Singer Salvage.

Bobby? Look, it's Jim.

What's wrong?

Nothing, really. Nothing. It's good news.

Yeah, I can tell that just by the sound of your voice.

Was that sarcasm? You've got no respect for the cloth, have you?

Not much. What's up?

Sam Winchester got a full scholarship to Stanford.

He did, did he?

Yes.

And let me guess, John hugged him and told him how proud of him he was; and the Winchesters had a big celebratory dinner; and then Dean drove Sam down and helped him settle in; and they'll all be getting together for Christmas?

How did you guess?

What did he do?

Dean won't tell me, but either Sam stormed out or John threw him out, and I don't think they'll be talking to each other any time soon.

And Dean's in the middle.

Dean's in the middle.

Shit.

Pretty much sums it up.

Stupid, stubborn Winchesters.

Nothing new.

John must have seen this coming. Sam's always wanted something more than hunting. And to get the grades he was getting while never spending longer than a year in any school … John must have known that college was the next step.

You know John. He's redefining the term "obsessive". If it's not about getting whatever killed his wife he can't see it. He loves the boys, and he'll do anything to protect them, but even they come second. You can understand that.

No, I can't! When I lost … when she died … but I didn't drop everything and take to the road.

You found out what killed her and how to fight it. John doesn't have that yet. He's still looking.

He has sons! He has more than you or I will ever have. If they were mine …

They're not. That's the trouble. No matter how much we love them, they aren't our sons.

I know that! Shit!

… … …

… … …

You okay?

Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Goddamn Winchesters. You know no one else on the face of the earth gets me this upset.

I know.

And if you tell anyone …

Hey, seal of the confessional here. Or something like that. Your hard son-of-a-bitch persona is safe with me.

So, you think Sam'll keep in touch with us?

I don't know. If he's turned his back on hunting that might include us too.

Damn.

I know. All we can do is be there for Dean.

And kick John Winchester's ass.

I don't think that'll help.

It'll make me feel better.

And on that note … bye, Bobby.

Yeah, see ya. Goddamn Winchesters.

Author's Note: Before any John-girls (and I'm one of them) attack me for "He loves the boys, and he'll do anything to protect them, but even they come second." – This obviously wasn't true when John gave up his life and soul, and the Colt, to save Dean in IMTOD. His sons then came first, before anything, including getting the demon that killed Mary. But this story is years earlier; and told through the eyes of Pastor Jim and Uncle Bobby. This is how they see the John Winchester of 2001. Okay?