Rabbit Hole Carnival: Reasons

“That’s not available right now.” Nick replied. 

“Why not?” Samantha asked, looking a bit dejected.

“Limited supplies right.” Mason asked. “Could we perhaps simply pay a bit more?”

“I don’t mean to deprive a new birthday girl or something, and we’ll gladly serve tomorrow, but she’s not working right now.”

The bell rang, as Renee and Cel walked in. “Hey! We ended running a bit sorry ran a bit long sorry. Anything I can help with?” Renee asked.

“I don’t suppose one of you makes the Shocking Apples here?” Samantha asked. “It didn’t sound like you were out of supplies, and… I really wanted one.”

“I do make them, and restocked, yesterday. Can I get the older gentlemen anything?” Renee said. 
“Hmm…” Mason said. “A Memento.”

“And a Citrus Earth for you I suppose?” Renee poke Cel.

“Certainly not gonna say no.” Cel Replied, and sat down. “Sorry to keep her a little long, but neither of us knew you needed a Shocking Apple.”

“Daaaadddy” Renee shouted. “Could you come pick one of these mugs up?”

“One moment ladies, and gentlemen.” Nick walked behind the bar, and both came out serving drinks.
“Okay so then why couldn’t you have made it?” Samantha asked. “She must have taught you.”

“He refuses to learn.” Renee replied. “All the other drinks he can make just fine, but he wants to keep that one special.”

“So that's why the little asterisk is here.” Mason said.

“And I don’t work here, and agree with Nick honestly.” Cel replied.

“Then… who makes it when you’re gone.” Samantha asked.

“No one.” Renee said. “There’s an old journal that can teach him how to, if and when it’s needed. But for right now he’s very insistent on keeping it as mine.”

“Good, because it tastes amazing.” Samantha said.

“There’s a journal?” Nick asked.

“Page 122 in that safety deposit box you two have” Cel said. “She showed it to me once. The journal, not the drink recipe.”

“It’s the old book I left with you.” Renee replied. “There’s that and a few other stories of mine in there. Haven’t found the need to write in it for a while.”

“You left it with him?” Samantha asked.

“It was better than leaving it with her actual dad, who would often read it all the time.” Nick said. “There are more than a few notes that say to keep it safe. Never did open it, but it was around my house quite a few times.”

“Could I get a refill?” Samantha asked. “And a little details about this story.”

“Why didn’t you leave Inky with me?” Nick asked.

“Because I needed Inky, and Mike can’t just read through his thoughts.” Renee said. “So I brought it over, and found who knows how many reasons to just forget to bring it back.” Renee grab the empty mug, and brought it back behind the bar.

“It’s not your fault, Nick.” Cel said. “They rarely ever tell their parents when they should.”
“But him,know him, and should have seen it more.” Nick replied.

“But she said it was fine, every single time that she walked in as a mess. And with that usual long sleeve blouse and jeans.” Cel replied. “Which her teachers also just ignored, but she always talked about you.”

“You and Adam.” Replied as she walked back, And served a drink.
“Adam?” Mason replied.

“Her older brother.” Cel said. “Who couldn’t have been more intolerable, but her Uncle? She never once was as bright as a sun when she had just got back from her uncle’s house. And there was always a Reason.”

“Were they the reasons you tried searching for me here?” Renee asked.

“No. Cel replied. “But the name Renee Shem was the reason, I was so glad to hear it again.”