Chapter Seven

For the next couple of weeks, Dean was home schooled; goes to the hospital for his therapy; then to William and Emily's house and to art class on Saturday afternoons.

One morning, when Jo was reading a magazine in the family room, Dean entered, asking, "Um Jo, if it's not a bother, can I please watch tv?"

"Sure. Do you know how to use the remote?"

"Yeah, thanks," responded Dean, who immediately retrieved his journal and a pen. He was totally glued to a cooking show with Emeril Lagasse and taking detailed notes, making Jo feel good. Half way through the show at commercial, she asked him if he wants a milkshake and he nodded no.

While Jo was in the kitchen cleaning the blender, Dean passed her on his way out to the pool area. "So, how did the lamb roast turn out?"

Dean quietly replied, "I don't know. It's uh, a stupid show anyway."

Jo walked back to the family room, where Adam was now flipping the channels on the television. "Adam, what did you do to Dean?"

"Nothing'."

"Dean was watching that show, so why didn't you let him finish?"

"He said he didn't care how it ended."

"Seriously Adam, use your head!" She huffed, "Dean was taking notes, so what does that tell you?"

"I'm sorry."

"Adam, you're being selfish and you have to remember that Dean was never allowed to have a television, phone or friends. Sometimes, he even didn't have a roof over his head. He was denied food, clothing and freedom. He would never say no to anyone, especially you. Jo briefly paused when she saw tears building in her brother's eyes. "He never watches television or use his phone or computer, because he doesn't want to waste money on electricity, batteries or other stuff that we take for granted."

"Jo, I'm really, really, really sorry." Adam sorrowfully pleaded, "How can I make it up to him?"

Jo hugged her little brother, "Well first, lets TiVo that show, so Dean could see the ending. Next, show some interest in stuff he likes and watch it with him. Finally, even if he says things like- I'm okay/ doesn't matter/ whatever. He's not good with it, so just be aware."

"I will…I promise."

Dean talked all the time about his new friends at the community center. There was Jean-Pierre is the director; Jamie, another artist, who also loved classic rock and Jamie's brother, Matt, the male model who works at Target. Dean hung out at Jamie's house a lot mostly listening to vinyl's, while Sam was very jealous of Jamie, but never told Dean.

One Saturday afternoon, Dean came home looking for Sam, who was out at the mall with Ellen, Jess and Jo. Bobby and Adam were watching college basketball and asked Dean to join them, so he put down his sketchpad on the coffee table.

"Is that what you were working on today?" Adam asked, pointing to it.

"Yeah, some of it."

"Can I look?"

"Sure, but some of it is not done yet. And I got big, big news that I'm going to share during dinner too. It's freakin' awesome!" Dean paused, "Sorry, but I just can't wait to tell you guys."

Bobby and Adam were going through the sketchpad, when suddenly Bobby pushed Adam aside and jumped up. "What the hell is this? You are drawing naked people! What kind of porn crap is going down there?"

Being caught off guard by Bobby's frightening tone, Dean answers softly. "Uh Sir…its nudes…The Study of the Nude Human Body."

"Son, don't play stupid with me!"

"Sir, I'm not." Dean truthfully stated, despite being considered a pervert.

"You are banned from that pornographic class and no more tainted drawings! Damnit Dean, Adam saw this perverted crap. Have some respect, will ya." Bobby tossed the sketchpad to Dean, who quietly went upstairs.

Four hours later, Sam, Jo, Ellen and Jess arrived home. Ellen asked Adam why Dean hasn't started dinner and tears started to run slowly down his little cheeks. Adam began to tell her how Dean drew bad, perverted pictures and that Bobby yelled at him. Ellen ordered pizza, while Jo took Adam upstairs to clean his face.

Sam knocked on Dean's door several times until he heard, "Go away!" But Sam kept knocking anyway. Dean opened it, "I said go away!"

"No Dean! I heard what happened and I'm sorry." Dean then locked himself into his bathroom, while Sam tried to get him to open it…but nothing.

Several weeks went by with the air still tensed from Bobby and Dean's refusal to speak to one another. Finally Ellen asked what could be done to make Dean happy and he explained to them that Jamie and Matt are moving away in a few weeks and wants them to come over for dinner. And to show Jamie the house because of its architectural features as Ellen happily agreed.

"Great. I'll make Mexican food, because its Jamie's favorite." Sam frowned while Dean was planning the menu with Ellen.

Three days later, Dean was putting the final touches on the Mexican dinner, when Sam turned to Jo and Ellen, quietly saying, "I can't believe he's going all out for this Jamie…she must be really hot."

Jo smiled, "Sam, I think Jamie's a boy."

"No, I think Jamie's a girl too," Ellen stated.

All look confused, so Bobby walked over with Adam. "What's the matter with you three?"

Sam whispered, "Dad, Adam, do you think Jamie is a girl or boy?"

Adam and Bobby answered at the same time. "Boy." "Girl."

"What?" Bobby looked down at Adam, "Did you say boy?"

"Yeah, Dad." Adam replied. "Why did you say girl?"

"Because, Jamie's a freakin' girl, right?"

"Uh, oh." Adam replied with a grinning smirk.

Dean walked in, "What's the matter?"

Ellen smiled, "Nothing, uh, need our help?"

"Yeah, could you just watch everything, while I wrap Jamie's present?"

Trying to be a sneaky detective, Bobby inquired, "So, what did you get Jamie?"

"I found an old Woodstock poster and a 45 of Johnny Cash at a yard sale."

Bobby cursed himself as Dean went upstairs.

"Well, that didn't help to identify Jamie's sex?" Sam declared.

"Thanks for pointing that out, Sam…you're a damn genius!" Bobby barked as the timer went off.

The doorbell rang as Dean was coming down the stairs, making him yell, "I got it!"

Nervously, the Singer family entered the foyer and heard Dean. "Hi. Welcome, come on in. Bobby, Ellen, Sam, Jo and Adam these are my friends." He paused and pointed, "This is Jamie, his brother Matt and their mother Nancy."

Bobby looked at Ellen, who looked at Sam, who looked at Jo, who looked at Adam. All have relieved smiles on their faces. Ellen walked towards Jamie, who was about the same height she was with light brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. Ellen smile got bigger, because Jamie has Down-Syndrome and for some reason that made her very happy.

"Hi Jamie, it is nice to finally meet you." Ellen stated as she put her hand out to shake, but Jamie's right hand had his sketchpad bag, so he put out his left. Ellen slightly giggled and switched hands. Dean came in between them, "C'mon in and let me show you around. Can I please take Jamie and Matt up to my room now? I promise to leave the door open."

Bobby and Ellen looked at each other, noticing how young and innocent Dean appeared to them right now. "Sure sweetie, we'll take Nancy into the dining room, so don't be too long."

Nancy sat down with the entire Singer family. "You have a lovely home."

"Thanks. Ellen found it for us eighteen years ago."

Nancy chuckled, "I have to say, you are not what I had pictured."

"What?" Ellen asked, looking confused.

"It's just…I thought you would be meaner looking, you know like Cruella DeVille and Hannibal Lecter." Nancy replied, "Sorry, that was rude."

"Why do you think that?" Ellen questioned.

"Well Ellen, you guys told Dean that he couldn't sketch and go to class anymore. And it was so important to him to go, you know, to the banquet and I think he's still a little sad about it."

Still confused, Ellen asked, "What are you talking about Nancy?"

"Dean said that he couldn't sketch anymore because it was too pornographic, so when he won the award, but then had to cancel. I think he still is a little upset, because he wanted to surprise you all with the trip."

"Nancy what award? What banquet? What trip?" Bobby growled. "Just tell us already!"

"Dean won a trip to the Willshire Award Ceremony and won the main award for his sketching of The Study of the Nude Human Body. The Governor threw a black tie banquet at the Governor's Mansion for all the winners and their families. He was so excited and couldn't wait to tell you." She paused, laughing, "He kept telling me to drive faster after I had picked them all up at class that afternoon. I guess Stevie Wonder performed, Emeril Lagasse made the meal and Buzz Aldrin and Leonardo DiCaprio handed out the awards. You guys knew, right?"

Ellen grabbed Sam and Jo's hands.

Shocked, Nancy fiercely apologized.

Ellen looked at her, "No Nancy, we are the ones who are sorry. I wish he would have told us this and we are very proud."

Bobby cleared his throat, "I'm the one who messed this up. That day I blew up at him, he wanted to tell big news that he was going to share during dinner. Balls! I'm an asshole! That poor kid, I treated him the same way Winchester would. He'll never forgive me."

Jamie came running in, "Mama, mama, look what Dean gave me!"

"Those are cool." Nancy replied, looking at the items. "Did you tell Dean thank you?"

"Sure did!"

Dean glanced at everyone, "Is there something wrong?"

Bobby stood right in front of him, "Son, I blew it! You won that award and should have been at the banquet to pick it up. I will try to make up to you someday, but for now, I'm very sorry."

Dean had a confused look on his face, "Okay."

"No son, I'm very sorry."

"Dude, its forgotten. It's just a stupid plague. I have others and will probably get more. I'll just have to get a bigger closet then." Dean chuckled, but stopped when no one else was laughing.

Jo sadly looked at him, "Your plaque is in the closet?"

"Son, we need to put that in the trophy case!"

"Huh…have you guys been smoking something?"

"No Dean! We just found out, we are sorry and we love you." Sam cried.

"Jeez Sammy, lighten up. It's fine." Dean comically remarked, "Man this family is cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs."

"Dean stop making jokes, this is serious. And it's Sam."

"Okay, okay. You guys got me by the balls. I'll give you the damn plaque, but first we eat this amazing Mexican meal that I created."

Dean walked out of the dining room and returned with delicious smelling food that he was pushing in a service cart saying something, then started to laugh hysterically.

However, no one understood what he had said. Sam glanced around at everyone, "Dean, I think you spoke in Spanish, French and Latin at the same time, so it didn't make sense. What are you trying to say?"

"Oh sorry, I thought I said it in Spanish only. I said, here comes the tacos, here comes the tamales, and then there they go down the toiley." Dean laughed again as everyone rolled their eyes, shaking their heads.

"Dude, that didn't make any sense at all."

"Awe Sammy, you just don't get toilet jokes," Dean snorted. Then Adam started giggling, "Toiley."

When the amazing meal was finished, Dean handed Bobby his plaque where he placed it right in the middle of the trophy case. Everyone said their goodbyes and it ended up being a great night…until one of the toilets overflowed.