Rabbit Hole: Return

Nicholas stepped in between the scene and caught the slap as it came. “That’s quite enough… Mikey.”

“Not satisfied with simply taking our daughter from us, Nicholas?” Jill replied.

“There will be no hitting in my bar.” Nick replied. “Circumstances be damned.”

“Why are you here anyways?” Renee mumbled, as she took their newest customer to the bar table.

“To bring you home.” Jill answered. “Mike is here to say he is sorry, and we can—”

“Shut up.” Renee replied, as she pushed the customer toward Nick.

“Sweetheart, I know I wasn’t at my best that night,” Mike replied. “But—”

“Shut. Up.” Renee replied, again. “And get out. I’m not going back there. Not now. Not ever. You had your chance. You both had your chance, and still you two are here to make me clean up the mess!” Renee stomped her left boot.

Nick grabbed Renee’s right shoulder. “Go attend to our customer, dear”

“Yes, daddy,” Renee glared at her actual dad as she spoke.

“So that’s it?” Mike asked. “You think it’s that simple?”

“She’s not gonna forget that night, Mike,” Nick replied. “Nor am I. And if you want her back you’re gonna have to do something our parents said to never do.”

“You would think it’s that simple.” Mike replied. “You’ve never changed.”

“Neither do you,” Nick replied.
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Renee brought the customer out to the balcony. “So they took on another one”

“I guess.” Charles replied. “A Charles from an orphanian. Do they always do that?”

“Oh, very much so,” Renee replied. “Even among their own blood.”

 “I was just hoping I’d find the perfect family.” Charlie said.

“That doesn’t happen for us,” Renee replied. “We’re here to change the world.”

“And what if I don‘t wanna get saddled with changing the world?” Charles asked.

“I didn’t either. Renee replied. “But here we are, Charlie. So take what comes, and carry on, and take a swig”

“Charles! We’re going!” Jill replied

“That’s your queue,” Renee said. “Say yes, sir he likes that. March over there,”

“Yes, sir!” Charlie replied. As marched his way inside.

“Good luck, Charlie.” Renee said softly. “You’ll need it with him”

Renee waited another 10 minutes before stepping back in “they’re gone?”

“They’re gone.” Nick replied. “Didn’t even ask about you”

“Yeah that’s just like them.” Renee said as the door opened. “Welcome to the Rabbit Hole Carnival.”

“What drink will be your festival?” Nick replied.