ELOUISE
1994,
Winter. Another motel, but this time we are in Michigan. It's cold. I hate the cold, I can feel it in my bones.
Five day ago was my birthday. Now I'm 15. But seriously who gives a f***. It's not like it's important.
This room is really cold. The heat don't work. There are only two beds, a tiny dirty bathroom and a table that's seen some better days. No kitchenette, so no home cooked meal; not that I'm complaining.
I'm doing some sit-ups to keep me warm while Sammy is in his bed doing his math homework.
He is such a geek. I never do mine. Why worry about them, anyway? In less than a week we will be out of this city. And I know for a fact that when I turn 16 I'm gonna dropout of school. That's what dad wants, for me to become a real hunter. No school, no homework.
I don't know if that is what I want, but dad needs me on the hunts, so that's what I'm gonna do.
Speaking of hunting. Dad is still away. It's been almost a week. He calls us regularly, letting us know that he's okay. But I have a weird feeling. The last time he called, he sounded like he was hiding something. Something big. Maybe he had found out something about the thing that killed mum. I don't know. He'll let me know when he wants.
Sammy agrees with me, he thinks that there'll be changes. I hope not. Changes in our family are always for the worst.
"Hey Sammy, watcha doing? Aren't you finished yet?"
"I'm doing homework, Dean. You know the things that you have to do too but you are oh so good avoiding."
"B***"
"J***"
Sammy is such smartass sometimes. He and dad haven't gotten along very well lately. They're always arguing and Sammy seems to disagree to every single word that come out of dad's mouth. They're too stubborn to find a middle way. All is black or white. And do you know who the referee between these two is? Yes, me. Who could it be otherwise? We're all we got. Mom's dead, we have no grandparents, no aunts or uncles, except for Uncle Bobby, he is dad's friend, so we are not related, but he is like a second father to me and Sammy.
"Hey Sammy what time is it?"
"It's 9:30, Dean. Why are you asking?"
"Nothing, I was thinking..."
"Oh, be careful not to burn your brain cells!"
"Shut your pie-hole, Sam. But no seriously why dad hasn't call us already? I mean he always call us at 9:00."
Sammy has on his thinking face. He is biting at his cheeks. He is worried too.
"Maybe he is coming home earlier...I don't know man."
"Yeah, maybe... But don't worry Sammy he'll be okay, he's always okay. Do you remember that time in Minnesota, when he was hunting down that black dog and he end up in hospital? We were so damn worried but he got only some stitches and a cast on his arm. So Really no worries. Why don't we watch some TV? Whatcha think? Look! There is The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, better than nothing"
I smile and I ruffle his hair. He hates it when I do this. In fact, now, he gives me his best b*** face. Sometimes I forget that he is only an 11 year old kid.
However, I'm worried sick. I really don't know what to think. Is dad alright? Is he hurt? Is he still alive? Maybe Sammy is wrong and he is in some woods lying in a pool of his own blood, waiting for us to find him...
KNOCK KNOCK
I jump up from the floor and take the rifle that is on my bed.
"Son, are you going to open this damn door or should I knock it down?"
I open the door. Dad was there. He was okay. But what was in his arms? What the...
"Hi dad, you're okay!" Sam says.
Sammy is next to me. He seems relieved.
"Heya Sam, Dean. Yeah I'm okay. Listen boys I have to talk to you about something. It's really important."
I look at Sam.
We knew s*** was gonna happen.
Dad entered and put the thing he was holding on the bed. The thing is moving a little. Weird. Did dad buy us an animal?
"So kids, you know that I am a man, right?"
I am really confused.
"Of course you're a man, dad, it's quite obvious."
Sammy giggles.
"So and you know that even though I loved your mother with all my heart, I have some...physical...needs"
Ok, this is gross and awkward. But mostly gross.
From his face, Sammy agree with me.
Despite the embarrassment, we both nod.
"So, nine months ago, you remember when you were at Bobby's house... yeah I was here, a ghost thing, nothing special, I met this woman, we have...we did...yeah...but I wasn't you know careful...and yeah she got pregnant."
I'm shocked. Dad, sex, a new brother or sister.
What.
The.
F***.
I need a drink. Or maybe twenty.
"She died in childbirth. So now here we are," Dad motions to the thing on the bed.
Sammy and I are speechless.
Whoa, like this is a big news. Sammy must be some kind of clairvoyant or something. He knew something was up.
I look at the bed. The baby is there, lying and probably sleeping. I look at my father again.
"Boy or Girl?"
"What?"
"Is it a Boy or a Girl?"
"Oh, she's a girl"
"When she was born?"
"She was born January 25"
"Like for real?"
"Yes, Dean for real"
"So is she like my birthday present or something?"
I get up from the chair and walk to the bed. She is so small. I was wrong, she is not sleeping, she is wide awake. I take her in my arms. She's got a lot of brown hair on her head, her cheeks are red, maybe from the cold. She has these brown-black eyes that are so pure. She is so tiny and perfect.
"Hey Beauty, how's things? Aren't you a strong one?" I speak to her in a baby voice that I only use for making fun of Sam when he's b***. I look at dad, "I like her, dad. I think we can keep her. "
She just looks at me, and holds my thumb tightly. Sammy is right next to me.
"Dean, let me hold her. I wonna see her."
I carefully put her in Sammy's arms.
"Be careful."
"Dean, she is so small, and cute. She is beautiful. Does she have a name?"
We both look at dad.
"No, not yet...I don't know how to call her... you know it wasn't me who chose your names, so..."
I take her back. Sammy looks at me expectantly.
"Dean, do you have any idea?"
"Mm...I always like Thelma and Louise, maybe we could…"
"Do you wonna call our sister Thelma or Louise? I don't like them Dean! They're lame."
"Screw you, Sammy!"
"DEAN!" Dad scolds.
"Sorry, sir."
"Hey Sammy why don't we call her Eloise? But with the U, you know, so it became Elouise?"
"Yeah I like that, It's weird, when she'll grow up she'll be always like I'm Elouise Winchester, but with the U. It'll be funny!"
"So we are all okay with this? Dad?"
Dad is smiling, it looks weird on him.
"Yeah Dean, we're good"
I look at the tiny human being in my arms. Now she is peaceful asleep.
"Welcome to the family Elouise Winchester."
Best present ever.
