Dean couldn't believe his parents, instead of following Johnny out the door, they had just stood there as if that was the way it was supposed to be. All the while he was shouting in his head, 'GO AFTER HIM, HE'S SAMMY… DON'T YOU CARE!!!', but not able to move from his spot for some reason. He had been hoping for some sort of response from someone, but no one had moved until well after Johnny had gone out of sight. Now they were on the highway heading towards the Grand Canyon as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Either his parents were in denial, or insane; it was truly a toss up at the moment.
John knew that his suggestion to continue the trip had sounded uncaring, but unless they knew which direction Johnny had gone, it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. His first instinct had been to chase after the boy, but knew that after what happened earlier he was probably more than a little jumpy. He hadn't told Dean or Mary, but every time they stopped he would ask about Johnny, hoping that someone had seen him somewhere. Trying to stay focused on the road, he knew that they were going to need to find a place for the night soon even though they did still have light; Mary may have wanted a family vacation, but she had insisted that it would be a relaxing one. Right, like that was going to happen now.
'What was I thinking?' Mary thought to herself as she laid back in the backseat trying to make sense out of everything. 'The first family vacation in seventeen years and I think that everything is going to be perfect.' Letting her mind wander back to the possibility that they had found Sammy after all of these years, she quickly switched from hope then despair. How could she even entertain the idea that the boy they saw was actually him. Knowing that they would be stopping shortly, she took solace in knowing that the remainder of her family was just as confused as she.
Johnny thanked the truck driver again for picking him up and let him know that anywhere would be a good place to drop him off. After ten minutes of the driver arguing, they came to the agreement that he could stick around until Albuquerque which at their rate of speed, as well as running a dual log book, would pull them into the city around ten pm 'give or take a little' the driver smirked. It had been closer to midnight, and Johnny was beyond caring. After getting a room for the night, he fell asleep on the hard bed with his clothes and boots on, not caring about what was going on in the world outside.
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Having already known how much he had in his wallet, Johnny knew that fifty two dollars wouldn't get him far if he was going to stay in one place and sleep in a bed. However there weren't normally too many placed willing to pay cash at the end of the day, no questions asked. As he sat there filling up on the biggest breakfast he could find, knowing that it would probably have to last him a day or two, he started listening to the people around him. It had always amazed him how many people really believed that their private conversations were… well, private; as if a small barrier like a chair or bench could keep the words in their own little personal spaces. Taking a moment to pause and listen into everyone's conversation, it took a moment to realize that there might be a job waiting for him after all.
"Can I get ya anything else there honey?" the waitress asked, not hiding the fact that her curiosity was getting the better of her. She'd seen a lot of people walk through the door, but she had to wonder about this one. Most runaways were fidgety and scared of their own shadows, or had been on the streets long enough they were dead inside. This young man was either older than he looked, or had a story that she would probably never know. 'Too bad, I always did like a good story.' She thought as she poured him more coffee.
He knew that she was watching him, wondering what his story was, and that was ok; it might earn him enough sympathy points to get what he wanted. Looking at her he allowed a sheepish smile before beginning, "Actually, I'm hoping you can help me out. I'm just passing through, but need a job for day or two. You wouldn't have heard about any around have you?" he asked, knowing that she had been close to a couple of guys talking about the tight spot they were in. He watched as she thought about it for a moment then motioned for him to hold on before moving to the table that he knew she would. After a very short conversation, one of the men looked over at him, shook his head and listened to the other guy for a moment before getting up and walking his way.
"I hear your looking for day work. What can you do?" the guy asked abruptly. He might be in a bind, that didn't mean he had to admit it.
Johnny looked at the man and had a hard time suppressing his laugh, was this guy for real? "I can do a lot. What do you need?" he asked, not wanted to sound argumentative, but he wasn't the one who needed a semi full of truck tires unloaded.
The guy looked him over as if hoping there was more to him that met the eye, then sat down across from him. "I have a truck coming in full of truck tires. I wouldn't normally have a problem except one of the guys came down with pneumonia, and another is taking care of his newborn after his wife's passing. Damn OSHA won't allow anyone to drive the forklift without 'proper training' and I can't do it because of a screwed up back. So, kid, you want to work like a dog all day in the heat, and get paid in cash a little over minimum wage?"
Smiling, Johnny looked at the guy, "I needed a workout anyway."
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John watched as the guy put the Impala on the flatbed tow truck, there was no way he was going to have them tow her any other way. Mary had already warned the driver that he had better take care of their baby otherwise there would be hell to pay. He just couldn't believe that she died on the road like that, she was the most reliable piece of machinery he owned. Now looking at her made him wonder exactly what the hell had happened, there was no signs of what was about to happen, she just died… on the road… in the middle of nowhere. Ok, maybe not the middle of nowhere, they had gone through Albuquerque less than an hour before, but still.
Mary watched her husband mentally cuss up a blue streak and she could only shake her head. She knew that it was a mystery why the Impala suddenly decided to act up, she had been there when he gave her the last once over before the trip, not to mention the complete tune up the week before. Now though she had to watch as the family car, which was a member of the family, was put up on a flat bed to be hauled off to a garage where some stranger was going to run their hands all over her; how degrading. Turning back around she watched Dean throw rocks across the road and knew that he was upset about more than just the Impala.
He wanted to go home, that was all there was to it, he wanted to go home and get back to his everyday save some people, rescue kittens out of trees existence. This whole trip was quickly becoming a bust and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Hell, even the Impala knew they shouldn't have left Johnny or Sammy or whoever the damn kid was. Why couldn't anyone but him see that? Now they had to go back to Albuquerque, and didn't that just bring to mind a Bugs Bunny skit, so they could carry on with a family vacation that didn't include the whole family. Was he the only one who could see how wrong all of this was? He knew his mom was watching, and being in full little kid mode, he didn't care. This was his time, and damn it if he wanted to be a twenty one year old man throwing rocks across the road, then that's what he'd be! Turning around he looked at her and suddenly realized something; she had never given up on Sammy either, she just didn't know how to take another disappointment. Walking over to her, he gave her a warm hug, "It's ok mom, we'll find him again." He may have been talking to her, but he suddenly felt better about the situation, something just sounded so right about what he said he couldn't help but believe it himself.
An hour later the Winchester's found themselves in the remnants of a strip mall turned Industrial Park and wondered how they got into this mess. The garage they had been taken to was full of new model vehicles mainly in for customizing, leaving both John and Dean cringing in disgust over some of the things they were doing to the vehicles. Mary had headed off the manager and explained some very important information to the man, mainly: if you're not qualified, don't touch! After assuring each member of the family in turn that the car was in good hands, the manager showed them a small coffee shop a couple of doors down and told them he'd meet them as soon as he knew something.
Sitting at a table, trying to read a paper and not listen to the local gossip was really starting to get on John's nerves, but he knew that in order to find out what was wrong with their car it would take some time. He looked at Mary who was already writing letters to friends and family telling them all about the 'excitement' they were having, while Dean was looking at something out the window as if someone had just kneed him in the crotch. "Son? Hey Dean, are you ok?" he asked, trying to see what he was looking at.
Across the way there seemed to be a tire shop with facilities for eighteen wheelers, and a few guys scrambling around one very big truck. He didn't see anything out of the ordinary at first and was just about to go back to the paper when a couple of guys scrambled out of the back of the truck and proceeded to grab and roll a few of the tires they had just unloaded to the back of the warehouse. Stunned, he sat there in silence and couldn't help but wonder if the heat had finally gotten to him, because they couldn't get this lucky, could they? "Mary? Look out the window." He said quietly, hoping that he wasn't about to break her heart again.
Having just finished another letter, Mary was more than willing to see what had her guys so entranced and wasn't surprised that it had something to do with big engines. "Really John, you know me, see one semi I've seen them all."
"No Mary, look. Watch the warehouse, he should be coming out any second." John couldn't help himself, the more he thought about it, the more excited he became. He knew that Mary was getting a little worried about his mental health until two men walked back out into the blazing New Mexico heat and she heard her gasp beside him.
One of the men looked exactly like Johnny would from a distance, and she couldn't help but wonder if it was really him or if all of their combined hopes were bringing on a mass delusion. Gathering her things quickly, she was almost to the door before her men caught up with her and tried to do the unthinkable; talk her out of it.
"Mom, we don't know if it's really him. What are you going to do, walk up to a complete stranger and ask? What if you get close and it's not him? Mom, you can't be serious." Dean was talking, but his mom wasn't listening. She made up her mind, and she wasn't going to change it.
John had always known his wife was a firecracker, and it was these moments that really proved it. He couldn't help but wonder what she was going to say to the man if he wasn't Johnny, but was even more curious to see what she would say if it was.
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They had been working non stop trying to beat the heat, and it looked like they were making some decent headway, but they knew it wasn't going to last long. The first truck was due right after lunch, which meant that Johnny would have to continue unloading the rest while the other guy worked on the work order. Although it would be nice to have a little more money in his wallet, he was really wishing he had gotten an earlier start.
He and the other guy Stu had gotten into a routine, knock off enough tires to start a pile, jump off the truck, then start rolling the tires one by one into the warehouse to be either stacked, or lined up; depending which ones were going to be used that day. He didn't have a problem with hard work, it was better than starving to death, so it was surprising to him when the boss had told him that they had to fire two guys last week because they were slackers, and 'how about a job kid?' Politely refusing, he had continued with work until he heard something that made him groan out load.
"JOHNNY!" Mary yelled, finally getting a good look at the young man and knowing that it was really who they thought.
Feeling trapped, Johnny was just about to brush her off using the excuse, no… reason, of work when his boss stuck his head out the door and yelled for him to take a lunch break. Knowing that there were just some things not to fight against, he allowed himself to be led into a coffee shop where a sandwich, chips and a soda suddenly appeared in front of him.
He was starting to feel like he was in an episode of The Twilight Zone; he couldn't get away from these people. Looking around the small table he couldn't help but wonder what had them staring at him like that. Opening his bag of chips, he started eating and trying to make sense of his situation, falling completely short of his goal. Glancing back out the window toward the job he had for the day, he wondered how much longer it would take to get the rest unloaded and get the hell out of there; after all, if these people could find him, then the others were close by as well.
"So, you going to be staying here for awhile, I take it you have… family you're staying with?" Dean choked out, knowing that the only family that Johnny had was them, and damn if it wouldn't be a lot easier if the kid realized it.
Shaking his head, Johnny simply stated, "No family" while still analyzing the truck then suddenly looked across the street. Turning around he called out, "Hey Stu, do you think that hardware store would let us borrow one of their pallet dolly's?" Getting the positive response he was hoping for, he settled back into deciding how many more trips he could shorten the day by, when he saw a hand wave in front of his face. Startled, he suddenly realized that Mrs. Winchester had been trying to get his attention. "Sorry ma'am."
Mary had been watching her … Johnny… stare off towards that truck he'd been unloading and was sure he was lost in his own world for a reason. Now though she had his attention and she wasn't going to let it go that easily. "So, Johnny, do you have a place to stay?"
John almost spilled his coffee when he heard his Mary ask the boy that, leave it to her to get to the point quickly and decisively. Looking next to him, he saw the same reaction from Dean and was happy to know that he wasn't the only one taken by surprise.
Sighing, Johnny had about enough, and he hardly knew these people. "Mrs. Winchester, I know that I remind you of Sammy, but I'm not him. So please, for both our sakes, drop it." He told her quietly then got up and walked out leaving the rest of his lunch untouched.
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John had no idea how he was going to get Mary back in the car, he didn't even know if they should get back in the car. After spending all day in the shop with diagnostic machines up the ying yang, no one could tell him why his beloved car died, or better yet, why she miraculously started up again. Now he was having to practically blackmail his wife to leave a town that held a boy who didn't want anything to do with them. 'Sure, leaving now is going to be a piece of cake.' He thought sarcastically, watching Mary and Dean conspire together over something before his wife totally surprised him.
"John, I feel like a beer." Mary said with a complete and total straight face, giving no room for argument.
Dean had gone over and talked to a few guys in the garage and found out that after work the guys at the tire center usually went out for a couple of cold beers and a few games of pool to unwind. He didn't know if Johnny would be there, but he wasn't willing to let the opportunity pass to find out. Talking his mom into it was the easiest thing he'd done since getting into Lisa Miller's pants after the Junior Prom, she not only was for it, but was leading the way.
Pulling into the Roundup Club, the Winchester's weren't sure what to make of it. Although the sign announced family entertainment, the sticker on the door said 'No one under 18 permitted by penalty of law', making them all wonder if maybe they had the wrong place after all. In for a penny, in for a pound came to mind when they walked in and saw the place filled with blue collar workers having just got off work and wanted to take some time for themselves before being tossed back into the real world known as Honey-Do lists, and baby bottles.
Finding a table in the corner, they settled in and tried to see if maybe the guys from the tire center had made it in yet. Not able to see much of the back, they were still able to see the door. They didn't have to wait long before a chipper waitress smiled at them and gave them each a menu.
"Hi, I'm Carly! We have some wicked buffalo wings, but if you want a real meal I'd go with the club sandwich. I know it doesn't sound like much, but Sal is a wiz with them."
Dean couldn't help but fall in love, alright more like lust, but he really wished his mom wasn't sitting next to him at that moment. Pulling himself out of his daydream, he wanted to ask about Johnny, but before he had a chance she was gone taking care of other customers. Groaning, he allowed the image of her ponytail to flounce out of sight before looking at his parents. "Ok you two, could you make it any more obvious that you're my parents?" he asked at their laughter. He knew that they couldn't help it, but one of these days his mom was just going to have to become a little more understanding.
Carly was back to take their order and she couldn't seem to stop talking about the pool game going on in the back. "I've never seen anything like it, it's like the guy doesn't have an off button." She rambled, not noticing the confused looks on her customers faces. "I mean really, it's still friendly, but I'm just hoping it stays that way you know?" she asked, looking around the table as if they were in complete agreement. "Although, I have to admit, I haven't seen anyone play like that in a long time… you know, you all could go watch, I'll make sure your table's saved." She said as she picked up the menus and disappeared again, this time to turn in their orders.
Looking at Mary and Dean, John had a feeling that they should really check out the pool game. Getting up, they followed the noise and were able to nudge their way in to watch as a burly man looked to be in deep concentration while he chalked his cue, but stopped suddenly when a voice from the side broke through his thoughts.
"You know too much chalk does as much damage as not enough, Paul. Take the shot!"
The man Paul knew that if he made the combo he was shooting for, then he'd have the rest set up to win the game. Of course it also meant that if he missed the shot he most likely will have lost to the kid who had won the last five games in a row. Looking across the table he saw the kid Johnny watching him with idle curiosity, as if he had all the time in the world, and that the money sitting on the edge of the table didn't matter.
Johnny knew that he should have already left, he'd won too many and had gathered a quick rep which could get him hurt of worse when he walked out the door, but it wasn't really his fault that the first guy had scratched on the eight, and the third had too much to drink right before starting the game. Now though as looked around the crowd he had to admit that his luck had been holding out, no one was mad. In fact they all seemed ready to see what else could happen. Watching the guy Paul take his shot, he was almost rooting for the guy if for no other reason than to make everyone else here happy so he could slip out before anyone noticed. Unfortunately, lady luck was fickle and dear old Paul hit his shot, but it went wide and only bounced harmlessly off the velvet sides.
Paul had realized that he messed the shot up as soon as his stick hit the ball and to see it fail so spectacularly was something that he wasn't going to forget any time soon. Looking over at the kid he could tell that this wasn't the outcome he had wanted. Looking around he could understand why. No one believed the kid was cheating, in fact Paul was willing to bet on the opposite, but crowds had a way of getting grumpy as the beer flows. Nodding his understanding he made a mental note to make sure no one messed with the kid when he left. "Well, you got me by rights Johnny. Let's see what you got."
He had his shot almost lined up when he smelled something familiar and couldn't help but look up. Standing directly across from him was the very person he was trying to get out of town, Mary Winchester. Taking a deep breath, and trying to ignore the smell of her perfume, he took his shot make some cheer and others groan when his shot finished clearing the table. Looking back over at Paul, he saw the man hold out his hand.
"That's some good playing kid, you should go pro," He told Johnny as he held out the money, "then again, it looks like you already have." The sound of laughter brought a smile to his face, and he wanted to convey to the kid that there were no hard feelings, and he was just about to voice his thoughts when the kid had to duck out of the way of a bottle.
Johnny knew things had been going too smoothly, and he wondered not the first time why he hadn't left already. Ducking the beer bottle had been easy, and he didn't think twice about it since the fist attached to it was flying toward his face. Apparantly someone had been placing bets and had lost big, now he was public enemy number one and all for actually playing honestly for a change; that would teach him. He was so concerned with the guy in front of him who had suddenly switched from bottle to switchblade, that he hadn't seen his friend coming up from behind until Paul had dropped him at his feet. It took a few minutes for the crowd to be split between friend, foe, and neutral, and he was more than a little surprised to see a blonde woman taking a beer bottle to the head of a guy who hadn't finished making up his mind which side he was on.
Dean had seen the guy going after Johnny with the beer bottle and was impressed by the speed the kid showed, then when the fight had broke out in earnest, he realized that it was going to take everything he had to keep his mom from jumping in the middle of it; not that she hadn't managed it anyway, but who knew that Mary Winchester was a brawler! Seeing the fight starting to die down, he and his dad kept the newcomers away from Johnny while he took care of the ones challenging him face to face. He couldn't get over the fact that this guy, possibly his brother, could take care of himself in an array of circumstances. It made him more proud of the man that his Sammy had become; if he was Sammy, that is.
Finally the last beer bottle was dropped, the last punch tossed and the last drunk fallen leaving the remaining people ready to go home and take a nap. Paul checked Johnny over and offered him a place to stay for the night, which he declined and settled up his bill before he left wondering if anything in life could be easy.
Mary watched Johnny leave and kept an eye out the window to see where he was going before gathering up their cold dinners and rushing her guys out the door. The didn't have a problem catching up to him with the Impala, but he was doing his utmost best to ignore them. It wasn't until John had had enough, and had pulled in front of him that he finally looked up and asked John, "What will it take for you people to leave me alone?"
AN: How was it? Let me know!