The park was empty. Not a surprise since it was barely nine o'clock in the morning. Most kids were in school at this time. John preferred it when parks were empty. Sammy could bury his army men in the sand or climb all over the jungle gym while he drank his coffee without having to watch all the mothers with their children.
November made it three years since Mary's death. He wasn't any closer to figuring out what happened to her or why. She oughta be sitting here, not me. His fingers curled around the styrofoam coffee cup. She oughta be the one stopping Sammy from hunting for bugs. Pushing him on the swings. Going to pickup Dean from school.
Sammy didn't understand he had a mother. How could he? He was six months old when she died. He didn't have any memories of Mary. Not like Dean did. He missed out on all those special moments his brother got to have with Mary. The PB&J for dinner because the oven 'sploded. The warm apple pies just because. The hugs and the kisses goodnight.
The styrofoam split and warm coffee leaked over his fingers. John stifled a curse and tossed the cup into a trash can next to the bench he sat on. He pulled a napkin from the bag their breakfast came in and wiped the coffee from his fingers.
"Daddy?"
He glanced at Sam. "Yeah, Sammy?"
"Can we get a puppy?"
John couldn't stop the wistful smile that curved his lips. Kid's his age wanted puppies or new bikes for Christmas. Course, those kids had a home for those sorts of things. They weren't living in a dingy motel since staying at the Roadhouse was no longer an option. Because I screwed up.
"No," he told him as he swallowed his guilt. "I'm afraid we can't."
"Why?" His lower lip jutted out and quivered just enough to make John feel slimier than mud. "Why can't we get a puppy?"
"The motel doesn't allow puppies."
Sam's expression fell. John felt like an utter asshole. All his boy wanted was what any boy his age wanted. And I can't give it to him. However, his youngest surprised him when his face brightened a second later.
"Can we get a lizard?"
John couldn't help but chuckle. Leave it to his youngest to figure out a possible solution to a perceived problem.
"We'll see," was all he said.
For Sammy, it was enough.
A/N: Hello, all! Hope this finds you well!
I want to again thank Sharzdah and Kathy for their reviews! Your support and kind words are greatly appreciated!