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Laughing in a Winter Wonderland
January 27th 1989. Shelburne Vermont. Dean 10. Sammy 6.
It was a rare time when John could actually afford a hotel or a rental house instead of a cheap motel, but due to Dean’s belated birthday, he scrapped up enough money to rent a cabin. It was another rarity to be in between jobs. For the time being, he gave himself a break for the boys sake, but hopefully his boys won’t get use to it.
The next morning, John and the kids spent most of their time playing air hockey. John settled on the couch to watch TV while his boys had a snowball war outside. Finally, when it was evening, John took his kids to a nearby golf course to sled.
“Are we allowed to be here?” Sam asked cautiously.
“I’m sure no one will mind. Who’s going to be golfing in the middle of winter.” John said.
He and the boys were bundled in coats as they climbed the hills of the course. Once they were at the top, John put the wooden sled that only fit two, on top of the hill.
“Okay, climb in. Sammy you sit on Dean’s lap. I’m gonna push the sled and jump on behind Dean.”
Dean threw a clump of snow down Sam’s shirt making the five-year-old squeal. John ran forward, pushing the sled, then hopped on the back.
There was a small hill, then a part in the course where it was level, and then it drops again like a roller coaster.
The first time they went down, they felt a little bump. Nothing really exiting. Dean complained that his Dad had no idea what the meaning of fun was as they climbed the hill.
“It’s because the snow wasn’t compacted, smart ass. Just you wait. We’re gonna go way faster.”
Well as it turns out, Dean’s Dad was right. He somehow always seemed to be. But it wasn’t the fastest thing in the world. They gained a little more momentum, enough to bring a smile to their faces. The jump was a fun “wee!” jump.
The third time: same thing but the jump was a little higher. Dean was belly laughing by the time he reached the bottom. Sam was bouncing up and down, dragging his Dad’s hand and trying to pull him up the hill faster. Dad was too slow for Sam at everything.
“Come on, Daddy! Hurry! Hurry!”
“Easy Sammy, the hill’s not going anywhere.” John laughed as he dragged the heavy wooden sled up the slippery hill.
By now, the snow was so packed they were sure to be speeding down the hill. But it was good old Dean who suggested they go back further to get an even faster running start.
“Come on Dad, put the sled back here.” Dean said. So John listened to him. He ran a few feet forward before jumping in the back of the sled and holy crap.
As soon as his Dad’s big body tipped the sled over the hill, Dean knew this was going to be bad.
They were gaining so much speed as they approached the jump, Dean clutched his father’s arm for dear life. Sammy did the same thing.
“Hold on boys.” John said with a huge grin. They dip over the second hill, and for a good three seconds they were flying in mid-air. It was breathtaking. If there was ever a moment to hit pause on life, this would be it. If it was a movie, it would be a slow motion moment.
Of course, for them, the slow motion was very short lived. The sled drops like a stone and when it lands, it cracks into a million pieces. All three Winchester’s go rolling in different directions down the snowy hill.
“Oh my God!” Dean screamed in amazement. “That was insane. Sammy? You okay?”
“Dean!” Sam screamed, a cry of worry.
“What’s wrong?” Dean asked, wobbling over to his little brother. Sam was standing next to the broken sled. He was also next to Dad, who was on his stomach with his face planted in the snow.
His body was shaking like he was having a convulsion. Or like he was trying to do the worm, but failing miserably.
“I think Daddy’s dead.” Sam said, pointing at is father.
But when John looked up, he was laughing. Fat tears were rolling down his pinked cheeks as he shook on the snow. It subsided few minutes later when he stood up, and grabbed his aching back.
“Oh man,” He laughed, “that was great.” He took a deep breath and sighed. “That was too great.”
“Our sled broke.” Sam giggled.
“Yeah Sammy. It definitely did.” John said, lifting Sam up. “Come on. I guess we can’t sled anymore.”
The three Winchester’s stumbled home laughing. When they got to the cabin, the fun was over. John got down to business and got him and his boys out of their cold, wet clothes and into something dry.
“You two aren’t hurt right?”
“No sir.” They said together.
“That was insane. I still can’t believe we broke the sled.” John smiled, lighting up the room.
“I can’t believe we were flying.” Dean said, crawling into bed.
John tucked Dean and Sam into bed, pleased when Dean let him.
“Good night boys. I hope you had fun.”
“We did Dad.” Dean smiled.
“Yeah Daddy. I had fun.” Sam said.
“Good. Tomorrow we have to go back on the road.”