All or Nothing
Chapter 2: The Job
Castiel sighed as he looked across the busy bar. He was waiting for Anna to bring their drinks. It had been two weeks since he had officially moved back to Lawrence. He had yet to find a job, and a place to live. The apartment he had been looking at, had been taken. Things were not looking good for him. He was currently at The Roadhouse, a newer bar that Anna just loved.
"Why the long face Cassie?"
Castiel looked up at Gabriel slid into the seat next to him. Castiel just glared at his brother. He really hated that nickname. It was really rubbing him wrong at the moment.
"So no luck on the job front?" Gabriel asked.
"None, he's too stubborn," Anna said as she shoved Gabriel. He scooted over for her. She handed one of the drinks in her hands over to Castiel.
"Stubborn?" Gabriel asked.
"He got the job at the nursing home, but he refuses to take it," Anna explained.
"Come on Cas, don't be a fool. Take the job while you can, you can always keep looking," Gabriel said.
"Thank you Gabe, that's what I told him," Anna said.
"Sorry, it's just...that was my last ditch effort," Castiel admitted.
"Take it, it's only temporary," Anna urged him.
Castiel sighed and looked down at his drink. He knew what they were saying made sense. He did need a job. His savings weren't going to last forever. He had to do this.
"Why are you so against this job?" Anna asked.
"I just...I was hoping to work in an ER, it's what I know, I've never worked in a nursing home. It's just...it's gonna be so different," Castiel sighed.
"It's ok Cassie, maybe the change of pace will do you good. Besides Grandma Hessie is doing better and will be there soon to finish her recovery," Gabriel replied.
"I went to visit her," Castiel said slowly. "She had no idea who I was."
"Cas," Anna said softly.
"We knew this was coming, but...that doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt," Castiel said shaking his head. "If I can't help her, how am I supposed to help others like her?" He asked.
"Cas," Anna said slowly.
"It's different when it's your family," Gabriel said, "I used to volunteer there. Yes, some of the people there make you love them, and it hurts when they pass, but it's different. Trust me, Cas, take the job. You'll thank me in the long run."
"I guess, I don't really have a choice," Castiel sighed.
"Cas it'll be fine," Anna said.
"I know, I just...I went into emergency medicine, not...this," Castiel sighed.
"You'll find something eventually, this is just a placeholder to get you on your feet again," Gabriel said.
"I know, I'm just being picky, but they are offering me more than some places I've looked," Castiel said.
"You'll love it Cas, I know I did when I worked there," Anna said smiling at him.
-All or Nothing-
Dean pulled up to the all too familiar small blue house, with a red door; and a white picket fence. It was like something out of a fairytale. It had been everything Dean had wanted, once upon a time. Life didn't work like that though. This was his dream house, that he never got.
He parked in the driveway, he was two steps out of the car when the front door burst open. His seven year old son, Ben Braden was running towards him. He smiled and caught the boy in a hug. He looked up to the doorway, where Lisa was standing, a smile on her face.
"He's so excited to spend the weekend with you and Mary," Lisa said walking towards the pair, with Ben's duffel bag and backpack.
"Oh grandma Mary is excited too. I think she was making cookies before I left," Dean said.
"Really?" Ben asked. Dean nodded his head.
"Yeah, she's got a whole weekend planned and we can go visit grandma Dede too," he said.
"Awesome!" Ben cheered as he took his bags from Lisa. He stuffed them in the backseat of the impala.
"Go around and get in, I gotta talk to your mom," he told Ben. He nodded his head and ran around the car.
"Well you boys have fun," She replied. "You'll bring him to school on Monday right?"
"Of course," He said nodding his head. "Do you want me to pick him up too?"
"No I can, I think it's time to tell him about…" She trailed off.
"Charlie?" He asked knowingly.
"I mean I know he knows Charlie, but not us as…" She trailed off nervously again.
"A couple? He will be fine," He said waving a hand at her. "Trust me, as long as you're happy, he's happy."
"I know," She said smiling at him. "Thank you for being here for me and Ben."
"Lisa I will always be here for you, not just because of Ben, but because I like to think we're still friends," He replied with a grin.
"Well you better get going before your mom calls and accuses me of keeping you too long," She said as his phone started ringing.
"Too late," he said pulling his phone out. He answered the phone. "Hey ma, I'm leaving right now. I think Ben wants to talk to you." He opened the car door and handed the phone to Ben, telling him it was Mary. He turned back to Lisa as Ben started chatting away.
"Go, I'll be fine," she said.
"I want a full report on how your weekend with Charlie goes," he said lowly with a wink.
"You're awful, now go," She said blushing.
Dean got into the driver's seat. He looked to Ben, who was holding out his phone. He took the phone, "so what's the verdict. How much trouble am I in?" He asked.
"She not happy, but if you get home before the cookies cool she might forgive you," Ben replied.
"Well what are we waiting for?" Dean asked. He started the car and gave a final wave to Lisa, who was watching them. Ben waved with a big smile as well.
"This weekend is gonna be so much fun," Ben said excitedly.
-All or Nothing-
Castiel watched as his training nurse, Charlie Bradbury, explained things to him. Charlie was a fiery red-headed woman, who got things done. He had been working with her for a two days now. He had taken the job at Golden Living Healthcare Services. It wasn't what he expected, in a good way. The staff was friendly, and the residents were nice, most of them were.
"So, how are you liking the job so far?" Charlie asked.
"It's not what I expected," Castiel replied, "I was in emergency medicine in New York, this is definitely a change of pace for me."
"Good or bad?" Charlie asked.
"To be determined," Castiel replied.
"Well I do hope you stick this out. We've got a great team here and you're a nice addition. We don't get many male nurses," Charlie said.
"I'd imagine, I was the only guy in my class," Castiel said nodding his head.
"Charlie! I'm so glad you're working today."
Castiel turned as a petite blonde girl bounded up to them. She wore colorful scrubs and had her hair up in a messy twist.
"You must be the new guy, I'm Jess," she introduced herself.
"Castiel, but most people just call me Cas," Castiel said shaking her hand, as he noticed her eyeing his name tag.
"Right, so how are you liking the facility," Jess asked curiously.
"It's nice, I was just telling Charlie it's a change from the ER I used to work at in New York," Castiel said.
"How did you end up here?" Jess asked curiously.
"My family is here is Lawrence, I needed to get out of New York," Castiel stated.
"Did you want something Jess?" Charlie asked.
"Yes, are you down south hall?" Jess asked.
"Always, you can relax, ratchet isn't your nurse," Charlie said slowly.
"She means nurse Rachel," Jess corrected the older woman, at Castiel's confused look.
"Watch it Moore, Ratchet is coming, look busy," a brunette said walking past.
"Thanks Meg, that's my cue to get to work, we will talk later Charlie," Jess said before taking off after the brunette.
"Rachel is the charge nurse, so be on our toes. She's strict, but she gets the job done. She is one of the best nurses here, aside from me," Charlie said grinning.
"Right," Castiel agreed.
The two started their rounds. Castiel was catching on, and learning who was who. Charlie told him it would take a little time to remember everyone. Some people Castiel knew from his childhood, old neighbors, or family of friends. Some he had no idea who they were. Golden Living had the best reputation in the Area. It was so desirable, they had a waiting list most of the time for people to get in.
"Alright, who's next," Charlie said looking at her computer.
"Deanna Campbell, looks like a poke before supper and one medication," Castiel said.
"A poke?" Charlie asked laughing.
"Sorry, it's a habit I picked up from the ER, that's what we told kids we needed to draw blood from," Castiel said his cheeks tinting red.
"I like it, maybe I'll start using it," Charlie mused.
Castiel grabbed Deanna's medicine and grabbed the blood sugar monitor. They headed down the hallway. Charlie stopped at the door and knocked. They recorded an answer and entered the room.
Deanna was a small woman, with short greying hair, and green eyes. She smiled when she saw Charlie. Her smile grew as she saw Castiel.
"Charlie Bradbury, are you bringing gentlemen to greet me now?" Deanna asked.
"Yes I am, this is my trainee, Castiel," Charlie said with a smile.
"It's nice to meet you Ma'am," Castiel said politely.
"Well now, if I knew they had nurses as cute as you I would've came here sooner," Deann joked with a wink.
"Dede," Charlie warned. Her smile however off set the message a bit.
"We've got your medications," Castiel said as he held out the small cup with her medications. She took the cup and the water Charlie offered her. Charlie checked her blood sugar and the pair left, with Deanna giving Castiel a big smile and wave.
"I think she likes you," Charlie commented with a grin.
"I noticed," Castiel replied.
"She's harmless, I've known Dede for years. I know her grandsons," Charlie said.
"That explains why she full named you," Castiel chuckled.
"Yeah, she was practically my grandma growing up," Charlie nodded her head.
The two continued their rounds together. Castiel was getting more comfortable with the residents. He was starting to remember some of them. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all.
-All or Nothing-
Dean watched as Ben talked with Deanna. He had brought her some of his artwork from school. He told her she needed to decorate her room, make it feel more like home. Deanna quickly placed the art on the cork board above her dresser.
"Do you like it here gramma Dede?" Ben asked suddenly.
"It's not as bad as I thought it would be," Deanna replied, "it's growing on me."
"Don't you miss your house?" Ben asked curiously.
"It was too big for one person anyways," Deanna said waving a hand. "Here I get my own room and I get to spend time with the ladies and there are a lot of activities."
"Like what?" Ben asked tilting his head to the side.
"They have bingo, they read the paper for us, because the print is so small I can't read it anyways. They have snacks and they have groups of kids come visit," Deanna listed.
"Cool, I'm still your favorite kid though right," Ben asked seriously.
"Of course," Deanna replied with a smile. Ben hugged her with a big smile.
"Are they treating you right?" Dean asked.
"Of course, don't be such a worry wart," Deanna said.
"I can't help it, if I don't worry who will?" Dean asked.
"What is there to worry about? Gramma Dede said this place is cool," Ben reasoned.
"I guess," Dean sighed as he sat back in his chair. He couldn't help but worry. He didn't like that Deanna couldn't be at home. This wasn't how things were supposed to be.
"Deanna." A nurse knocked on the door. Standing in the doorway was a tall blonde nurse, her name tag read, Carrie.
"Is it med time already?" Deanna asked.
"Afraid so," Carrie replied, she crossed the room and held out her pills. Deanna too them quickly and allowed the nurse to take her blood sugar.
"What happened to that young fellow that was here the other night? I didn't scare him off did I?" Deanna asked with smile.
"He's still training, on a different hall," Carrie replied. "It's almost time for supper by the way."
"I'll be there shortly," Deanna replied with a smile. Carrie left the room and Dean gave Deanna a curious look. "What?"
"Fellow?" Dean asked.
"This nurse, he was new and with Charlie and I was afraid I scared the poor fellow off," Deann replied.
"Please tell me you're not harassing the staff," Dean said making a face.
"It's joking Dean, lighten up. It's like you and Charlie, even though you know she with-" Deanna started.
"Gramma," Dean said cutting her off. He glanced down at Ben, who had been coloring.
"I already know her and mom are dating," Ben said quickly, "I saw them kissing."
"I shoulda figured you would figure it out. Let your mom tell you when she's ready though," Dean said. Ben just nodded his head.
"I don't care, Charlie is cool. She plays video games with me and she's better than uncle Sam," Ben said shrugging.
"Don't tell him that."
Everyone turned to see Charlie standing in the doorway. She smiled at them.
"I noticed you weren't in the dining room Dede, and now I see why, Dean is holding you hostage," Charlie said.
"Har-har," Dean replied shooting her a glare, but his smile showed he thought it was funny. "Alright Ben, why don't we walk grandma to the dining room."
Ben nodded his head and stood up. The helped Deanna up as well.
"Alright Ben go slow, I'm an old lady remember," Deanna chuckled.
-All or Nothing-
Dean sighed as he listened to Jo and another mechanic, Gordon Walker, arguing. He was sitting at the computer, playing a game of solitaire. A lady had brought her car in for an oil change and to have her engine looked at. Jo and Gordon seemed to be in disagreement over the problem with the engine. Dean was staying out of it. He was sitting behind the counter enjoying the show.
"What's going on?"
Dean looked up as Bobby, and John exited their office. Bobby did not look happy.
"They can't agree on anything," Dean said.
"Because I'm right and he's wrong," Jo said simply.
"Gordon listen to Jo, I taught her everything she knows," Bobby said crossing the shop towards Dean. "Jo you better be right, because if this customer comes back with the same complaint Gordon gets bragging rights."
"He won't, because I'm not wrong," Jo said.
"My money's on Jo," Dean said.
"Moving on," John said cutting off the argument.
"Dean, I've got a job for you," Bobby said walking up to him.
"Why me?" Dean asked.
"Because you know cars," John said joining the two.
"Tell me is the vette," Dean said excitedly.
"Not yet, I'm wearing him down," Bobby said.
"Bobby Singer if you buy another car-" Jo started.
"You sound just like your mom," Bobby cut her off with a grin. "Besides, this is a business deal. I'm buying to sell, quickly."
"What have you got? Need me to test drive?" Dean asked.
"Yes, I would trust no one else with it," Bobby said holding out a slip to Dean. "Here's the address and name of the guy."
"You just wanna impress this guy with Baby, so he'll sell," Dean said looking down at the slip. "Chuck Shurley?"
"He's an old friend, he's got a '69 Camaro. I know I can make a quick turnover," Bobby said.
"I'm your guy," Dean said looking at the paper. He was excited for this one. Hopefully this car was in good shape, not like the last one Bobby had sent him after.
"I knew I could count on you," Bobby said clapping him on the back. "So quit playing games and go look at that car."
Dean quickly closed out his game. He snatched his coat and ran from the auto shop. This was the part of his job that he loved.
So there you go. Another chapter done. Dean hasn't met Cas yet, but it's coming. I've got a lot planned for this. I hope you are enjoying this so far. As always, more to come.
Always
OUTOFMYMIND