not far off the beaten track

"What's wrong?" Sam asked once they got to the little Italian place. He ordered himself a beer, but Elliot didn't want one. "You look kind of green."

"Maybe I am." Elliot looked over the menu. "I'm not used to this kind of thing. Well, I should be, but I'm not."

"What is it?" Sam winced.

"Amanda." Elliot sighed. "She's six months along, with my kid, and..and she didn't even know it."

"Seriously?" This was hard for even Sam to process. "What are you gonna do?"

"I dunno." Elliot shook his head as if he might go to the bathroom now to throw up.

"Bummer." OK, he knew that was lousy thing to say. "Maybe, maybe it'll just work its self out."

"Yeah, its that work part I'm really dreading." Elliot sighed as the waiter came to take their order.

"You up for that Rib-eye?" Sam gave him a sharp smile.

"Why not." Elliot plastered on a smile.

Sam told the waitress that Elliot just found out he was gonna be a dad. Elliot was almost enthusiastic about the prospect of being one.

"You'll be a great Dad. You will." Sam grinned. This really was a celebration.