That Girl

Entry 10:

Dave's attitude improved majorly after Sunny put him in his place a few days ago. She's Olga's child, alright. If I had been like that when I was her age, I might have turned out a lot differently, perhaps even better.

I convinced Dave to leave the house with me and Sunny earlier today. He fought me on it but, not for long because he realized I was right: A month and a half in the house can kill you quicker than anything.

We went to Serenity's. The place is always pulsating with multi-color haired art students with laptops and MP3 players and the kids behind the counter never look older than about 21. I think I saw the owner once and she didn't look much older than the kids who worked and frequented her shop.

Sofas and living room tables take the place of traditional chairs and tables. I'm not sure how the atmosphere is supposed to feel but to me, it's always looked like the living rooms of four different homes were stolen and reassembled in a big room. I usually sit in a corner with a speaker right above my head which I can always count on to be playing a song by some band I've never heard of. Despite how awkward I must look in there sometimes, I like it.

When Chloe saw us walk in, she smiled though I'm sure it was more at Sunny than at me this time. Chloe told me once she was a student but I have no idea when she has time to actually attend classes since she's almost always in there when I am. I immediately noticed that her hair was red again, but not a natural red. Art student red.

When we all went over over my usual corner of the shop, I could immediately tell that Dave was uncomfortable. Even though he has faced nuclear walking battle tanks amongst other unholy things, he winced at the thought of sitting down on a sofa with a make shift sheet cover. I heard Chloe get Sunny's attention and call her over to the counter and that's when I realized all the eyes staring at us. I would have felt much less like a freak on parade if they wouldn't have turned away once they thought I had seen them. Dave's sudden bad coughing spell didn't help matters. I apologized to him for recommending he come to the place and promised him we'd leave soon. He grunted at me but he didn't seem upset. I think he's grown used to feeling like a beast.

Sunny was telling Chloe about something she had come across on the Internet when I walked up. Chloe's smile is so contagious and I found myself returning it before I even realized it.

"What'll be today, Hal?"

"The usual."

Chloe leaned down to be eye level with Sunny.

"So, I guess that means a hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and whip cream for Ms. Sunny, right?"

That was the first time I had seen her genuinely smile in a while. She always did though, when Chloe remembered her favorite thing on the menu. I don't think I should tell her that being 7 and in a coffee shop, it's pretty much the only thing she's allowed to order. I guess they were short staffed because Chloe started making our drinks. She gestured to our corner with a slight nod of her head.

"That must be Dave."

"Yeah, that's him."

"Is he going to be alright?"

When I looked back at him, Sunny was at his side, hand on his shoulder, eyes wide with concern as his body was calming down from the fit of coughing. She can usually sense whenever he needs her even if he can't.

"I really hope so. I shouldn't have brought him here. It was a bad idea."

"I hope you're not saying that because of them." She said referencing the shop's patrons, some of which were still staring at Dave. "People stare at what they don't understand, Hal. I told you, we are devolving as a species and I meant that."

"I'd say you're proof that maybe there's some hope yet."

I couldn't believe I said that to her. But, I did notice her blush, quite clearly actually even through her complexion so I certainly don't regret it. Chloe put our drinks on the counter around the time Sunny came running over to me and started tugging lightly on my arm.

"Can we leave now? Uncle Dave's not feeling too well."

"Okay, Sunny."

I put the money for the drinks on the counter and she pushed it back to me.

"On the house. You just worry about him."

I did manage to smile at her before we all left in our rush. He's been pretty out of it since we've gotten back home. Sunny's resumed her place at his side, looking over him. I shouldn't have pushed him out of the house the way I did. I hope he's alright.