Side Effects

It's Like This

Beau wasn't sure what the hell he was going to do; he didn't know how to tell Mel, or what he was even going to do with her. For all intents and purposes, she was a few months away from being an orphan. Even if he took his meds and went through treatment, he'd still be a zombie, and that's no way for his daughter to live. Beau exited the parking lot of the Houston Regional Hospital and took a left, the direction home.
"Are you okay? You're not saying anything." Mel broke his train of thought with her dainty voice. "Are you hungry at all, sweetie? We can go anywhere you want." Beau looked at his daughter with a forced smile, hoping she wouldn't see past it.
"It's Friday night, Dad. Everywhere will be packed." Her eyebrow twinged concern.
"Yeah I know, but I'm starving, aren't you hungry? Come on! Pick a place, what about Randy's? We used to go there all the time, how does that sound?" It was everything Beau could muster to maintain his composure.
"I guess." Mel shrugged.
"It'll be fine, they know us there anyway, so I'm sure we'll be able to get a table." Beau turned the car around at the nearest red light and headed in the direction of Randy's Bar and Grille. The state of the restaurant upon arrival was not promising; Beau had to loop around the parking lot several times to find a spot, and even then it was cutthroat to get in. Beau's arms were a ablaze with pain, every turn of he steering made his arms feel like snapping right off of his body. He didn't show Mel his pain face, but he wanted to give the guy who he had to fight for the parking spot a piece of his mind. He thought better of it and made his way into the restaurant with Mel at his side.

Walking into the restaurant only proved what Beau had already known; Randy's was packed tighter than a can of sardines. Beau walked up to the hostess and asked about the wait, only to have her immediately motion them to a booth in the bar area. Beau thanked her for her courtesy and took his seat across from Mel. Just as Beau was settling his sensitive frame into his seat, he looked across the hazily lit restaurant, only to see that very same woman from the hospital. She was still donning her happily blue colored dress. He took a moment to admire her fragile form, stopping only when he saw the the bartender making eyes at him. He turned to look at Mel, and saw she was also aware of the situation.

"Do you know that lady?" Mel asked, using the menu the cover the smile she had. Beau grabbed his menu and covered up his face in a mocking fashion. "Do you know that lady?" He playfully avoided the question.
"Come on, who is she?" Mel pried.
"I saw her at the hospital, it's just interesting seeing her out in the open."
"Well why not go say hey to her?" Mel smiled
"Because, I already have one crazy lady in my life, I don't think I could handle another one."