Rabbit Hole Carnival: Third Times the Charm

“How is she doing?” Nick asked.

“As wonderfully as you said she would.” Joseph replied.

Renee perked up, and then went right back to her work. “Daddy, can make your drink.”

“You called me here for this?” Cel said. “This always helps her. Another new drink idea, perhaps?”

“You know I hate sharing that information, but no.” Renee replied. “If you must know I was writing thoughts down about Simon.”

 “Simon?” Cel asked. “Who is he? What about him?” Cel sat down.

“He was a big hulking guy who almost took me to Mike's place.” Renee replied. “I was terrified when I saw that note, and well like you said this always helps me calm down.

“One Shocking Apple” Cel said.

“Cel, I’m fine.” Renee replied.

“No, you’re not now, go make me that drink.” Cel said.

They argued for a bit but eventually Renee got up, and made the drink. “Knew I needed to call you.” Nick replied.

“She still gets like this, huh?” Cel replied. “Insistent that she can handle this on her own.”

“A little bit.” Nick said. “She’s gotten a lot better.”

“I can tell.” Cel said. “I said one"

“This one is for me.” Renee replied, as she sniffed. “Because I can’t get that moment out of my head.”

“Sweetheart, tell me the story?” Cel said.

“Some kids beat me up until I was knocked. I woke up in this big guy’s arms” Renee said. “He was gonna take me back to…” Renee slammed her head on the table and cried. “I was so scared.”

“She doesn’t tell me this sort of stuff.” Nick said. “And it worries me when she gets like this, because what if she breaks down, and walks back to that place feeling like that is what she deserves.”

“That’s not happening!” Renee shouted. “Not now! Not ever!”

“Now that I believe.” Cel replied. “I honestly think she’d die homeless before going back there.

“You’ll have found me long before I did that.” Renee said. “And then dragged back to Nick’s long before I did.”

“Good.” Nick replied. “But we should be heading to the backrooms, Cel.”

“Oh?” Cel said. “What for? Whoa” Cel was pulled into the supply room minutes before the door opened.”

“So what did you want?” Renee asked, as she took a swig “Some kind of drink? I can make one.”

“He minus will come out” Mike replied. “I know he’s here.”

“He’s upstairs by now.” Renee said, as she took another swig. “I’d be screaming if you actually tried to drag me back there.”

“That plan was worked out months in advance, and I hate—” Mike began.

“Hate wasting money, I know I know.” Renee replied. “Honestly? You’ve come a long way, so I guess Charlie is doing better than I thought he would. Maybe mom actually is too.”

“You think all that, but you’re still here?” Mike asked. “It's just a little confusing.”

“You’ve always do this, Mike.” Renee replied. “You make some big scheme, it backfires, you say you’re sorry, and then you just crumble all over again. You want a drink before I say the rest of this?”

“Make me a Homesick.” Mike said.

“That’s like you too.” Renee replied, but made it anyway. “You wanna improve, or at least do me a favor? Don’t come back. Just leave me alone for literally ever, if you can manage that”

“Sweetheart, you’re family.” Mike replied.

“You had a weird way of showing it.” Renee said. “Look, at this point I don’t care if you’re sorry. I barely care if you improved, and don’t trust it to last longer than a few weeks top. I know one thing and that’s—” Renee caught the slap as it came towards her.

“I think it’s time you leave, Mike.” Nick replied, as he walked out. “You got the answer you came for.”

“You lied to me.” Mike said, as he glared at Renee.

“So did you.” Renee said. “Now leave.”