈæbsənsᵻz, ɡˈɪvɪŋ hɜːɹ ɐdvˈaɪs, ɡˈaɪdəns ænd hˈɛlp wɪð hɜː kˌɑːmpətˈɪʃən ɹˈʌnɪŋ: hiː ɪz ˈiːvən spˈɜːd tə ɡˈɪv ˌʌp hɪz dɹˈɪŋkɪŋ ænd ɹᵻtˈɜːn tə hɪz fˈɔːɹmɚ fˈɪzɪkəl pɹˈaʊɛs.
They become friends and he replaces her parents in their absences, giving her advice, guidance and help with her competition running: he is even spurred to give up his drinking and return to his former physical prowess.