Chapter 5
The easiest way to find Dean would be to call him. But Cas goes to the town instead- doesn't call, doesn't go to the bunker. Dean's running out of heart beats- they last a century, but a century is so short.
Cas sits at the diner with Becky. She stares at him. He thinks about complimenting her book again, but he only read the ending. And even Becky might realize it if they discussed it more.
The waitress brings over his bacon cheeseburger- "you want pie sweetie- or is it only your boyfriend who likes pie?"
Cas clears his throat- awkward- and groughly says, "no."
"Oh," she says, "I'm sorry- I didn't know you too had-"
"No- I don't want pie- Dean is- fine."
"Right..." she says, staring a little bit too long, and then walks away.
Becky stares more, "perhaps you could call him-" she opens her eyes wider, "he really thinks you died?" she asks for the 18th time since Cas accidentally let that slip in the car-
"Not died- went to the empty-"
"So like, super died. In like- mega hell? And- you're going to let him continue to think that?"
"It's- complicated-"
"He thinks you died..."
"- yes- well," Cas clears his throat, "I hadn't figured out the after part."
"The after part?"
"The hand holding- emotions- talking about things. Mostly, I just- left- when things got complicated. I popped out-"
"The after part- it's just- it's just not popping out, you know that right?"
"Right- but- I don't know how to do that."
"It starts by calling."
Cas puts his hands on the table, folds them on each other, switches them, switches them back. His burger is getting cold. He has water, he takes a sip-
"I could call him for you- I don't have to tell him, but, Cas- you know that you know that you have to tell him you're back. Whatever he says- isn't it better to know? The telling- that's important, but the listening, that's just as important. And then- whatever comes, you just don't pop out. That's it. It's not more complicated."
"Would you?"
"Would I call?"
"Yes."