Chapter 5: Joy Ride

I had been home from the hospital for almost a week, and dad had not returned. He called to tell Dean that he was being held up on the hunt and wouldn't be home for a few more days. He proceeded to tell Dean that he needed to make sure that I was comfortable, to make sure that my arm was healing appropriately, to make sure that Sam did all of his chores, to make sure that I had everything that I wanted, and most of all to make sure that we all stayed safe. Dean already knew to do all of this; he had been taking care of Sammy and me since he was four. However, he listened carefully to dad as he gave him specific instructions for everything that he wanted him to do, and answered in his most respectful tone of voice. Dean had learned long ago that it was always in his best interest to show dad complete attention and respect. After he hung up the phone, Dean grumbled, "He thinks I don't know how to do anything", but that was as far as he ventured. As far as Dean was concerned, his dad's words were law and gospel.

I was beginning to feel very restless; I had been stuck inside for almost two weeks now. I knew that Dean had to be getting pretty tired of the four walls of our motel room too. He had hardly left my side since the accident, and I knew how he loved to be outside wild and free. Sam had been outside plenty completing his daily PT and his chores, but he hadn't been able to do anything fun. I knew that it was time to get this group of Winchesters out into the sun for some R&R.

"Dean, Can we go somewhere today? I'm tired of just sitting here doing nothing! We need to do something fun."

"Kellie, you know that I would love to do something, but dad said that I had to make sure that you stayed safe and comfortable. If anything were to happen, he would be furious!"

"Nothing's going to happen, Dean. I feel fine; I'm just tired of being trapped indoors. We all need a break."

" I know, but I don't think we should. Let's at least wait until dad gets back from his hunt; then he can give us permission to go."

"Dean, who knows how long that will be? It could be days or even weeks before he comes back. He may come in and be ready for us to pack up and leave. You know how he is, and if he comes back in a bad mood, he'll say no for sure. Please, Dean?". I gave Dean my best puppy-dog eyes; he could never refuse anything that I asked when I gave him those eyes. He always said that I reminded him so much of mom when I did that.

I could see that his resolve was wavering; I knew that he wanted to go as much as I did. I know it was manipulative of me, but I laid my head over on his shoulder and in my sweetest little sister voice said, "Please, Deanie? For me?"

"Oh, you rascal! You know that I can never say no to you when you do that. Come on!"

Dean and I rushed out of the room calling to Sam who was just finishing up vacuuming the carpets of the Impala. "Come on, Sam. We are headed to town!"

"All right!", he said as he quickly went to return the vacuum to the motel lobby. "Thank you for letting me use your vacuum", he told the manager.

"No problem. Anytime." replied the heavy-set man. "I like to see kids who know how to work. Your parents are doing right by you; you'll be a success one day because of them. You all are some of the most polite young people I've seen in a long time. Glad to have your family staying at my motel."

" Well, thank you, Sir. I'll let my folks know that you said so. Thanks again." replied Sam with a quick wave of his long arm.

As Sam jumped into the front seat of the Impala slamming the door behind him, he let out a loud, "Yeehaw! Let's hit the road!"

Dean carefully pulled out of the parking lot to avoid drawing the attention of anyone standing around. The three of us felt like birds released from a cage; we all began chattering at once. Finally, Dean yelled, "Hold it! One at a time! Does anyone have any idea where we should go? Sammy, what do you think?"

Sam looked at him curiously and then said, "Can't we just drive? Windows down? Hair blowing in the breeze?"

"Only you would worry about your hair blowing in the breeze, Samantha," chuckled Dean rolling his eyes. "But I must admit, that sounds good. How about you Kellie? What do you think?"

"Well, that does sound like fun! Can we turn the music up really loud? And I would really love a bacon cheeseburger with fries and a vanilla milkshake! What do you think Dean? Can we? Pleeeeaaase?"

"I'm with you on the cheeseburger and fries and the loud music! Let's do it! We'll stop by Frank's Diner and get burgers, fries, and milkshakes to go. Oh, and pie. We've got to get some pie."

"Of course, Dean. We would never forget your pie," I teased.

An hour later, we were cruising down the highway singing "Sweet Home Alabama" to the top of our lungs. I hadn't felt this good in a long time. There was just something about the three of us being together, laughing, talking, and just having fun that seemed to make everything better. It just felt right in so many ways and on so many levels.

"Remember that time that Daddy took us to that circus because they gave us free tickets at school?"

"Yeah, and Sammy cried the whole time because he was afraid of the clowns," remarked Dean.

"I did not! Well, not the whole time; just while the clowns were in the ring."

"That was so much fun," I said. "I wish we could do more things like that with Daddy."

All of sudden, I heard Dean say, "No! No! No!"

"Dean, what's wrong?"

"Behind us. It's the police, and he has on his lights. I must have been speeding. What am I going to do? Dad will kill me if I get a ticket for speeding; especially with you in the car. Hold On, You two."

With that Dean floored the accelerator, and the Impala jerked forward going faster than before. I held on as hard as I could, but still my heart was hammering in my chest. I knew that what we were doing was wrong; and I knew that things never went well for the Winchesters when we made bad choices.

"Dean, you have to stop."

"I can't, Kellie. I have to try to get away," replied Dean as he made a quick right turn onto a dusty country lane.

"This can't end well, Dean," said Sam. "You know this will never work. Just stop now while we are ahead."

I could tell that Dean was in full on panic mode; I believe doctors call it the fight or flight response, and my big brother was in full flight. Driving as fast and furiously as he could, he was as pale as a ghost and drops of perspiration dotted his upper lip. I had only seen him like this a couple of times in my lifetime, and I knew that when he got like this there was no stopping him.

I didn't know how long we raced down these back country roads, as Dean made numerous turns in his best effort to outrun and dodge the police officer that persistently tailed us. It was then that I noticed the sign up ahead, "Road Closed for Construction".

"Dean," I screamed. "We have to stop! The road is closed!"

Sam stated, "Come on, Man. You've got to stop. It will be ok. Dean. Dean. Do you hear me? Stop the car NOW!"

Finally, Dean's adrenaline must have returned to normal, and he was able to hear Sam. He began slowing the car. Once the car came to a complete stop, he just laid his head over onto the steering wheel and let out a long sigh.

From outside the car came a very loud voice, "Get out of the car! Put your hands behind your head and down on your knees! All of you!"

Dean let out a shudder and then said, "We are so dead!"