For the Love of Serenity Skye

Chapter Three: Grace's Closet

It had been a week since Serenity had spent the evening with Garrett. She still couldn't believe it happened. Every morning since that night, he came into Hank's to eat breakfast with Court and Edgar. He was different. No longer did he embarrass her, but he spoke kindly and smiled more. Court and Edgar had no idea what was happening, and Garrett and Serenity weren't quite ready to tell anyone. Besides, they were only friends. Garrett, if he had it his way, would want more. But for now, he was happy with her being a part of his life. It was a hot Saturday morning when Garrett and the guys came in to eat breakfast. Serenity was in the back of the diner getting a fresh pot of coffee. She didn't know they were there. Sitting at the same table, they usually sat at; they talked amongst themselves. Garrett looked around for Serenity. "Knox, who ya lookin' for?" Court asked.

"What? Nobody."Garrett answered, grabbing a menu. "Why you lookin' at the menu? You already know what you're gonna get." Edgar laughed. "Hold up a second." Court snatched Edgar's menu and opened it. "Uh, nope. I don't see Serenity Haywood on the menu. Nope, ain't here." Court joked. Garrett smirked. "Funny stuff, y'all. Real funny." He shook his head. Just then, as they were laughing and cutting up, Serenity emerged from the back and headed to a table of customers waiting for their orders.

Garrett tried not to watch her as she politely spoke to the customers. He could watch her all day. She spotted the guys as she turned the corner to return the tickets to Hank. "Ain't ya gonna yell for Serenity to come over, Knox?" Court joked. "Nope. She'll come when she ain't busy." Court and Edgar looked at each other and shrugged. Serenity wiped her hands on her apron as she approached the table. "What'll it be?" She pulled out her ordering pad and pen. "We come in here every day; we get the same thing. You ain't gotta ask." He joked. Serenity smirked. "Yep, ya do. Easy enough." She began writing the orders on the ticket and walked away. "Knox, what's up with you, man? You ain't said a word. You sick or somethin'?" Edgar asked. "No, I ain't sick. I don't feel much like messin' 'round this mornin'. Didn't sleep much last night." Garrett answered, rubbing his face. "Your dad again?" Court asked, sipping his water. "He won't stop tellin' me what to do. Nothin' is ever good enough for that man. Nothin'. I wanna leave, but I know my brothers need me right now. If it wasn't for them,  I'd be long gone." Garrett looked up and saw Serenity. He knew she must have felt the same. Why did she stay in Coal Valley? 

"Here y'all go. Three Hank's  Breakfasts. Edgar, you need a refill on that coffee?" Serenity asked, setting the ticket between the maple syrup and ketchup bottle like she always did. "When ya get 'round to it. Thank ya." Edgar said, grateful. "I have to ask y'all. There has to be places for y'all to get somethin' for breakfast in Simpson Grove. Makes more sense to eat there." Serenity asked, holding an empty serving tray. Garrett smiled slightly while he put strawberry jam on his toast. "Like I always say, best service in town." He looked up at Serenity, who nodded, then walked away. " Knox, somethin' is up with you. Your old man must have got you worked up. We never seen you like this around her." Court said, eating a pile of scrambled eggs. "I'm alright. I just got a lot goin' on. We better hurry before we're late." Garrett ate his breakfast but still managed to watch Serenity as she moved quickly around the crowded diner. He wanted to see her again and couldn't stop thinking about that night at Wild Turkey Point. He knew it probably didn't mean as much to Serenity as it did to him, but it was a start. How could he convince her that a gentleman lived inside of him? He was nothing more than a country boy trying to make it like everyone else. He wanted more; he had dreams, dreams that nobody knew about. He longed to share those with her. 

Court and Edgar headed to the truck as Garrett took one last sip of his coffee. He knew they needed to go on to work before they were late, but he didn't want to leave. He wanted to spend the day with Serenity, even if it meant ordering lunch and dinner. She was wiping a dirty table nearby when he strolled up to her. "Hey, meet me tonight." He whispered, handing her the folded tip money like he always did. "What?" She asked, looking around. "Meet me down by the railroad tracks at seven." He squeezed her hand but released it. Serenity nodded. "Alright." He smiled as he walked away. She watched him replace his ballcap onto his head and leave the diner. Garrett Knox may have driven her completely insane, but now, she was seeing him in a different light.