Rabbit Hole Carnival: Grandpa

“Ugh.. I’m adding Super Bowl week to my list of hate weeks.” Renee said.

"We're closing! Out!” Nick said, shuffling them out.

“Too busy for an old man are we?” An elderly man replied. “Last I checked, there was about ten minutes.”

Grandpa!” Renee said, hugging him. “It’s been forever.” 

“It took quite a while.” Ted said. “But I still got a few sources, even if only some of them are sons.”

“You have my word. I sent you this address as soon as I got word.” Nick said. “Up until a few weeks ago I wasn’t even aware you were looking.”

“You were always better then, Mike I’m sorry couldn’t be more there for you.” Ted replied. “But thank you for letting me know my granddaughter's actually safe, let’s me know at least one of you came out alright.”

“Wait what… what’s going on?”
----
“Where is she actually Mike?!” Ted asked. “What did you do?”

“Dad, she's up in her room.” Mike replied. “Why are you insisting on this?”

“I have 5 missed calls from the middle of the night, Mike.” Ted replied. “From my granddaughter, and she was always the smart one!” So something happened, and I want to know what!”

“She’ll be back. It’s fine.” Mike said

“YOU TOLD ME SHE UP IN HER ROOM NOW WHAT—” Ted said.
---
“I got hung up afterwards, of course.” Ted replied. “So I got to tracking down some people, who eventually tacked down Nick.”

“What did happen that night, come to think of it.” Nick said.” I mean I’ve never asked for a reason, but you come stumbling in with a bruised cheek at 2am for no reason.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Ted asked.

“Let's close up first.” Renee replied. “Do you want me to make something?”

“Young lady.” Nick said. “The only thing you're making is yourself a Shocking Apple. I'll handle the other drinks tonight, if we’re doing this.”

“Reasoning, Nick.” Ted asked. “For making her make a drink at all I mean.”

“It's the first one I ever made on my own. He’s been refusing to learn how to ever since. He also has one I refuse to make.”

“Go make your drink.”  Grandpa Ted said. “Seems I  have a lot to hear about.” He looked over the menu as he stepped in and ordered a Lantern's Oath. The bar switched in sign to close as he sat down. “Ugh… good to see you like this again.”

“What?” Renee asked, and took a swig of her own drink. “Oh.. yeah I guess it has been a while since I… felt happy. Haven’t even noticed since things have been getting back to normal.”

“So?” Ted asked. “What happened?”
 
“Well,” Renee said. “Mike and I were fighting about… it’s a bit of a blur but I think I was talking about wanting to do a sleepover or something. And packing way too much cause I wasn’t planning on coming back. There was some shelter or something I planned to go to. And then there was a lot of yelling about…”

“Take your time, my dear.” Ted said, noticing Renee was taking a lot of breath. “Slower breathing. Calm yourself. No one is going to make you go back.” Ted took a swig like someone who had talked like that a million times before.

  “I don’t even actually remember I was planning to go.” Renee said. “I was packing, and was going to leave. And I guess Mike noticed, and I told him something along the lines of ‘it’s not like you view me as anything more than a puppet anyways’ And then he slapped me in the face. And I guess I must’ve called you a few times, but you didn’t pick up. So I just kind of stumbled over to here.”

“In the rain.” Nick said. “Came in crying, and I said she could sleep here that night. Only to find her sleeping on the upstairs couch after I had double made sure I locked up.”

“Yeah, and I’ve been sleepy here soundly every night since.” Renee said, proudly.

“Good.” Ted replied.