Rabbit Hole Carnival: Jojo

“I put him in my bed” Nick said, as he walked back down the stairs. “I’ll take the couch, and you’ll be way better off in your own bed.”

“It’s not like I saw much more than you did.” Renee said. “Really I can handle it if—”

“Sweetheart,” Nick replied. “This is far from the first case of someone being rough up stumbling into this bar, and I doubt it will be the last. I  didn’t think another case would be so soon after you, but that can hardly be helped.”

“Imma go get, Inky.” Renee replied, getting up. “Could you get us those two drinks?”

“You really ready to tell me the story?” Nick asked. “You don’t have to.”

“Yes, I do.” Renee said. “Sooner or later this story is coming out, and I can’t think of a better time or place than when it is already bubbling up anyways.”

Nick put a Shocking Apple on one side of the table, and made himself a Planted Beanstock. Renee came down in some pajamas, and holding Inky just as he finished. “Where did that nickname come from, anyways?”

“Joshua was always the class clown. He spent most of his time trying to make the classroom laugh.” Renee said. “Even back when I tutored him for a bit he would always be ready with a joke.”

“Wait, you tutored him?” Nick asked. “I was led to believe he never struggled in class despite his attitudes.”

 “He didn't,” Renee replied. “I think that’s why we got along. He always got bored. Knew how to ace his test long before our weekly sessions. I’d usually take 5, maybe 10 minutes, making sure he was actually keeping up, and we just hung out for the other 50 or so minutes. Sometimes he was acting out, because he didn’t understand something. Sometimes I’d picked up stuff from him, honestly.”

“And everyone around just let you do this?” Nick asked. “Both your sets of parents? the teachers? They all just let this happen?”

“We both got As, Bs at worst. If that took letting us hang out in some quiet little alcove a couple blocks away from the local park, at least it was working.” Renee said. “I assume anyways.”

“But he hates you now, so what happened?” Nick continued. “And why did you still walk him here?”

“I walked him here, because he was drunk off his ass on the street, and kept bumping into everything. To the point he is as beat up as he is.” Renee replied. “And if he is gonna get that plastered, I’d still rather he do that somewhere at least a little safe. As for why he hates me… I’m still not convinced it’s me he hates.”

“Meaning?” Nick asked, as he took a big swig of beer. Both heard a loud crash.

“Go check on him. I’ll get us refilled.” Renee said, and both did so.

“Good lord, that lad had to go.” Nick said as walked back down. “Honestly, I'm just glad none of it is on my floor.”

“Jojo came from one of the poorest families I’ve ever seen.” Renee continued. “There was an endless resurfacing rumor that I was paying him off just to keep him close to me and be my friend. Since I was always weird, and depressed, self-isolating and all that.”

“And then you spent a fair bit of your summer here,” Nick nodded. “Your mood’s been improving ever since.”

“Which concerned the teachers, and did nothing to quell the student body, and finally I had just had enough of it.” Renee replied. “So I did my school “Society as a whole” fair project on what it was like living with Mike versus what it was like living with you.”

“Is that what that trophy you brought home was for?” Nick asked.

“They LOVED it” Renee chuckled. “The judges, the teachers, and even a lot of classmates actually… That last part was surprising. But it did some of what I expected, a lot of students just couldn’t even stand that the display was there. And then Jojo came up in a suit to see what all the fuss was about, he still won’t tell me how his family got the kind of money his has. But I could tell there was a spark of hatred the moment he saw me  standing there. I even remember taking a step back. And it’s just never been the same ever since.”

“You gave up everything he thought he wanted, and came out happier.” Nick said. “And all the while he’s still miserable.”

Renee Yawns. “I’ve got one last thing to do tonight. I’ll be in bed soon.
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Joshua walked downstairs holding his head. He took the drink left on the bar, and took a massive swig before he opened the letter next to it.

Still hoping I get to meet Jojo again. Try to have a better night tonight, Joshua.
-Your close mentor and friend, Renee