Rabbit Hole Carnival: Mess in Dress

“Just trust me she needs to hear from you, right now.” Renee said. 

Nick walked out there with trust in his niece, and tipped of his hat as a mumbling girl sat across the counter from him. “Something I can help with, miss?”

“What do you know?!” Sarah replied. “ Every other man I knew was an idiot in the end.”
“Did every man you know trust his niece?” Nick asked.

“Not that I know of.” Sarah replied, wiping her tears. “Why?”

“Why don't we start a drink first?” Nick said. “Renee can make it if you like.”

“That’s… okay.” Sarah said. “You can make it. I’ll take… a Homesick.”

“Very well” Nick whipped one up behind the counter. “Anything else?”

“Don’t suppose you got any answers to why he won’t love me back there” Sarah said. 

“Wouldn’t have much luck.” Nick said. “But in my experience. Men of that caliber rarely actually focus on the good around. If you like a refill?” 

“You’re closing. I don’t wanna impose, but some girl talk tomorrow?”

“That’ll be 11 dollars extra.” Nick replied. What time?”

“2pm? If that’s okay?” Sarah asked.

“That’s within our hour, isn’t it?” Nick said. “I’ll let her know”

“Yeah, well let her know have a question for her” Sarah said

---
“Welcome to the Rabbit Hole, Sarah. Same drink as the last?” Renee asked

“No I… I think I’ll have a Shocking Apple this time” Sarah said. “I wanna see what all the fuss is about.”

Renee walked into the backroom without any question. Mixed up her famous apple cider, and came back with it placed down. “Anything else?”

“He um… He said, "You're his niece?" Sarah said. “Would have figured you were his daughter. Just taking over the family business, and you know.”

“Well, if it is not ours and ours alone at this point I'm gonna have some questions.” Renee giggled. “But no, I’m just an abused niece for the moment. You? Got dumped it sounds like?”

“I loved him… I just wanted him to show he wanted me back. Was that so hard? Was it so worth to be with some head cheerleader… again.” Sarah said.

“Don’t act like we’re the same.” Renee replied. “A few flowers, a few laughs, and just about every girl you can see is head over heels for some brute that sweeps her up in her arms. Even I'm a sucker for it.”

Sarah burst out laughing. “I suppose, yeah. You’re uncle seems like he takes good care of you though. You know anyone like him, but about 20 years younger?”

Both girls giggled, and Renee refilled Sarah’s drink after. They talk about their shared interests. What they really wanted out of a mate. Renee being the bartender refill drink after drink. Until a bell rang as the door swung open. “Oh wow,  didn't mean to take so much time.” Sarah said.

“Neither did I. Hey, Andy… You know… we were just talking about you, actually” Renee replied.

“Could at least get my usual first” Andy asked, and sat down. “You ladies are impossible sometimes.”
“You men aren’t far off.” Sarah said. “Rough night?”

“One more Shocking Apple, and one Autumn’s Anchor.” Renee said. “You two anything else I’ll be in the back.”

Both were about to ask why as she walked away, and then talk. It wasn’t long before they barely remembered their drinks existed. Walking out Sarah giggled as Andy remembered to pay the tab. Insisting she would make it up to him by paying for their next date.