My Father tossed me the car keys.

"What?"

"Don't what me. I'm coming with you, to make sure you find yourself a suitable job."

"No thank you. I'll walk and I don't need you to hover over me."

I grabbed my hoodie and began to walk out the door. My Father took ahold of my arm. He had a pleading look in his eyes. That ass ripping he got from Mom must of sparked some sense into him.

"Come on, Jase, maybe this may be a bonding moment."

Danny was the only one that called me Jase.

"Don't call me Jase. Let's go, before I change my mind about leaving the house."

My Father gave me a sideways glance as we walked out the door. My Mother waved at us through the window. I slid in the passenger seat.

"Oh no, no,no. You're driving, Jason."

"Bullshit, I'm not driving. I can't."

"Is it because of your leg or what happened during the war."

"My leg."

Lie. The war.

"Jason, you're driving." He said, handing me the keys.

I reluctantly slid into the drivers seat. My heart hammered in my chest. Another awful memory of the war hit me.

I was driving the jeep. Danny was in the passenger seat and three more men sat in back. We were all on pins and needles as we fell in line with the others. Danny gave a laugh. He was always the one to bring a sense of calmness to our group.

"Awww, you guys are so up tight! We are fine. We've been trained for EVERY possible situation!"

We all gave a nervous laugh.

"I mean with Jase driving we are in good hands." He said, giving me a slap on the back.

I wrapped an arm around Danny.

"You always have a positive outlook on things."

"I know."

Then several explosions. The enemy were on our tails. They cut us off. We were all pulled out of the jeep and held at gun point.

"Jason, are we going to leave anytime soon?" My Father said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry."

I turned the key and the car roared to life. I eased out onto the road and merged with traffic. Cars passed us and swerved in front of us. I slammed on the breaks, slinging us forward.

"Jason was the hell are you-"

Then, I slammed on the accelerator. I swerved in and out of traffic and pulled down a side road. My eyes never left the rear view mirror.

"Jason, just stop! Let me drive!" My Father snapped.

A car pulled in behind us and I slammed on the accelerator again. The tires squalled and the chase was on. I out ran the cops, until the car ran out of fuel. A cop drug me out of the car and slammed me against the hood.

"What are you doing!" He shouted.

My Father stepped out and talked to another one of the cops.

"Are you going to answer me!" The cop shouted at me.

"Johnson, clam down. He's a war vet."

I was shaking and I felt light headed.

"Jason come on, let's go home." My Father said.

"I'll let him off with a warning but any more of this and I'm going to have to arrest him." The cop that pinned me against the car said.

My Mother came and picked us up. She was worried about me.

"Jason, are you-"

"I'm fine Mom."

She looked at my Father. He shook his head. He mouthed something but I could make it out. My vision began to blur and with in minutes I was out cold.

I woke up on the sofa with a ice pack on my head.

"What the hell."

"You passed out, Jason." My Mother said

"My head hurts."

"Do you need some Advil?"

"No, that won't help."

"I'm going to turn out the light and let you sleep, okay?"

"I haven't passed out since I've been home and..."

"Jason, sweetheart. Just try to rest."

"Okay."

******

One of the many signs of chronic PTSD is hallucinations. I was halfway asleep when I heard Danny's voice.

"Hey, Jason. I heard about your run in with the cops. You need to be careful bro."

I turned my head to see Danny sitting across from me. His elbows resting on his knees and his head in his hands. A smile was planted on his face. He was still wearing his blood soaked military uniform.

"Danny, you're okay. You're okay!" I pulled myself up too fast and a cringed.

"Watch that head, Jase. You can't be moving too fast."

"How? I thought you...."

"You thought wrong, Jase. I'm fine."

I reached out hug him but when I did I realized he wasn't there.

"Jase, I'm here. Just in a different demeanor. I love you. Take care of yourself. I'll see you soon."

I laid back against the sofa with tears in my eyes. I missed Danny so much. I got up off the sofa and made my way into the kitchen. I guess I was pale or still had tears in my eyes because my mother came and hugged me.

"Jason, what's the matter?"

"I'm going for a walk."

"Answer my question." She said.

"I've gotta go, Mom. I'll be back in a bit."

I grabbed my hoodie and limped out the door. It was cold out but it didn't bother me, everything else did. A car door slammed, I jumped. Some one screamed, I jumped. A car started up and it sounded like gun fire. I took off down the street. I stopped in a alley way and slid down the wall. I sat down and buried my head in my hands.

"What the hell is wrong with me?"

I swore I felt someone tap my shoulder. A turned to my right to see Danny kneeling beside me.

"Nothing is wrong with you, Jase. You just are having a hard time adjusting to normal life." Danny said, wrapping his arm around me.

"Danny, stop it. You're not here. You're six feet under!"

A car roared past and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I stood and again took off down the street. I looked back over my shoulder to see Danny leaning against the wall.

"He's not there. He's not there!"

I found my way to a bar. I drank until I couldn't stand without swaying. All the sudden someone tapped my shoulder.

"Hey, buddy. I think you've had enough."

Without thinking I whirled around and punched the guy straight in the jaw. His teeth clacked together and he threw a punch back at me. It turned into a brawl. The bouncers separated us and the cops came and arrested the both of us. I was given a breathalyzer test and ran through several other test. The cops decided I was too dunk to walk home.

"I'm going to take you home, Mr. Donavan."

"Okay, just make sure you hurry. I don't want my dead brother to follow us. I swear he's haunting me or something." I slurred.

The cop sighed.

When the cop dropped me off, he walked me to the front door.

"Mr. and Mrs. Donavan, I was sent to pick up your son. I though about arresting him. I know I said last time I would, but he said something that worried me."

"We'll take care of him." My Mother said.

"Jason, come on."

I staggered into the house and made my way to the bathroom. I threw up my guts. I saw Danny again. He was leaning against the bathroom counter.

"Jase, you can't do this to yourself. I won't let you."

"Danny, just stop! You're not here! You can't help me!" I buried my head in my hands.

"Please let me help you."

"Danny, I'm sorry."

"Just don't get yourself hurt. I'll leave now."

"Please, don't leave me. I miss you so much."

Danny gave a weak smile before he disappeared. My mother appeared in the doorway.

"Who are you talking to Jason?"

"He's not here.... He's dead....he has to be."

"Jason?"

"I swear he's trying to tell me something!"

"Who?"

"Danny."