"You and Mommy are mad at each other again," D.J. said quietly as Dean rubbed his back.

"Yeah…" Dean rubbed the back of his neck as he tried to think of something to say but couldn't. "It's a mess…I'm sorry you had to see and hear that."

"I want to see your shop soon."

"You will."

"M-mommy doesn't want to see it, does she?"

"She'll see it when she ready to."

"Why does Mommy not want me to play with my friend? I was having a lot of fun."

"She's concerned about you, but I keep telling her that you'll be just fine."

"I guess I bumped my head too many times."

"You didn't." Dean kissed the top of D.J.'s head and continued rubbing his back. "I'll allow you to go back outside and play with your friend again."

"But what about Mommy?"

"I usually don't tell you this but ignore her this one time."

Before the night was over, Renee continued to fuss about Dean letting D.J. back outside but Dean tuned her out as he brushed his teeth and headed into bed. Renee scoffed and finally fell asleep herself, purposely yanking some of the covers off Dean but Dean had brought a spare blanket as he knew she would do just that. He rolled over in bed with a huge grin on his face as he went to sleep.


Destinee saw her father making breakfast in the morning as she went into the kitchen and took out a carton of orange juice.

"Eggs over easy like you like them?" Dean asked.

"Yup." Destinee sat down at the table and waited patiently for her father to make her a plate of food. "You and Mom okay?"

"I suppose."

"Is she even supportive of you opening your shop?"

"Not at the moment no. She'll come around eventually."

"Okie dokie. I see D.J. stayed outside all day long yesterday. Mom was fuming so much that she cleaned the entire garage for some reason."

"She was low key trashing my work station in retaliation for letting him play outside. I love her still but I'm happy she went to work early."

"Is Mom made because you don't have any money or something? Is she worried you might not open up the shop? Because quite frankly, I believe you can open the shop up. And you'll be closer to home AND I can help out after school."

Dean made Destinee's plate and took it over to her then sat down at the table across from her.

"Thanks, kiddo."

"You're welcome. What time do you think your brother will awake?"

"Maybe soon. Where's his plate?"

"He told me to let him make his own plate so I cooked his food and he's gonna get it off the stove."

"Good idea." Destinee took a few bites of her food then looked at her father. "Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think Mom is overprotective of D.J. because…I don't know…she thinks he gets picked on at school? Or like…does she think D.J. is always in la la land and doesn't understand what's going on sometimes? And because he stutters?"

"Probably all three. I keep telling her that D.J. is fully aware of what goes on around him and he's not a stupid boy. He's very smart and can understand everything around him. He's going to injure himself, he's going to get dirt in his shoes, eyes, teeth, ears, everywhere man! He's growing up."

"No one picks on him at school and he gets along fine with everyone there. He even gets along with the opossum that sometimes comes by the trash can."

"I'm sorry…an opossum?"

"Yeah. D.J. and his friends sometimes feed it food. They call it Mack."

"The hell…"

"D.J. is one very special kid and I'm happy he's my brother. I haven't heard my little sister crying."

"She's still asleep but I have her food ready too because the last time I didn't she wouldn't stop babbling at me and spitting up everywhere."

"Oh yeah, I remember that." Destinee chuckled and ate a bite of her bacon.

"But this opossum though…like…I never knew D.J. had a damn pet opossum…we have Blue! He's somewhere…" Dean felt a paw nudge his toe and looked under the table to see Blue staring right back at him. "Hey, how was I supposed to know you were under here? And no, D.J. isn't bringing that opossum here."

"I just think Mom is overreacting for nothing and I honestly don't like it when you guys fight."

"I try not to. I just wanted her to support me in my new endeavor and she really thinks I'm out here blowing my money. I worked hard to save my money and you guys will be well taken care of."

"We'll be okay as long as you let me play with the tools inside of the shop."

"Under my supervision of course."

"Course."

D.J. slowly made his way into the kitchen holding his teddy bear and yawning loudly. Dean went over to pick him up and gave him a kiss on his cheek then smiled at him.

"Did you sleep well, little man?"

D.J. nodded slowly then looked around.

"Where's my food?" he asked in a monotone voice.

"Coming right on up."

"Thanks. And can I have some coffee?"

"Of course you can. Destinee, do you want some coffee?"

"Sure thing! But I thought Mom said we weren't allowed to have coffee?"

"Mom isn't here and I'm the one cooking you breakfast so you can eat and drink whatever you want. I don't know why your mother wants to override everything I say and act like if I want to allow you guys to do something harmless it's a damn problem. You guys are just her kids you're also my damn kids too!"

Dean had to catch himself before he continued to rant and sat D.J. down on the counter then proceeded to make him a plate.

"You're right, Daddy. We're your damn kids, too! Also, thank you for letting me p-p-play outside with my friends. I had a lot of f-fun!"

"Good. I'm quite glad to hear that," Dean said. "Today, you guys get to visit my shop."

"WOOHOO!" D.J. said.

Soon, everyone heard Daisy begin to cry out from her room.

"And of course, she can too," Dean said as handed D.J. his plate and left to go get Daisy when he heard her start to cry.


Later on that night, Renee thought about now mean she had been to her husband and actually felt bad for what she had done. As much as Dean had faith in her the least she could've done was give him the support that he needed in regards to opening up his shop. Not only that, but she had made a complete fool out of herself when she had overacted to D.J. playing outside with his friend. When she laid next to him in the bed, she quickly rolled over to apologize; luckily for her Dean hadn't cut his light off yet so he was able to see the sincere look on her face when she was about to say sorry. However, Dean stopped her and held onto her hand then looked her in her eyes.

"Renee, I know what you're gonna say and I'm gonna tell you that have forgiven you."

Renee smiled and hissed Dean on the cheek.

"Thank you," she said.