As we drive out of the parking lot. My music quickly turns on. Just as this happens Jackson shouts, “God damn it! I got fuckin hot sauce on my sweatshirt!”

“How the hell didn’t you realize that earlier?” I said.

“I don’t know! Do you have any napkins in here?”

“Uh, check the glove box. I may have some in there.”

Jackson quickly opens the glove box and scans it. “Oh thank god!” He exclaims as he pulls out three or four napkins and attempts to clean himself up. No matter how hard he tried to get up the stain. It had already set.

“Man, I loved this hoodie! This sucks.” He said as he laid his head back in defeat.

I began to chuckle, “Look, you did this to yourself. You’re the one who wanted wings with extra hot sauce.”

“Yeah, yeah! I kno- what?” Jackson’s eyes stare down into the glove box. He quickly grabs something inside and examines it. As I look to see what he has, it is the black jewelry box.

“Jackson put that back!” My voice becomes frantic. I try to reach over and grab it from him but he rushes back.

“No!” He said

“What do you mean no?”

“I wanna see what’s inside!”

“What are you? Five? Come on, just put it back!”

Jackson opens the little jewelry box, completely ignoring me. His eyes widened. What met his gaze was a one point five carat Diamond ring with small diamonds surrounding it with a fourteen carat White Gold finish. “Holy fuck!” He exclaimed. “Lieutenant, how much did this cost you? Better yet, who is the lucky gal?”

“Alright enough questions.”

“Bullshit! I wanna know.” He then quickly retorted, “Oh Christ, it is a gal right?”

“What? Y-yes, what does that have to do with anything jackson?” I quickly grab it from him and put it inside my right pocket.

“Nothin, but who is it for?” He says, his eyes desperately waiting for details. “Oh shit, is that why you didn’t want that waitress’ number?”

“Jackson, can you just leave it alone?”

“Nope! I want details.”

“I’m not getting out of this am I?” I said as I lowered in my seat.

“Oh come on lieutenant! I’m your best friend! We have literally been through artillery and gunfire together! You can tell me anything!” He said with a smirk.

“Fine.” I sigh as I pull the car over to fully describe the situation. I pull my wallet out to show him a picture I keep behind my license and hand it to him.

“Oh, damn! Your piece a cutie. What’s her name?”

“Her name is Julia, I call her Jules. I’ve known her since we were both in elementary school. Our parents were friends. When I started school I was so shy, no one wanted anything to do with me. But then she decided to talk to me. We became close friends. To be honest, She was my only friend. Bonnie and Clyde are what our parents would call us. We spent damn near every day together. Even when I decided to go to a different High School. One day, before we left for college, she and I decided to sneak out like we always did. Well we got a bit tipsy. And she told me how she really felt. I felt the same. We started dating in College but I joined the army. The last time I saw her was just before I left for post. She and I agreed that we would wait for each other. Well, the week before I was supposed to go back to see her, I bought the ring. Unfortunately, that same day I bought the ring just happened to be August twenty third. We got shipped off the next day and now I’m finally back. This will be the first time I’ve seen her in almost two years. But I still have hope that she is still waiting.” I said as I lowered my head while putting the picture back in my wallet.

“Have you talked to her? At all?” Jackson asked, curiosity and concern emanated from his voice.

“No, I haven’t had time, I've barely even talked to my mom or dad since this war started. Why?”

“Man, Look I just don't want to go into this half-cocked.”

“What do you mean?”

“Man, it’s been two years. Things could’ve changed, I’m not saying they have, but it’s a very viable possibility.”

The words hit my stomach like a rock. I had thought about it, but I always pushed it away. Hearing it out loud truly

“Yeah, I-uh- I know.”

“Thane, man, you good? I can come with you man.” I could tell he was worried about what Might happen.

“No, I’ll be fine. Let’s get back on the road, we aren’t far for you now right?”

“Yeah, it’s like twenty minutes out now.” He says as we get back on the road. Silence filled the car for the remainder of the trip. I pulled down Jackson’s road and stopped Infront of his house. Suddenly I spoke.

“I keep having nightmares of us over there. I don’t know what is going on with me. -I keep seeing their last moments, Fink, Kelly, all of them. It’s fucking with me man.” I said, staring at the dark road ahead of us.

Even though I couldn’t see Jackson, I felt his eyes staring through me. “Thane. Jason, are you okay?” His voice echoed in the silence of the car.

I couldn’t bear to look him in the eyes. “Lieutenant Thane, answer me.” I didn’t know what to say. It felt like there was a desert in my throat. I finally mustered all my strength to say.

“I- I don’t know man.” I said, my eyes not leaving the road ahead of us.

“That’s not an answer. Jason, look at me and tell me you’re okay.” His voice now demanded an answer.

“Listen, after this time of leave, I’m sure I’ll be fine. I just need time man.” I said, not sure if I even believed myself.

“Thane, There is nothing you could’ve done differently. All the decisions you made, I agree and stand by them. Ya need to understand that it is what it is. Yes we didn’t bring everyone back, but it’s because of you I’m heading home right now to see my little girl. If anyone else had been leading the platoon I truly believe they would’ve gotten us decimated. Those deaths weren’t on you. War is hell, and we know that. But at the end of the day, all of us were lucky to have you. Lieutenant Thane, man there is so much shit going on for you, I’m sorry man. If you need anything just give me a call.”

“I know.”

“Lieutenant, promise me, you will give me a call if you are feeling fucked up.”

As I heard those words, I realized what I had been sounding like, I turned my head to meet Jackson’s gaze. I felt like I wanted to cry, but no tears came. I couldn’t find the words.

He popped the door of my car and rushed to the driver's side. He opened my door and pulled me out. He held my jacket with both of his hands, staring into my eyes. His eyes were glassy as he pulled me Into him. Choked up, he began to speak

“You listen to me! We went through hell together! You’re my brother, I’m not just going to let you go through this alone. So promise me!”

I returned the embrace, “I promise man.”

“Alright.” He said as he released me with his hands on my shoulder. “I’m gla-“ his gaze shot to the door of the house to our right. I moved my head to take a look at what caught his gaze. There was a beautiful woman in the door flipping the porch light on and off. In her arms lay an adorable little baby in pink pajamas. In an Instant Jackson rushed towards them as the woman began to walk towards us. He embraced them, seeing them in person I could see Jackson stood almost two feet above this woman. I didn’t want to ruin the moment, so I began to get back into my car. “Hey!“ Jackson rushed over with the little girl. I stopped myself and looked at him. “Look, remember if you need anything! Give me a call! And thanks for the ride man! It means a lot!” He said as he held his little girl.

“No problem Jackson, I’ll let you know. Now enjoy your family! I don’t know why you’d want to talk to a fugly ass like me with a solid supermodel behind you!” I said as I chuckled.

“Man! I feel that, looking at you constantly for months has kinda fu- I mean messed up my senses, alright man! Safe trip!” He said as he laughed.

“I’ll see you man. I just have to make a phone call and I’ll be heading out.”

“Alright! Hey, you need to use the bathroom or anything? My house is open to you.”

“Nah I’m fine man. I’ll see you. Oh! And stay safe.”

I sat in my car and closed the door. I looked at the time 7:45pm. “Damn and it’s already so dark!” I said to myself. I grabbed my phone and realized it’s dead. I rolled down my window and called Jackson one last time. “Hey man! My phone is dead, can I use yours?”

“Shit yeah! I have my phone right here.”

I dialed the number And heard three rings and then a gentle woman’s voice answered.

“Hello?”

“Hey mom! It’s me.” I said tears filling my eyes, hearing her voice brought a complete sense of joy.

“Ja-Jason? Wha- I-. Oh my God” Her voice became raspy and jumbled.

“Mom? Are you okay?” Hello?”

Silence filled the call as I kept trying to get my mom to answer.

“Who is this? How did you get this number?” Her voice changed from one of anger.

“What? Who the hell else would it be mom?” I said in a sarcastic tone.

Just then I heard a ruffling and grizzled voice shouting from the back. Then the voice changed, with “Who the hell is this!” The voice demanded.

“Dad?”

“Don’t you fucking call me that! Now who in the fuck is this?”

“It’s Jason! What in the fuck is going on?”

“What is wrong with you! Isn’t it enough you harass us! But now you act like our dead son? Is nothing sacred to you liberal fucks?” The sound of mom crying is audible in the background.

My eyes widened as I looked at Jackson. “What the fuck do you mean I’m dead? Mom, dad, I’m not dead! I just flew back in last week! I’ve been in processing and was just given leave, I’m in North Carolina now, heading home now? Wait, who the hell is Harassing you?” I put the phone on speaker

“Bullshit! Our son died a year and a half ago! So if you don’t tell me who you are right fucking now, I’m going to the authorities!”

Jackson looked at me, handing the baby to his girl and grabbed the phone. “Excuse me! Yes, I’m Staff Sergeant Tyler Jackson, seventeenth airborne division, saber company. Platoon sergeant of Saber One. I am sitting right here with your son, first Lieutenant Jason thane. He literally just dropped me off and asked to use my phone to call you as his phone is dead.”

“Give me the phone jackson!” I reached and ripped it out of his hands.

“Mom? Dad?”

“Dear Mister and Misses Thane, we regret to inform you that your son, First Lieutenant Jason Thane, has been killed in the line of duty. We are terribly sorry for your loss. - word for word the document the men brought us. So don’t you dare act like-“

“Dad- that’s it, here you want to know who it is? It’s the kid who ripped up your old F-250 seats, when he was four, because he thought the springs were actually slinky Inside. Mom, it’s the kid, who when he was six, fell out of his treehouse and had to get twelve stitches on his head. I’m the kid who snuck a raccoon into the house because I wanted a dog when I was five! I’m the kid who Slept in your room for three months because I decided to watch Jeeper Creepers without your permission and I was terrified that I’d be attacked by that demon thing. It’s fucking me! What more do you want!” My voice to a full scream and tears streaming down my face.

The other line became silent. “J-Jason?” Mom’s voice was full of confusion.

“Yes! It’s me! Jesus Christ!”

“how is this possible?” My dad said, his voice sounded as if he’d seen a ghost.

“Look, I'll be home in four hours! I’ll see you then. We can figure everything out then, I love you both.” I hung up the phone. I handed the phone to Jackson.

“Dude, this isn’t your fucking week.”

“You’re telling me, do me a favor, call around and help me find out what the fuck is going on. And make sure nobody else’s families got shit like this. I’m gonna call Jasper, then Strand, maybe they know something.”

“Yeah! You got it, I gotta call my folks now. I’ll see you Lieutenant, I’ll call around and call you when I find something out.” Jackson said as he rushed Inside.

“Fuck me!” I said as I put the car in drive and floored it into the night.