Supernatural Death Note

Chapter Ninety-Three: How to Deal with an Exhausted Hunter

"Ben was hoping to do his daily reading with him tonight." She had him reading several hours a day during holidays and summer to keep his skill levels up.

"Hey, Ben! Why don't you get your book, and you can read to both of us. Your Dad will love it. I know I will."

Ben perked up "Can I?"

"Yeah, come on. Your Dad hasn't had anything read to him since I don't know when ,or a chance to read since Alice. He never got to finish that. I think I need to find him a copy so he can. You can be his literary study for today. How's that sound? What are you reading?"

His face lit up. "Mom bought me the Wizard of Oz online and Watari had it shipped. I've always wanted to read it!"

"That's a great book. I'm not sure your Dad's ever read it. Come on."

Dean was still sitting on the edge of his bed, head buried in the laptop. "Hey, Lis, with me running an automotive shop, we're gonna need a heavy duty washer and dryer. What do you think of these?" Looking up, the older Winchester smiled and said, "Hi, guys. What's up?"

Ben was bouncing, holding his book. "Uncle Sammy said I could read with you guys!"

Dean looked at his brother, then at Ben, and smiled. He remembered Sam at that age. "Sounds like a great idea to me. What are you reading?"

"Wizard of Oz! I just got it," he grinned.

"Really? I've never read that. Is it like the movie or better? Sam?"

"I've just read bits and pieces so this'll be new to me." Ben climbed onto the bed as Sam took a seat. Sam looked at his brother. "You know, Dean. You've been up quite a while. You need rest. Why don't you lay back against the pillows and take it easy a while. We'll read until supper's ready."

Dean eyed his little brother, realizing that Sam was still taking hold of the reins. He was tired and the younger Winchester seemed to know it. He leaned back, pulling his legs up onto the bed. "Okay, Sam."

The boy began reading, voice clear as he started sharing the wonderful story with the other two. The older Winchesters were enjoying the narrative, drawn in by Baum's story telling. Time past quickly as Ben read to them.

Lisa managed to snap a picture with her cell, smiling at the adorable image. She'd thought for sure the two adults would be bored but both were hanging onto Ben's every word.

Sarah was drinking a cup of coffee, relaxing for a minute. "Are they bored?" she asked, smiling.

She giggled. "No, he's got them eating out of the palm of his hand. I didn't expect either of them to be so interested in the story."

Sarah smiled softly. "I've talked to Bobby some. The boys have had a rough life. Sam may have had more of a childhood then Dean did, but it wasn't much of one. It was whatever Dean could scrape for him. Dean worked hard to do it. The book is a childhood fantasy, but a lot darker then the movie. They would understand and appreciate it better than most, and they need to be kids. They've never really had the chance. I think we ought to have Ben read it to them daily. They'll both love it."

"I think you're right. I'll see what other books are out there that the three of them will enjoy. It'd be great bonding time for them."

"Well, if they'd like animal stories there's the Riki Tiki Tavi, The Jungle book, Beautiful Joe, and Black Beauty. There's the Hardy Boys. I have a cousin whose kids love the Plant that ate the Dirty Socks series."

"I'm thinking Hardy Boys next," she laughed.

"Those would be marvelous. I can imagine Dean reading to Sam, but Sam caught on things quickly and read to himself by the time he was seven. He didn't need Dean for that. I can't imagine John Winchester reading to them. Bobby doesn't seem the type. How old was their Mom when she died? These are probably the first stories your future husband has ever had read to him since he was very little. It would explain Alice, wouldn't it?"