Hope for a Child

Disclaimer: see Chapter 1

All other information - summaries and thanks see Chapter 1

Chapter 2

At the end of the afternoon, she watched the children get ready for home. She looked again for Dean to see if there was a reluctance to go home, if he hung back delaying the inevitable. What she saw was the opposite. He was the first ready to go, not even chatting to Todd.

Then she remembered the younger child and wondered if that was behind his hurry. Did he rush home to protect his brother? She thought again of the fading bruise.

As the bell went, she opened the outside door to release the children for the day. She heard a childish shout of "Dean!" and she saw the shock on his face.

"Sammy!" He ran from the class,not waiting for her permission and scooped the younger child up in his arms. The younger child, Sammy, squealed and laughed but all she really heard was the concern in Dean's voice as he asked, "Did Dad pick you up, Sammy?"

"No." She looked more closely at the younger child and saw him wrapped in an oversized swweater and coat, both threadbare. She knew in that instant why Dean had neither.

"How did you get here?" anxiety ran through his voice.

"Don't worry, lad. I picked him up." Her gaze followed Dean's up to a tall, bearded gentleman. Despite his height and build, he lacked the arrogance of the boys' father and was casting a warm smile in Dean's direction.

She was about to stop Dean from going to this stranger, regardless of his smile. You could never be too careful particularly when it came to children like these. Dean beat her to it, when he broke into a run to the stranger with a cry of "Pastor Jim!"

The man bent down to catch him and held him tight for a few seconds before she heard him say, "It's okay, lad. Don't worry, I'm here. Everything's going to be fine." The man approached her then, hand extended, "Hello, I'm James Murphy, Pastor Jim to the boys. The boys' father has had to go out of town unexpectedly, I should be down on Dean's admittance forms as an alternative contact and someone who can collect him."

She shook his hand, pleased by the openness an by the relaxed posture of both boys with the man. Dean's in particular seemed more relaxed than when his father was present. "Would you mind just coming with me to the main office, so I could check that? I don't mean to sound..."

"Don't even say it. I'd be more than happy for you to check. It's good to know the boy's safety is a concern."

In actual fact, she wanted time to find out more about the man's connection to the family. Would he be able to shed some light on her concerns?

"Dean, get your things ready to go. Come on, lad, we don't want to drag your teacher back and forth, do we?"

"No, sir. I've got my things. I'm ready."

She saw the man look thoughtfully at the boy in front of her. "Dean, where's your coat?" He bent down before the boy to look him in the eyes. She saw his gaze drift to the bruise and his hand follow, his thumb grazing gently over the boy's cheek, sadness in his eyes.

"I...I ... left..."

"Dean." The tone was quiet but firm.

"Sammy was cold. His coat didn't fit any more."

"Where's your sweater?"

"The coat was thin. I didn't want Sammy to get sick."

She saw the man smile grimly and shake his head. "Good boy, for telling the truth. That's always important remember. Now Sammy, let's take that coat off because Dean needs it until I can get you both something warm enough."

"No, 's cold."

"Samuel. Let Dean have the coat."

"It's okay, Pastor Jim. I can manage."

"No Dean. Sammy can give you the coat for now, he still has your sweater, so he'll be okay. It's not for long."

"Dean said I had to wear it. 's like a big hug from him to keep me warm."

"Let Dean have the coat, Sammy."

"Sammy, you know you have to do what the Pastor says. You mustn't be naughty, Dad will be angry."

"But..."

"Sammy, I'll give you a real hug instead."

"Okay, Dean. You can have the coat, I don't mind."

The teacher saw the Pastor frown. "That child has a stubborn streak that does his brother no good," he said with a nod toward the pre-schooler. Then he turned his penetrating gaze to her and said "You want to talk to me alone?"

She nodded.

"Could the boys stay here while we check the paperwork?"

"Of course. Dean, why don't you get some books to show Sammy until we get back."

"Great idea. Sammy, you listen carefully. You sit on the chair and you don't move until I get back. Dean's watching and he'll get some books to show you. If you don't move, you pick dinner, if you do move, I pick. Right?"

"I pick."

"No moving then."

"Right." Both adults shared a smile as Sammy settled obediently into a chair.

"Pastor Jim?"

"Dean, it's fine, there's nothing to worry about."

"I've tried to be good. I've tried to do everything right. I've tried to..."

"Dean, it's fine, honey. You've been real good in my class. I'll tell the Pastor about all the good things you've done."

"Dean, Listen up, young man." the teacher was surprised at the tone of voice the seemingly mild mannered Pastor used. She also noticed the children's almost military response. "This is not about anything you've done. Your teacher has never met me and when your Dad left he didn't have time to call the school to let them know I'd be picking you up, so she needs to check my details against the form your Dad filled in when you first came. Right?"

"Yes sir."

"Look at those books with your brother now."

"Yes sir."

"Good lad." He patted his head gently.

Both adults watched as Dean picked two books from the shelf before leaving the room. Jim pulled the door closed behind him and turned to her. "You think I was hard on him, I know. Believe me, I'd rather not order him like that, unfortunately it's what he's used to. His father was in the military and sometimes hearing it stops him worrying. Now I'm assuming you have some questions you want answered about his welfare, while you check the paperwork. Ask what you will and I'll answer what I can. Honestly. I will tell you if Dean's father suspects you are checking on him, he will move with the boys again. I will not tell him anything you ask, but Dean will. I also believe he is not hitting Dean despite the bruising you've seen. I will talk with the lad this evening and if I have any reason to think his dad hit him, I will take them away myself."

The teacher looks at him and considers her question, "Today isn't the first day Dean has been without a coat or sweater, nor the first I have suspected he has come to school without eating breakfast. It is the first day I can say with absolute certainty tht he had no lunch until another child gave him some. You tell me despite bruising that suggests otherwise that he is not being hurt."

"On the contrary, I said that I believe Dean is not being hit by his father. I do not condone anything that results in such bruising. I equally do not condone a child not having enough clothes or food, but the family are in a difficult situation."

"Trust me, Pastor Murphy, I see many children from single parent homes. A child does not need to be treated as Dean appears to be."

"I understand. I myself will see to the clothing situation as best as I can whilst I am here. I will see what I can do about getting John to willingly leave the children in my care or for them all to stay with me. It would mean Dean moving school again but I assure you I would provide all the consistency I could. John Winchester loves his children and does not intend them any harm."

"He has a funny way of showing it."

"John is tormented by the death of his wife. He has not been able to come to terms with it or move on with his life. He has friends like myself who try to help him hold it together for the boys' sake. If social services were to take his boys away, his reason for living would be gone. I will do my best to tighten the support he is given by friends, we will endeavour to better protect the children. Each time he runs, it takes us time to find him and the boys again or for him to feel he can contact us."

"Pastor Murphy, if you're suggesting I..."

"I'm suggesting I care personally for these children and not just as a pastor. If I fail to improve the situation, you should do as you see fit. I will come down myself to see the boys regularly and I will attempt to convince John to bring them to me for weekends."

"And the bruising Pastor? What will you do about that?"

"John believes his children should be able to defend themselves and Dean is for his age accomplished at both martial arts and boxing. I suspect his father has either been teaching him more complicated manoeuvres or has had him working out against an older child and that has resulted in the bruising, but until I speak to Dean, I cannot be sure. Whatever the cause, I shall try to prevent a reoccurence."

"The paperwork is in order, Pastor Murphy and your words speak of good intentions. If you honestly believe you can improve the situation I shall give you some time but if I find him bruised or without food again, I will call the relevant authorities."

"Thank you. Thank you for both your trust in me and your concern for Dean. He is a child who needs people to look out for him."

"I have another question for you."

"Go ahead."

"Before we left the children, you told Dean to show the book to his brother, not read one to him. Why was that?"

"Just before they came here, they stayed with me for a short while. Dean said he couldn't read and that the children at his old school thought he was dumb. Now in my mind, I know for a certainty that he isn't dumb, however, being able to read seems to be currently out of his grasp. I feel sure moving school so frequently has aggravated the situation."

"I think you are correct. It is a belief that he cannot read that stops him being able to rather than actual inability. Time, encouragement and praise are what's needed. Can you do that for him too, Pastor?"

"I can try my best, Ma'am."

"So will I. We tell our children to always try their best. But on this occasion, our best must be good enough for the child you know."

"You are right, of course. He deserves nothing less."

"In which case, Pastor, we should see about you taking your young charges home."

"Indeed."

As they opened the classroom door, they saw the two boys, Sammy curled in close to his brother as Dean showed the pictures and talked him through the story. "Well, it looks like Sammy gets to pick his dinner tonight."

"Yeah. I was good, wasn't I Dean?"

"Yeah, you were."

"Glad to hear that. Well boys, it's time for us to go. Dean, do you have homework?"

Dean ignored the question as he put the books away.

"Dean, I asked you a question."

"I have reading."

"Good, we have plenty of time for reading this evening, make sure you have your books packed in your bag. Let me see." He waited until Dean showed him the reading, before nodding and taking Sammy's hand. He put the other hand on Dean's shoulder and guided him to the door. "I apologise again for the suddeness of my appearance but thank you for your patience."

"It was good to meet you. I'll see you tomorrow, Dean, for some more fantastic reading, I'm sure." She saw the glimmer of a shy smile cross his face and she smiled back.