John watched Dean through the split in the ratty curtains covering the window. There wasn't any hesitation on Dean's part as he read to Sammy. He didn't stutter. He didn't stumble over any of the words. He read to his brother in a clear, strong voice.
"Dean is seriously challenged."
Rage pulsed beneath his skin as those words came back to taunthim. What right did that harpy have to call Dean seriously challenged? There wasn't a damn thing wrong with his boy. Well,he amended as he pulled the hotel key from his pocket. There's nothing wrong with him in the intelligence department.
He wasn't a complete dumb ass, though. He knew Dean had problems. He just didn't know how to fix them. He unlocked the hotel door and went inside.
"Daddy!" Sammy bounced off the bed and raced over to clamp himself to one of his legs. "You're back!"
"Yeah, Sammy, I am."
He ruffled his hair and looked at Dean. His expression was closed up tighter than an oil drum. It didn't take many guesses about why. Guilt mixed with the anger burning in his belly. His temper often got the better of him. Made him say shit he didn't mean. Many of the fights between him and Mary happened because he popped off at the mouth before his brain had a chance to process the situation.
He knew he came down hard on Dean for things. Criticized him for the smallest of mistakes. Much of that was his fault. He drilled into Dean the night Mary died that Sammy was his responsibility. Something Dean took to heart. I didn't have any right to do that to him, he thought he shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it over the back of a chair. But what else can I do? There isn't anyone else I trust with Sammy's life.
"You two eat dinner?"
"No." Dean hunched his shoulders. A defensive posture. "We waited for you to get back."
He's been waiting for me to bust his ass for not doing what that harpy tells him, John realized with a pang. Resolving that would have to wait until later. Once Sammy is asleep, he decided, bending to pick him up. For now, he asked, "What do you boys want to get?"
"Pizza?" Sammy asked, his expression one of hope. "Pease?"
"Sure." He looked again at Dean. "Pizza okay?"
"Yeah."
Guess the talk can't wait, he thought as he set Sammy on the bed before turning to grab the pile of ads and coupons on the nightstand.
"Wanna talk 'bout what's bugging you?"
"No."
Kid's got my stubbornness down to a science, he realized with a grimace. Mary'd tell me it's what I deserve.
"Alright, well, wanna tell me why you're not reading in class? Or doing the other assignments you're asked to do?"
Dean didn't immediately answer. John was about to repeat his question, firmer this time, when he lowered his head, and mumbled a reply.
"Mrs. Crenshaw don't like me." Hot color stained his cheeks. "She calls me stupid in front of the class. Always tells me I'm no good. That I'll never amount to nothin'."
Fresh rage surged inside John. The only thing that kept him from storming back out to the car and driving over to the school was Sammy glued to his leg. He vowed that first thing in the morning he and Mrs. Crenshaw would have another talk.
He had no idea they'd be a state away before morning.
A/N: Hello, all! I hope this finds you well!
I'd like to thank Kathy, Sharzdah, umbrella0326, and PriWinchester for their lovely reviews! Your support is greatly appreciated!