Rabbit Hole Carnival: Wants and Needs

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

“Oh, I can come back.” The young female replied.

“No it’s fine, just let me put some stuff back.” Renee replied. “We normally use the time to clean and organize a little, Sunday evenings and all.”

The bell rang again. “Sorry.” another young female replied. “The sign said open, I’ll—”

“Daddy!” Renee said. “We have two customers!”

“The carts in the closet!” Nick replied. “I’m going to bed!”

“Okay, good night!” Renee replied, turned around. “You two look over the menu. I’ll be with you in a moment.”

“Umm… Rita, right?” Rose asked. “From church?”

“Oh, yeah. I thought you looked familiar.” Rita replied sitting next to Rose. “But then I thought ‘No, Rose’s parent would kill her if she even set foot in a place like this.’”

“They still might, so don’t say anything.” Rose said, and both girls giggled before quickly turning away from each other.

“So uh… quiet the prayer from your dad everything alright at home?” Rita asked.

“Not really.” Rose replied. “I think it’ll be alright though just as long as they don’t realize—” Rose covered her own mouth.

“Realize what?” Renee asked. “Oh, and Welcome to the Rabbit Hole Carnival, Rita. What drink will be your festival?”

“You say that every time?” Rose Asked.

“Yep.” Renee replied. “Unless a big crowd comes in, or just a group of people all at once. One time per the door opening.”

“I’ll probably be here for a bit. I’ll take a few rounds of Fruit Roulette.” Rita said.

“Citrus Earth.” Rose said.

“Coming right up.” Renee replied, making her way back into the kitchen.

“So, yeah, realize what?” Rita asked again. “It’s not anything bad, right?”

“I don’t think you’d understand.” Rose replied. “Your parents would always love you.”

“Rose,” Rita said. “Whatever it is, I'm sure your parents would come around, or at least someone in your family.”

“I wouldn’t count on that one.” Renee replied before setting both drinks down.

“Yeah I suppose I should’ve thought where we are before I said that.” Rita said with an awkward smile.

“Wait, what do you mean?” Rose asked.

“Seriously, Rose?” Rita asked. “The den of the Red Betrayer. Filled with the mugs of gluttony and those who serve them. The circus of…uhh… something or other.” she finished with a dismissive wave.

“Oh you girls are from the Shepherd's Compass Church, huh?” Renee asked. “Good to hear they’re giving us free advertising.”

“We were.” Rita replied. “My family is thinking of leaving. They keep saying not to blame myself but…”
“Why would it be your fault?” Renee asked. “Oh, hold that thought.” She grabbed Rita’s glass and brought her a new one.

Rita took a big swig. “My dad said he may want to follow the lord, but he needs his daughter to be happy.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rose replied.

“That he doesn’t want anything to do with a place that can’t accept I’m a lesbian.” Rita said.

“Sounds like a smart idea to me.” Renee said. “Not sure what the problem is.”

“It feels like I’m forcing them to abandon something important to them.” Rita said.

Renee glanced over to Rose. “So Rose… What was it you didn't want your parents to realize?”

 “I… I um… they might have found some indications of a non-straight girl… being in my bedroom.”