Rabbit Hole Carnival: The Brother

“So you wanted something, bro?” Renee asked as Adam walked out to the back. “We’ll be fine, Daddy!” She waved.

“I wished you’d stop doing that.” Adam said, as he closed the door.

“Do what?” Renee asked. “Treat the one person who ever bothered to treat me like family like family?” She took a swig. “What do you even care anymore? You got out before I did.”

“Still content to up and bail out with him, ey?”Adam asked.

“Yeah.” Renee answered. “Why would that have changed? Or are you just back here to see if the resolve weakened again? Little early this year don’t ya think?”

“Was it worth it?” Adam asked.

“I’m here, aren’t I?” Renee said. “You want a drink?”

“You have a new one?” Adam replied. 

“I do, indeed” Renee left her drink on the table out, and brought a new one. “Here.”

“What bred this one up?” Adam asked.

“Bit of a mix between. My favorite and Daddy’s favorite” Renee replied, as Adam stared at her “It’s not going away, Adam.”

“New year, but not a new you, then?” Adam asked.

“You know that never works just as well as I do.” Renee said. “So you minus well just drink it.”

“Still not going back then.” Adam said, as he took a swig

“I still don’t understand why you do.” Renee replied.

“You don’t think it's owed to them?” Adam asked.

“Until when, Adam?” Renee asked back. “Just fix everything they never even bother to fix until the day they die?” She took a swig herself. “You wanna condemn yourself to that, far be it from me to stop you. Me? I stepped away a long time ago.”

“Can I say what’s always bugged me about that?” Adam asked. 

“Sure.” Renee replied. “Not like it’s changing my mind.”

“Yet they always try to change your mind.” Adam said.

“Assuming that’s the question.” Renee replied. “I think it embarrasses them. Renee Shem did end up making a name for herself. And I’m not exactly unclear on where I stand with my family.”

“Despite running with their blood.” Adam said.

“Blood only goes far, Adam,” Renee said. “You finished your drink, so I think it's time you go.”

“Drove here.” Adam replied. 

“Fair enough.” Renee answered.

Adam waited a few minutes. “They do miss you, ya know?”

You either believe that, or you’re still the dumbass I always knew for bring it up.” Renee said, as she took another swig “Either way the answer is no.”

“But a lot of them have changed a little, it might go differently now.” Adam said.

“I don’t care anymore much like a certain someone who has decided to join us.” Renee replied, as finished off her drink.

“Go get two gobble bobbles?” Nick asked, and Renee walked back inside. “Why do you do this to her?”

“Why do you do THIS to her?” Adam replied.

“She can leave at any time, Adam, and you know that as well as I do.” Nick answered. “She made her choice, and I would think you of all people would be happy with that.”

“So what I can’t think she made the wrong choice?” Adam asked.

“You two could keep it down, ya know?” Renee said, walking back in with the drink. “Still caught bits and pieces.”

“Renee they—” Adam started

“No, Adam. Just no.” Renee relied. “You really still think he’s what's keeping me here? It’s not exactly the first time I figured out how to run off! Now leave!”

“He normally waits till February.” Nick replied, as he took a swig.

“He’s been getting more impatient every year. I guess last year just got to him.” Renee replied, as she took a swig like that. “Don’t let him get you like that.”

“You… you really can leave whenever.” Nick said.

“I know.” Renee stood firm, and replied back. “I just don’t want to.”