2.1.10

first: cup of coffee

He'd been up late. Taking care of Sammy – checking homework, making dinner, putting him to bed – plus tidying up and doing research for Dad took longer than he'd planned. He abandoned his own homework after startling awake a third time.

He set his alarm ahead to finish his math and history – couldn't afford the school calling while Dad was away. Starting the coffee out of sleepy habit, he decided to give it a try when it finished brewing. Hot, bitter, but his eyelids weren't quite so heavy. Two cups later, Dean was ready for whatever the day threw at him.

2.2.10

first: freedom-envy

He watched on with envy as the boys, a few years older than Sam himself, unlocked their bicycles from the rack and walked them out to the edge of the elementary school courtyard. As each boy hopped on his own set of wheels and waved goodbye to the others, each of them zipping off in different directions, Sam watched and imagined. Owning his own bike, being able to ride his own bike with such grace and speed – it symbolized a sort of freedom to the eight-year-old. A happy freedom he knew he would ever be able to have.

2.3.10

first: bottle of beer

He'd had stronger – twice. Dad had stitched him back together and told him to take a few swigs of Jack for the pain. But this was different – this was just Dean and Dad and a job well done.

He didn't even have to ask. Dad just looked over and offered like he knew what Dean was thinking – probably did. They sat on the back porch in near-silence, just the sounds of dogs snoring, and watched the sun come up while Bobby and Sam slept. It was just Dean and Dad and the warmth of winning to fight another day.

2.4.10

first: time the baby kicked

She asked the doctor, the nurse, the other women in the waiting area what it would feel like. After all, she knew something was going on inside there – maybe the baby had already been kicking and she just didn't realize. Each time, each person said the same thing: you'll know when it happens. But, no one could describe how it would feel.

And now she knew why. It was indescribable, yet unmistakable. The feeling of movement in her belly, the pushes and pokes so different from external jabs, yet somewhat similar. It was real... and beyond anything she could imagine.