Rabbit Hole Carnival: Give Out

“What are you two doing out here?” Nick asked, staring at a homeless father and his child with his umbrella.

“Why is this door open?!” Renee asked. “Daddy?!” She paused. Staring at the same scene Nick saw. “Inside.” Renee pointed. “ALL of you.”

“The chocolate is on the second shelves—” Nick said as locked the door.

“Second shelves in the non-alchocolic pantry which is on the left. I know. I know.” Renee replied. “We have 3 signs! The next time you are around you come in here, and you ask for coco” Renee stormed off behind the bar.

“Did we do something wrong?” The little girl asked.

“Greg the name.” Greg said, tugging his hat “This here is Abby.”

“I suppose it is only natural not to take our sigh seriously, but do make a point to next time. I’m Nick. She is Renee.” Nick said.

“One coco,” Renee said, and setting it down “and one coco with a few extra marshmallows, and a bit of extra whip cream.”

“Why though?” Abby asked.

“Do you not like whip cream?” Renee asked. “I can make another if you—”

“But I’m wrong.” Abby said

“If I may?” Greg said. “ My ex-wife, she.. Well she only wanted sons and got quite a few daughters. Abby here is our 3rd, and just couldn’t handle it anymore. And I left with Abby shortly after our other two did. But I couldn’t just leave her there alone, Even if it did mean causing her some pain.” 

“Speaking as a daughter who should have left way sooner than she did.” Renee replied. “ You made the right call. Abby dear? May I show you something?”

“O…o…okay.” Abby replied. “Can I have the hot coco first?”

“Well it’s best when hot isn’t it?” Renee said, with a smile.

---
“What is her story then?” Greg asked. “What she did want to show”

“I’m not sure, probably whatever she keeps in that drawer never opens” Nick replied. “... don’t look at me like that. I’m her uncle first, and even if I wasn’t That girl been through enough. She is more than entitled to a few secrets"

“Aren’t we all” Greg replied.
---
“You can not tell anyone about this, okay you have to promise.” Renee said as she set Abby down.
“Why not?” Abby asked, as she sat on Renee’s bed.

Renee leaned in and whispered. “There are secrets in this note. Curses so powerful that if they get out the sun is going to extinguish itself. I’m trusting you because I think you're pure hearted enough.” Renee said. “But if you ever said a word of it the tooth fairy will eat you!”

Both girls giggled. “I promise.” Abby said.

“Okay then.” Renee said, and dug through a cabinet full of letters. “This one.”

Abby sat and read in Renee’s lap as she read it “Why do you have this? And it's not a curse, don't lie to me!”

“I thought it would make it easier, hun. I’m sorry.” Renee replied. “I keep it, and read it sometimes to remind me of why I’m not going back.”

“Your mother was poop!” Abby said.

“As was your, so let both try to be better then.” Renee replied.