Finding Comfort

Chapter Two

Tuesday, May 18th. 

I awake before the train comes barreling by. Probably because I'm awake at four in the morning. After leaving the diner yesterday a little after five in the afternoon, it took me a good three an a half hours to get back to my little shack. Perks of living next to the tracks on the outside of town. I mean I literally have to cross the tracks just to get to town. So knowing how long it took I planned to get up and out of the house before 4:30 am. 

So I go about my business, knowing that I will probably get a uniform like the one Cheryl wore yesterday I didn't really bother with choosing a good outfit. I put on the same pair of pants, because honestly I only own one pair and a pair of shorts that are a little too short for me now a days. So with basically the same attire as yesterday except for a shirt that has more holes and stains than yesterdays. 

Finally deciding I look the best that I possibly can, I head out the door. making sure the shack is all locked up behind me. Not that I have anything valuable except for a money jar that I have hidden under a floorboard for safe keepings. 

I venture on my way back to the diner. although yesterday was kind of a disaster, I'm actually looking forward to working again. Cheryl was nice enough, kind of unsettling, but still caring. I'm still not sure what I will be doing at the diner but whatever it is I know I can do it to the best of my ability. My job background consist of a multitude of things, although I'm young.. working in a diner will probably be the easiest job I've ever had before. 

Watching the sun come up as I'm walking my last hour to the diner is an incredible surreal feeling. I will never get tired of the sun rising and setting. I will never get tired of the way nature comes to life after sleeping in the dark. it's a beautiful thing that most people take for granted. 

finally, seeing the diner in the distance I get a little more pep in my step. Walking in, I first glance at the clock. the time reads 7:52 am. Which is great for me because I thought for sure I would be late but considering I left the house within 10 minutes of waking up I had a little more time for the walk. although, my legs are screaming at me right now. I've done a lot of walking in the last 4 years so you'd think I'd be used to it by now. However, I'm not. I struggle everyday with it.. Maybe if I had a proper diet I would feel better but those things are out of my control and I refuse to ever eat dumpster food again. 

"Good morning honey, you're on time! Come let me show you where you will be starting today." She says beckoning me over to a little bar looking area. 

"This is the coffee bar, the only thing served over here is well coffee and the occasional slice of pie." She says smiling, "It's really where we try to start off all the new employees. You get to see a lot of the business from over here and it's a great way to introduce everything. I'm sure by next week we'll have you running tables."

"Now follow along, I have a uniform in the back for you in the employee lounge. The lounge is where you will go when you need a break. We are very laid back, so when you feel like sitting down and getting a breather you are more than welcome to at anytime." She explains and stops as soon as the bell above the door rings. 

"Oh, my son is here, give me one second." She says walking away, I'm stopped by the door leading to the back and glance over my shoulder at her son. He's the same man from yesterday with the green eyes. I hear the mumble to each other as I stare at the man with green eyes. Not wanting to be weird I turn my head back to the door and just wait for Cheryl. However, I did not have to wait long before she called me over. 

"Serena, this is my son Tyler. Tyler, this is our new employee Serena Hill." She says with a glimmer in her eye. Her son outstretches his hand to me.

"Hi Serena" His seductive voice lures me in.. I reach my hand forward to shake his, "Hi Tyler" I whisper back a bit timid after hearing his voice. 

He sends me a warming and heart throbbing smile as I retract my hand from his. 

Deciding to avoid the awkwardness I turn to Cheryl. "Cheryl, do you mind if I go change into the uniform now?" I say looking down at the rags I'm wearing. 

"Oh right, of course. Sorry, through that door and it's the first door on the left. I have your uniform on the table in there. There are bathrooms in the lounge with lockers so you can change and put your stuff up." She says smiling, I walk away after thanking her. 

As I'm walking away I can feel his eyes on me. Not wanting to turn around to confirm that, I just push through the door and go to the lounge. 

After quickly changing into the uniform I don't even spare a glance in the mirror and step back out to the diner floor. Cheryl and Tyler are still standing talking and the diner still has no customers. So I just go behind my little section and take a look around at the coffee bar.

Looking at the different coffee machines and the case of sliced pies I become familiar with where everything is located. Just as I'm about to pick up the coffee pot to make myself my own coffee I hear a voice behind me. 

"Do you mind if I get a cup to go?" The voice of Tyler asks which slightly startles me but I manage to hold onto the coffee pot not wanting to embarrass myself on the first day. 

"Sure, one sec" I mumble out, still unsure of why I can't speak a proper sentence in front of the man. Probably due to his voice sending a wave of something unknown through my body. 

Tyler waits patiently as I grab a to go cup and begin filling it with coffee. Once complete I snap a lid on and walk over to Tyler to hand it to him. 

"Here you go."  I say holding the cup out to him. He takes the cup from my grasp and sends me a wink. 

"Thanks Princess, I'll see you later?" he says as a question but the look in his eye lets me know its in fact a statement. 

I respond the only way I can, "Yeah, here til 8 tonight." 

He looks slightly shocked at the hours I'm working, but that's what the schedule in the lounge said I'd be working for the next 4 days. 

He nods, sends me another wink and then goes to his mother. 

"Have a good day at school, remember I need you to help out tonight with the dinner rush!" She yells as she walks towards me after hugging her son. 

"Yes mom, practice ends at 5 so I'll be here right after." He sends a wave and exits the diner. 

Cheryl stays with me for the first 2 hours of the day to make sure I understand what I'm doing and then she leaves me be once she sees I'm picking up fairly easy and not struggling under the morning rush. 

Cheryl has a satisfied smile on her face throughout the rest of the day. Whether its from having an extra hand to help around the diner or here feeling a type of way about helping a child in need. I feel grateful she gave me the job under the circumstances that we met. She could have easily kicked me to the curb like everyone did in the town center. 

I will forever be in debt to Cheryl, but for once I think I may just be ok with that idea.