Johnny Winchester was happy. He loved his life in Kansas with his dad, uncle, cousin, and grandfather. He loved hunting, and was probably a better shot than anyone else in his family (though they would never admit it). He was captain of his soccer team and a starting pitcher on his baseball team. He had a girl he'd happily spend all his time with. He had good health, lots of friends, and more freedom than most 17 year olds. His life was good and he knew it. There was one thing, however, that was noticeably missing from his life, and he was brutally reminded of it every week when his cousin had his Sunday night call with his mom.

Johnny never knew his mom, she died during childbirth, and most of the time he didn't think about what his life would be like if she had lived. But Caden did have a mom, and even though he didn't see her all that often, they were close. They talked on the phone at least once a week (when she had cell service), she often wrote him letters and when she visited they'd always go on fun adventures. She did her best to include Johnny too, but it just wasn't the same. Johnny tried not to let jealousy get the best of him, but it was hard sometimes. It's one of those things about life that just isn't fair, and it's nobody's fault, but it's still painful.

Caden not only had a mom, but he had an uncle and another cousin as well. They lived in New York, and Caden had only met them in person a handful of times. But he did get a Christmas card from them every year, and that was enough to make Johnny feel left out.

Caden hung up the phone from his weekly call with his mom and plopped down at the kitchen table next to Johnny. "Tyler's coming to visit." He sighed.

Johnny eyed his cousin as he polished off the French fries on his plate. "Your cousin? Why?"

Caden shrugged. "His dad has a business trip in Tokyo and can't bring him, my mom is wrapped up in a hunt so my dad offered to have him here."

"Weird." Johnny replied, taking his plate to the sink. "I didn't think your dad and your uncle were close."

"I think it's more of a favor to my mom being that he's her only nephew… besides you, of course." He added quickly.

"Nice save." Johnny rolled his eyes.

"Hey boys," Dean strolled into the kitchen with his arms full of dirty rags. "Johnny, clean up these dishes and get ready for bed. You got school in the morning."

"Did you get the Impala fixed, dad?"

"I think so, it was squirting oil like crazy but I'm pretty sure it's under control now."

"Uncle Dean, did you know that Tyler is coming to stay here?"

"Yeah, Sam told me. Pretty exciting, huh?" Dean asked, tossing a sponge to his son.

Caden raised and dropped his shoulder. "I don't know, I don't really know him. Last time I saw him I was 12, he was only 8."

"Well, I'm sure he's grown up since then, just like you have."

"I guess, but what am I supposed to do with him? He's 13, he's from the city… we have nothing in common."

Dean clapped Caden on the back. "He's a teenage boy, I'm sure you'll have a thing or two in common. Teach him about the country life. I bet he'd get a kick outta ridin' and shootin'— Jonathan, do the dishes!"

Caden turned to see Johnny spraying water across the sink like a fountain. "What are you doing?"

Johnny shrugged. "Just tryin to make a rainbow."

Dean dragged his hand across his face. "Jesus boy, just do the dishes and hit the rack." He sounded serious but Johnny could see the smile he was concealing.

The day his cousin was coming arrived quickly and Caden was dreading it more than he should have. The kid was going to be in his room, in his space for 5 days and even though he was only 4 years younger Caden felt like he was going to be a damn babysitter.

Caden was in the living room watching tv when he heard the knock at the door. He shifted his eyes at the sound but had no intention of actually getting up and answering it. Sam strolled in from the kitchen with a dishrag in his hand, he swung it up onto his shoulder and reached for the knob.

"Mark, great to see you!" He said, shaking the hand of a tall, stalky man. Caden noticed his uncle looked a lot different than the last time they'd met. His dark hair was now gray on the top, and the lines around his eyes were more prominent. "And Tyler, nice to see you again," Sam continued. "We're glad to have you here."

"Hi." The kid answered sullenly. His shaggy brown hair hung down over his eyes, you could barely see his stark blue eyes peeking out. He was wearing straight blue jeans and a white polo shirt, not a wrinkle on either one. This kid was clearly a prep and that made Caden dislike him right from the get go.

Sam ushered them into the living room. "Caden, come say hi to your uncle and cousin!" Sam's voice was cheery, almost too cheery, he was clearly trying too hard.

Caden flipped off the tv and followed his dads order. "Hi Uncle Mark." He waved, walking up to shake his hand.

"Caden, wow! You've gotta be a foot taller than the last time I saw you!" He pulled Caden in for a much-too-tight hug.

After Mark released him Caden turned to his cousin. "Hi Tyler."

"Hey." Tyler answered, not looking up from his shoes. Caden got the feeling he wasn't a big fan of having to stay here either.

"Tyler," Mark said. "Why don't you show Caden the books you brought. I heard he's a big reader too."

Tyler crossed his arms and looked at his father. "No thanks."

It was quiet for a minute before Sam spoke up. "Well, hey, that's ok Tyler. I'm sure you're tired from a day of travel. Caden can show you his room and you can get yourself settled. Good and drink in the kitchen if you want anything."

"Thanks Sam." Tyler said flatly.

"Well, Mark, why don't we head into the kitchen. I'll get you some coffee and we can make sure I have all the info I need." Sam said leading Mark out of the room.

"So…" Caden began. "Want to bring your stuff to my room?"

Tyler shrugged. "I guess."

Caden led him down the hall and into his room. Johnny was inside doing pushups in the middle of the floor. He stopped when the boys came in. "Hey," Johnny sat up and wiped the sweat from his eyes. "Good to see you, Tyler." Tyler started at him. "I'm Caden's cousin Johnny." He reminded him, holding out a hand.

Tyler's eyes flashed to Johnny's hand but he didn't take it. "I know." Tyler sat on the cot Sam had set for him and crossed his arms.

Johnny quirked an eyebrow in Caden's direction. Caden shrugged. "Ooookay. Well I've got some chores to do. Make yourself comfortable."

As Johnny left Caden turned to Tyler. "I'll be right back."

Caden ran to catch up with Johnny and caught him just outside the front door.

"Well, he's fun." Johnny said.

Caden sat on the top porch step. "What am I supposed to do with him? He barely says a word. Hell, he won't even look up!"

Johnny shrugged. "I don't know. Do you have to do anything with him? Just let him be, I guess."

"Dad seems to want us to bond or something."

Johnny laced up his shoes and started walking towards the field behind the house. "Then bond with him, I don't know, Caden."

Caden, following behind, heard an edge in his cousins voice but chose to ignore it. "Well I don't know either so I'm just gonna stick with you. I'll help you with your chores."

"No thanks."

"Why not?"

Johnny turned on his cousin. "First of all, because dad would kill me since these chores are a consequence for my "bad attitude". Second of all, I don't really want to be around you right now. So just go back to your cousin and leave me alone." He turned away to start walking again but Caden grabbed his arm.

"What is your problem?"

"You." Johnny replied, yanking his arm out of Caden's grip.

"Why?"

"Because! Do you know how much I would kill to have a mom? Or an uncle or a cousin or any family member on my mom's side? I know nothing about an entire half of who I am. Do you get that? But you, you get to know your mom and some of her family and all you wanna do is complain. Well, bitch to someone else cause I don't wanna hear it."

With that Johnny stormed off to do his chores, leaving Caden to think about how lucky he really is.