Rabbit Hole Carnival: Family

“You get the parents.” Renee said as she grabbed Nick’s arm, and let's go. “Hey, Kiddo!” She motioned the younger looking male forward. “Come with me a sec?”

“My apologies for him.” A father said, as Nick walked up. “He’s never really fit in.”

“We weren’t sure what to do so..” the mother replied.

---Renee’s viewpoint---
“So they brought you here.” Renee replied, after listening to the story. “That one little bar where all the lost and misfits go.”

“Yeah, cuz that’s all they got left.” The kid replied. “Some random couple of bartenders.” the kid grumbled

“You’re being a little harsh. Don’t you think?” Renee asked. “I’d understand if they were your regular parents but…”

---Nick’s viewpoint---
“I’d understand if he was a normal child, but these sort of things take time. It took Renee over a decade to really view this as a safe place.”

“Wait, she's not your daughter?” The mother replied, as Nick shook his head.

“A fact that’s been coming up a lot lately. Or maybe I’m only just noticing that it does, but no she is, technically, my brother's” Nick replied.

“Well how did you get her to open up to you like that?” The father asked.

---Renee’s viewpoint---
“He didn’t.” Renee replied to the kid. “I had to step out of my comfort zone and just admit that something was wrong, and my parents still hate me for it.”

“But… They aren’t wrong.” the kid replied. “I would have loved to come here with my real family.”

“Do they care for you?” Renee asked.

“What!?” The kid asked. “What did you just say?”

“Do. they. care. for. You?” Renee asked, slowly and unphased. “Do they support you, and talk about you? Praise you unprompted?”

“Of course they do! Why wouldn’t they?!”

---Nick’s viewpoint---

“Her’s didn't,” Nick replied.

“What but she—” the father began.

“Has such an amazing spark.” Nick completed. “I almost can’t help, but to leave it to the plans she’s made these days.”

“Wonder where she got that from.” The mother giggled. “You talked about her being non-binary?”

---Renee’s viewpoint---
“Which you’re not, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need some special care.” Renee replied. “You’ve been through a lot from the sounds of it, but you’ve got two people out there who actually care for once. And yes I know it's hard to believe people actually do that, I know first hand actually.” She continued. “But don’t be like me, don’t make my mistake.”

“But what if they don’t?” The kid asked. “What if it crumbles like everything else?”

Renee stepped a bit forward, and wiped off some tears. “Then why did they bring you here?”

---Nick’s viewpoint---
“You care for him enough to bring him to a place he always wanted to see.” Nick said, as Renee brought the kid back in. “Whether he ever loves you or not.” The kid hugged both parents, as Nick spoke

“Sometimes all they need is just to know.” Renee finished, as she side hugged Nick. “That they’re finally home.”