Scott's Shift

Early to Rise

I walked into Sammy's excited for my second night at work.

Scott was standing by the front door, waiting for something. Maybe he was waiting for someone, as he kept glancing at the time.

"At least one woman knows how to listen," he smirked at me.

A cold shiver ran down the base of my neck and down my thighs.

Woman... listen...

Did he just mean what I think I thought I heard him say?

I mean... Nevermind.

"Uh, yeah? You asked me to be here today at 5:00. It's ten minutes to the hour. I'm here."

"Save the 'men-are-misogynistic-A-holes' lecture, honey. He's looking for me. Scotty, here, always assumes I'm going to be late when I literally haven't been late for a shift since we met!" she yelled over her shoulder as Gracie drug me through the kitchen doors to go clock in.

"You know what they say about assumptions. And Scott can be a real ass sometimes." Gracie giggled as she tied her long blonde hair into a work-appropriate bun.

"I, uh, thank you. I probably would have just lectured my way out of this job.

Anyway, I saw you earlier at the bank. I loved that top you were wearing" I flash a small smile in her direction.

"Did you? I got it a few years ago at some estate sale when I was on vacation. The way it fits me is just to die for!"

"Yeah, I couldn't help but notice that it draws attention to your chest. I bet your boyfriend goes crazy when you wear it." I try to fish for the information I need as innocently and subtly as I can without making it so obvious what I'm really asking her about.

"He would, except he doesn't, because he can't, because "he" isn't. There's no boyfriend to drive crazy. There isn't anyone. I haven't dated in ages!" Gracie looked down at her wrist.

For the first time since we met, I actually looked at all the fine details Gracie was casually displaying without trying.

The scar on her jaw, the angst in her eyes.

Gracie had a hole in her wrist that seemed to have faded into history.

"What is that?" I asked her nervously.

"Aren't you observant?" she mocks.

After a well-deserved eye roll, she finally answers my question.

"It's the mark of the beast!" she laughs. "I don't know what I can tell you other than it's an old scar from a long time ago. I honestly don't remember how it happened." she shrugs it off plainly, seemingly hoping to end the discussion once and for all.

"So, if there's no boyfriend to drive crazy, how does a beautiful bubbly blonde spend her nights after work or her days off?" I pry.

"Uh, sleeping mostly" she laughs.

"But, other than sleeping, I just throw on some comfy 'jamas and watch movies. Somewhere around the ending credit scenes, I wake up with a horrible ache somewhere in my neck or back. I would say I crawl into bed at that point and go to sleep, but that's quite a distance, so I usually resign to curling up on the couch in a more comfortable position and pass back out until daylight. What about you?"

"Can I be honest? I have never had a boyfriend. So, obviously there's that. But between work and classes, I'm either studying or taking lessons from my aunt and uncle. Aunt T loves showing me around the kitchen almost as much as Uncle Nate loves showing me around in the garage." I look at her.

"Girl, can you believe it's almost closing time?" she smiles as she pulls a wad of tip money out of her apron pocket.

"I know! I was just thinking to myself how our conversation about non-existent boyfriends and sleep-filled free time has passed the time between waiting tables. Tonight really went by fast thanks to you."

"Well, I guess easy work, good vibes, and an all-night get-to-know-you make for a little fun. And they say time flies when you are having fun."

"So, why daylight?" I ask her.

"What do you mean 'why daylight'?" she looks confused.

"Well you said you pass back out until daylight. Why? You work night shifts and I know I absolutely can not get out of bed before at least eight, sometimes 8:30." I nudge.

"Well, when you have experienced life the way I have, no matter how indistinguishable one day is from the next in your boring, everyday routine, you learn to find comfort in the small things that stand out. For me, it's watching the sunrise every day because even though I know the sun is coming, the way it is painted across the sky each morning changes.

It reminds me that change is inevitable. It also reminds me that even though there's a small change, I can still find the beauty in it." Gracie confesses as she rushes past me to wait on the final table of the night.

"That was surprisingly and philosophically self-reflective. I'm honestly amazed and in awe." I say as we cash out for the night.