Chapter 5

Dean rolled over in bed and saw the sun was already up. He lay there for a moment and realized this was the first night that he had gotten a good night's sleep. He had never really slept that good while in the group home. He stretched his arms above his head and drew in a deep breath before throwing back the covers and getting up. He went across the hall to the bathroom and used it before putting on clothes and heading for the kitchen.

George and Beverly were in the breakfast nook sipping on coffee and reading the paper.

"Hello, Dean," Beverly greeted him happily. "Did you sleep okay? I know being in a new place can sometimes be unsettling."

Dean just shrugged and gave the start of a smile but didn't say anything to her.

"Would you like some oatmeal for breakfast? I have some fresh fruit to go in it and a nice cold glass of milk."

Dean nodded yes as he felt his stomach growl just thinking of the food. He had plenty to eat last night for supper, but it had been a long time since he was able to eat tasty food and as much as he wanted. The group home was on a budget and cut corners where it could, so the food was not always that great.

"You can do whatever you like today, Dean. We're going to give you a few days to settle in before you will need start doing chores. I'm going to be in the barn working this morning if you want to join me. I'll show you how to change the oil in a couple of engines."

Dean looked interested and shook his head yes as Beverly sat a bowl of oatmeal in front of him with a small bowl of fruit. He watched George leave the house for the barn and thought he might join him. Dean put the fruit in the oatmeal and stirred it before eating it. He sipped on his milk in between bites of oatmeal, thinking it tasted great. When he was done, he took his bowl to the sink and rinsed it.

"You can put it in the dishwasher, Dean. Thanks," Beverly told him. "You're such a smart boy."

Dean shyly looked up at her before dropping his gaze and going outside. He stopped on the deck and looked around trying to decide his next move. He had never really had free time like this to himself and wasn't sure what to do. Dean was drawn to the barn because he wanted to see what George did. He wandered toward the open barn door and stepped inside. Moses trotted over to meet him, and Dean petted him and wandered toward the workbench and over to George.

"Hey Dean, wanna help me change the oil in this lawn mower?" George asked him when he saw him standing nearby.

Dean stepped closer and watched George turn the lawn mower on its side and loosen a bolt. He handed Dean the breaker bar and stepped to the side. Dean looked at the tool and down at the bottom of the lawn mower. This was something that interested him.

"Alright now, go ahead and loosen the bolt the rest of the way. Oil is going to drain from the engine into the pan I sat there. We'll have to turn the mower over so it can finish draining and then you can put the plug back and we'll put fresh oil in the case."

Dean took the breaker bar and did as George told him and jerked when the dark, dirty oil spilled from the hole and into the oil pan. He wrinkled his nose when the oil dripped on his fingers and took the rag George offered him. He stood back so George could move the mower to let the remaining oil drain before tilting it back on its side. Dean wiped the hole and took the plug to replace it, being careful to screw it in slowly. He tightened it as tight as he could and handed the bar to George to finish tightening it. Once the mower was upright, George gave him a funnel and a bottle of oil to fill it.

"Only put half of the bottle in Dean. You can see a gauge on the side to measure by."

Dean looked at the bottle and saw a clear strip where you could see the amount of oil inside. He inserted the funnel into the opening and tilted the bottle to let oil stream out. He would stop and check the bottle until he had the right amount and stopped, looking to George.

"That's very good Dean. I'll make a mechanic out of you yet," George praised him. "I see you don't mind getting your hands dirty either."

Dean shrugged and held his hands out for George to squirt some hand cleaner into his palm. He watched him rub them good and the wipe them on a rag. He did the same and thought it felt funny, squeezing the goop between his fingers before wiping them on a rag.

"Why don't you run outside and play until lunchtime? Just don't go too far," George suggested wanting Dean to know he was free to run around and be a kid. He hoped to make him comfortable where he would let his guard down and maybe talk to them. He had seen several traumatized kids, but he could already tell Dean was a tough one that wouldn't give his trust easily.

spn

Moses pranced around Dean as he walked toward the beginning of the forest. He wanted to go back to the stream and see the tadpoles. He stepped into the forest feeling the temperature drop once he was under the branches of the trees. He headed the way George had taken him and stepped back into the sunlight at the stream. Moses went down to the edge of the water and drank his fill before flopping down on the ground as Dean walked up and down the bank looking for the tadpoles again.

He didn't have to walk far before finding the black mass at the edge of the water. They wiggled and squirmed around trying to hide under each other or the small stones that lay around them. Dean watched them for a while before standing and walking down the bank of the stream to a rock so he could sit down and listen to the flow of the water. It was calming and peaceful here and it made him feel good. He forgot about all his worries and fears and just communed with nature. Time passed by quickly and before he knew it, a voice called to him from the forest breaking his trance.

"Dean!" a male voice called loudly. "Lunch is ready!"

Moses barked and pranced back and forth recognizing the voice as Dean scooted from the rock and hurried back the way he came. He met George who had walked a short distance into the woods to look for him. Dean wasn't sure if George would be mad at him for being gone for so long and tensed ready for a tongue lashing when he found George waiting for him in the woods.

"I figured you went down to the stream. It's a nice place to go and think, isn't it?" George commented as they headed back toward the house. He didn't show any signs of anger or being upset with Dean, and he let out the breath he was holding.

Dean walked behind him down a narrow trail being sure to keep his distance in case he needed to run. He didn't feel any bad vibes from George or Beverly and hoped this would be a good place for him.

"Why don't you go wash up and I'll have lunch on the table," Beverly told Dean as they came in the backdoor.

Dean nodded his understanding and headed for the bathroom to do as he was told. He came back with clean hands and sat down at the table. Beverly was putting sandwiches thick with deli meat, potato salad, and a slice of apple pie for dessert.

"Eat all you want Dean," George told him as he took a sandwich and helping of potato salad. He spooned out some for Dean and Beverly gave him a sandwich.

Dean picked up half the sandwich and took a bite, savoring the flavors that exploded in his mouth. He sighed and closed his eyes thinking this was the best he had tasted. He couldn't wait to try the pie as the smell drifted to his nose. Pie was always his favorite dessert, and his Mom would make them several times a week before…He shook his head to rid his mind of those memories that made him sad and focused on the present. His mind wouldn't let him dredge up those memories. After his first bite of pie, his eyes got wide for a moment as he enjoyed the flavors of the pie. He stood and faced Beverly before speaking softly.

"Thank you, ma'am," Dean whispered just loud enough for her to hear.

"You are so welcome Dean, and please, call me Bev. I am glad you enjoyed the food. It's nice to cook for someone other than ourselves. If there's anything you don't like, you'll have to let me know." Beverly looked to George and smiled knowing this was a big step for Dean.

"I've got to run into town this afternoon," George said. "Is there anything you need Dean?"

Dean shook his head no and took his and George's dirty dishes to the sink to rinse and put in the dishwasher. He helped Beverly clean the kitchen and looked around for a moment trying to decide what to do.

"There are some interesting books in your room Dean if you'd like to read one," Beverly told him when she saw him pondering what to do.

Dean nodded and headed to his bedroom to look at the rows of book on the bookcase and picked one out. He headed out to the front porch and sat down on the swing so he could read. Beverly joined him with a magazine and sat in a rocker to read. They sat quietly as a warm breeze blew across the yard keeping them cool.

Dean was engrossed in the book and didn't see Beverly get up and go back inside. He stayed on the porch reading until George came back from town. Dean went out to help him carry the bags inside and to the kitchen. He didn't mind helping and doing chores, it made him feel useful and that he was pulling his weight.

A/N: Dean is starting to like his foster family and his new home. Thanks for taking this journey with me. We are going to see some familiar faces soon with a huge twist, but first, we learn more about Dean's life. Reviews/Comments would be great. NC