December 1991
Sam always knows how long Dad expects to be gone.
He can tell by the preparations: how his father packs, what orders he gives, how much money he leaves. But mostly, he can tell by watching Dean. The longer it will be, the tighter his brother is wound. The more often he checks the weapons, when he thinks Sam's not looking.
Pretending to read, he watches Dean surreptitiously slide a hand under his pillow and palm the Glock, just making sure it's still there.
And Sam knows he's not going to see his father for a while.