If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away

Home Again

We got Sam and Dean shirts from Kohl's (I was not about to let them get clothes from Walmart) after making them promise to do laundry next time we stopped. Boys.
We were headed for my hometown. I wasn't going to tell them that though. They'd probably find out anyways.
Sam passed his phone back to me. "Look familiar?" He asked.
It was a picture of the motel my family owns. "Yeah, well..."
"What?" Dean asked.
"Her family lives there." Sam explained. "Do they hunt?"
"They used to. My mom deemed it too dangerous, so they don't anymore."
"Sorry, Lex. I didn't realize this was so close to home. If you-" Dean began.
"Shut up." I interrupted. "And don't call me Lex."
"You can call Sam Sammy if I can call you Lex."
"Hey!" Sam interjected.
We'll see. I rolled my eyes. "So what's going on?"
"A vengeful spirit in your family's motel."
"Shit. Are they-"
"As of now, they're fine."
"We can't let them know I'm there. Or anyone they talk to. Got it?"
"But-"
"I'll sneak through the window. You guys book a room, tell me what number, and leave the window unlocked."
"Why can't they know?" Dean asked.
"Dean-" Sam began.
"We're just not on good terms."
"What can you tell us about the building?" Sam asked. I was grateful for the change of subject.
"I dunno. It's rather old, so not much. I don't remember anybody dying there, but I was only there seventeen years. Be careful asking my mom anything. She'll get suspicious."
"Know of anyone who may know something about it?"
"My former viola teacher. He's, like, ninety. There's a woman named Eula May King that turned 102 yesterday. Someone would have told me if she died. I hope. And, uh, my former therapist. She's a history buff." I said. "But I'm not insane and nothing was wrong with me in the first place. They just made me go because it would have been illegal for them not to." I added sharply.
"Okay, okay. We believe you. It's okay." Sam said soothingly, which pissed me off slightly.
"Do either of you play viola, violin, or piano?"
They were silent.
"I'll take him then, I guess. And Eula May. No way in Hell I'm going to therapy. And she has to keep things confidential, but she is friends with my mom, so just in case, there's another reason I can't go. So one of you have to."
"Looks like I'll take the research portion." Dean said.
"Hey-" Sam started to argue.
"Emotions are your thing, dude. I may punch the therapist."
"She makes you talk and won't accept "I don't know" as an answer. I think she's a bitch, but anyways."
"Who runs the motel?"
"My mom and aunt."
"What are their names?
"Ana and Donna." I said. "My sister Alysa lives there too."
"Get some sleep, Lex. Being tired won't help you any."
Sammy it is, I guess. "I'm not tired."
"Yes you are. You have to be. You got, like, four hours of sleep."
"Old habits die hard."
"Sleep."
"Okay."

"Sammy, you know how hard it was for us to go back. Maybe we should ditch this one and take one up in California or something."
"We can't just let them die, Dean."
"So I try not to be self-centered and I don't get listened to. That was a waste."
"How long was I asleep?" I asked, sitting up.
"Seven hours."
"Damn it. Why didn't you wake me up?"
"Figured you could use the sleep."
I looked at a street sign. We were forty-five minutes from home. "Oh shit. We're almost there. Damn it." My heart started racing and I wanted to cry.
"You know how to get back?"
"Yeah."
"Drive."
"What?"
He pulled over and got out. "Drive."
Sam gave him a bewildered look as I got out and we switched places.
When we got into town, I spoke up. "Can we stop somewhere really quickly?" I asked.
Sam nodded and I pulled into John's. That's not its official name, but that's what I've always called it, and is therefore what I'll call it forever. It's a gas station, but they have amazing ice cream. "Who wants ice cream?" I asked.
"I do." They both said quickly.
"Well come on."
It was just as good as I remember.
We drive by my old church. They had cut down some trees and put in some grass to the left of the playground. The parking lot had been repaved. Stop drop and roll won't work in Hell, the sign said. Speak of accuracy.
It was dusk when we arrived. Before they went in, I reminded them to text me the room number.

Sam and Dean walked inside. A lady stood at the front desk. "May I help you?" She asked with a smile.
"Yeah. We'd like a room, please." Dean said. Obviously. Why else would they be there.
"I'm sorry, but we don't house homosexuals."
Any thoughts Dean was having about her being attractive-for an older woman, that is-vanished. "We're brothers." Dean said, for what felt like the millionth time.
"Oh, I'm sorry, sir. You'll need two beds?"
"Yes." He handed her his credit card.
"Thank you, Mr. Bruko." Lexi's mom or aunt said with a smile. "You'll be in room six on the second floor. Enjoy your stay, and let me know if you have any problems."
He took the room key from her outstretched hand. "Thanks." He said.
A girl Lexie's age came into the room. She was wearing short shorts that literally covered half her ass and a crop top. What a contrast to her sister. Dean started to edge his way over to her, but Sam grabbed his arm. "Move along, Romeo. You can't bang Lexi's sister."
"I bet I could." He said, but walked away anyway.

"Your sister's hot." Dean said when I climbed through the window.
"You didn't even look at her face." Sam argued.
"And she's a backstabbing, conceited skank." I said with a bright smile.
"I smell sibling rivalry. She younger?"
"Yes, and you can't fuck her."
"Your mom seems kinda homophobic."
"Oh, yeah. This is the Bible Belt. Everyone's homophobic. I meant to warn you to tell her you're brothers. Sorry."
"Why does everyone assume we're gay?" Dean said, looking with bewilderment at Sam.
Sam shrugged and shook his head.
"Neither of you really look the type." I said. "Anyways. We need to get dinner and make our appointments. Hey, Dean? Why don't you take the therapist?"
"Hey, why-"
"Because I want her punched in the face." And because he needs one more than Sam does. Sam talks about his feelings, Dean doesn't.
"So?"
"I agree with Lexie." Sam said.
"Dammit."
I texted my viola teacher. "Hey, Mr. Faso. This is Lexie Banks. I'm in town for a while, and I was wondering if I could come in for some lessons while I'm here."
I gave Dean Mrs. Lewis's number, and he made an appointment for Monday at one. He started grumbling about it as he hung up.
"If we go to the library really quickly I can show you where to go." I told Sam.
"Okay. We'll go to the library and then go get dinner." Dean said. "Meet you at the car."
I climbed back out the window.
Mr. Faso said that that sounded like a plan. I told him I accidentally left my viola at home and he said he had one I could use. He asked if my normal time would work, and I said yes.
"I'll just join you at the library Monday." I said. "My lesson's at 11:45 and will be over at 12: 15."
"Who wants McDonalds?" Dean asked.
We agreed.
On the way back, I broached my question. "Do you think we could maybe go to church Sunday?"
Dean groaned. "Great. We brought along the Jesus freak."
"Yeah, we can." Sam said, shooting Dean a look.
"We don't have to. There's just someone I want to see. And that's literally the nicest thing anyone has ever called me. Thank you so, so much." I smiled. I really haven't earned that title, but I'll accept it for now.
"We can." Dean agreed. "Just let's not make a habit of it."
"Thanks." I smiled. Maybe I will accept that drink...