Interwoven

By: Tidia

Beta: Mog

Disclaimer: The Brotherhood was created by Ridley C. James. Supernatural was created by Eric Kripke. I own nothing.

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Chapter  2/2

There were six weeks remaining on Joshua's school term before summer vacation.  Harland returned to pack some clothes and make a loose arrangement to see his son over the weekend.  Esme was disappointed as was Joshua because six weekends passed since that fateful night and Harland hadn't seen his son.  Hunts for The Brotherhood or work commitments were interfering.   

Esme made plans for her son.  Jim agreed to have the teen stay with him for two weeks.  Esme needed the time to get her affairs in order.  She had hired a divorce attorney, but she had to think about finding a home and finding a job.  She wanted no ties to Harland Sawyer, just the child they shared.

Joshua groused on the ride to Kentucky.  "I don’t want to go.  I don't even know him.  I can stay with Grandmother."

Esme gripped the steering wheel of her Volvo.  Esme's mother was always Joshua's trump card.  However, Jocelyn would be helping her daughter, and Esme did not want Joshua privy to the dirty details of the divorce.  "You'll have a wonderful time, Joshua.  Pastor Jim needs the help too."

"You need my help too."

"I'll be fine.  Stop worrying about me, sweetie."  She reached out and tousled her son's blond hair.  

Joshua raked a hand through his hair, setting it back in place. "Dad doesn’t like him."

Esme did not like Harland's skewed opinions based on his myopic drive to gain an important position in The Brotherhood.  He would never realize that hunting didn't create glorified heroes.  "But, I do."

"And you're always right." Joshua smirked.

Esme winked at her son, then jovially pinched his cheek. "You are such a smart boy!"

Joshua stared out the window, noticing they were driving farther away from civilization and further into rural Kentucky.  Growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina, he enjoyed living near a larger city.  His mother hadn't allowed him to bring his Atari with him. He had pouted about it, but didn’t want to give his mom too much difficulty.  His parents were getting a divorce, and he thought it was his fault.

When they got to Pastor Jim's farm two dogs and an older man came to greet them.  Joshua remained leaning against the car, while his mother spoke to Jim.  Joshua was kicking the dirt, avoiding the panting dogs, when he heard his mother call to him.  He hitched his backpack over one shoulder and walked to the porch.

Jim was talking.  Joshua studied the man.  He was tall and lean with steely gray hair.  He seemed kind.  Harland Sawyer had told his son Jim Murphy was weak. "I look forward to getting to know him, and getting some help at the church."

He smiled at Joshua and held out his hand.  The teen returned the welcome.

Esme wrapped an arm around her son's shoulder. "Take care, Joshua.  I love you. I expect you to call me, every night."

Joshua felt his cheeks warm in embarrassment.  His mom treated him like such a kid some times. "Yes, Mom."

She blinked a few times, and gave her a son a smile.  She adjusting the scarf around her neck as it became tangled with the necklaces she wore.  She turned and walked quickly to the car, giving a wave before starting the engine and driving away.

Jim remained with Joshua on the porch as they watched the Volvo drive out of sight. Joshua glanced to the wooden screen door, and the peeling paint. "Do you have indoor plumbing?"

Jim smiled. "Yes, it came with the house."

Joshua shook his head.  He noticed there was a lack of antenna on the roof. "It's going to be a long two weeks." He sighed.

Jim placed an arm around the teen's shoulder and guided him into the house. "Have some faith, my boy.  You just might be surprised."

He was surprised after dinner when Pastor Jim pulled out a puzzle of the Grand Canyon. The 3000 pieces were all brown.  

"You like puzzles?" The teen picked up one of the pieces and sighed.  

"Yes, doesn’t everyone?" Jim smiled, scattering the parts across the card table he had pulled out.

"No, not really.  I don't like them. They're boring."  Joshua crossed his arms.  He was not going to put together the stupid puzzle.

"Have you ever tried it?" Murphy began to fit the wavy pieces together.  It was obviously very familiar to him.

"Will it help me be a better hunter?" Joshua peered at the puzzle in doubt.  "My father says I need to work on my skills - be the best."

Jim was pensive for a moment. "I think this will help you visualize plans better."

Joshua didn’t think his father respected mental abilities, or any skills that didn’t have to do with brute force, for that matter. "I think he wants me to be stronger.  Do you have weights? Maybe if I worked out these next two weeks then the next time I see my dad. . ." Joshua ceased his rambling.  

"I have a punching bag in the barn.  You are welcome to it."

The next morning Joshua decided he would start his day by working out. Pastor Jim had other plans.  

"Joshua, time to wake up." The pastor placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and gave it a shake.

The teen pointedly ignored the older man.

"Josh?"

"I'm not Josh," Sawyer replied with his face in the pillow.   "I use Joshua."

Jim removed his hand. "Very well.  It’s time to wake up. We have chores to do before breakfast."

Joshua heard the pastor leave the room.  He looked at the alarm clock.  It was six in the morning.  It was his summer vacation!  "Ugh." He stumbled from the bed, and put on the clothes he had tossed on the floor the previous night.

He followed Jim around the farm, following orders. He fed the chickens, cows, pigs and horses.  He decided he did not like farm animals.

"They smell," Joshua commented as he sat down at the kitchen table.

"I never noticed."  Jim began to whistle as he made breakfast.  Joshua watched the man intently as he poured flour, eggs and oil into a bowl.  Soon the smell of the farm animals was forgotten as the aroma of pancakes filled the air.

Joshua savored the pancakes, which fortified him until lunch. The first few days the pattern was the same.  Early to rise, feeding the animals, sharing breakfast.  Then Jim gave Joshua the task of painting the interior of the rectory.

Joshua didn’t enjoy the manual labor. He wondered what Ian was doing with Griffin.  Probably something that would get him his hunter's ring early.

He ate his meals with Jim; lunch was sometimes with other parishioners or employees of the church.  They were all so happy.  He had been to church a few times, and believed there was a higher force, but Harland Sawyer liked the tangible and stressed that to his son, especially when Joshua would mention his spell work.

The first day at Jim's, after being a witness to all that happiness, Joshua promised that if God brought his parents back together then he would not practice spells anymore.

After dinner Jim would bring out board games or they would work on the Grand Canyon puzzle. He still felt it was a pointless exercise with no connection to building hunting skills. The pastor didn't have a television.  He was completely satisfied with a radio.  Joshua was having television withdrawal.  He wanted something, even reruns of Gilligan's Island.  

One night Jim leaned against the table they used for their games.  The box for the boardgame ‘Clue’ sat close to one edge of the table and on the box was a thick book.

"I found something you may be interested in, my boy."  .  Jim pushed the book over to Joshua.

 The Secret Grimoire of Turiel

Joshua remembered his earlier vow.  He licked his lips, and pushed the book back. "My father doesn’t like it when I do that sorta stuff."

Jim frowned. "But your mother has given you some training. I heard you’re quite adept."

Joshua shook his head.  He could feel the magic when he did a spell.  It was heady stuff and fun, but if he wanted his parents together he would give it up.  "Maybe if I gave it up and she gave it up then things could go back to normal."

Jim lost the patient grin.  He sat down next to the teen. "You wish to deny your talent?"

Joshua shrugged.  He needed to be perfect and do what his father asked so that maybe  his parents would reunite.

"I am a firm believer that everyone should have hope, Joshua.  And I know this time must be difficult with your parents. . ."

The teen didn't want to have this discussion. He interrupted the pastor, "I just want things to be the way they used to be."

Jim nodded.  He slid the book back to Joshua.  "Why don't you just hold on to this while you’re here?  You don't have to bring it home with you."

Joshua eyed the book.  From his mother and grandmother he knew it was dangerous to do spells that played with emotions.  But, within the volume there could be a love potion that would bring his parents together.  He accepted the book.

The next morning, Joshua began the normal routine.  He came down the stairs in his paint splattered clothing ready for another day at the rectory. "Should I meet you there?"

Jim shook his head and smiled. "Oh no, my boy, today we are working on a special project."

"A special project?"  Joshua was suspicious. He hoped Jim's special project did not involve the farm animals.  

"Every hunter needs a room where he can hide the tools of the trade, so to speak." Jim gestured for Joshua to follow him to the library, which was located directly off the kitchen. Jim pulled a few of the books off the shelf, tucking them under one arm.  There was a brass latch, and the pastor turned it.  There was a snapping sound and Jim pulled the door towards him, revealing a hidden room.  He returned the books on the shelf and gestured for Joshua to follow. Jim reached up and pulled a string when he entered.

The teen was awestruck. It was beyond cool.  The room was unfinished, white walls and plaster.  There were books piled everywhere and a lone light bulb swung ominously in the middle of the room from a wire.  There was a metal rack with weapons hanging on it-a mixture of different sized guns, knives and other weapons Joshua did not recognize, but looked menacing. "Wow, it's like the Batcave." As far as he knew his father did not have a secret room.  The weapons were stored in a hidden closet in the basement.

"Not quite." Jim smiled.  "I would like to make it comfortable.  Add some shelves and such." The pastor gestured to the stacks of books littering the unfinished floor. "And some storage."  He pointed to the guns.

The walls were eight feet high, and the only time Joshua had used a hammer or any tool was in shop class, a school requirement which held no interest to him. "I'm supposed to build shelves?"

"With my help.  We can do it together."

It was slow going.  Cutting, sanding and staining the wood, then installation.  Jim wanted it to look flawless.  Invisible nails, covered screws and movable shelves made the bookcases the envy of any master carpenter.

At night, Joshua was tired, and the mindlessness of the Grand Canyon puzzle was welcome.  Jim was particularly adept at placing large pieces of the puzzle together, and Joshua found it slightly creepy.

"Do you have any hunts?" Joshua pressed. He wondered if this hunter ever actually hunted.

"I'm researching."  The pastor completed another corner of the large puzzle which took up a quarter of the table.  

"I can help."  Joshua helped his father, looking up information in different encyclopedias.

"Yes, and you’ve been of great assistance this week," Jim stated as he worked on another part of the puzzle.  

Joshua was trying to put two pieces together that really matched, according to him, but not to the makers of the puzzle.  "But it didn't involve any important stuff."

The pastor diverted his attention from the puzzle. "It's all important, Joshua."

The teen shook his head and pushed his puzzle pieces away. "Not according to my father."

"Well, I don't agree."  

Joshua didn't know if Jim Murphy's opinion truly mattered.  Harland Sawyer was a great man, and the pastor didn't understand what it meant to be a great hunter.  "He doesn’t like you much either."  Joshua realized he shouldn’t have made the statement.  "Sorry."

Jim smiled and didn't seem to be offended. "Your father and I have different styles.  But we are both part of The Brotherhood and we respect each other."

Joshua knew his father only respected those with power.  It was a limited list, and Jim Murphy wasn't on it, even though he was a fellow hunter.  But perhaps the pastor and the teen did have a commonality. "My father is disappointed in me."

Jim sighed, then cupped a hand around his Joshua's neck. "Not in you, my boy. He's disappointed in himself."

"In himself?" Harland Sawyer was a proud man who never showed any weakness.

The pastor nodded. "Yes, because he can't give you what you need."

Joshua did not understand the concept. He had everything he wanted. "He buys me stuff.  I have Atari at home. . ."

Jim paused for a moment, then tilted his head. "He loves you very much."

"I guess." Joshua shrugged.  He didn’t remember the last time his father said he loved him.  He only remembered the dissatisfaction.   "I was thinking about a love potion to bring them back together. But, it's not a good idea, is it?" He knew the answer.  He didn't remember the last time his father told his mother that he loved her.  

"I don’t think so."  The pastor seemed to give this some thought.  "They both still love you.  It’s okay that you have different interests.  I bet your father wishes he had your talent. I know I do."  Jim smiled, his blue eyes twinkling. "Do you do anything special with your father—fishing perhaps?  When I was your age my father and I would go to the river for fly fishing. . . "

Joshua appreciated the effort and concern of the minister. Harland Sawyer was not the type to go fishing.  "My father? Fish? No.  He's taken me on hunts."  The teen wasn’t allowed to use what his mother and grandmother had taught him on those hunts, even though his skills would have helped.

Jim got up from the kitchen table and went to the freezer.  He pulled out a carton of ice cream and brought it to the table with two spoons. "Do you like hunting with your father?"

"Yeah, I can't wait to get my ring. He'll be really proud." Joshua accepted the spoon and delved into the carton.  "My mother believes you’ll be the next Guardian," he said after swallowing a spoonful of ice cream.

Jim was about to bring a spoonful of ice cream to his mouth, but stopped in hesitation. "She does? That’s kind of her."  He licked the ice cream off the spoon, some vanilla dribbled on his chin, which he wiped with his fingertips.  "I don't know what I've done to be considered so esteemed."

Jim Murphy had not said an unkind word about Joshua's father.  He had been patient in dealing with the teen, and didn't dismiss Joshua's feelings.  "I think I do." He felt awkward and gestured to the ice cream.  "Do you have any chocolate syrup?"

The day before Esme was due to pick up Joshua, the shelves were completed.  The room felt warmer with the dark wood glistening.  

"Well done."  Jim commended the teen.  

Joshua looked away in embarrassment.  Jim had done most of the work.  "Do you want to start putting some of this stuff on the shelves?"   The books had been covered with tarps to protect them.  There were quite a lot of them, and Joshua knew it would take time to organize them.  The old tomes would also be interesting to study.

"No, I think we need a reward."  Jim gave a wipe to the shelves with a cloth before stepping back and admiring the work once more.  "The pond is full of fish. . ."

"Fish?"  Joshua was actually contemplating a cash reward.  He had only been fishing once with his grandfather a very long time ago.  He didn't have a memory, just a picture of the two of them on a boat.

"A lazy afternoon with some fishing poles," Jim said wistfully. He placed an arm around Joshua's shoulders and guided him out the library door.  

They went to the pond after Jim packed some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Three hours at the pond resulted in Joshua getting sunburn on his face, wet from falling into the pond and fishless.  Jim, on the other hand, was able to hook them dinner.

During breakfast Joshua tried not to pick at his burned skin. Joshua hoped his mother brought some of her salves.  Jim had forced him to put Noxzema on his face to bring down the redness from the sunburn, but it was humiliating and had an unpleasant odor.

Joshua's bags were packed.  The dogs were following him around, but didn’t expect him to pat them. He wanted one more look at the secret room.  

While the teen was admiring his handiwork, Esme arrived.  She pulled her Volvo into the drive.  She had a scarf tied around her waist.  Her long dark hair was pinned up in a hasty chignon.  Jim was waiting for her at the door, and she beamed him a smile.  He opened the door to welcome her in.

"You look like a woman on a mission."

She answered as she walked through the door. "I'm a woman who has accomplished her mission." She followed him to the kitchen where a pitcher of lemonade waited. Esme glanced around for her son. Her instincts told her that since he was not outside waiting for her, his time with the pastor had been pleasant.

"So you were able to get everything in order?" Jim asked.

"With my mother's help, I have a fresh new start."

"And how is Jocelyn?"

"She’s moving to Arizona."  Esme bubbled forth with news.  Things were working out better than expected and she was reinvigorated after being stifled for so long.   "I'll take over her house.  It'll be a wonderful home for Joshua and me.  I've made some other decisions too.  With my share of the divorce proceedings I’m going to start a business."  

Jim poured a glass of lemonade.  The ice clinked in the glass as he pushed it to her. "What kind of business?"

She took a sip of the tart liquid.   "I used to make creams, lotions, shampoos and conditioners, and I'm going back to that, but also sell other goods by women all over the country.  Richmond will be a perfect place."

"I wish you the best of luck."  Jim raised his glass in a toast.  "I know it will be a success."

"It will be a lot of work, but I’m relishing the challenge." Although she sensed Jim was at ease, she was worried about her son. "I hope Joshua wasn’t too much of a problem.  We mothers like to think our children are angels, but I know I've spoiled him and he finds it difficult to balance between mine and his father's teachings." She cleared her throat. "He has a habit of telling the truth, unfortunately without tact."  

Jim laughed, then covered his mouth to bring himself under control.  It was all the proof Esme needed.  Her son had said something inappropriate.

"Your son says you believe I'll be the next Guardian."

Esme sighed.  She had to have a conversation with Joshua about eavesdropping. "I've known Julian all my life.  He'll make the right decision."  She knew the right decision was Jim Murphy.  It was something she sensed.  

"Griffin may be the right decision," Jim said thoughtfully.

They were interrupted by Joshua bounding into the room.  "Mom!"

Esme opened her arms for her son, and wrapped him in a hug.  "I missed you, baby."

"Mo-om."  Joshua grimaced, embarrassed by his mother.

Esme ignored him.  "Are you all packed?"

"Yeah, let me get my stuff."  Joshua went up the stairs.

Esme returned her attention to Jim.  "I noticed you had a lovely pond."  It was a nonsequitor, an awkward change in conversation.

Jim frowned at the abrupt change in conversation.  "Thank you. Water always brings solace."

"And much more."  She glanced towards where she had seen her son go up the stairs.  "I know women are not allowed to be in The Triad, but I wonder if the Brotherhood remembers that women are part of the hunting families.  Women are powerful—wars have started over them.  But I think you understand that."

Joshua returned with his backpack.  "I'm ready."  

Esme gave him a nod. "Please say thank you to Pastor Jim."

Joshua put out his hand, which Murphy accepted.  "Thanks, I, uh, hope I can come back when the room is all finished?"

"Sure, and perhaps we can finish that puzzle."  

"Yeah, right," Joshua gave his noncommittal reply. "Mom, is the car unlocked?"

"It is sweetie.  Why don't you put your stuff in the car, and I'll be right there."  Esme ruffled her son's blond hair.  She swore he had grown since she has last seen him.  She waited until Joshua left the room.  This was her opportunity to impart some words of wisdom.    "When you're The Guardian do not make the same mistake as the current Triad.  Prepare the next generation."  

Jim did not get a chance to reply. Esme heard the Volvo's horn.  Joshua was becoming impatient.  She was not relishing the ride home.  Esme would have to tell him that his life would be changing.  It would all be for the better, but a thirteen-year-old would have difficulty accepting the concept. Joshua was always trying to gain his father's affection, and the divorce would make it more difficult.

"I need to go."  Esme gave Jim a brief hug.  "Thank you again."

"Not a problem, really, my dear.  It was a pleasure."  He walked her to the door.  "I hope to see you and Joshua again, soon."

"You will."  Esme knew she was in control of her own destiny and her son would benefit from her decisiveness.  Jim Murphy would be a part of their lives, as would The Brotherhood, under his leadership.  The patterns were easy to see now, everything interwoven.

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