Interview of Harold Barlow part three

When he woke up that morning, Howard got ready for the event. Being quiet to keep from waking up his youngest son. Not wanting him to be drowsy before his next shift. Going downstairs, he headed to the kitchen and started making breakfast for himself and his daughter. Howard wanted Melanie to be well fed before the event. Making Melanie’s favorite cheese omelet with bacon and hashbrowns. Along with starting to make some coffee so that she would wake up faster. As it takes her a longer time than it does him.

Soon as breakfast was ready, Melanie was already in the kitchen. Yawning as she wiped sleep out of her eyes. Completely dressed in a pair of khakis, a light purple button up shirt, and had her dark hair pulled into a bun.

Melanie: *smiling as she sees him near the stove* “Good morning, dad.”

Howard: *smiling back as he plated her omelet and sets it in her normal spot. Having put four strips of bacon and a huge heaping of hashbrowns on it already* “Good morning, Lanie. Are you ready for today?”

Melanie: *stiffened for a moment and she smiled at Howard as she sat down at her spot at the table* “Yeah, totally. I can’t wait to do this.”

Howard had wanted to talk to her about this. But figured it was just nerves about the whole passing on event. And that calling her out would just make her feel even worse. So, he decided to just let it go as he got her coffee. Smiling brightly as he patted her shoulder gently. Trying to make sure that Melanie knew that she was nervous.

Howard: *being as affectionate as he can* “Great. I can hardly wait to give you the keys to the building. I just know that you’re going to do good things, Lanie. You’re a smart, strong, and capable young woman.”

Howard: *finishes pouring her coffee before putting the coffee pot back in its normal spot* “I know that you’re going to do wonderful at this job.”

Melanie relaxed somewhat as she dug into her breakfast. Seemingly relieved by her father’s words as she ate. Or at least she acted like she was. Howard quickly made his own omelet and had a few slices of bacon. Soon as he got his own portions done, he put everything in the sink. Deciding to wash it after the ceremony. God, the ceremony was going to be so difficult. Not because he was afraid that Melanie would do terribly. No, he knew that she would do well. But mostly thanks to the fact that he was going to miss giving it up. Miss not seeing his wife’s suit every morning when he got up for work.

Even if it was unhealthy.

He knew that it was going to be for the better that it was put into storage. And if he asked nicely, he probably could get to see it. Maybe even get a key to the storage unit. Though Howard had a feeling that he wasn’t going to get to see it. Even if he asked nicely enough. While he ate, he glanced up at his daughter. Chewing his bacon as he tried to think of how to ask her about it. Calmly, he set his fork down.

Howard: *with a polite tone* “Lanie, I was thinking about your mother’s old suit. And how you are going to put it into storage.”

Melanie: *looking up at him with a slightly worried look* “Yeah, dad?”

Howard: *fixing his already straight tie* “Do you mind if I have a key to the storage unit?”

Howard: “I just…I know it’s unhealthy, but I would like to see her suit sometimes. It really brings me comfort seeing it. So may I please have a copy of that key?”

There was an awkward silence that passed between them. Melanie’s face started changing in expression. From a neutral blank look to worry to thoughtfulness. As if she were completely concerned about her father’s mental health. And to be fair, Howard could understand why his daughter felt that way. If he were her, he would be concerned about his need to see his dead wife’s suit for so long. Especially when the woman had died in that suit, and they had to replace the head of it.

Since Bron the Bull’s horn destroyed the last one.

It would be completely understood that his daughter would be worried about him. But he hoped that she would allow him to have this. Just let him have this one way to cope with the loss of his wife. Even if it has been over thirty years or so. It was the one way that Howard could deal properly with the loss of Winnifred. Or rather it was the easiest way for him to honor the loss of Winnifred and to feel closer to her. Along with taking care of their children. Though he had the feeling that maybe Melanie thought it was going to be unhealthy for him.

Melanie: *nodding her head a little bit as she looks at him* “Yeah, okay. I’ll give you the key so that you can make a copy of your own.”

Howard: *surprised but happy* “Really? You’d trust me with it?”

Melanie: *smiling widely as she reached into her pocket to get it out* “Of course, dad. I know how much this means to you. I won’t deny you access to mom’s suit or anything of else of hers.”

Without any hesitation, she handed Howard the key. He smiled as he took it from her and put it in his own pocket. Deciding to make the copy directly after the ceremony. That word slowly felt silly the more he thought it over. As it wasn’t really a ‘ceremony’. Or rather not a proper one for what it meant. But he wasn’t entirely certain of what else they were supposed to be calling it. Aside from ‘event’. Which didn’t feel formal enough in his eyes. Shaking his head, he tried not to go down this line of thinking. It wasn’t generally wise to overthink the definition of what they were about to do to sign over his restaurant to his eldest child. One that most of his children were going to be there for, sans his youngest.

But that was understandable since he worked the night shift.

Though Howard had hoped that Melanie wouldn’t be upset with that. At least her sisters and other brothers were coming. Alexandra and Charlotte. Elijah and Isaiah. He felt that their presence was going to be good enough for his eldest. Rather than making her feel bad that Kevin could probably not come. After all, he needed all the rest that he could get to be alert for his job. He hoped that his eldest would understand. While they ate breakfast, Melanie seemed to be off in her own world. Looking like she was deep in thought over something. Howard felt an overwhelming urge to ask her about it. But decided to bite his tongue instead. Clearly, she was already stressed out about this whole affair. Why bother calling her out on it?

A little bit later, they finished their breakfast. Putting their dishes in the sink to be washed sometime later. Both then hurriedly finished getting ready to get to the ceremony on time. Howard was driving as Melanie felt her truck wouldn’t fit the parking lot spaces. He wasn’t sure if that was true or not but didn’t argue with her. Just drove them to the event. Being there three hours early to get everything set up properly. Making sure they had everything that was supposed to be there and ready to use. After they finished the setup, people started to arrive to see the event. It honestly surprised Howard how much had turned out. There had to be at least three hundred or more people in attendance.

It was weird passing down the restaurant to his eldest. But he wasn’t going to complain about it in the slightest. He felt a little proud that it garnered this much attention from the public. That way they could see how proud of his daughter he is. How he was happy to be giving the first diner to his precious baby girl. Who had pretty much grown up in the place since it first began. And that she was the perfect fit for it. Despite what some of the staff tried to convince him of, he knew that Melanie could handle it.

Howard: *smiling as stood at the podium, waiting for everyone to stop talking* “Hello everyone, I’m grateful for your attendance to this monumental event.”

Howard: *gently holding his arm towards Melanie as he beams with pride* “As of today, my daughter will be taking over the first diner that my wife and I had started. I just know that my wife would be so proud if she were with us today.”

Howard: *turning to his daughter with a small smile and motioning for her to come over* “Melanie, please come forward.”

Melanie walked forward to the podium and took the key from him. It felt far too formal for what it really was. But Howard couldn’t help himself. It was one of the proudest moments of his whole life. Aside from each of his children graduating and gaining their own lives. Those were other proud moments in his life. This was wonderful. His eldest taking on the responsibility of the restaurant and handling from there. God, he wished that Winnifred could be there with them to celebrate such a huge milestone with them. Looking into his daughter’s eyes, he smiled broadly. Melanie returned the smile but. There was something odd in her eyes. Something that worried him a little bit, but he decided now wasn’t the wisest thing ever.

Melanie: *shaking her father’s hand before pulling her hand back* “Thank you, dad. I’m sure that mom would be very proud of me. And thank you all for coming to see this. We have a free buffet set up inside for everyone.”

Melanie: *her smile became a lot more genuine as she motioned towards the doors* “Please enjoy yourselves.”

The crowd thankfully didn’t rush inside and just filed inside. Howard had hoped they had enough food for the crowd. If not, then he would find a way to make sure they would. It was something that he felt stupid for not counting on. But figured they could handle it as best they could. Without lingering on this, he gently hugged Melanie as they went inside the diner. Passing the Silvy the Wolf animatronic as it stood there. Eyes wide open and unmoving like they always would be. A part of him felt a sad feeling at it being gone soon. Though Howard wasn’t going to bring this up to his daughter. No, he didn’t want to upset his daughter over something that he felt should be minor. Or rather was trying to convince himself was minor.

It wasn’t like she was disassembling the thing.

Just putting it into storage as the animatronic was hard for her to look at. Which was fair in his mind. As Melanie had been there for her mother’s death. And if he were being honest with himself, he knew it wasn’t wise to keep it. It wasn’t working right anyways. With all of this in mind, he gently squeezed her shoulders.

Howard: *turning to her slightly* “Your mom would be so proud of you, Lanie. I just know that this is the best decision for everyone.”

Melanie: *kissing his cheek as she hugged him back* “Thanks, dad. I know she would be, too.”

Melanie: *looking a little down as she carefully let go of him* “Probably…”

Before Howard could even begin to speak, all his other children came up. Even Kevin. Who looked tired but happy to be there for his sister. Alex and Charlie just dragged her off to get some of the fruit punch. While Isaiah, Elijah, and Kevin kept his attention. All three men were talking a mile a minute about how happy they were. Along with how they wanted to try and add more animatronics to the bunch.

Elijah: *smiling wide as he held up blueprints for one which looked like an opossum* “We’ve been talking with Lanie about it. And we want your opinion on it, dad.”

Isaiah: *stepping closer* “She’s fine with it but she told us to get your opinions on them. Cuz you’re still apart of the company and we want to hear what you think.”

Kevin: *rolling his eyes as he gently clasps his brothers’ shoulders* “Guys, guys…let’s not overwhelm dad with this. And we can talk about this whole new animatronics for the diner later.”

Kevin: *looking from Elijah to Isaiah* “How about you dorks go congratulate Lanie for becoming the new owner first?”

His twin brothers rolled their eyes in annoyance but did as he asked of them. Walking off to go see their older sister and congratulate her. Howard saw that all three of his daughters were animatedly speaking about something. It must have been good as they were all smiling so wide. Toying with his tie, he turned to his youngest child with a smile.

Howard: *letting go of his tie before patting his shoulder gently* “Thank you, Kevin. That was a little much to handle.”

Howard: *staring after his other sons who were busy with their sister* “I’m surprised they came up with an opossum animatronic. I’m not too sure how that would fit in with the theme that we got going on.”

Kevin: *shrugging as he watched Elijah pick up Melanie into a tight bear hug and swung her around* “Well, I’m sure you can find an opossum on a barn somewhere.”

Kevin: *stepping closer to his father as he continues to watch his siblings* “They also have a deer and porcupine in there. A deer I can understand. But a porcupine? That’s something that I can say has ever been near a barn.”

Kevin: “Maybe they are, maybe they aren’t.”

Howard was surprised by that but figured it wouldn’t hurt. And he wondered what these designs are meant to look like. Since he didn’t really get a good look at the blueprints that Elijah had held up a moment ago. It was mostly just a blur of lines.

Howard: *looking at his sons with their sisters and raised an eyebrow* “…hmm…wish I had gotten a better look.”

While both were speaking, there was something off about the Silvy animatronic. Her eyes flickered from the space she was staring at, to them. Staring at them intently as they spoke together. A small tear ran down her cheek as she stood there. Unable to do much else than stand there like the decommissioned statue she essentially was.