Rabbit Hole Carnival: Discouraged

A man stumbled through a thunderstorm. Having protected himself with only his jacket.

“Sir?!” Renee said, swinging open the door. “Inside! Now!”

“You should’ve just left me out there… not like there’s anything left for old Jacob.” Jacob said.

“Then why did you come in, Jacob?” Renee asked. “And also ordered a drink, if I might add.”

“You asked me if I wanted a drink” Jacob said “What I’m supposed to say no to that?! A bar offers me a drink and a maybe place to sleep and—”

“Code Sallywag. Daddy!” Renee said as Nick walked across the walking across the hallway, upstairs. 

“Then I'm going to the bathroom, and then back to sleep.” Nick said.

“Okay.” Renee replied. “So anyways, it seems like you are quite ready to abandon everything yet. Would you like a refill?”

“What is this place?” Jacob asked. “Don’t say it's a bar you know what I mean.”

“It’s a tavern that a lot of lost people just feel attracted too, then.” Renee replied. “I’m not entirely sure why myself, but this tavern in particular does seem to pull in the down and out.”

“Even if they just cross by?” Jacob asked. “Yes I’ll take that refilled.”

“Especially if they just cross by” Renee said, and then headed to the back before giving a refill and continuing. “And I’m honestly starting to wonder if I caused that somehow, maybe the story just got into people’s mind in that way.”

“Nick’s always had that kind of way about things.” Jacob replied. Never spoke of a daughter though… he did mention something about a niece a few times.”

“Probably talked about her love from the aquarium?” Renee said. “Might have mentioned  how close he felt to her?”

“That he did.” Jacob replied. “Also mentioned an octopus plushie he got her for her birthday. Never go to hear what it name though”
 
“Inky.” Renee said. “I named him Inky.”

“I see, good name.” Jacob said, and took a swig. “Well then.. Renee… you over it?”

“Not even close,” Renee replied with a smile. “But I got my old friends back, and I get to be around people who bother to listen and care again. Gets really easy to forget how much that counts for.”

 “Get beaten down for so long you start, you must be worth it.” Jacob replied.

“Sometimes you’re the problem, and sometimes you’re just discouraged.” Renee said. “And I think noticing the difference is hard, because it means looking around you. It means taking a look at where you are, and examining and judging the people you call friends and family.”

“And it means expecting the one girl made a damn good choice, when she decided to call her Uncle Nick her dad.” Jacob replied. “Because that man will do more for you in hour, that your blood father will ever do for in his entire life.”

“I … but my siblings—” Renee said.

“To the forgotten 11th layer of hell with your siblings!” Jacob replied. “They're still out there trying to win you back over acting Mike did nothing wrong! Acting like people just up and leave for no reason! Now I know you pulled in here to help me,”

“We can also just set up a tab,” Renee said. “I don’t think Jacob Charliham will be paying anytime soon, but we still could—” She jumps a bit as Jacob slammed his mug down. 

“For you to be Mike’s daughter and know that, show more concern and care for people that man will ever give to others!”  Jacob said. “I don't know what happened, and I don’t need to! Moving over here? Was the best that ever came to be in this town in over 35 years and…” Jacob nearly fell, as Renee caught him.

“Daddy still talks about you, ya know?” Renee replied as she helped him up the stairs. “And he always says I remind you of him. You show at the worst possible times with the best things to say, and that is why he walks with the confidence that he does. Like it or not the people you and him are to help make sure the people don't get too discouraged.”

“Do you like it that way lady?’ Jacob replied, clearly tired.

“No, but I'll keep doing it anyway.” Renee said.