Freedom Lights

The aftermath

I awoke to the sound of pounding on my door.

“MOMMMYYYY”

I groan before jumping out of bed and opening the door, “hi my little demon.” I grinned broadly as I pick him up. Making my way to the stairs.

“Are you hungry?”

“PANCAKES!” He yells in my ear and flails around in my arms. I laugh heartily at his enthusiasm before making my way downstairs to the kitchen. I set him down and began the work.

“Good morning lovely daughter of mine.”

My dad rounds the corner. He probably hasn’t been to bed yet and won’t until I’m out of the house. Sundays are the only days of the week the shop is closed and his only real resting days.

“Has John called?” I flip the chocolate chip pancake as I prepare a plate for James to eat.

“Yeah. Deans okay. 6 Broken ribs. Concussion, bruised kidney, broken ankle and some broken fingers and wrist. But alive nonetheless.”

I heave out a deep breath. That would be my first stop today.

“Would you mind keeping an eye on him while I make a quick phone call?”

“Sure.”

I plate the pancake and set James up with chocolate milk and some toy cars and leave the kitchen.

Sighing heavily, I pull my phone out to make a call that I know is pointless, but if I don’t try, I’ll never hear the end of it.

It rings until I’m almost sure I’ll get his nonexistent voicemail before…”what?”

I roll my eyes, “Hello, Jake. Nice to hear from you too. I’m fine, thanks for asking.”

“I’m kinda busy Remi. What do you want?” The sound of treadmills whir in the background. If I roll my eyes much more, they might actually fall out.

“I was wondering if you’d be able to take James for a couple hours today? I need to run some errands and they’re places James doesn’t need to be in.” I don’t know why I hold my breath.

Jake sighs heavily on the other end, “Are you in trouble?”

“What? No. I just witnessed an accident last night and need to file a police report.” Why am I justifying myself to this man?

“Seriously? Whatever, I can’t take him. Me and Dylan are on a mini vacation.” I can hear the love in his voice. Ugh, he’s lucky he’s happy or else I’d hate him a helluva lot more.

“What? You left and didn’t even tell your son bye?” Of course he didn’t. Since he left, he’s seen James a total of 2 times in the year he’s been gone.

“Uh yeah sorry. It was a spur of the moment thing. Look, I gotta go. Good luck at the station.” Click. Asshole.

Looks like I have a companion for my runs today.

Walking back to the kitchen, Jameson had finished up his pancakes and dad was wiping him down.

“How did that go?”

“It didn’t.” I huff.

Rolling his eyes, “Good thing I called Jody. You can drop him at her place on your way to the station.”

I smiled widely at him, “Always prepared, aren’t you?”

“I just know you’re too prideful to ask her yourself.”

“Jakes on a ‘mini-vacation’.” I growl out.

My dad shrugs, “I never did think he was much of a man. And the fact that he’s pretty much walking out on his kid is proving it.” My dad comes over and pulls me into one of his rare bear hugs.

“That’s alright. We don’t need him.” I smile at James as he vrooms his cars all over the kitchen.

I get Jameson and myself dressed, pack his bag before telling my father goodbye and loading James in my jeep and head to Jody’s.

I’m pulling in her driveway, as Alex comes barreling out of the door.

“JAMES!!!” She throws the door open and starts tickling him. And he’s instantly in a fit of giggles.

“Hey! I didn’t know you were home from school?” I ask her as I grab his bag and she undoes his car seat and pulls him out.

“Got back right after Bobby’s phone call with Jody. What a welcome home present!” She smiled at James who was on her hip bouncing and giggling. Alex was his FAVORITE. Jody had adopted 2 girls from working as the sheriff of our small town. Alex and Claire were….polar opposites. Currently attending some university I forgot the name of to become a RN, Alex was on the fast track to success. Jody had rescued her from s*x trafficking when she was 15. Claire on the other hand, she was still in high-school but it was a fight to get her to go. She was rowdy and headstrong but she had a heart of gold if she allowed it to show. Her parents had died in a car crash when she was 14 and Jody had saved her from the burning car. It was a weird dynamic but they made it work.

We walked into the house and the first thing I heard…

“You are NOT staying at his house!” Stomping came from the hallway and I shot Alex a look.

“Come on James, I got some new cars to show you!” Alex took him by the hand and led him to the back porch where they had a bin of toys just for him. He really does have a village.

“Why not? Alex was staying at her boyfriend's place at my age!” Clair and Jody had stormed into the living room completely ignoring me in their heated discussion.

I cleared my throat. I had a lot of stuff to do today, and I did not want to get caught up in this argument.

Jody looked at me and grinned widely, “Hey sweetie, I heard about your adventure last night.” Jody’s mouth dropped to a frown and her brows crinkled. Why was I friends with all the cops? I don’t know.

“Yeah, I have some stuff to clear up with that. I’m gonna head out. I’ll be back in a couple of hours. Thanks again for keeping an eye on him.”

My mom passed away when I was 6. Cancers a b***h. But Jody was always there. Teaching me the ropes of being a woman when dad didn’t know the right steps. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for her.

“Of course. We love that boy and will be glad to have him anytime.”

Claire shot me a look, “Where’s Jake?”

“Mini vacation.” I loved Claire but this girl needed a reality check sometimes.

“Convenient.” She grumbled, and I agreed with her wholeheartedly.

“I’ll be back soon!” I popped in on Alex and James to say my goodbyes before heading to the Memorial hospital.

————————————————————-

As I walk into the hospital, I’m hit with the strong smell of antiseptic and all the other hospital smells. Urine, s**t, dreams down the drain. I hate hospitals. All the walls are that bright ass white that blinds anyone who looks too long and the floors that are dull gray that have seen too many dragging footsteps.

I slowly walk up to the receptionist and give the older lady that’s sitting behind the counter a good five minutes before realizing she’s going to ignore me so I clear my throat.

As I said before, I’m a good people reader. I see her physically hold her eye roll back before she asks, “Can I help you?”

“Dean Winchester's room please.”

The side eye she gave me also did not go unnoticed, “Are you family?”

I hesitate to answer because do you really need to be family in regular visiting hours these days?

“Uh Remi?” A voice right at the doorway calls. I spin around to see a very tall man. And I instantly know this is Dean's brother. His hair is almost the same color, but it’s a little darker and a lot longer coming down to his chin where Dean had that perfect buzz cut. Their jawlines were exactly the same and his eyes were just a bit more hazel than Dean's bright greens ones.

“Hey!” I toss him a wave before walking towards him.

“You need a visitor pass, ma’am.” The receptionist growls the last part.

I stop dead in my tracks, fighting my retaliation. If you don’t like the public, don’t work in it.

I spin on my heel and reach behind the desk. Tearing a visitor’s sticker off the roll before slapping it to my chest.

“EXCUSE ME!” She stands, disgust etched on her pinched little face.

“ I don’t think there’s an excuse out there for you, hun. Have a good day!” I turn towards Dean's brother, grab his arm and usher him the way he just came.

As we walk the hallway, the brother starts chuckling, “I’m Sam. Dean's younger brother. Dad told me about you, but he didn’t mention the spitfire part.” He glanced at me with a smirk dancing around his lips.

“Most people leave it out. If they don’t mention it, maybe they’ll forget I have it and the next time they see me, I’ll be nice.”

“How often does that happen?”

“It doesn’t.” I smirk up at Sam. I instantly feel welcomed by him. Which is crazy because I do not trust men. But like I said, good people reader.

He gives me a broad grin before he points to the direction we need to be walking.

“Thanks for stepping in, but how did you know who I was?” I cross my arms and look up. I’m sure he’s heard all about my failed marriage and reputation but I’m hoping he doesn’t see it how everyone else does. I think we could be good friends if he answers that question correctly.

“Dean. He described you and told us your name and how you were quick to act and blah blah blah. Honestly, I’ve never seen a woman catch his attention like you have,” I snort loudly at that, but he continues, “but I knew who you were the moment I saw you. You look a lot like Bobby.”

I grinned broadly at that. Yeah okay, I was a daddy’s girl. I’d never admit that but dad was the ONLY man on this earth I trusted so I always kept him close.

“You know my dad?”

“Yeah, he and mine are good friends. I’m very surprised we’ve never met actually.”

“You and me both. What’s up with that?” I quirk an eyebrow at him.

“Well, we were homeschooled because of dad's career. We didn’t hang out with the kids around town so our friend circle isn’t exactly big. I don’t normally take my car to the mechanics because both dad and Dean work on cars too. It’s like their weird hobby.”

“I knew John worked on his own cars. He only comes to the shop when he needs a special part ordered for him. All for the same car. 1976 Chevy Impala. Red interior and black exterior. I’ve never seen her in person but I know the parts he’s ordered for it and I’ve asked if he would bring it by sometime. He hasn’t yet but I’ll be waiting when he does.” I smile thinking about cars. They were my home. I knew every in and out of almost every car ever made. Growing up in a mechanics shop, it was hard not to love the smell of grease and gasoline. It gave me comfort and brought warmth to my skin.

“Then that explains why we haven’t run into each other yet. I’ve also been away at Stanford for the past 4 years. I finally graduated law school last spring.”

“Oh s**t so you’re the big guns huh?”

Sam smirks at me, “this is Dean's room.”

I hadn’t even realized we’d walked this far, too engrossed in the conversation.

I follow Sam into the room, quickly taking in my surroundings. It’s a normal hospital room. Neutral colored walls, a small bathroom to our left with one occupied hospital bed in the middle. In the chair next to Dean's bed, is a middle aged woman. The first thing I notice is how beautiful she is. A soft face that is framed by curly blonde hair. She has the same eyes Dean does, sharp and bright green.

When she hears us enter, her head shoots up from the book in her lap. Dean's eyes slowly opened to see who entered the room before going wide at the sight of me.

The woman in the chair stands before speaking, “Sam, I thought you were headed back to work?”

“I was, until I found Remi in the reception area harassing the receptionist.” He turns and shoots a wink my way. And I don’t miss the way the woman’s eyes widen for a fraction of a second before giving me a warm smile.

“She’s the one who wouldn’t allow me in.” I grumble.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you! My name is Mary, I’m Dean and Sam’s mother.” She extends her hand so I can shake it, which I take and I’m surprised at her firmness. Just from the handshake alone I can tell this woman doesn’t take s**t. I like this family so far.

“It’s nice to meet you too.” I glanced over at Dean who has yet to speak but was watching the interaction like a tennis match with his eyes bouncing back and forth between his brother, mother and me.

“I really just came by to check in and tell you how sorry I was. I’m headed to the station next to complete my report.”

Dean sits a little straighter in his bed and clears his throat, “You didn’t have to come by. I’m not dying.” The sharpness in his tone surprises me and my footing falters.

Sam gives Dean a firm stare before cutting across him, “She saved your damn life Dean. You could at least thank her.”

Dean huffs before giving in, “Thank you. For everything last night. But I’m not a child and I’m not on my deathbed. I don’t need all these people cooing over me.” Ah, there it is. The real reason for his irritation. It wasn’t me. It was the fact that he’s like a caged bull. Not free to do as he pleases at the moment.

His mother goes to speak, I’m assuming to reprimand his attitude but I speak before she can.

“You’re right. I'm honestly shocked they haven’t released you yet. Just a couple of broken bones doesn’t seem so bad to me.”

Sam and Mary whip their gazes to me. Probably pissed I’m egging him on but I continue anyway.

“I just mean, you should probably get up and walk out of here yourself. Stop the pain meds and go on being a big macho man that I’m sure you are.” I cast a quick glance at Sam who’s grinning like he just found buried treasure before my gaze shoots back to Dean and hold his stare, daring him to tell me he can walk out of here like it won’t hurt like a son of a b***h.

Dean huffs loudly, “Alright fine. It hurts like a b***h. But that doesn’t mean I like being here.”

“No one likes being in the white hell. But you can’t go back to pulling people over for fake stolen cars and expired stickers until you can walk properly.” I grin at him.

The corners of his mouth quirks upwards.

Mary is eyeing the both of us, and I can feel the wheels turning in her head. I clear my throat before stuffing my hands in my back pockets, “I should get going. I just wanted to apologize again.”

Sam turns to me, a question on his face but the look I'm sure is on my face must scream uncomfortable and he quickly catches on, “I can walk you out. Jess has texted about three times to remind me of the meeting I have in an hour.”

Mary grins broadly at that, “Have you asked her out yet?”

Sam's shoulders bunch and I can tell that’s a sore subject for him. Interesting.

“Mom….I can’t do that and you know it. And even if I could, I wouldn’t.”

“Why the hell not? She’s hot.” Dean shoots back.

Sam's eyes narrow on his brother before looking back to Mary, “Leave it alone. My love life has nothing to do with either of you.” After a short pause and a deep breath, he turns back to me, “Ready?”

I nod to him, telling Mary it was nice to meet her and following Sam out the door. I can feel Deans stare on my back as I quickly leave the room.

It isn’t until we’re almost at the end of the hall before I break the silence.

“Jess Moore?” I look over at him with a raised eyebrow.

Sam shoots me a look that screams ‘leave it alone’ before giving a terse nod.

“Hmmm, Deans not wrong. She is a very pretty girl.” Jess has been a couple years younger than me in high school but you don’t forget a face like hers. Petite and sweet. Long blonde hair that always seems to flow perfectly. She was a catch, of that I was sure.

“Doesn’t matter. She’s my assistant and that’s where she’ll stay.” Sam growls at me.

“Touchy touchy. Okay, your loss then.” I grinned at him.

It wasn’t long before we reached the doors and we parted ways after our goodbyes and ‘nice-to-meet-you’ and I headed to the police station.