Freedom Lights

The unexpected

I walk into a bustling lobby. A long reception desk along the back side of the room stood waiting. There were rows of metal chairs for those waiting to be checked into cells or people waiting for someone to be released. I casually walked up to the front desk. The woman sitting behind it shot her head up to look at me before a wide smile broke on both of our faces.

“I was wondering when I’d get to see that cute ass today.”

“I love keeping people in suspense, Kate.”

My best friend, platonic soulmate and total pain in my ass was Kate Park. Long dark hair flowing in soft curls down her back with bright blue eyes that caught the attention of many. She was taller than most but beautiful in a powerful way.

Before this whole accident, I hadn’t realized how many people I knew at this station. But that shouldn’t be a surprise considering we were a small town and I could walk in any store and know the details of anyone I pointed at. Hence everyone also knowing all my personal business.

“Where’s my favorite kid?”

“With Jody. I didn’t exactly want him running into the law just yet.” I winked at her.

She scoffed lightly, “That boy better never be on the wrong side of the bars. I’ll kick his ass.”

“You and me both. So, I’m here to file a report.”

“Oh yeah, Novak has been waiting for you all day. With both John and Jody being off, he’s the only one with enough brains to take your report. I’ll let him know you’re here.” She quickly picks up a phone, dials an extension while I wait.

Five minutes later, a tall dark headed man with a baby face but sharp blue eyes comes from behind one of the mechanically locked doors, “Remi Singer?” He scans the room, finding me still perched on the reception desk.

“That’s me.” I stuff my hands in the back pockets of my ripped skinny jeans, telling Kate bye before following him behind the doors.

We walk silently down a hallway and I start to feel uneasy. This man was intimidating and I’m alone with him. Not that he would harm me, but men are fickle creatures and I learned a long time ago that a mask can hide many qualities.

“This is my office, please have a seat.”

I enter the room and slowly take in my surroundings. Two desks sit almost side by side, one on each side wall. There’s a mini fridge against the back wall and framed certificates and awards hung all around the space. I take a look at the desk to my left and my eyebrows raise at the nameplate.

Dean Winchester's desk is abnormally neat. There’s no stray paperwork like there is on Officer Novak’s desk, no loose pens or stray paper clips. Everything's in its rightful spot and organized thoroughly.

“Dean is your partner?” I turn to look at Novak with my eyebrows pinched. This is a close to home case for him then and I’m surprised they’re allowing him to take my report.

“Yes.” He answers simply. No explanation. Okayyyyy then.

I take a seat across from him at his desk and wait patiently while he pulls a file from somewhere in the mess that is his desks and a pen materializes from somewhere among the chaos.

“Okay Miss Singer. Can you please relay everything of the night that Officer Winchester was assaulted?”

I take a deep breath before launching into the events of that night. Scrunching my eyebrows, I relay every detail I can remember. Hopefully not missing a thing.

“You have a photograph of the car in question?” He looks up from the long paragraphs he’s wrote from my story.

“Yes.”

“May I have it please?”

“Uh, sure. Do you want me to email it or something?” This guy was quirky but seemed harmless.

“Yes, that would be great.”

“Okay then, do you have an email I can send it to?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Oh uh, yes. Give me one moment, it’s on the back of my card.” Novak shifts through the papers strewn across his desk before locating a single business card.

Handing it to me, I pull my phone out and prepare the email to send.

Castiel Novak

999-867-8994 Personal Cell

999-867-5313 Office phone

Casnovak777@gmail.com

I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped my throat, “Your name is Castiel?”

He c***s his head to the side, “Yes. Is that funny?”

I clear my throat, feeling slightly uncomfortable, “Uh no, sorry. I’ve just never heard it before.”

“It comes from an ancient biblical text.” Again, no elaboration or story. Seems Novak is as cut and dry as they come.

I clear my throat before quickly sending the email, “Do you know how long it’ll take to get a hit on that license plate number?”

“Maybe a day or two, but the fact that we have a make and model of the car…”

“And year.”

“I’m sorry?”

“The year of the car. It was a 2004.”

“You sound confident in that. Are you sure?”

I resist the eye roll, “Yes, I’m 100% sure. I work with cars for a living. They’re pretty much the only thing I’m 100% sure about.”

Officer Novak hums before he continues, “Okay, then I say we’ll have the car by the end of the day.”

“As a witness, can I be informed on any progress on an open case?”

That question must have caught him off guard because his gaze snapped to mine and his eyebrows furrowed, “Why would you want to be informed?”

Sighing, I answered, “I’m not one to do things half-assed. So I want to see this all the way through if that’s a possibility.”

To my complete and utter surprise, Novak throws his head back and laughs, “You sound very much like someone I know.”

“Oh? Who?”

“Dean. He says something along those lines quite often actually.”

I didn’t know how to take that piece of information. I like to think I was unique to say the least. There’s only one other person on this earth I really have anything in common with and that’s dad. I was married because I settled. I pushed aside all of our differences to hopefully have something that would work. Needless to say, it failed miserably. But in the last 24 hours, I’ve learned a lot of information, especially about Dean Winchester. I was only in his hospital room for a half hour tops, but I felt like the small conversations we had were enough to know that this man could easily work his way into my defenses if I wasn't careful.

Officer Novak didn’t seem concerned about my silence before he picked our conversation back where we had dropped it, “If you would prefer to stay informed, I will continue to provide any information I may receive until this case is closed.”

“Thank you for that. Is there anything else you need from me?”

“Just your contact information in case I have any further questions would be appreciated.”

I scribbled down my cell, address and full name before thanking the officer and heading back to the reception area.

“HEY. DON’T YOU DARE LEAVE THIS PLACE WITHOUT SAYING GOODBYE!”

I slowly sauntered up to the counter, “I would never leave the love of my life hanging like that.” I winked at Kate as she scoffed lightly.

“How was it?”

“Fine, Novak is……different.”

Kate laughed lightly, “Yeah he’s a little rough around the edges, but he's actually really sweet. It’s funny watching him and Dean work together. Their personalities are so contrasting but they work seamlessly together, and are actually best friends.”

I hummed, again gaining another piece of information on the officer that was quickly taking over my mind.

“Are we going out tonight?”

I sighed, “No, I don’t think I’ll be able to make it. With James being with Jody right now and my dad never getting any real rest. I better stick to the house tonight.”

Kate groaned before taking the loss, “Fine, I’ll be there in my pajamas and we'll watch Disney movies and eat junk food with the little man.” Kate eyed me warily before continuing,”Any word from father of the year?”

“I called him again this morning to see if he'd want to hang out with James while I ran these errands.”

“And his excuse?”

“Him and Dylan are on a ‘mini-vacation’”

“Do you think he’ll eventually come around again, or will he just completely drop off the earth?”

The thought tore a sharp pain through my chest. Jameson deserved to have his father in his life. Every little boy does, and despite everything that had gone south with my ex and I, I never let it affect my efforts to coparent. I wouldn’t let my failed marriage affect Jameson anymore than it already had.

“I don’t know, Kate. I’m doing everything in my power to try to make it work, but it’s like he's actively fighting to not be a parent. I won’t push much harder. If he’s not going to put the effort in then…” I trailed off. This conversation was not one I wanted to have in the middle of our small town precinct.

Kate just hummed. She knew what I was dealing with, probably better than almost everyone besides my dad.

“I gotta get going, Jameson has been with Jody and the girls for about two hours.”

“Yeah, tell little man Aunt Kate loves him!” She yells to my back as I leave the precinct behind.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Me and Jameson spent the whole day playing in the garage. He’s so curious about everything. Asking what everything is and his thirst for knowledge is never quenched. It’s incredible how he retains it all. He’s almost three but his speech and intellect point more towards four years of life instead.

Later that evening, Kate joined us to do exactly what we planned; Disney movies and junk food. Dad had gone out to do whatever it is he does when he has free time. I imagine it had something to do with TheRoadhouse, the bar I tended at on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. My boss, Ellen, and my dad were good friends. Like he was with almost everyone in town.

“Mommy, fish!” Jameson came running into the living room carrying the case to The Little Mermaid. His favorite.

Kate groaned next to us, “Can’t we watch a different one, little man? That’s the one you pick every time!”

Jameson instantly started whining, “No! fishies!!”

I laughed, “Alright alright. Boss man always gets what he wants.” Besides, he would be the only one really paying attention. Kate and I usually used this time to catch up on drama around town, our lives and pretty much anything else we could come up with.

“So, any word on the Winchester thing?” Kate sat next to me on the couch in our den, while Jameson laid in front of the tv completely entranced by the movie.

“Uh, not yet. Novak told me they should have something by the end of the day. But with it being Sunday, I’m sure more information will come into light in the morning.”

“Hmm. Novak was still in his office when I left at 6 earlier. But that’s not surprising. I don’t think that man has a social life.”

“He’s different, that's for sure. What’s his deal?”

“I’m not sure. He came to town a couple of years ago. Apparently was a detective in Chicago for awhile and for some reason, came to small town USA to become a regular cop.”

“Maybe a change of scenery? Big city life isn’t for everyone.”

“Yeah maybe. He’s a puzzle I have yet to figure out.”

“Oh? And you have completed puzzles?” I laughed.

“Yes! Take Dean Winchester for example. Modern day Casanova. Loyal beyond fault. Family is everything. Knows how to work with his hands.” She winked at me, causing a harsh eye roll.

“You can take your dirty thoughts about the cop elsewhere. They don’t belong with me.”

As Kate and I are laughing, a knock comes at my front door, freezing both of us.

I live on the very edge of town. It’s 9 at night on a Sunday. No one should be knocking on my door.

“MOMMY WHO DAT!” James jumps up, but Kate is fast to catch him.

“Come on little man, let’s go get some milk while mommy gets the door.”

I watch as she takes Jameson to the kitchen and closes the barn doors to close them off.

I slowly make my way to the door, when a more prominent and forceful knock sounds. I grab the loaded shotgun from atop the coat cabinet that sits beside our front door, before cracking the door open.

I almost sigh in relief when I see who’s on the other side, swinging the door wide.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

Dean Winchester is flashing that megawatt smile on the other side of my front door.

“What a way to greet a guest. Were you busy?”

“No but as a female with a small child, basically in the country, at 9 on a Sunday and she’s not expecting company you freaked me the f**k out.”

Dean laughs lightly, and the sound instantly shoots to my lower half, “Well, that explains the shotgun.”

“Is there something you need?”

Dean's smile fell just slightly, “Oh uh…” he doesn’t get to finish the sentence before my nosy 3 year old comes barreling to the door.

“Hi!” James is waving frantically at this complete stranger.

I shoot daggers back to Kate, who is standing behind me, trying to hold back her laughs while mouthing ‘sorry’ and shooting into the den.

“Hey big man! What’s your name?”

“I’m Jameson. Your name!” James points to Dean.

“‘My name is Dean. Nice to meet you.” He shakes my son's hand as he kneels down to his level. The smiles on both of their faces are almost blinding.

“Dean. Fishies, Dean!” Jameson grabs Dean's hand before either of us can react and drags him into the den.

“Oh s**t. I’m so sorry. He just gets so excited.” I turn to Jameson, “Aunt Kate is going to take you to your room. It’s past your bedtime anyway. I love you.” I give James a kiss and a hug as Kate turns to Dean.

“Hello Winchester.”

“Hello Park. Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Yes, well, the best surprises come unexpectedly.” Kate shoots me a wink before quickly taking my son to his room.

“Sorry about both of them. Apparently boundaries aren’t known around here.” I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, feeling slightly uncomfortable. I do not randomly introduce my son to strangers and I’m not comfortable with him seeing Dean here.

“No it’s okay. I’m the one imposing. I just came by to thank you. I was in pretty bad shape, and the work you put in while I was out on my ass, was impressive. Just wanted to let you know I appreciate it.”

“Yeah, of course. Any decent human being would’ve done the same. Any news on the car?”

“Uh, no not yet. I think it’ll come back first thing in the morning.”

“When did you get released?” I was wondering why no one told me, since I specifically asked to be updated. What can I say, I like to be in control.

“Just a couple of hours ago. I told no one to call because I wanted to show my appreciation in person.”

I don’t think he meant those words to sound how they did to my brain, but my face instantly flushed. Which in itself was a miracle because men did not make me blush. I haven’t even known Dean Winchester for more than 2 days and he’s already under my skin. Scary.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“And you didn’t have to come to the hospital, but you did.”

“Yeah well, an apology was in order.”

“An apology?” Deans eyebrows shot up.

“Yeah, it was my fault you were on the side of the road. I should’ve waited till we got closer to town before pulling over. They never would’ve hit you if I had just got the damn sticker.”

Dean scoffed, “First of all, I pulled you over because Jim Beaver had stolen Molly Mays car. Which she just so happens to have almost the same jeep as you. Second of all, pulling people over on the side of the road is part of my job. None of that is your fault.”

“But if I would’ve just…”

“Look, we can live a whole life of ‘what ifs’ but it’ll never change anything. You didn’t swing that door open, you didn’t purposely hit me with it. It wasn’t your fault. I’m sure you have plenty of other things to worry about besides my safety.”

For the first time in my life, I was speechless. To have someone put my guilt and worries at ease as simple as he just had, was something that’s never happened before. When I was married, Jake always made my emotions seem small. If I ever worried or got scared about something Jake was the first person to tell me I was overreacting. And maybe Dean had done the same. But he let me down easy and with reasoning behind it.

“Well, can’t exactly argue with the law, now can I?”

Dean smiled widely, “Damn right. Sorry for intruding on your evening. I’ll let you get back to Kate. Knowing her, she’ll want all the juicy details this conversation didn’t have.”

I threw my head back laughing, “I’ll make up some wild story about you trying to rob me for my donuts or something.”

Dean’s teeth flashed again, “See you around, Remi.” He slowly backed out of the den and headed out the front door.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Kate was at my side, “SO?! How did that go? What did he want? And did you see the way he and James look at each other? Ugh this is a romance waiting to happen.”

“Woah woah woah, slow down there Cupid. He was just coming by to say thank you for not leaving him on the side of the road. And he and my son should’ve never even met. You know how I am about him being around strangers!”

“I know, I’m sorry! But he’s fast and slippery. He got to the door before I even knew what was happening.”

I shot her a dark look, but decided not to argue because I know how my son can be. If he has his sights set on something he wants, there’s almost no stopping him.

She sighs before continuing, “Look, he doesn’t have to be your knight in shining armor. But when was the last time you got laid? All I’m saying is, Dean could very well be a good choice for a night of fun.” She shrugged with the nonchalance as if I had that kind of option.

“I’ll have a night of fun when James is 18 and I no longer have him depending on me. Plus, can you imagine what the people of Sioux Falls would say if I got in a relationship only a year after I broke Jake's heart?!”

Kate snorted loudly, “I’m still not done giving that man my piece of mind. Next time I see him, a kick in the balls will not be the only thing he receives.”

I laugh recalling the last time Kate crossed paths with my ex. She had been partying it up at The Roadhouse when he came sauntering in. She cussed him out, then kicked him in his balls. He tried to press charges but I convinced him to have them dropped.

“Alright, it’s past my bedtime. 7 a.m at the shop comes fast.”

“Yeah yeah. Annie will be here in the morning?” Annie was Kate’s little sister. I paid her as well as I could. In cash, I fixed her car when needed and offered her any assistance I could ever help her with. In fact, one time Annie had called me from college and asked if I could come pick her super intoxicated self up from a party. And I had done so because Annie was a good egg. Kate hadn’t answered her phone and her parents are too strict for that conversation to go over well.

“I sure hope so. Keeping James entertained in the shop is NOT easy. I love you, Kate. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Love you, you stubborn asshole. Think about that night of fun!” She shouted over her shoulder as she walked out my door.

That night, that’s exactly what I did. Thought about Dean Winchester. His bright smile, the twinkle in his eyes, and his bulging arm muscles that might just feel good to have wrapped around me. Too bad I don’t trust men and I have a son that will come before any fun I might think about having.