You really captured the screwed up family dynamics in this chapter: Sam and John really love Dean but with their respective histories of abandoning him, it's no wonder Dean is so afraid he'll end up alone. I especially liked that you tackled Sam's decision to cut Dean out of his life when he was at Stanford. There was no reason for that-and now Sam wonders why Dean hates when he talks about going back to school? Hello? I agree that these things needed to be aired, to help focus John and Sam on what they now want to do differently. And although the timing may not have been the best, with the way you're both ratching up the action, there might be even less opportunity in future chapters.

Can't wait until they catch up with Dean!