Rabbit Hole Carnival: Scars

The door swings wide open as a disgruntled man walks in, and sits down. “What no quirky little greeting?”

“Time and place.” Renee replied. “Everything except Five Hunters is available, so what will it be?”
Tom looked over the menu. “How sour can make a Homesick before it taste like crap, and don’t—”

“Probably like a 7 out of 10.” Renee said. “Maybe an 8, but that's pushing it. Also, sir, I am professional, and I would like to be treated like one. No matter how bad your day has been.”

Tom slowly started to loudly laugh. “I knew I would like this place. Hit me with the line, Kiddo.”

“Welcome to the Rabbit Hole Carnival.” Renee replied. “What drink will be your festival?”

“The sourest Homesick you can make.” Tom said. “No pushing it.”

Renee giggled, and walked behind the bar. Coming back with a drink. “So? What brings you in?”

“I uh… well…” Tom said.

“Lady troubles?” Renee asked. “I’m not gonna stand here, and pretend we're all angels. Which is not to say I haven't had my fair share of man problems. Maybe we talk about life over a shared drink or two?”

“Is that something you're allowed to do?” Tom asked.

“Whatever it is, yes she is.” Nick replied, as he walked in.

“Hey Daddy will you be—” Renee said.

“No, run the place yourself.” Nick said.

“Election nonsense?” Tom asked.

“Election nonsense.” Renee replied. “He’ll apologize in a bit, and is way better than my actual father who is still trying to rub this victory in my face.”

“Get yourself that drink.” Tom said. “I’ll tell ya mine, if you tell me yours.”

Renee made herself a Shocking Apple, and came just as Nick walked back down the stairs. “Feeling a little better, Daddy.”

“No, but I did realize I took that out on you.” Nick said. “Everything okay down here?”

“More than fine.” Tom replied. “You got yourself a more capable daughter, and every business is going through crap right now. You handle the backend. It'll be fine down here. Ey! I got one myself. A daughter that ain’t actually mine. But does she call her mother, a mom? No. Does she call her father? No. No, she calls me dad, and she’s been shining just as bright as this one ever since.”

“You know, maybe you should stay, daddy.” Renee said. “You could learn a thing or two from that mindset.”

Nick stopped just before the first step. “Then why does being your uncle keep coming up?”

“Wait. wait.” Renee replied. “That’s what all the doubt is about?!” stomping her left boot. “Because other people need to get it through their thick skulls that family isn’t always family, and happen to have a good example! You seriously need to spell it out for you?! Mike. Is. Not. My. Father. The… The daddy that took me in, and actually cared that I was scarred is.”

“I think I count that as telling yours.” Tom said, and did a cheers with Renee.

“Is he gonna be okay?” Renee asked, watching him go into his room.

“Once that gets through thick skull of his.” Tom replied. “How many years it been?”

“Well I was almost 18 when I came here.” Renee said. “And I’m 24 now given the two birthdays, so 6 or so years. Shouldn’t that be long enough?”

“You’d think it would be.” Tom said. “But here I am going yet another girl who would’ve just dug more scars in, because that scarred little girl of mine deserves more than this.”

Renee sighed. “Well, do you get it now?”

“No.” Tom replied, as he got up. “But I do think it’s about time that both of these pseudo dads listen to their daughters.” With that Tom left.

Renee flipped the sign to close as he left, and marched upstairs. “Daddy! We need to talk!”