Rabbit Hole Carrival: Shell

“Would you  at least come out and eat!?” Nicholas shouted. It first time in a while he shouted, then again it was the first time in a while he needed too.

“They will when we leave, daddy” Renee replied, as she walked up to their dumpster. “They always do.”

“Then why don’t they now?” Nick asked.

“Why did it take me so long to come to you?” Renee said, and stated it proudly before dumping a bit of food out in their dumpster.

“No one walks through this world alone, my dear. Sooner or later we all lean on something.” Nick said.

“Pick something with a bone next time” Renee replied.

“What?” Nick turned to her.

“So you know,” Renee replied. “That they ate. I always bring a chicken wing, it.. Helps me feel a bit more assured.”

“When did you get that smart?” Nick asked. 

“When I started learning.” Renee replied, with a chipper tone.

“So they aren’t gonna come out?” Nick asked.

“I don’t think so” Renee replied, as she poured a bit more on to the plate. “They like to blame themselves. It's a pride thing I think.”

“You got over it.” Nick scoffed as he started to walk away.

“No, I didn’t.” Renee replied following Nicholoas. Nick stopped for a moment, and turned his head back.

“But you came here, and I,” Nick bowed his head. “I thought I was doing good.”

“You are doing great.” Renee replied. “I should have come here way sooner. But that's just it, we don’t. We never do. We haunt ourselves. We see ourselves as the least possible we could be. And it takes a lot, for people like us. To be, well to be like me.”

“And what exactly are you Renee?” Nick asked. “What exactly did I do?”

“Daddy” Renee said, and wiped the tear from Nick’s cheek. “More than you could ever understand.”

“Try me.” Nick replied. “I wanna know, and don’t you dare not stomp your left foot.”

“That’s. Just. it.” Renee stomped her left foot on every word. “You notice that! You paid attention. You let me dress like this! in all black!” 

“It’s an outfit you like. Never did see what was wrong with it, anyways.” Nick replied. “I agree with you, personally.”

“You never tell me if you didn’t. You’re there. I… you’re just there. And for those of us that need to break a shell. That’s enough. I wish my real dad was.”

“Your real father is… quite a piece of work. Someone had to pick up the slack.” Nick said, as started to walk back to the bar again. “Why have I never heard this before?”

“Pride.” Renee replied. Envy? I don’t know. Take your pick. It's a struggle every day to remind myself I'm worth something these days. To carry myself like I do.”

“Well, you carry yourself better than most ever would.” Nick replied. “And for whatever it is worth, better than your father ever would.”

Two people walked into that bar the next morning.

“Welcome to the Rabbit Hole Carnival” Nick said.

“What drink will be your festival!?” Renee say making a bit of a show. Chipper as she has ever been.