Choices

Chapter 6 - Pieces of a Puzzle

Bobby let Dean out and pulled off quickly down the road. He checked his rearview to make sure Dean went into the centre, then pulled into the nearest parking lot and reached for his phone.

"Sam? You driving yet?"

"I haven't left yet. Why?"

"I've not got it entirely figured, but Dean has definitely spoken to your Dad."

"How'd you work that out?"

"He told me. He didn't mean to mind, but there you go."

"When?"

Bobby explained about the early morning conversation on the porch.

"I agree it sounds like they've been talking. Dean must have called him. That's the only explanation."

"See I don't know. I just don't think he would have called him just now, it doesn't make sense. Why now? And if he planned and made the call, why would he react so bizarrely? There's more to it, Sam."

"What then?"

"I don't know. You'll have to see if you can get him to let anything slip when you pick him up this afternoon."

"I'm not picking him; he's coming back with you."

"No, he's not, so I think we know when he's seeing your Dad. Have you got time to find his timetable and see what time he's through before you leave the house?"

"I'm already looking. I've got it. 12, he should finish at 12."

"What sessions has he got? One on ones or classes? When is he in class and who with?"

"A mix but he's in class with... um... Rachel at half past ten. Does that help?"

"Yep. I'll call Mark then see if he's there, if he's been skipping out and what special arrangements there are for today. I'll call you at work, let you know what's happening."

"Do you want me to call in sick?"

"You can't go down to the centre if you've called in sick - it's too close, can't risk someone seeing you and you losing your job. Let me see if I can work out what's going on. Maybe we can sort it in your lunch break or something like that."

"Fine, just let me know. Christ! Why now? This is all we need."

"Don't worry. He's not stupid. He'll do the right thing."

"I'm glad you're so confident because judging by the conversations we've had over the last couple of days I'm not. Dad knows how to play, you know that don't you?"

"I do, Sam, don't worry. I have faith in him because I believe I know the choice he'll make when he's pushed."

Sam found that hard to believe. "Yeah, what's that?"

"You, Sam. He'll choose you. That's what it will come down to. I think he's spent the last couple of days trying to sort out a way to get you both. He knows that won't happen, so I believe he'll choose you over your Dad because being 'a good brother' is more ingrained than being 'a good son'."

"What about 'a good soldier'?"

"Well, I suppose we've just got to hope that brother is still more important than that and we've got to be ready to back him up. Sam, if he makes the wrong choice, you still need to be prepared to take him back when your Dad lets him down again. You need to forgive Dean if he gets it wrong. You can't forget how much harder this is for him."

Sam sounds baffled, "What do you mean if he makes the wrong choice? You just said he'd choose me over Dad."

"If your Dad pressures him too much, he might go with him. It's going to be up to you to keep the lines of communication open so he knows he can come back."

"He can't go to him, he can't drive. Dean can't leave town on his own."

"Sam, think about it. The other possibility is that your Dad's already in the area. If he is, you've already said he knows how to screw up Dean's thinking. Face to face will be even harder for Dean to stand his ground whatever he wants. Look, I'll go down to the centre about 12 and see what happens. Let's hope he heads for the town library which is what he said he was going to do. If I see any sign of your Dad or of Dean doing something unexpected, I'll let you know. I'll also see if I can head off any problems."

Sam sighed, "Okay, just let me know, huh! I hope to God that you're wrong and he's not here. Dean doesn't need this screwing up right now! For that matter, nor do we."

"Hopefully, everything will be fine, Sam, just don't worry too much yet. He's often stronger than we give him credit for."

"Not since the accident."

"Believe in him, Sam."