Rabbit Hole Carnival: Choice

Renee was almost finished setting the table, when she heard the bell ring. “Sarah Raven.” She said, as she put the reserved sign in her pocket. “I’d asked how they are, but that seems a bit out of place.”

 “I didn’t make a reservation…” Sarah replied. “So when did you—?”

“Your mom called.” Renee answered. “She said you are likely to come here tonight, and knowing Summer Raven… well, best to plan around what she says.”

“Doesn’t it get tiring? Looking after me all the time?” Sarah replied.

“Not really, no. I love making a Shocking Apple anyways.” Renee said. “Gives me an excuse to make two!”

Sarah laughed. “Should you really be drinking, right now?”

“Should you?” Renee asked. “Alchocol is a depressant, you know? Now you're gonna sit and have a drink or not?”

“Depressant or not, it helps.” Sarah sat down, and took a swig. “And it’s a good excuse to come here, and here is just comforting. Not that I need to tell you that.”

“Home’s not comforting?” Renee asked.

“It is.” Sarah said. “It should be, at least. My sisters and my brother are great. And parents support every hobby, and every condition. Just mine feels like it’s more of a burden sometimes.”

Renee picked the entire bottle she prepared and sat down to refill the drinks as needed. “Correct a bartender if she is wrong, but 2 of your sisters buy an 80 dollar dress every week to try and win a fashion show with their own design. Which also means the cost of yarn and such is involved. Your other sister is studying to be a botanist, and drags dirt in wherever she goes. And brother is trying to sell a very good program that we only ever purchased?”

“Yeah okay.” Sarah replied. “But what am I doing? Those things could at least pay the bills.”

A bell rang as Nick came in, with supplies. “I see I was right to double the shocking apple supplies this run.”

“How much did we make this week, Daddy?” Renee asked

Nick paused before he set things down on the counter. “I… about 150 more than worse weeks… why?”

“Wait you guys. You barely keep this place afloat? Sarah asked.

“Sometimes. It’s been a few bad months. New experimental drinks cost money too, ya know?” Renee,replied taking a swig.

“Particurally when a certain bartender is firmly convinced she can do alchemy, and I have no argument for letting her try to.” Nick said. “Now why is money coming up?”

“Sarah is convinced she isn’t doing anything.” Renee replied.

“Woman, you are volunteering at like 5 animal shelters, and juggling depression. I barely know how you find time to come here.” Nick said.

“But maybe if I made different choices, things would just be better.” Sarah said.

“Yes things would be sooo much better, if I had choose to stay with Mike.” Renee said. “Or if a certain someone hadn’t choose to save that aquarium I still visit.”

“That wasn’t just for you!” Sarah replied. “That aquarium means a lot to a lot of people who live and breathe here, and still does.”

“So does this little bar, and we choose to keep it that way.” Renee said. “And ?I choose to get and run here in the middle of night. Knowing I’d lose a lot, or at least thinking it, but here I am basically the mascot of this place.”

“Not basically!” Nick yelled, as put stuff away. “People come here, and get disappointed then don't get to see you all the time.”

“Well I choosing to get at least one more drink in before my sister picks me up” Sarah replied.
She left her phone ringing on speaker, and on the counter a voice picked up straight away. “You okay now, Sarah?”

“Hi April!” Renee said. “Could you come pick up in like 20 minutes?”

“Renee, obviously I can and will. I’ll get our car started.” April said.