Chapter 17
Disclaimer: Still don't own them.
A/N: Thank you to Soar once again for the awesome beta work. Any left over mistakes are completely mine.
John sat in the chair that had just been vacated by his youngest. He glanced toward his sleeping son and a look of tenderness replaced the concerned look he had been sporting. Dean always looked so relaxed when he slept. He reminded John of that newborn that he had fallen in love with so long ago. John sighed heavily, where had he gone so wrong? On one hand, he wanted his boy to wake up because they really needed to talk, but on the other, he had no idea what to say. Dean was so quick to follow orders, so reliable and dependable. If some thing came up, John knew all he had to do was issue three little words, or remind Dean of his responsibilites, and Dean would back off. Sam argued with him about everything, so when Dean approached him with something John didn't want to deal with, he could end it with one well placed line and he knew that never once had he hesistated to do so.
John heard the commercials finish playing and turned to watch TV while he waited. He grinned when he realized that he was watching One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Dean had always had a bit of a man crush on Jack Nicholson. He remembered that Dean had actually read the book after he saw the movie, it had been the same after he saw The Shining. It was one of the few times that Dean had ever ventured out and read something on his own without John or some teacher making him.
John knew, like in the past, he could clear things up with Dean just by using his old stategy but he needed to have a long talk with his boy. There were three times in particular that John had used this game plan and all three times Dean had ended up getting hurt. John found himself remembering the first one.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 1994
John had been sitting at his desk going over the notes for his next hunt. He suspected a werewolf was at large in the area and he was going over locations of where the victims had been found, trying to find a pattern so he could stake out the area. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to the spots the victims were found in and John found himself wishing that Dean was there. His son had an uncanny knack for spotting patterns where there didn't appear to be any.
Ring, Ring.
John, who had been hunched over, strengthed the kinks out of his back and pushed his book aside and reached for the phone.
"Hello," he greeted the person on the other end.
"Hello, is this John Winchester?" asked a female voice.
"Who's calling?" John asked. He couldn't be too careful.
"My name is Holly King. I'm a teacher over at Wilson High School."
"This is John," he said.
John knew his son was smart, very smart, but Dean had always struggled in school. Most teachers took one look at Dean and labelled him a trouble maker. They all had the same attitude, that Dean was smart, but he was lazy and didn't apply himself. John was ashamed to admit that he had the same attitude as well. Dean's grades, while never great, had always been just enough so that he could pass, with the exception of his last year of junior high school. The teacher there had told John that without summer school, Dean was going to have to repeat the whole year. Dean's reaction to that was not pretty, but John felt that it would have been far worse for Dean to have to repeat an entire grade. It didn't seem to have helped though, because when Dean started high school, his grades went from bad to worse. John had been called in to see Dean's guidance counsellor and there was even talk of putting him back down to the eighth grade. John had nipped that in the bud and promised Dean would buckle down. He then forbade Dean from hunting until his grades improved.
"Mr. Winchester, I was wondering if you could come by this afternoon,or tomorrow. There's something I would like to discuss with you," Holly requested.
"I can come by tomorrow. What time?" John asked.
"I have a break between classes around so around two would be fine,if that'sokay with you," Holly said.
"I'll be there," John promised and hung up.
Great, just great, John thought as he rubbed his brow in frustration. He had so much work to do, to prepare for this hunt, and this was the last thing he needed. What was it going to take to get through to that kid? John swore to himself that when Dean got home that night there would be a long talk. Well, he would do all the talking and Dean would do all the listening. He was reachinghis wits end with his eldest and his school work. Even not being allowed to hunt didn't seem to be working. It was even getting to the point where John was considering sending Dean to Pastor Jim's for the school year. Maybe if Dean had no distractionshe would learn to settle down.
Time did little to cool of John's temper and it had practically reached a boiling point by the time Dean got home from school that afternoon. Time was valuable when on a hunt and he didn't need to be wasting it with yet another meeting with one of Dean's teachers.
When Dean came home from school that afternoon, he was, for once, in a great mood. Math had always been his strongest subject and he was clutching his latest test in his hand. The teacher hadn't given him any stupid word problems, it was all straight equations. Dean had scored a perfect 100. He couldn't wait to show his dad. After all kinds of failed tests and teachers notes, Dean was proud and he hoped that this would please his dad and that he would let Dean go on the next hunt. His joy, however, was short lived.
"Hey, dad, guess what?" Dean said excitedly as he stepped into the room and addressed his dad. One look at his dad and his good mood deflated instantly, like a balloon pricked with a sharp object. The expression on his dad's face told him he had screwed up again. He just didn't know when or how.
"Want to explain to me why your teacher wants to see me, Jonathan Dean," John said flatly.
Uh oh, thought Dean, full name. "I… I'm not sure. Which one was it?" Dean stammered. He knew it couldn't be his math teacher.
"Does it matter?" John snapped.
"Maybe my ma..."
"It was Ms. King," John interrupted. "Are you skipping class or assignments again, Dean, because I swear, if I find that you have" John said leaving the sentence hanging.
"No Sir, I swear," Dean protested.
"I am getting fed up with this, Jonathan Dean. It seems everytime I turn around lately, someone from the school needs to talk to me. I've tried everything I can think of, grounding, no TV, even no hunting, but it seems nothing works. I don't ask for straight A's, I just want you to pass and right now, unless something drastic happens, you're going to fail the whole year. You were lucky last year that summer school saved you. Tell me, Dean, what do I need to do, should I let them put you back down a grade?" John ground out.
"I don't know," Dean said meekly.
"I know that you don't think school is important to a hunter, but think, Dean. You need to know how to properly research a case, or you run an even greater risk of getting hurt. You need math skills to figure out coordinates, or how long it will take you to get to certain spot."
Dean figured this would be a good time to show John the test he had in his hand. "Guess what, dad, I go..." Dean started, but his dad wasn't done.
"Here's what going to happen. You're not to leave this house except for school or training. No dates, TV, or hunting until your grades improve. You are to spend every spare minute on your school work. If this doesn't work, I will consider something more drastic. You can consider this on order."
"Yes Sir," Dean said quietly, his entire demeanor radiating defeat. He had been putting everything he had into his work. Maybe he was stupid like some of the other kids said. He glanced toward the paper in his hand and then back to his father. He decided then and there not to say a word. His dad would probably just think he had cheated anyway. He slumped out of the living room, dropping his test in the garbage pail on the way out.
Later that evening, when the boys were in bed, John called his old friend and confidante, Jim Murphy.
"Hello," Jim greeted the caller.
"Hey, Jim, it's John."
"What's up? How're the boys?" Jim asked.
"They're fine," John sighed.
"Something wrong?" Jim asked as he read John's tone.
"I got another call from Dean's teacher. She wants to see me."
"Did his teacher say what the meeting was about?" Jim inquired.
"No, but it doesn't take a genius to figure it out. Dean's grades are getting worse. I don't know what to do with the boy anymore. He just won't listen. I was thinking about sending him to stay with you for the school year, so that he would have a stable environment. Maybe that would get his attention," John said bleakly.
Jim was quiet for so long that John began to wonder if they had lost the connection. He was just about to say hello again when Jim spoke.
"John, Dean would be welcome here anytime, Sam as well, but I don't think that's the answer. Think hard about that decision,it could do more harm than good," Jim advised.
"Then tell me what to do, Jim, because I'm fresh out of ideas," John said in an exasperated tone.
"See what Dean's teacher has to say, then give me a call tomorrow andI'm sure that we can come up with something."
"Thanks, Jim," John replied.
"No problem. Say hi to the boys for me," Pastor Jim said as he ended the call.
John drove to the school the following, still stewing over what it might be that the teacher wanted to see him about and wondering what exactly Dean had done, or not done, this time. He had a habit of skipping assignments. Upon arriving at the school, he found Holly King's empty classroom quickly and knocked on the door. Holly looked up as John entered the room.
"Ms. King, I'm John Winchester, Dean's father," John greeted.
"Yes, Mr. Winchester. Thank you for coming. Please, have a seat," Holly said.
"What did Dean do now?" John sighed, as he took the invited seat. "Maybe I can guess. He failed his last test or didn't do the lastest assignment?"
"Well, yes and no," Holly said and went on quickly when she saw John's confusion. "Let me explain. First, I want to say that Dean's a great kid and I think he's very intelligent, but..."
"He doesn't apply himself," John interrupted. He had heard this before.
"Actually, that wasn't what I was going to say," Holly finished.
Surprise flashed across John's face. So far, this meeting wasn't going as he had expected.
"What I was going to say is that Dean is very intelligent, but something seems to be hindering him and I think I know what it is. Have you ever had your son tested for a learning disability, specifically dyslexia?" Holly asked.
"No," John admitted. "Why would you ask that?"
"There are things that I've noticed, different patterns to the mistakes that he's making. I tutor kids with learning disabilities and it seems that Dean has all the signs. Like I said, he's very smart. If I ask him a question in class, he usually gives the right answer, but then, when we have a test or a written assignment, he seems to struggle. He doesn't seem to finish the tests. I checked with his other teachers and the same thing seems to be happening in his other classes."
"What I don't understand is how would he have gotten this far then?" asked John.
"Most people with learning disabilities have different things that they use to cope, or things they can do to compensate. Now that Dean's in high school, there is more work, shorter time periods to get things done, and those strategies that he used stop working as effectively," Holly explained.
"So, what exactly is dyslexia? Isn't that where you see letters backwards?"
"That's more of a myth. Some kids do have trouble recognizing letters, but that's extremely rare. With dyslexia, there is a problem with word recognition, kids with dyslexia don't recognize words and tend to have to sound out the words when they are reading. When they read, it sounds hesitant and it's usually slow and faltering."
"That sounds like Dean," John admitted. "I know you said that Dean developed coping methods, but I still don't understand why this wouldn't have been discovered earlier."
"I understand from Dean's records that you move around a lot," Holly started to explain and John felt himself grow defensive. His body stiffened and the tension could clearly be seen in his face. Holly didn't miss it. "Now, I understand that sometimes it's unavoidable. My dad was in the navy so we moved quite a bit. I'm just saying that it could explain why, sometimes, kids fall through the cracks and, Mr. Winchester, please don't take offense to what I'm about to say next," Holly said tentatively.
"What is it?"
"Well, a lot of times, what happens is that the student begins to think of themselves as dumb or stupid and they stop trying. It has to be frustrating for someone to try and try and get so few results, so in a sense, they resign themselves to the fact that they can't do it and for the most part, give up. I don't think Dean has given up yet, but I would have to say that he's close to wanting to."
"No offense taken, Ms. King. I understand what you're saying. So what happens now?"
"Well, I've spoken to Dean's guidance counsellor and he's agreed to have Dean tested. Basically, we'll give Dean a Cognitive Aptitude Assessment. It's designed to test the speed and accuracy at which a student reads, and also test for letter recognition, word recognition and non-word recognition."
"Non-word recognition, why would you test for that?" John asked wanting further clarification.
"It gives us a picture of how well the student can string together letter sounds to pronounce words. For example, what does this word say?" Holly asked as she scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to John.
He looked at the word. "Plonk?" he asked.
"Yup. Even though the word makes no sense to you, you know instantly what the word says because you recognize the letters and the sounds they make."
"So if Dean looks at this word, he wouldn't be able to recognize it. He'd have to sound it out," John said as comprehension started to sink in.
"Most likely. He would have to study it and sound it out carefully in order to read it," Ms. King explained.
"So this is why you think he's not getting his work done. Can I ask you something else?"
"Of course."
"Dean did have a hard time learning to read. What about if he was learning another language?" John asked as he thought back to the times that he and Bobby had tried to teach Dean Latin.
If Holly thought that the question was odd, she didn't show it. "Same things would occur."
"What about his math skills? That seems to be an area where Dean excels. Wouldn't they be affected?" John asked.
"Not necessarily. Number recognition and word recognition are two entirely different things. I know it's a lot to take in, so I brought these with me," Holly said as she handed John a stack of pamphlets and brochures. "These explain more about what dyslexia is and the testing process. Please take a moment to read them. I'd like to start the testing process for Dean this Friday, after school. Is that okay for you?"
"I guess," John said as he prepared to leave.
"One more thing, Mr. Winchester. Dean's going to need a lot of support. I mean, we'll be asking him to perform many simple tasks that he may have trouble with, and it's very easy to get discouraged when that happens. He's going to need lots of encouragement," Holly said.
"I'll do my best. Thank you, Ms. King. It means a lot to me that you took the time to care that there may be more going on with Dean," John said sincerely. He was starting to regret his earlier thoughts.
"No problem, Mr. Winchester. Like I said, Dean's a great kid. As much as he pretends he doesn't care that he got a bad grade, you can tell it clearly upsets him," Holly added.
"That's Dean for you."
"I'll be in touch. I put my cell phone number on the back of one of those pamphlets. Please call me if you have any questions," Holly offered.
John went home that afternoon and gathered his hunt papers. He was fully intending to catch up on what he had missed during the meeting with Ms. King. He went to throw out some unrelated stuff when he saw a paper in the trash with Dean's name on it, and then he saw the gleaming 100 at the top. He felt a sudden tightening in his stomach that left him feeling so bad about the things he had said to his boy the day before. Dean really had been trying John pushed aside his hunt papers for once and he spent the entire afternoon reading everything that Ms. King had given him, and the more he read the worse he felt about the things he had said to his son the previous day. When Dean got home later that afternoon, he called his son into the kitchen and went over everything Ms. King had covered that afternoon. He even tried the test that Ms King had given him, with the nonsense word. He realized exactly what Dean's teacher had been saying when it took Dean a minute to sound out the word.
Over the next couple of weeks, Dean met with various teachers and was given a series of reading tests. Holly King's predictions proved correct. Dean seemed to get frustrated over the smallest things and was ill-tempered. He snapped at John, and even Sam, whenever one of them would mention school or homework.
To make matters worse, John's hunt had taken a turn for the worse and his friend Jefferson had been injured badly by the werewolf. Fortunately, he hadn't been bitten, but John wasn't around much during the weeks Dean was being tested and with Dean in such a bad mood, John had no patience for his eldest, and he failed to give Dean the support the teacher had recommended.
The diagnosis of dyslexia was confirmed and a tutoring program was set up. Dean was not happy, to say the least, when he found out that he was required to stay after school for extra tutoring three times a week, to help him with his reading skills.
He asked his father to get him out of it, but John just replied that it was necessary and that he was to go, and that it was on order.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John came back to the present when the heard a noise. He realized that he had knocked a book off the end of the chair. He cursed himself when he thought of the way he had handled Dean's dyslexia. No wonder Dean had questioned his intelligence. Dean's grades had improved, but John realized that he had never commented on it.
Christ,Johnny, he said to himself. Dean probably thought that you didn't notice or even care. Thank God he never knew I was thinking about sending him away.
John went to pick the book up off the floor and found himself remembering the second thing he wished he could have done over.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 1994
John had taken care of the werewolf he was hunting, but he and the boys had stayed in town awhile longer, so that Dean could have some stability in his schooling. A few months later though, he caught wind of a black dog and he just couldn't let anyone else die, so he packed up the boys and moved.
Dean was happy to move. He hated staying three days a week after school to work with a tutor. However, he was not impressed when the first thing that John did was set up a tutoring program at the new school as well. He was really starting to believe that his father didn't think he was capable.
One day, Dean had come home from school in a funk and John had tried to find out what was wrong, but Dean refused to talk about it. John didn't push and instead returned to his research. John hadn't wanted Dean missing school, so he had asked Bobby to help him out with the hunt instead. John just assumed that this was why Dean was in such a foul mood. He was wrong.
Later that night, after Sam was in bed, Dean came into the kitchen. John could tell that by Dean's restless demeanor that he wanted to ask his father something.
"Hey, Dean, what's up?"
"Dad, can I talk to you about something?" Dean asked seriously.
"What's on you mind, kiddo?" John asked curiously.
"Can I come with you and Bobby on the hunt tomorrow?"
"I wish you could, but I don't want you to miss any more school," John explained.
"I won't miss anything important. Besides, it's not like I can learn about black dogs in English class," Dean protested.
"That right there tells me that there's something in English class you want to avoid. You got a test you didn't study for, or an assignment you didn't do? All I can say is that there better not be, because we talked about this," John countered.
"I just want to go on the hunt with you and Bobby. Three sets of hands are better than two. That's what you tell Sammy when he doesn't want to go on a hunt."
"You're just avoiding what I asked you and that just gives me more evidence. What do you want to avoid in English class?" John asked again. He had remembered Bobby using this trick on Dean when he didn't want to answer something and it usually worked.
"It's a stupid, boring waste of time. I haven't gotten to hunt a black dog yet. I need all the experience I can get, 'cause I want to be a hunter like you. Shakespeare isn't going to help with that," Dean said.
John realized that he been given another clue as to what was up. "I don't know about that, son. Shakespeare was big into this stuff. I mean, there was the ghost of Hamlet's father that came to him to let his son know that he was murdered, and asked him to avenge his death. Then there was the soothsayer witches in Macbeth, who predicted that he'd become king. Maybe the old Bard was a hunter himself. So I'm guessing that what you want to avoid has to do with Shakespeare."
"It's not like reading Othello out loud is going to help me learn how to track," Dean tried again, giving his father the final clue.
"No, but we can go camping some weekend and I'll show you," John offered. "What part are you supposed to read tomorrow?"
"Iago," Dean said as he admitted defeat. How did his dad do that? "We're doing Shakespeare this term and the teacher gave us each a part. We're going to read each scene and discuss it. It's stupid. I would rather go hunting," Dean muttered sullenly.
John felt his heart going out to his eldest. Dean had made a significant amount of progress in the last few months, but he was still a slow reader and really hated reading out loud because of this. He knew that it upset Dean when the kids made fun of him if he stumbled over words.
"Do you know what section you're reading tomorrow?" John asked.
Dean nodded miserably.
"Let's go over it now, okay. We'll read it together until you're comfortable with it," John suggested.
"Don't you have to prepare for the hunt tomorrow?" Dean asked in surprise.
"Nothing that can't wait," John said.
Dean got his book and together father and son read into the night. They went over it so many times that Dean almost memorized it. John was proud of his son as he watched him gain confidence in what he doing, and John knew that Dean would do a good job the next day.
John even called Bobby and asked if he could take over the hunt for the next few days. Bobby was more than willing as he knew that working with his father was just want Dean needed, and Bobby would do anything for Dean. Every evening, John and Dean read together until Dean was comfortable with his assigned part.
Dean had to admit that he enjoyed the time he and his father spent together and he didn't even mind that it was over homework. John had even displayed a rare display of patience with his eldest. Although Dean had hoped that he could get out of a big part when they studied the next play, luck was not on his side and the teacher assigned him the role of Romeo to read.
"Dad, you busy?" Dean asked his father when he got home from school the next day.
"I have to go help Bobby. Looks like this black dog has a mate and pups. He needs help. You know the drill, Dean, and watch out for Sammy," John said as he packed his bag and prepared to leave.
"How long will you be gone?" Dean asked.
"A few days," John said. He finally looked at Dean. "What's up?"
Dean fidgeted nervously. He knew that this was nowhere near a good time to tell his dad what he wanted, but if he didn't, he wouldn't have the chance to later. He shrugged and held up the play book. "We're starting Romeo and Juliet. I got stuck as Romeo. I was wondering if you could read with me again. It really helped the last time."
"Sorry, kiddo, I have to go," John said.
"I could really use your help, dad," Dean admitted.
"I can't, Dean. I have to go help Bobby. He could get killed on his own and I know that you wouldn't want that. Get Sam to go over it with you," John suggested unthinkingly.
"No, ah, you're right. You have to help. Be careful, Dad," Dean said quietly as he left the room without another word.
"I will," John replied, not noticing that his son's tone had changed completely.
That night, Sam had asked Dean if he could go to a friend's house. Dean could never say no to his brother, so he told him to go ahead. That night, he tried to practice on his own, but he had to pick Sam up at his friend's house and then Sam had asked for Dean to help him with his math. Then, Dean completed the household chores that were his responsibility when John was out of town. Dean didn't have the time he needed to get completely comfortable with his part. He tried his best in class the next day and was embarrassed when he stumbled and several kids had made fun of him. Rather than face that humiliation again, Dean skipped English for the remainder of the time John was gone. Upon arriving home from his hunt, the school called John and informed him about Dean's absences. John was not pleased with his eldest and he lost his temper with Dean, but when he finally got Dean to admit why he had skipped, John felt terrible.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"John, hey, Johnny, you with us?" asked Bobby.
John took a moment to get his bearings.
"Sorry, Bobby. I was just thinking," he said answering his friend.
"Don't do too much of that, you might hurt yourself," Bobby, joked but it failed to raise the hoped for laugh.
John looked back towards the now empty couch.
"Where's Dean?" He asked as he jumped up, afraid that his son had taken off again.
"Relax, I sent him and Sam for pizza. I don't feel like cooking and I'm not up to eating anything you make, besides, it's something Dean can eat one handed," Bobby said.
"Where's Frank?" John inquired.
"He's in the other room looking at my books," Bobby replied.
"How'd it go with you and Frank?"
"Alright. That is one sweet ride," Bobby admitted. "We talked some more about what you told him. He's still having a hard time with it all, but he did manage to convince me that he's here to stay."
"That's good."
"What were you thinking about just now?" Bobby asked. "You seemed a million miles away."
John admitted to Bobby what he'd been remembering. He left out the part where he was thinking about sending Dean away. That would forever remain a secret between him and Pastor Jim.
"John, sometimes I wonder just how dense you can be. When does Dean ask for help? Shouldn't the fact the he was asking have told you just how much he needed it?" Bobby said.
"I know, Bobby. I messed up big time. I shouldn't have dismissed him like that," John admitted.
"What were you thinking telling Dean I could be killed? You said that because you knew it would get him to back off," Bobby said shaking his head in disbelief.
"There's nothing you can say to me that I haven't said to myself when I got back from that hunt and found out what happened."
"I'm sure I can think of a few things, but we really don't need to be doing this right now. Dean needs all of us getting along," Bobby said.
"I want to make this right, Bobby," John said as his shoulders slumped in defeat.
"I know. You can corner him after supper and, John, make sure he talks. You know as soon as you say I'm sorry he's going to forgive you. Don't let him," Bobby said, echoing Sam's words from earlier.
"I won't. I just wish I knew what to say. I don't want to make things worse," John admitted.
"I can't tell you that. Just say what you feel," Bobby advised. "I know that you and Dean are close, but the two of you have had other confrontations. What did you do then?"
"I don't think bribing him is going to work this time, Bobby," John said with a wry grin.
"What are you talking about, Johnny?'
"The last time I had a confrontation with Dean was when he was 16. He wanted to drop out of school."
"I'm guessing you did something you shouldn't have then, too?" Bobby asked.
John looked sheepish. "Yeah, and instead apologizing for what I said, I told him he could have the Impala if he graduated," John revealed and he once again found himself in the past.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 1995.
Dean had just turned 16. The Winchesters didn't do too much to celebrate birthdays, but John made sure he was home and usually took the boys to dinner and gave them a present. With funds being tight as they were, it was usually something the boys needed rather than wanted. Dean had needed a new jacket, so that's what John had gotten him. This year, however, he managed to combine one of Dean's wants and needs and he wished he'd had a camera to capture the look on his son's face when he opened the box and pulled out the leather jacket.
John knew that his son had wanted one. An acquaintance of John's had asked him to do a job that John didn't particularly want to do, but the man had offered to pay him and he needed the money, so he took the job. He had come across the jacket at a second hand shop. It was old and battered, and a little too big for Dean, but his son didn't care. He'd loved it from the moment he saw it.
All three Winchester's had come home in a great mood for once. Sam and John had made an extra effort to get along for the sake of Dean's birthday and this had pleased Dean even more than the jacket. So while his dad was in a good mood, Dean had decided this was the best time to approach his dad with his request.
John was in the den watching TV when he heard his son enter.
"Hey, Dean, have a good birthday?" John asked.
"It was great. Thanks for the jacket," Dean said sincerely.
"Glad you liked it," John replied. He could tell something was up with his eldest though. Dean was restless and looking anywhere but at his father and this was a red flag to John that something was on Dean's mind.
"Dad, I'm 16 now," Dean pointed out.
"I know." John was wondering if Dean was maybe hinting for his father to give him the Impala.
"Well, I was thinking. I know that you could use a lot of help with this upcoming hunt. I know this demon is a nasty one."
"Yeah, I'm counting on you and Sammy, I need you to look after your brother. Jefferson and I are going to do some preliminary scouting this week. If all goes well, then I'll need you and Sammy with me to help with the exorcism."
"I could help out his week too," Dean offered.
"You have school, son," John explained.
"I don't have to go."
"Yes, you do."
"Not legally," Dean said and John knew what Dean had been hinting at earlier.
"You're not dropping out, Dean," John stated firmly.
"I could be of so much more use to you if I weren't going to school. I would have more time for Sammy, I could help him with his homework and I could do more research for you," Dean pointed out.
"You hate research," John reminded his son.
"Just think of all the stuff I could learn quicker if I could do it full time, and it's not like school's going to help with that."
"Maybe not, but you're still going."
"I'm no good at it..."
"Stop it!" John stated. "I won't listen to you put yourself down. Did you see your last report card, three A's, Dean, and four B's. You've come so far this past year. I know that you've been working hard and it's paying off."
"Just think how much better I could be if I could work at being a good hunter."
"Dean!" John said in a tone that should have indicated to Dean that he was starting to push it.
"But, Dad..."
Right here, John knew he should have taken the time to sit down and really discuss what his son was feeling, but as usual, he took the easy way out. He knew just how to end this. "Don't 'but dad' me, Jonathan Dean Winchester Jr. You're going to school until you graduate. No Winchester had ever dropped out and you're not going to be the first. Besides, what would your mother say? You know how much she valued education. She'd be so disappointed in you if dropped out, Dean."
With that, all the fight left Dean and he dropped his gaze to ground. For a second, John thought he saw tears glisten in his son's eyes and he wondered if he might have gone too far.
"Sorry, dad, I... ah, I guess I better go start my homework," Dean said as he exited the room shoulders slumped wearily.
"Dean, wait," John said.
Dean stopped and turned toward his father. "What?" he asked dejectedly.
"I'll make you a deal," John offered. "You graduate and the Impala will be your graduation present."
Dean did give John a genuine smile then. He'd always wanted that car. "Sure, dad, thanks. I'll leave you be." With that, he left the room and he never mentioned dropping out again.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bobby was seriously considering going back on his word about getting along with John for Dean's sake after the story that John had just told him.
"You know what, Johnny? I think the porch is too good for you, I think that Rumsfeld's old dog house might be a better place."
They suddenly heard Sam and Dean entering the house, which meant that John was spared the lecture for now. They had dinner and John noted that Dean seemed a little more animated, and he even seemed to be softening toward his grandfather a little more, as he addressed him as grandpa almost as much as he addressed him as Frank.
"Frank, your turn to help with the dishes," Bobby said.
"No problem," Frank replied.
"Want some help, Grandpa?" Sam offered.
Everyone at the table was surprised at how Sam had just addressed his grandfather, including Sam himself. He hadn't meant to say it. It had just slipped out.
Frank wisely ignored it and took Sam up on his offer.
After dinner, Dean excused himself to go take a shower. Bobby wandered into his office to catch up on some paper work, but John waited for Dean to finish in the shower and then caught him on the way to his room.
It was now or never and John vowed to himself that this time he wasn't going to screw up.
A/N: Okay this chapter so didn't work out like I planned. I know that you were looking forward to the John/Dean confrontation and I had fully intended to write it, but I think the spirit of John Winchester possessed my computer and he wanted to share some more memories with you, even if they weren't necessarily happy ones. Okay, truth was, I re-watched Everybody Loves a Clown this morning and was in a mood for some angst. I hoped you liked this chapter anyway. Please read and review and let me know what you thought. I promise the next chapter will have John and Dean's talk. Chapter 18 is at the beta readers now, so hopefully it won't be to long before its posted. Please let me know what you though of this chapter. I love reviews.