In Which there is Catch, Batman, and Baby Talk
BB!Ben: Grandpa, can we go play catch?
John: *flash of a pained look before smiling* Sure, kid.
BB!Ben: Great! *runs and gets the mitts and ball*
John: *waits, thinking hard, sad thoughts about Dean*
BB!Ben: *runs back and gives John a mitt, then looks up at him* Are you ok, grandpa?
John: Yeah, sport. *takes the mitt and ruffles his hair*
BB!Ben: *bright grin* I'm really happy Sam married my mom. Do you think he will let me call him dad soon?
John: That's up to Sam, kid. Alright, throw it here. *gets ready to catch*
BB!Ben: *bites his tongue and tries to throw it with all his might and it almost gets there*
John: Close, kiddo. But, you know try throwing with your whole body, step out with your foot and then throw forward. *tosses it gently back*
BB!Ben: I'll try. *tries to figure it out and throws it with his whole body and falls flat on his face as he overstepped*
John: *goes over and helps him up* Pretty enthusiastic there.
BB!Ben: If I want to play second base for the Red Sox one day, I gotta be able to throw it all the way to the catcher! If I can't do that, I'll get stuck in right field and only bitches play right field.
John: *sounds so much like Dean it hurts* Yeah, but you gotta work in steps. You see how far you throw then throw a little farther. When that gets easy, you throw a little farther.
BB!Ben: okay. Can you show me how to do what you were telling me to do?
John: Sure. You just watch. *does a good baseball throw*
BB!Ben: wow... that was so cool. Did you play a lot when you were in school?
John: No, I played football. Just one of those things guys learn.
BB!Ben: I'm too little to play football. I get pushed into the mud. I like baseball better. *Tries to imitate the throw and almost makes it this time*
John: You'll get bigger. Sam was your size once.
BB!Ben: Did you feed him a lot of wheaties? Mom tells me I need to eat all my wheaties if I want to get bigger.
John: *quiet for a moment, thinking back* Sometimes. Sam got it from his mom's side of the family.
BB!Ben: my other grandpa looks funny. I don't want to look like him.
John: You won't.
BB!Ben: I want to be like a rockstar.
John: You can be whatever you want, kid.
BB!Ben: even as astronaut?
John: Even one of those.
BB!Ben: ... I want to be Batman.
John: *swallows hard* Do ya?
BB!Ben: uh huh. And you can totally be alfred by then!
John: I look like Alfred?
BB!Ben: not now, but you're gonna get old by the time I'm old enough to be batman
John: Sam can be Alfred.
BB!Ben: *shakes head* he's too tall to be alfred. He could be commissioner gordon
John: You got it all figured out, huh kid?
BB!Ben: uh huh. Now I just need a little brother to be Robin
John: Ain't the one to talk to about that kid. Ask Sam.
BB!Ben: ok, I will. *grabs John's hand to drag him inside*
John: *goes, as if he has a choice and needs to tell Sam he's leaving*
BB!Ben: Sam!!!!!
Sam: *glances over* What's up, kiddo?
BB!Ben: grandpa said I had to ask you to give me a little brother so he can be robin when I grow up to be Batman
Sam: *looks up at John* Did he now?
John: *shrugs*
BB!Ben: I can be Batman without a Robin, but it would suck. Can you get me a little brother?
Sam: *hesitant* I think that one you need to ask your mom.
BB!Ben: But grandpa said I had to ask you!
Sam: Yeah, but she needs to agree to it too.
BB!Ben: why? can't you just go get one at the store/
John: *coughs discreetly*
Sam: *laughs* Kind of. But I can't just bring one home and surprise her with it. Kids are a big responsibility.
BB!Ben: he can share my room and my cereal.
Sam: That's good to know.
BB!Ben: but we don't have to name him dick. that's a crappy name
Sam: That is a crappy name.
BB!Ben: grandpa was teaching me how to throw the ball good
Sam: *small smile at that* Oh yeah?
John: The kid asked.
BB!Ben: yup. because I'm going to play on the Red Sox and I gotta know how to do it
Sam: *looks over at his dad with a bit of a look. You know the 'I knew you had it in you' kind of thing* Sound like a plan, buddy.
BB!Ben: can we play catch again tomorrow?
John: *yeah, he needs a drink* Sorry, kid, you'll have to play with Sam. I've got to go.
BB!Ben: go?
Sam: *and then a sad look* Go?
John: A friend needs some help at his salvage yard.
BB!Ben: *crawls into Sam's lap and matches the look* but you said you were going to stay
John: A friend needs me. You should always help your friends.
Sam: *wraps his arms around Ben before nodding* Yeah, Ben. It's always important to help your friends. *sighs* Tell Bobby I said hey.
BB!Ben: but i don't want grandpa to go! *whimpering now*
John: You can call me, kid. And when I'm done, I'll drop by. *knows Sam will want to talk before he goes*
Sam: *nods before starting to stand up and put Ben down* Why don't you go find your mom, let her know that Grandpa's leaving, okay?
BB!Ben: *looks at John with lip quivering, then nods and goes into the kitchen to find mom*
Sam: *crosses his arms in front of his chest as soon as Ben's gone* So what's the hunt?
John: *looks away* No hunt. I... I can't take it, Sam. That kid reminds me so much of Dean... I want a drink every time I look at him.
Sam: *softens as he watches him* Dad ... you're gonna have to get used to him sometime. Ben and Lisa -- they're not going anywhere.
John: Yeah, yeah, but... not right now. Not so soon after...
Sam: I know. *sighs* Drive safe, okay?
John: Always do.
Sam: *nods*
Lisa: *comes in* Why do I have an eight year old in the kitchen crying?
Sam: Dad needs to take off. Bobby needs an extra hand around the salvage yard.
John: Man's gettin' old.
Lisa: you coming back soon? He was hoping you'd take him to a few baseball games. it's all he can talk about
John: Don't know, we'll see how much help Bobby needs.
Lisa: *folds arms, looking between the two men* Is there something I'm missing?
John: Sam'll tell you later.
Sam: Yeah. *because who knows when Ben could come whipping around the corner*
BB!Ben: *speaking off. Runs out of the kitchen and wraps around JOhn's leg* please don't go!
John: Hey, hey, kid. *ducks down and pries him loose* I gotta, a friend needs me and I can't leave him on his own. He's family to me.
Sam: *sighs and reaches for him, picking him up* He'll be back. Don't worry -- it's not forever.
BB!Ben: *warps arms around Sam's neck and eyes in his shoulder* when?
John: I'll call when I know.
Sam: See? He'll be back before you know it.
BB!Ben: Promise? *pouty eyes looking right at you, John*
John: Promise.
Sam: *rubs Ben's back gently, but this is to John* Don't take too long.
John: I'll be as quick as I can.
BB!Ben: *wiggles free and holds out arms to John* I love you, grandpa
John: *picks him up* Love you too, kiddo.
BB!Ben: *hugs him tight, then kisses his cheek*
John: *gives him a hug and then passes him back to Sam, he's gotta get out or go mad*
Lisa: Drive safe, John
Sam: *takes him and holds him close* Gimme a call when you get to Bobby's. *which is code for gimme a call if you get too wasted*
John: *nods, he'll be pretty wasted once he picks a place to hide out*
Sam: *nods*
BB!Ben: Mom, Grandpa said I had to ask Sam about getting a little brother but Sam says I have to ask you. Can you get me a little brother?
Sam: *so looking elsewhere.*
Lisa: Oh really? *looks at Sam*
Sam: I figured you would be the better person to ask?
BB!Ben: can you get him while you go shopping this weekend?
Sam: .... Doesn't work like that, kiddo. You have to ... mail order them.
BB!Ben: i don't want a Chinese brother
Lisa: *shaking her head, lip biting*
Sam: He won't be Chinese. I promise.
BB!Ben: and you're not going to name him Dick.
Sam: No. Not Dick.