Anger's heartbreak Ch. 11
When it came time for Sammy's next treatment, Dean's infection was completely gone along with his fever and he was allowed to attend the treatment with his little brother. Sammy was once again taken to floor number two where the dialysis treatments occurred. As the nurse got things together, Dean pulled out a deck of playing cards. He was going to teach his little brother the ins and outs of poker.
"Okay Sammy, it's high time you learned how to play poker" Dean said as the nurse pulled up Sammy's pajama top once again to hook up the machine to the catheter that was inserted into Sammy's stomach. Dean dealt the cards as the nurse started the dialysis flowing through the machine and into the tube.
"First thing you've got to know Sammy, is that you never let the other players know what cards you have in your hand. Next thing you should know is that you always want to make the other player believe that you are holding a winning hand."
Dean then explained "Out of your five cards, you want to hold any pairs that you might have and throw away the others, unless they are the same suit, like five diamonds, or if you have a straight like five numbers in a row."
Dean watched as Sammy checked to see what cards he held in his hand. "Next, you discard the cards that aren't any good and I will give you the same amount to replace them" he said as he watched Sammy put down two of his cards. Dean then gave Sammy two more cards to replace the ones that he had discarded.
"Alright Sammy, now it is time to see who has the winning hand" he said as he placed his card on Sammy's bed face up. "I have three kings, which is a pretty good hand, now show me what you have."
Sammy turned his cards over to show that he had three nines and a pair of sevens. "Wow Sammy, that is what we call a full house. You won little brother." Dean whistled to show his enthusiasm for Sammy's first attempt at playing poker. The brothers continued playing poker with Dean teaching Sammy all about the rules of the game until his treatment was finished and they were allowed to return to Sammy's room.
And so went the next seven days, Sammy going for his treatments and Dean finding inventive ways to keep his brother's mind occupied until the treatments were finally over.
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Dr. Mitchell entered Sammy's room to see both brothers laughing as they watched a comedy on TV. He smiled as he watched the younger brother giggling at a particularly funny moment. It made his heart soar to see the young boy so happy after all that he had been through. Sammy had quickly become one of his favorite patients and he was going to hate to see the boy leave.
Dr. Mitchell cleared his throat to announce his presence in the room. Dean looked over to see the doctor leaning against the door frame dressed in blue jeans and a t-shirt with his lab coat on over it.
"Hey doc, nice to see that you aren't stuffy and formal all the time" he said as he watched the doctor smile.
"Don't tell anybody, but I hate those damned suits they make me wear every so often" he smirked as he winked his eye. 'Where's your dad and Bobby?"
"They went to get a cup of coffee. They should be back shortly, as a matter of fact, there they are now" Dean said as he gestured by pointing behind Jack towards the door.
"Now that I have everybody here, I thought you all might like to hear some good news." Jack stated as he watched the family look at him in anticipation of what he would say next.
"Tomorrow morning, I am going to remove the catheter from Sam's stomach and if everything goes according to plan, Sammy could be released the following day with strict instructions on how to make sure he eats a proper diet until his body is completely healthy once again."
Dean whooped and gave Sammy a high five when he heard the awesome news. "That's fantastic doc. No offence but I am so ready to exit this joint, not that you haven't been wonderful and all, I just hate hospitals."
"No offence taken Dean. Believe me, I'm happy that Sam is doing well enough to be released, though I'll hate to see him go. I'm really going to miss the kid."
Dr. Mitchell then spoke with John and Bobby about the special diet that Sam would need to eat once he was released from the hospital.
"Sammy is going to need to eat foods that are low in potassium and sodium and high in protein for a while. Make sure he stays away from vegetables such as potatoes that are high in potassium. If he feels the need to eat potatoes once in a while, you need to soak them in large amounts of water first for at least four hours. Soaking them over night would be even better. I would also stay away from the fast food restaurants since their foods are high in sodium content. I would also like for Sammy to drink a milk substitute for at least six months since he shouldn't have too many dairy products either." Jack then went on to say, "I know it will be hard for Sammy to adjust to this new diet, but it will be much better for his health. The dietician will give you a list of foods that are safe for Sammy and how much he can have before you leave."
"Don't worry doc, I'll make sure that Sammy eats the right way until he is cleared to eat regular foods once again" John stated as he shook the doctor's hand. "I don't know what we would have done without you. You've been great with Sammy and made things much easier for him. I don't know how to thank you for what you did for my baby boy."
"No thanks needed John" replied the doc. "It was my privilege to get to know such a fine young man." Jack stated before walking out the door.
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After the doc left, Dean decided it was time to get things out in the open about what he planned to do. He looked towards his dad and Bobby with conviction in his eyes and said. "Dad, I've decided that me and Sammy are going to go stay with Bobby for a little while if it is okay with him. I'm sorry, but I just don't trust you yet when it comes to Sammy. I know you can fight me on this since we're still underage, but if you try, I swear I will take Sammy and run the first chance I get and you will never see us again. I need some time dad to learn how to trust you again, to find out that you will put Sammy's needs before your own and not put him down because he doesn't suck it up all the time.
Sammy lay there in awe as he listened to the words his brother was saying. He had never heard anybody stand up to his dad they way that Dean was doing now. He had always known his brother loved him, but know he knew just how deep that love was.
John's head dropped at hearing his son's words. He knew that Dean was still upset with him, but to find out he didn't trust him, especially where Sammy was concerned was heartbreaking and he had nobody to blame but himself. If he was going to rebuild that trust, he would have to give Dean the time he needed because one thing was for sure, he couldn't lose his boys.
When John finally got himself together, he took a deep breath and said, "I understand how you feel Dean and I am going to do everything I can to regain the trust that you and Sammy have lost in me. I just ask that you allow me to come to Bobby's too so I can start rebuilding that trust. If you don't want me there, I'll stay at a motel. I just need to be near you boys, please at least allow me that Dean."
Dean looked over towards Sammy to see him nodding his head that it was okay with him. "Since it's okay with Sammy, then I guess you can come."
"I guess the only thing we need now is for you to say we can stay with you Bobby" Dean said as he looked at Bobby with expectant eyes.
"Hell yes, it's fine. You know you don't even have to ask Dean. You and Sammy can stay for as long as you need to. At least that way we'll know you boys are fine and Sammy will have a safe place to finish healing" Bobby stated firmly. He hoped he would be able to help the Winchesters to mend the rift between them and help them to become a family once again.
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As the day came for Sammy to be released from the hospital, all of his nurses came by to wish him farewell, even the one that he had threatened to bite. They kissed Sammy on the cheek as Dean watched in envy. "Damn, even at thirteen, the kid has got it!" he thought as he watched Sammy blushing from all of the attention.
"You'll learn to love all that female attention someday Sammy" Dean said as he playfully punched his little brother on the shoulder.
"Shut up jerk" Sammy said as he punched Dean back.
"No way bitch" Dean said as he watched John sign the papers signifying that Sammy could finally leave the hospital.
Dean and the others followed the nurse as she escorted Sammy out of the hospital in a wheelchair. Dean then helped Sammy into Bobby's pickup since it had been decided that the boys would ride with Bobby instead of with their dad. Dean knew it had upset John, but he didn't want the ride to be tense for Sammy since he was still pretty weak.
The ride back to Singer Salvage took quite a few hours since Bobby stopped to give Sammy a break from being cooped up in the truck. By the time they had arrived at Bobby's place, Sammy had fallen asleep leaning on his brother's shoulder. Dean eased himself out of the truck and then reached in to pick up Sammy and carry him inside without waking him up. Sammy had lost some weight in the hospital and Dean was easily able to carry the kid to the room that they would be sharing.
As Dean settled Sammy in, John and Bobby went shopping for the foods that was on the list that the dietician had given them prior to leaving the hospital. They were going to make sure that the kid had what he needed to eat, and to make things easier on the youngest Winchester, they would all be eating the same meals as Sammy.
Later that evening, they all settled down to a meal of baked chicken with fresh green beans, rice and a salad. Dean looked kind of sick at the thought of eating such healthy food, but he would do it for Sammy's sake. After they finished eating, everybody retired for the night.
As he lay awake in his bed, John thought about the things he would do to rebuild his relationship with his boys.
TBC What will John do to bond with his children once again?
