Rabbit Hole Carnival: Proud of Scars

“Welcome to the Rabbit Hole Carnival.” Renee replied, as the bell about the door rang. “What drink will be your festival?”

“Young lady, I do not wish to speak ill of you. Quite the opposite, in fact.” An elderly man replied. “I booked this two weeks ago, and I’m already interested. So why you?”

“Mister. Ant. Omen, yes?” Renee replied.

“Anthony Omen is my name, indeed.” Omen laughed, and as she sat down. “Omen is fine though. My understanding, by which I mean according to my granddaughter, is that a new drink came in at that time, and I may change my order if I wish?”

“That’s slightly incorrect.” Renee replied. “A moment please.” She walked back behind the bar, and came back planting a Memento down. “If you wish to order something else, or a second drink, I make up anything you wish. But the first order is always based on the things you clicked on, and that is what makes your first drink . Whether we have it at the time or not, the drink we feel you need is what we serve. Which we can’t put on the site without sounding like we're scam of a sort. But I told Daddy just let the reviews we have at this point speak for themselves, I mean we never get a negative review unless from obvious trolls.”

“He trusted you, I gather.”  Omen replied. “My daughter said something rather similar. Told this old grandpa that all the negatives read like people who were ‘trolls’ who have never been. And all the 5 stars review like very real people.” Omen took a swig, and closed his eyes to think for a moment.
“That one is new, and I can whip something else up for you.” Renee replied. “We don’t always know what’s best when a new drink comes in.”

“Hmm.. a tempting offer. Would that drink you were thinking of cost me anything?” Omen replied.
“We had your order locked in before we had a new drink, so no.” Renee replied. “That’s why booking is a bit more expensive in the first place we prep the supplies for , and set them aside. But in your case there was only one before Daddy made this one.”

“What was the one before this one then?” Omen asked. “And what exactly locked in to those two if I may ask?”

Renee took the drink, and finished the rest of it. “Do you want the story first, or the mug?” Renee asked. “Or the reasoning?"

“All of the above..” Omen replied. Renee walked back behind the bar, and a newly colored drink in front of him."

“It’s called a Shocking Apple, and Daddy refuses to learn how to make this. Because his niece crash landed into this tavern 4 years ago, and decided she was going to make it. And as far as he concerned it’s been her sever since”

“Did he ever say why?” Omen asked, taking a swig. “Mmm. perfect.”
“Yes, yes he did.” Renee replied. “He feels he was one of the first things I made in a very long time, that was me. ”

“And he is, Daddy?” Omen asked.

“Yes, he is Daddy.” Renee said. “It’s not my fault that my uncle was more of a dad to me then my dad ever was.”

“You’re okay with that?” Omen replied.

“Who is she, really blood wise?” Renee asked.

“I don’t know.” Omen said. “I just picked her up from a homeless shelter.”

“Her specifically?” Renee said. “Correct me if I’m wrong Omen, but there is something about you wanting a son in those files if yours?”

“She picked that up?” Omen replied. “Was that why she was just in the corner that day?”

Renee opened a drawer, and dug through a file. “My understanding is that she is is a bit like me… So if you can, perhaps she could teach just how much that choice meant to me.” Renee put the files away. “And I don’t think I have words for that sort of thing, Omen. But you made a choice that day to pick up someone who needed your help, and from the two say behind the closed doors neither of you regret that choice. Much like I don’t regret the choice I made the night I trusted daddy.”