Wasted

As if I couldn’t be any more nervous. I had absolutely nothing to wear other than jeans and a freaking flannel shirt. My lifestyle has forbidden me to have style. Ironic, huh? At times like these I really wished I could call up a best girlfriend or my mom for advice. I can’t believe I even thought about dating. I haven’t dated in years. I had no idea how to do this. What do I wear? What do I talk about? This was driving me insane to the point where I’d, for sure, pulled all my hair out. Though, if I did that I wouldn’t know what to do with my hair.

To take my mind off of it for a while, I decided to make me and Bobby some sandwiches for dinner. I kept dropping the knife from my mayonnaise. Then I guess I wasn’t paying attention and I put peanut butter on Bobby’s BLT. I was so nervous, I couldn’t think straight. I crashed all of the dishes into the sink, overly frustrated with such a simple task. Bobby ran in when he heard the crash. He looked around seeing everything was okay.

“What’s goin’ on, Blondie?” Bobby asked.

I shrugged. “I’m so nervous. I can’t do this. I don’t have any clothes. And I don’t even know what I was thinkin’. He’s got a kid! What am I gonna do with a kid?!” I threw my arms up to the side.

“It’s not like he proposed to ya.”

“I know, but when single parents date, they look for a potential parent. It’s almost fact. I am far from ready to be a mom! I wouldn’t even know how. I didn’t have a mom growing up.”

“Calm down. Alright.” Bobby ordered. I nodded, taking deep breaths. “Is that really it? The kid?” he asked.

I shook my head. “No, I don’t know. I mean, I don’t date. I have had one real relationship. In high school. And Dean…” I swallowed. “I ran away from Dean. And by the time I left, he almost seemed willing. He’s my best friend. And he’s not okay with me dating. I don’t know if it’s because I’m dating someone else, or…” I trailed off. “He said he was okay with it, but I can tell when he’s lying. He’s a terrible liar. But I need to try with Jason. I know that.” I grumbled and slammed a first on the counter. “I just wish it wasn’t’ so damn complicated.”

Bobby sighed and rolled up his sleeves. “Let’s try again on those sandwiches, huh?”

I looked at him. I was glad he decided to drop it. I needed to relax and not think about it. It was why I came down to the kitchen in the first place. I liked Bobby. Somehow he knew what to say or do in my situation. I didn’t remember him being this awesome. He used to be just an old guy with a bunch of old cars. I will definitely miss him when I left. If I left.

*3rd Person POV*

Dean and Sam walked into the station following behind Sheriff Jake Devins. The two men had just witnessed Bill Carlton go out in a boat and not come back. There was definitely something wrong with that lake and it involved Bill Carlton. Only how that he was gone, he couldn’t be questioned about it.

Andrea was in the station with her little boy, Lucas, who drew the pictures for Dean. She stands from her chair. “Sam, Dean.” She said. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Her father, the Sheriff, looked at her confused. “Since when are you three on a first name basis? What are you doing here”

“I brought you dinner.” She said, handing him a brown paper bag.

Jake hung his head. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I don’t really have time. Something just happened and – ”

“Is this about Bill Carlton?” Andrea interrupted. “I heard what happened. Is it true? Is something going on with the lake?”

The Sheriff sighed. “Right now we don’t know what the truth is. But I think it might be best if the two of you went home.” Lucas looks up from his lap and cries. He looked almost scared. He jumped from his chair and went over to Dean, grabbing and shaking his jacket clad arm. Dean looked down at Lucas.

“Lucas?? Hey, what is it” The boy didn’t respond, but kept grabbing at Dean’s arm. “Lucas?” Andrea goes to her son’s side, putting an arm around his shoulders. Dean gets on one knee to be at the kid’s height. “Lucas, it’s okay.” Dean kept repeating it until Andrea led Lucas outside. Lucas and Dean hold eye contact until they can’t see each other anymore. Jake puts his jacket down and retreats to his office, Sam and Dean following shortly after. The three sit down around Jake’s desk.

“Jake put an elbow on his desk and points to the younger men in front of him. “Okay, just so I’m clear,” Jake started, “You two see, uh…something attack Bill’s boat, sending Bill – who is, by the way, a very good swimmer – into the drink, and you never see him again?” Dean noticed the Sheriff sounded a bit condescending.

Before responding, Dean looked to his brother, who shrugged. “Yeah, that about sums everything up.”

“Okay… and I’m supposed to believe this, even though I’ve already sonar swept that entire lake? And what you’re describing is impossible? And…” he stressed. “you’re not really wildlife service?” Dean’s eyes widened at Jake’s rhetorical question. “That’s right, I checked Department’s never heard of you two.”

Dean stumbled for words. He opened his mouth to respond, but his phone vibrated in his jacket pocket. He ignored it, though, and answered. “See, now, we can explain that.”

“Jake held up a hand to Dean’s excuses. “Enough. The only reason you two are still breathing free air is because of the one neighbor that saw Bill take his boat out just before you did. So, we have a couple of options here. I can arrest both of you for impersonating government officials and hold you as material witnesses to Bill Carlton’s disappearance or, we can chalk this all up to a bad day, you get into your car, you put this town in your rearview mirror, and you don’t ever darken my doorstep again.”

Sam shook his head at his brother. “Door number two sounds good.” The brothers stood up and turned to leave.

“That’s the one I’d pick.” Jake said, as they left. The boys went back to their motel to retrieve their things and leave town as soon as they could. It was dark by the time Sam and Dean made it to the intersection to turn to the interstate. Dean stopped at a red light. Dean couldn’t stop thinking about the kid, Lucas. He seemed so scared. He was completely freaked out of his mind. Dean thought about McKenly. What would she do? She was always so much better with kids. McKenly would kill him if he left that kid to take care of this himself. This job wasn’t over.

“Green.” Sam said, startling Dean.

“What?”

“Light’s green.” Sam pointed. Dean remained at the light for a moment. He could either go off to the interstate or right back to town. He heard McKenly’s voice in his head, telling him which way to go. He turned right. “Uh, the interstate’s the other way.” Dean nodded to Sam’s comment.

“I know.”

*McKenly’s POV*

Here I was. Pacing. Again. It was 7:50, almost time for Jason to come get me. there was nothing but nerves in my stomach. I couldn’t eat the sandwiches bobby and I remade. The nervousness was getting to me. Bobby was in the other room looking over one of his books. At least, he was pantomiming. There was no way he’d get anything done with me pacing along the creaky floorboards. I looked at the watch on my left wrist, hiding a tattoo of two birds perched on a branch. Only a couple more minutes have passed. I groaned.

“Blondie, if you don’t stop walkin’ around, I’m gon’ come in there and beat yer ass.” Bobby called. I sighed and sat on the couch. As soon as my butt hit the fabric, I heard gravel from outside. He was here. I breathed, slowing my heart. I heard the patter of footsteps on the front porch and refrained from jumping off the couch. I couldn’t show him that I was eager to go on the date. Rumsfeld whined on the porch, before Jason knocked on the door. I waited a minute before answering the door.

I tried not to sound too excited. “Hey, Jason.” I smiled through the screen door.

“Hi, McKenly.” He said, with a toothy grin. “Are you ready to go??” I smiled. I’d be lying if I didn’t take a minute to check him out. Jason was in work clothes, but he looked as casual as he did the other night in jeans. His black slacks paired with a light blue dress shirt made me feel underdressed in jeans, a tank top, and a black jacket similar to one Dean had. Not that I was thinking about Dean at all. He had crossed my mind for a second when I was freaking out. I thought calling him and hearing his voice would calm me down. Only he didn’t answer and it went straight to voice mail. I took it as a sign not to try again.

I sighed, returning my attention to Jason. “Yeah, let’s go.” I turned to yell at Bobby. “See you later, Uncle Bobby.” I wanted him to know that I told Jason he was my uncle.

“Later, Blondie!” he shouted back, not coming into view.

I shook my head and looked to Jason. “I think you’re right. Maybe he is the town drunk.” Jason laughed at my remark.

“I heard that.” Bobby warned.

I giggled. “Later!” I shouted, pushing the screen door open.

“Don’t bother coming back.”

Jason pointed towards the voice, questioningly. I waved it off. “He doesn’t mean it.” I stepped into the coolish evening air. “He loves me. But I’m kind of a pain in the ass sometimes.”

Jason laughed, leading me to his car. “So I was thinking ice cream.” I thought for a second, hiding my excitement. Little did he know, I loved ice cream…a lot. I nodded as he opened the door for me. “Great.” He said, softly closing my door after I thanked him, he ran around the car and as soon as he got in, the nerves disappeared. I was ready for this date.

*3rd Person POV*

Sam and Dean were both in the Impala, almost back to town. Sam couldn’t get over why they were going back if the case was over. Dean wasn’t so sure. Sam tried reasoning with him.

“If Bill murdered Peter Sweeney and Peter’s spirit got its revenge, case closed. That little boy’s spirit should be at rest.”

“What if we leave and he’s not at rest? I don’t know, what if we’ve missed something? More people could get hurt,” Dean argued with his brother. Sam shook his head.

“Why would you think that?” Sam asked.

“Because Lucas was really scared.” Dean admitted.

“Is that what this about? Some chicks kid?”

Dean shook his head. “I don’t want to leave this town until I know the kid’s okay.”

“Who are you?” Sam asked, condescendingly. “And what have you done with my brother?”

Dean glanced at Sam. “McKenly would hate me if something happened to that kid.”

Sam nodded, finally everything clicked. “How is that?”

“Great.” Dean said shortly.

“Have you talked to her since last night?”

“No.” He responded, sighing. “She called while we were in with Jake. I couldn’t answer. Haven’t had a chance to call her back. She’s probably on a date by now.”

“She’ll come back.” Sam assured. “She promised.”

“What if this guy convinces her not to? She could get attached to the kid.”

“What kid?”

“The guy’s kid. Sam, come on. Don’t you know anything?”

Sam shrugged. “You didn’t tell me about a kid.” They finally arrived back at Lucas’s house. “Dean? Were you gonna tell me about the kid?” Sam asked as the two climbed out of the car.

Dean shrugged. “I was hoping she would tell you.”

Sam shook his head. “If anything it will bring her back quicker.” Sam said, confused his brother. “There is no way that she is ready to settle down and be a parent to that kid.” That made Dean feel a whole lot better about McKenly dating this guy. He didn’t know why he didn’t think of that before. Sam was right, she wasn’t ready to be a mom.

The two boys walked up the sidewalk to the house.

“Are you sure about this? IT’s really late. I wouldn’t want to wake them.” Sam asked. Dean answered by ringing the doorbell. As soon as the bell finished sounding, the door was swung open by Lucas, who was frantic.

“Lucas? What’s wrong??” Dean asked the kid. Lucas sped off into the house, leading the Winchesters upstairs. Lucas stopped at a door and started pounding his fist against it. Dean pushed him to Sam and kicked the door down to find Andrea sloshing around in the bathtub as if something was attacking her, pulling her under the water. Dean held Lucas and Sam went in to dig Andrea out of the bath water. He struggled but ended up pulling her out and they both fell to the floor awkwardly since Andrea was naked. As Andrea caught her breath Dean continued to comfort Lucas in his arms.

*McKenly’s POV*

“Alright, so I need to know more about you.” Jason told me as we waited in line for our ice cream. “Important things first. What’s your favorite flavor ice cream?”

I smiled. “Chocolate chip cookie dough.” I said, confidently. I couldn’t believe that I didn’t feel nervous anymore. Jason made plenty of jokes and eased the first date tension. It’s like I was talking to someone I’ve known for years. “I’ve been eating it ever since I was little.”

Jason grinned a my response. “That’s Jacob’s favorite. His mom got him into it.” I smiled, not knowing what to say. It was a little awkward for me when he brought up his late wife. I knew she was dead, but it felt like I was “the other woman.” Jason went to order our ice cream, my favorite for me, chocolate for him. We sat in a couple of rocking chairs on the outside of the parlor. “He talks about ‘the lady from the store’ every now and then. Thinks you two are best friends.”

“Really?” I questioned.

Jason nodded. “He’s never remembered anyone like this. You must have made quite an impression on him.”

I shrugged. I couldn’t just leave him to wander the store. Your son is adorable.”

Jason smiled. “So are you from here? Or is that just your uncle?”

“No. I’m from Kansas. Little town called Lawrence. I wasn’t there for very long and I haven’t been back, but it’s where I call home.”

“I bet your parents miss you, though. Why don’t you go back?”

“I – ” I paused, “There weren’t very many happy memories. My, uh – my parents died in a fire when I was three.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I don’t remember much about them. I vaguely remember that night.” I lied. I remembered every bit. “I was staying at the neighbors with my best friend, Dean. His mom went to my house to talk to my mom about something and she never came back. Dean’s dad raised me and we moved around a lot.” I looked up to see him listening intently. I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I am talking way too much. Where are you from?”

“Here.” He smiled. “And you should know that it’s alright that you talk a lot. I wanna know about you. my life is nothing special. I thought you said you had a brother? Sam?”

“Well, Sam is actually Dean’s little brother. He was a baby when everything happened. And I did help raise him. So I promise it wasn’t a lie.”

“What about this Dean guy?”

“Honestly, with him, it’s complicated. I thought he was just my best friend. We’ve known each other our whole lives. We lived next door to each other before the fire. We work together. We travel together.”

“He’s the reason you left?” Jason asked. how had he known? Was it really that obvious, even with what little he know about the both of us. I nodded my head, pulling the hair out of my face.

“I started to have feelings for him that I didn’t know were reciprocated. He’s my best friend and having any sort of feelings for him could make things complicated and awkward. So I left. Took some time off and decided to focus on me.

Jason smiled. “I think that’s very brave of you. Leaving your family takes a lot of guts and I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened to you.” I waved him off and shrugged.

“I just think the distance would do me some good.”

“Haven’t you ever heard of a little saying: ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder’?”

I nodded. “I thought about it. And then I ran into your little boy.” I smiled.