Red's Family Diner

Chapter 2

September 21st, 1957

Wilbur Beloved —

It's been nearly a year since our trip down to Florida, and Edith is about to turn 2 since then. I've been finding myself thinking over a couple of months ago about Red's deal since then—and well I took it. Yes, maybe it required me to drop out of my Education Degree 2 years in and instantly head into Economics and Business. Maddie didn't enjoy the sudden shift and more so my more recent flying in and out of states, but she'd hopefully understand the greater value in it. Especially since I've been saving up a house down by Florida just for the 3 of us to move into. It'd be perfect—always next to the beach. I know how much Maddie loves it. But today was the annual festival near downtown Times Square. A place I wanted to show Edith since she was able to form more coherent sentences than single words. An achievement Maddie takes pride in influencing. I woke up next to Maddie, feeling the cold house sit on its foundation while it reflected the outside temperature. I shivered slightly, before groaning and turning towards Maddie. My arms wrapped slightly around her as she chuckled in her sleep.

"Your turn for breakfast, dear." She mumbled in her half-sleep state. I jokingly groaned as I nuzzled my face into her neck. My face indulges in her messy purple curls. "Just 5 more minutes," I begged, feeling one of her free hands grip my leg and gently slap it. "C'mon big man—" She said, moving herself around a bit. Obligating me to get up. I groaned as I sat up to stretch, before slipping on slippers and heading out of the room.

Picking up lots of pans and ingredients out of the fridge—Maddie finally appeared with Edith in her hands. She yawned slightly before sitting down on the small island that faces next to the kitchen. It was a small little kitchen but it simply felt bigger the more people were near it. "What would you like for breakfast madam?" I spoke, tying the apron around my neck and waist. Maddie only hummed for a few before shrugging. "Pancakes maybe. Ooh, maybe even some arepas!" She replied. I could feel her mind drool at the simple thought of having arepas, so I toasted myself to make those. It's been a while but I might as well do it if I had only been back in New York for 3 weeks. A new record if I do say so myself.

We all sat at the table as Maddie broke apart some pancakes for Edith to eat—she ate reluctantly but was more curious about whatever Maddie had on her plate. I ate the arepas paired with a strawberry pancake mix, feeling my mouth grow more clogged than clear to keep on eating. "Maddie—" I began, covering my mouth with two fingers before continuing. Forcing myself to swallow. "There's an event in the papers about some festival. Wouldn't it be cute to bring Edith out there?" I'd ask as Maddie broke herself away and her face turned to me. "What is it about?" She replied, making me pick up the newspaper close to see how it had been laid out. "Some artistic stuff, maybe it'd be fun to show Edith some lantern lightings. We can even make our own for a dollar!" I answered, watching her face twist and turn before shrugging and letting Edith finish the last spoonful of pancakes. "I mean, sure. It'd be nice as a family to go. Maybe some great memories for Edith to latch onto." She said, staring at her as Edith's eyes wandered. Her hands clutched the small plate in front of her, somewhat confused about why there wasn't any more food. "Exactly, it says it starts...well—shockingly this entire weekend. We can go today to just check it out so tomorrow we can try lantern lighting." I spoke, putting the newspaper down for the last time as Edith clapped her hands. "I guess that's a yes from the girl herself," Maddie spoke out, before ruffling her hair.

I tied the red scarf around Edith's neck as she was later placed into her stroller. Maddie was sitting by the hallway entrance, her visible sincerity shown by her hands slightly scratching at her arm. Once I buckled her in, I glanced at her. "You okay?" I called out, making her snap out of her stance and approaching me. Her hands locked into mine instantly. "I don't...I feel like something bad's going to happen." She mumbled, her anxiety peaking in her voice. I looked at her as if I could understand why, but the place we were heading to was pretty safe. "Don't worry so much—it's a reason we brought the stroller okay? If you feel like she can't be held around in our arms you can put her inside the stroller." I responded, feeling her tense hand relax a bit as she exhaled harshly. "I...yeah that's a good idea. Sorry sweetie—I just want to be so careful. I don't know. It's dumb. Sorry. Let's go." She stumbled a bit for words but she grabbed the stroller and already headed out with Edith. Giving me a final stretch to check out the house before we left. What bad could happen?