The time in Michigan was routine and unremarkable for the older Winchester men so much so that it wouldn't even register in the furthest recesses of their mind. Saying nothing even remotely exciting happened in this one-horse town was a wild understatement. Life here was mundane although Sam was creating ordinary yet very memorable experiences for himself. Around this time is when Sam decided that normal was the goal. Normal was what one was meant to achieve. True, it wasn't the ideal location. It was always cold and outside of a small grocery store, a one-story library, and a roadside diner there was nothing around. Kids went to school, spent time goofing off, and then went home to do regular kid things. Sam though was basking in the familiar humdrum day to day routine his life had become. This time around he wasn't just the new kid. He had friends. He had people to share his time and life with. He had stability. He had a semblance of a normal life. He finally had the things others took for granted. For a moment, he forgot he was the child of a hunter and allowed himself to feel like any other 13-year-old boy. The slow pace helped him feel safe, something he wasn't quite accustomed to.

It had been a pretty uneventful week for the two older hunters. John, between hunting jobs was working at a nearby garage, scrounging up some much-needed cash. Dean on the other hand was keeping himself busy with school and girls. Not that his other two family members ever saw these girls. One single incident shortly before he turned 18 that involved a copious amount of booze, a regretful one-night stand, an unexpected entrance, and a very inquisitive Sam led John to promise leaving his eldest camping outdoors in below zero temperatures if it ever happened again. Dean knowing John wasn't much for idle threats was careful not to bring his liquor or female conquests anywhere near his little brother.

"Nine to five looks good on you old man" Dean quipped as his father walked into the motel room sweaty, greasy, and obviously drained from a long day of work. "Shut it smart guy" John retorted with no bite as he plopped onto the bed, springs sagging and creaking beneath his weight. John laid in silence before asking "Where's your brother off to now?" as he rested his eyes for a minute.

Dean didn't look up when the fleeting yet nagging notion of "you never ask where I've been" crossed his mind. He pushed that thought away quickly and although brief it was a feeling that would nag him for years to come. It was strange, he wasn't jealous of his younger brother by any stretch. He didn't want his dad questioning his every move, wondering who he'd been with, or demanding he comply with time constraints. Dean just wanted someone to notice him also. Regardless how wild his antics had become John only seemed to notice when Sam was involved.

Like most kids, each teen wondered if their dad had a favorite and used every argument, disagreement, or even well-earned punishment as proof that they weren't it. Each thought the other was the favorite when nothing was further from the truth. The kids were treated differently but they were both loved with everything John had. Anyone who is a parent knows, kids are different and require different things. John couldn't imagine micromanaging Deans every move when he had been caring for his younger brother since he was four. He depended on Dean, so he was treated more like a partner in raising Sam. An equal in some respects if you will. He also couldn't imagine leaving Sam out of his sight when the kid couldn't follow an order if his life depended on it, and it often did. Besides, he had learned that the yellow eyed demon was initially after Sam and although he wouldn't share that with the boys, he was determined to keep his youngest under a watchful eye.

"At the library" Dean said looking up from the 45 pistol he was reassembling. "'bout to grab him and some dinner now" he added as he put together the final pieces and pulled back the slide for a final check. John opened up one eye to glance at Dean then said, "he sure is spending a lot of time at the library these days". Dean stood up then shrugged, a crooked smile creeping across his face as he said, "you know Sammy dad, no matter how hard I try, he prefers books to skin mags." John couldn't help the toothy grin as he chuckled "don't you go corrupting Sam with that nonsense. We have enough trouble from him." Dean laughed at his dads halfhearted warning "you know I wouldn't do that dad" he then said truthfully. John playfully flung an empty can of pop that had sat on the nightstand at Dean "Better not" he said. "Alright. I promise" Dean said laughing and as he reached the door then added "let me go get the little miscreant now". John was still chuckling as Dean closed the door behind him.

For fun, the teens who weren't warmly nestled indoors spent their afternoons in a dilapidated park with plentiful trees that laid bare from the wintery frost. The playground, if you could call it that was a small patch of land a stone throw from the library in the center of town. Looking around, you wouldn't find a single blade of grass due to the frigid weather. The area was littered with what was once jungle gym equipment; a broken swing only recognizable because of the pendulous chains hanging from metal bars, monkey bars with more missing rods than still intact, and a still functional slide that had seen better days although in good shape by comparison. Unbeknownst to John and Dean, this is where Sam spent his afternoon.

Sam didn't like to lie. He was generally a pretty honest kid. Sure, he omitted the truth here and bent a lie there for the greater good which usually meant pulling his ass out of a sling. But flat out lying though was not his thing. Especially not to Dean. Since Sam trusted his big brother with his life, he never lied to him. Never. Besides, Dean made a trusted ally for wild shenanigans. Dean would always take him to places his dad wouldn't allow and would cover for him if need be. Sam would gladly admit that Dean was a great brother. This was different though. Dean had already turned down his proposal. Molly the petite green-eyed brunette who shared most of his classes, spent most of her afternoons at the park with the other unsupervised teenagers. And she invited him. It was something that could maybe be attributed to puppy love, hormones, or general teenaged angst happened, Sam saw no other choice but lying. Like most other boys his age, led by an influx of testosterone and bad judgement he would have done anything to see his love interest. Sam saw no other option. He flat out lied. He hated to admit it but it Felt good doing it too. She was a happy secret. Something special to keep to himself.

With his heart beating wildly Sam stood in front of his father who sat at the small kitchenette table looking through some books, preparing for a hunt as John did not read for fun. Clammy handed, the boy stood there motionless building up the nerve to repeat what he had internally rehearsed. John aware of his son's silent presence looked up questioning which unbelievably made Sam more nervous. To keep his sweaty hands from fidgeting Sam put his hands in his back pocket. "Sir, I know I am still grounded but I have a paper to complete. I need to look through some books." John, eyeing his youngest and registering this new nervous behavior to memory asked "'what's it on". Sam, who had practiced this answer all day replied without missing a beat, "The Technological Advances of Mayan Society". John looked at his youngest son and nodded. Although the young teen looked a bit too eager and nervous for a research paper, John decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. "Alright Sam. Can you walk to the library after school?" he asked. "Yes sir" Sam answered amazed that it had been so easy. "Alright son get ready for bed. I'll tell Dean that he needs to pick you up at 7:00". Sam nodded and quickly walked into the bathroom floored that he had gotten away with it.