After the death of Fred Willard, the comedic actor who voiced Grandpa Murphy, I started listening to 'Simple Man' by southern rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd and that song fit Grandpa Murphy to a T! That's how I got the inspiration for this short. Without further delay...let's get to it.

It was a peaceful Friday in Danville. Milo had just finished his homework and was just chilling with his sister Sara in her room watching 'The Loud House' when their parents called.

"Milo, Sara...can you come downstairs?" Brigette asked of the brother/sister duo.

"There's something we need to talk to you two about..." Martin told Milo and Sara.

Milo and Sara knew by the serious tone in their parents' voices that something was seriously wrong.

"What do mom and dad want to talk to us about, Sara?" Milo asked.

"Only one way to find out, little brother..."

Milo and Sara walked downstairs to the living room, where they would get the news that would shake them.

"Milo, Sara...as you know, grandpa hasn't been well of late," Brigette told Milo and Sara. "Well, we just got a call from Mrs. Underwood and..."

"...it was only a matter of time. Grandpa's gone, kids," Martin announced to the brother/sister duo. Hearing this brought Milo to tears. In fact, it rattled Milo so much that he ran back to his room.

"MILO!" Sara called out. No answer. "I better go after him..." the blonde said. But once she got to her brother's room, she found that the door was locked. Inside, Milo was sprawled out on his bed, phone in hand. And who does he text first?

Melissa, that's who! One sentence was all it took to get her attention.

Melissa, can you come over a little later? I need someone to talk to... Love you, 'Liss!

Milo then turned on his iPod and flipped to 'Simple Man' by Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was the first song Grandpa Murphy played for him when he babysat him when Veronica was under the weather. That song reminded Milo of every fishing trip, every adventure that he had with Grandpa Murphy. Little did Milo know, Sara was listening from outside his room.

Milo, still distraught at Grandpa Murphy's passing, then heard his phone buzz. Melissa had texted him back.

What happened, Milo?

Milo quickly responded with the news that shook him...

Grandpa Murphy...he just passed...

A few doors down, Melissa texted Milo back...

Oh my...sorry to hear, Milo. I'm on my way.

Sure enough, within minutes - there was Melissa outside of Milo's house. She had found a ladder and laid it outside of Milo's window, which was surprisingly tree-free. Milo perked up at the sound of the ladder hitting his window sill.

"Hey, Melissa..."

Melissa climbed up the ladder, through Milo's window.

"Hey, Milo. Just heard what happened. You okay?"

"Not really. Most everything I learned about how to handle Murphy's law...I learned from Grandpa Murphy."

Milo was really taking this hard. Melissa thought about it for a while, then snuggled up to Milo. She then swapped his iPod with hers and flipped it to play 'Cornelia Street' by Taylor Swift.

"Is that from the new Taylor Swift album?" Milo asked.

"You did say 'Cornelia Street' was your favorite off of 'Lover', Milo..." Melissa told her jinx of a boyfriend. They had only just started dating after Melissa realized the one guy she really wanted had been right in front of her since she and Milo were 6. She and Zack were back in the friendzone and quite frankly, Melissa was okay with that. Same went for Milo and Amanda. Reason Milo and Amanda broke it off was that Milo feared for Amanda's safety. He didn't want Amanda hurt because of his curse and he feared that there may come a situation that he won't be prepared for.

"You so get me, Melissa..." Milo said, smiling. Unknown to him, Sara had finally picked the lock with her shamrock hairclip and couldn't help but squeal at what she saw.

"AHHHH! Mom, dad! It finally happened!"

"What is it, Sara?" Brigette asked her eldest daughter.

"Just look!"

Brigette looked in her son's room and saw Milo and Melissa snuggling, listening to Taylor Swift.

"Martin, look at this!" Brigette called out to her husband.

"What is it, honey?"

Brigette gestured to Milo's room. Once Martin walked in, he saw his youngest son snuggled up to his best friend; the duo listening to the new Taylor Swift album on Melissa's iPod.

"Well, would ya look at that! Our son...finally dating his best friend...I better call Richard and tell him!"

"Should I stock up on rice now or..." Sara asked, only to get punched on the shoulder by her dad.

"You guys go on. Me...I'm just gonna take it all in..." Brigette said to her husband and daughter. Rightfully so, too. Melissa was like another daughter to her. Now...she's the girlfriend of her youngest son. Seeing this scene, Brigette sighed thinking 'Grandpa Murphy...Milo's all grown up now. Thank you...for everything.'

I could not help but do this after the death of Fred Willard. I hope this is a fitting tribute to the man who brought Grandpa Murphy to life.

RIP Fred Willard (9/18/1939 - 5/15/2020)