Rabbit Hole Carnival: Off Day

“I won’t be in today” Renee said as she stumbled down. “Don’t count on it at least.”

“I can… close down the place at least?” Nick replied. “If you need?”

“I’ll clean up or something.” Renee answered back.

“It’s a bar I’ll give it till noon.” Nick said. “You go do what you need to do”
---
“I figure it’d be here” Cel Replied seeing Renee just curled up near the pond. “Am I allowed to tell them?”

“What would be the point of keeping it secret anymore?” Renee asked, as Cel sat down next to her.

“What was the purpose back then?” Cel asked. “You two used it for like an hour.”

“The only thing I’m getting out of this is Daddy is worried about me.” Renee said.

“So. what? The one person who actually looked after you, for once, is worried about you?” Cel said back. “I get this is a newsflash for you and everything, Renee, but that’s kind of how life is supposed to work.”

“In the movies, maybe” Renee sniffed a little. “The ones I was allowed to watch anyways.”

“What’s up?” Cel asked. “What’s really wrong?”

“I don’t know.” Renee said as she slumped in. “I just don’t wanna work tonight.” Renee looked over as Cel was on her phone making a call.

“Hey Nick?” Yeah she’s fine. And I’m right next to her, but I don’t think she’ll work tonight no matter what I say.” Cel looked towards. “Of course I’ll look after her, she’ll be home by midnight, okay?”

Renee perked up as she heard a phrase. “Wait, what did he just say?”

“Repeat that? Slowly.” Cel Replied. “Oh she remembers, trust me.”

 “What did he say? Renee asked.

Cel hung up. “He said a sail’s blow does not often tell time, but if you get her back before morrow I’ll pay her weight in dimes. Dunno what that means.”

“Bring her back before tomorrow shine, but if she is with you all I don’t really mind” Renee replied. “It’s part of an old nursery rhythm that used to be read to me.”

“Was that what led to a love of the ocean?” Cel asked.

“No, I think it was Jellyfish.” Renee replied. “Or some other weird creature, I don’t even remember anymore.”

“So what’s up then?” Cel Said. “By all accounts you should be alright. Unless you just started the day feeling like poop?”

“Can I not just have one ‘I’m feeling off day?!’” Renee answered back. “One day where it all just comes sinking into me. One day where I just…. Where I just look at everything and.” Renee collapses into Cel and just sniffs.

“Sweetheart, of course you can.” Cel replied. “But that doesn’t mean people don’t worry about you. You would be one of the ones that isn’t used to that though. Let’s get ya home, okay?”

Renee shifted away, and looked up. “Never to home! Never again.”

“To Uncle Nick’s bar, you wingbat.” Cel replied. “Obviously we’re not taking you back to Mike. Who knows what he would do at this point.”

“I do.” Renee replied. “Not the first time I did this.”

“Is that why you’re scared?” Cel asked, and watched Renee nod. “Sweetheart, what would Nick do?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t done this with him before.” Renee replied. “Mike would beat me to the moon and back.”

Cel made a 2nd call as she helped Renee. “Cody meet me at the Rabbit Hole… No she’s not.” Cel Sighs. “I’m bringing her back there. She’s not herself right now, but she shouldn’t be as alone as she is right now… Yes you can bring Alchemy.”

Renee took the phone. “Honestly, I could just use some tea right, so make sure it’s sweat”
---
“I made some apple tea,” Susie said.

“Hey Daddy?” Renee said as sat and drank some tea down. “Why did I use to like that old rhythm?”
“It had something to do with really liking what the Octopus does.” Nick replied. “Don’t really remember the rest of it to be honest with you.”