Chapter One: The Old Friend
Amelia's P.O.V
I cleaned up the counter as there was fifteen more minutes till closing. My daughter, Ginny, sat on the stool in front of me, reading her book.
"Mom, how much longer?" She asked me.
"Fifteen more minutes then we can go," I told her.
"We literally live down the street," She told me.
"Ginny, you know how much I don't like it when you're home alone. Especially in a place like Hell's Kitchen," I told her. The door opened, making the little bell ring. We both looked over to see a man walk in. I grabbed my notepad and walked over to the man who sat in a booth.
"What can I get you sir?" I asked him.
"Amelia?" I looked up to see my high school boyfriend, Frank Castle.
"Frank?" I asked in confusion and shock.
"Hi," He smiled at me.
"Hi."
"It's been a long time."
"Yeah."
"Just a black coffee please," He told me.
"Coming right up," I told him. I walked over to the coffee maker and poured him some of the coffee. Luckily, it was still warm. I gave him the cup before leaning against the counter.
"Is she your daughter?" Frank asked me.
"Yes. This is Ginny. Ginny, meet Frank. He was a friend of mine in high school," I smiled.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Frank," Ginny said, offering a handshake.
"Nice to meet you too, Ginny," Frank said, shaking her hand.
"What've you been doing lately? Last time I heard, you were in the army," I told him.
"I got out a while ago. Just living low," Frank told me.
"How's living low for you?"
"Good. I see that you own a diner now," Frank told me.
"It's my grandmother's. She gave it to me as a present," I told him.
"What happened on being a traveler?" Frank smiled.
"I had to take care of Ginny," I told him.
Ginny placed her book down and stared at us. I knew what that meant. I gave her a look as she just shrugged. Frank looked over at her, since I was staring at her.
"I need a new book," She told me.
"That was your third book this week," I told her.
"I get bored," Ginny told me.
"Why don't you just hang out with your friends?" I asked her.
"I don't have any friends, mom," Ginny said.
"Read, To Kill a Mocking Bird," Frank told her.
"What?" Ginny asked confused.
"To Kill a Mocking Bird. It's a classic. You'll like it," Frank told her.
"Alright," Ginny smiled.
Frank finished his coffee before putting a five on the counter. I looked up at him and he smiled.
"Keep the change," He told me.
"Thanks, Frank. I hope you have a nice evening," I smiled at him.
"I hope you both have a nice evening as well. I'll see you tomorrow night," Frank said before getting ready to leave.
"Alright. Bye, Frank," I smiled.
"Nice meeting you, sir," Ginny said.
"Nice meeting you too, Ginny. Be good to your mom," Frank told her.
"I will."
Frank walked out of the diner after that. I cleaned up again before getting my coat. I put it on as Ginny got her bag and jacket.
"Ready?" I asked her.
"I'm ready mom," Ginny told me. We walked out of the diner and I locked up. We walked to our apartment complex passing by a few cat callers.
"Ignore them sweetie," I told Ginny as I pulled her closer to me.
Our apartment building wasn't the worst but it wasn't the best. The rent was fair but our neighbors weren't the best. There was one couple who argued a lot next to us. I unlocked the door and we walked inside. Ginny went to her room as I went to mine. I changed into my pajamas which were basically sweats and an old t-shirt.
I opened the window to the fire escape and climbed out. I sat on the stairs and looked over at the city. Our place wasn't the safest area but just sitting by my fire escape was okay to be out on. I looked over to the busy streets and saw barley anyone walking.
"Mom, you alright?" Ginny asked me.
"Yeah. Go to sleep. You have school tomorrow," I told her.
"Okay. Night mom," She said.
"Night, honey," I said.
She walked off as I stayed out a little longer. I decided to go back inside and get some rest.
The next morning, Ginny and I were rushing a little to get to the places we needed to be. Ginny's bus was about to come any second while I had to open up the diner.
"Have a good day at school and try to make some friends," I told her.
"That's what you tell me every day," Ginny told me.
"Because I want to constantly remind you," I tell her.
"I'll be at the diner at three again," Ginny told me.
"I already know this," I told her.
"But I want to constantly remind you," Ginny teased.
"Go to school," I told her. She smiled at me before getting on the bus that had just arrived.
Once I opened up the diner, I got everything prepared. The chef came in and started to get busy. Some people came and I took their orders. My mother owned the business and let me run it.
"Good morning, Amelia," I heard. I looked over to see my close friend, Matthew Murdock.
Matt and I were friends in college. Foggy was the one to introduce us together, thinking we could be a couple. However, we just remained friends as we felt nothing special with one another.
"Matt? What do I owe the pleasure?" I asked him.
"Can I just have a coffee today?" He asked me.
"Your usual?" I asked him.
"Yes please."
I got his coffee ready as he waited. I walked over and handed it to him personally. He put the card on the counter and I rang it up.
"How's Ginny?" He asked me.
"Fine. She's almost in high school. Can you believe it?" I asked him.
"No I can't. It just seemed like yesterday, you showed me a 3D model of her," Matt told me.
"Yeah. She grows up fast. I think she wants to own a bookstore," I told Matt.
"Send her my love for me," Matt said.
"I will."
As the day dragged on, I was glad it was almost closing time. I heard the bell ring making Ginny and I look over. We saw Frank walk over to the counter.
"One black coffee please," He told me.
"Coming right up," I nodded.
"Did you get To Kill a Mockingbird?" Frank asked Ginny.
"Yeah. I'm on chapter five," Ginny smiled softly.
"Here you go," I said, handing him the coffee.
"Thanks, Amelia," Frank smiled.
As soon as it was almost five minutes till closing, Frank handed me another five dollar bill.
"Keep the change," He told me.
"Bye, Frank!" Ginny waved. Frank waved back before leaving.
"He's hot. You should go for it mom," Ginny told me once he left.
"Ginny!" I said.
"I'm just saying mom. You need a good relationship," Ginny said.
"Or is it because you want a new dad?" I asked.
"Both."
I rolled my eyes before getting my stuff to leave.