Rabbit Hole Carnival: Anniversary

“I said I was taking the day off!” Renee said.

“And I insisted on making you come down.” Nick said.

And you have yet to explain why!” Renee replied, stomping her boot. “I am a grown adult, and I can avoid this day if I want.. Too…”

“Yes. Yes you can.” Nick said. “Actually I usually have the place close today too. Something about you always never working on this day just never sat right with me.”

“You worked the place alone the first year I came here.” Renee said. “What changed?”

“You. In the quite literal since, this time.” Nick replied. “You had your few days off before then, and I just figured that those ought to be normal.”

 “They got better over the years.” Renee replied. “They still happened, but usually when they do I start working anyways.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” Nick said. “I’m not just gonna kick you out or something.”

“I know, but… sometimes I come down and stare at someone who really needs someone to talk to. Or at the very least a good drink, and I can’t really help myself after seeing that.”

“Yes, I know the feeling. Our family does seem to have that sort of nature.” Nick made himself a drink behind the closed bar. “You want anything?!” 

“I’ll make it myself!” Renee replied "you insist on not knowing the recipe anyways!” She went behind herself, grabbed a few things, and set a few mugs down.

“Getting your usual then?” Nick asked.

“As are you.” Renee replied, taking a swig of her own drink.

“True the menu has been changing quite a lot, but I still like this one.” Nick replied.

“It’s certainly grown a bit since it first came in.” Renee said. “Not just from me either. But I think it fits. It’s always been that sort of drink you need to feel at home the um.. Originally is certainly reflective of that.”

“Yes, well. Down the rabbit hole and all that.” Nick replied. 

“And a carnival so it’s always fun.” Renee said.

“You remember?” Nick asked. “You weren’t even born yet.”

“I put two and two together.” Renee replied. “You and Mike argued a lot. And the topic of abandoning the family to run some run down bar came up once or twice.” She took a swig. “I was never allowed near the place, but even before I got here Rabbit Hole was a popular name. Run by Nicholas Shem.”
“I see.” Nick replied. “Must’ve made that much harder for you.”

“Yeah, but not for the reason you’re thinking.” Renee said. “And in a lot of ways, that was also good for me to hear.”

“I was only allowed around, if I kept quiet about it, but I do remember hearing a few things like that.” Nick said.

“You did a good job.” Renee replied. “Never let me know you were the other black sheep, and I didn’t learn until middle school that you were running this place. I just remember hearing ‘Uncle Nick is coming.’ and lighting up, always giddy.”

 “When you… the night you stumble in here.” Nick said. “You could’ve gone to Cel’s house instead. Or Cody or Susie’s. Even Joshua’s.”

“Jojo and I weren’t on good terms by then.” Renee replied. “He stopped coming to meetings or talking with us, and honestly I had stopped calling them so often. Eventually cel started Calling them just to check up on me.”

“Did the others come?” Nick asked.

“Of course, Starchart calls, you come.” Renee said. “And always said it was fine, when it wasn’t. And you’re right could have gone anywhere., and given the reason I picked this place I almost can’t believe I left him behind.”

You can’t be serious?” Nick asked. “Inky?”

“It was a rough night. Rougher than most.” Renee said. “Mom gave up a few years back, and just let me and Mike fight, when it happened. And we were already shouting, and it came to worst and slaps me.. Again. Hard… one second.” Renee walks upstairs, and back down with Inky. hugging him tight. “Anyways we had fought,  and got slapped and told I could leave whenever I wanted. And then that pause just before left. I remember that night you gave me Inky. And… I just wanted something that cared that much again.”

“Well, I never intended for him to be such a big part of life.” Nick said. “But I’m certainly glad he was.”

“Best gift ever, Daddy.” Renee replied.