Goodbye!

CHAPTER 1

THE SAGA OF WILLY PRIM

Hey Willy, whatcha doin? That gun of yers is goin to wake everyone up fer miles if you’all keep shooting it like a crazy guy.

Hi Jesber, saw you coming. Long time no see.

Yah, it has been some time Willy. So what you up to?

I’m just practicin.

Yah, I noticed all the dead squirrels and rats in that bucket over there. Also, noticed you got yourself a couple a cats? Cat people ain’t gonna like that so well, reckon, Willy?

Yah, probably right on that. Pretty sure those I got were wild, least none of ’em got collars on. Willy looked up and asked, What brings you over here, Jesber?

Well, thought you could use some company. Heard you were back from that place called Afgan and that you got asked to leave the army. Is that true?

Yep, they said I had some syndrome or something that made me not think straight. Said I could get some treatment at a Vet Hospital but the closest is in Virginia, and I ain’t got no money to get there so that’s out. Gave me some pills and, best yet, some disability. I get a check from the Government for $150 per month for the rest of my life. Jesber nodded his admiration for Willy’s new status as Willy continued. Own the house now, too. Guess after Momma passed away and Grandma sent me to live with those foster folks, she must have felt guilty or something, cause when I was in Afgan, got a note from someone that said she died and left the house to me.

Jesber’s approval began to tilt toward envy as Willy kept talking. Figure with my pension of 150 dollars a month and Grandma’s house, I about got it made.

Wha’d you do to get the syndrome Willy?

Not sure, I was takin’ a shower one day and this fag was in the shower at the same time. I hate fags and everything about them. I was sure the guy had his eyes on my private parts and I didn’t like it. Beat the shit out of him right in the shower. Sergeant busted it up and the next thing I know they got me with some shrink and he say’s I got the syndrome.

So, Willy, guess that means that you’re home for good and rich at the same time, Jesber said. Sounds like a sweet deal to me. You end up with lots’ a money and your grandma’s house here in the mountains due to your syndrome. Not a bad trade off. Got a girl?

Nope, aint none. ‘Sides, I like to be alone, don’t need no bitch around to prod me. Know what I mean?

Kinda Willy, but me, I like a great pair of tits and a big ass with me most of the time.

You sound like some of the guys I was in Afgan with.

You still livin’ with your folks Jesber?

Yep, both in their 90’s so I can help ’em out. Not bad, free room and board.

You workin Jesber? Willy asked.

Nope, tried the mines, but hated it, so I quit. No jobs anywhere ’cept there so don’t have much hope at the moment.

The shot rang out and another cat bit the dust. Got him, Jesber.

Hey, Willy, that’s kinda weird you shooting cats and all.

Hell, just passing time. Want a beer? Got a cold one in the house.

Sure, thanks Willy, might just hit the spot.

I’ll get ya one and we can drink it out here on the porch. Willy heaved himself up, entered the house and returned in a moment with a couple of long-neck bottles. Here you is, Jesber.

Thanks Willy, mighty kind of you.

So, how are things here in Driscol? Willy asked.

’Bout the same as when you left to go in the Army, answered Jesber. Same town, same people, pretty boring. Only thing that got the place in a twit was when the President of the United States announced he was gay and makin’ it with some Catholic Priest from DC. People here didn’t take kindly to it. Pretty weird we have a faggot for a President.

Yah, heard that. Can’t stand gays, drives me nuts. They are really screwed up in the head. When I was at the hospital in DC the news was full of the gay president and his weird ideas. Feel really sorry for his wife. Can you imagine being married to one of the richest, most beautiful women in the world and you leave her for some guy’s dick. Really sick, man.

Reckon your right, Willy, and lots a folks around here would agree with you.

You gonna see those foster folks ya lived with?

Nope, didn’t need them then and sure don’t need them now. ‘Sides, I never liked them and I didn’t like the way they touched me. Sometimes they touched me one on one, sometimes together. Pretty weird. Think they just liked to see me get hard. Real strange.

Camp Victory, Kabul, Afghanistan (Flash back)

Good morning, Doctor, nice to see you again.

I understand you have now had the opportunity to review the file and talk to Private Willy Prim from Driscol, West Virginia?

Yes Sir, I have reviewed Private Prim’s file and have spent three days interviewing him.

What do you think?

The guy almost killed Private Reynolds in the shower. Guess Prim thought Reynolds was gay and kicked the shit out of him without even asking.

Yes Sir, he didn’t ask, and had he, and listened, he would have discovered that Reynolds is not only not gay, but married and has three small children in Florida.

What have you determined, Doctor?

No question in my mind that Private Prim has a severe case of post traumatic stress disorder. He is one sick guy; too many deployments and too many fire fights. His post traumatic stress disorder has been coming on over time. He has lived through a lot of traumatic events and the result has made him feel stressed and afraid once the danger has passed. In Private Prim’s case, I think we have a compounding effect that has just made the situation worse.

In my discussions with him, he has had a number of flashbacks, makes him feel like the situations he has been through are happening again. He doesn’t sleep and when he does he has nightmares that would make your hair stand on end. He is a loner who is both worried and sad, and he has demonstrated angry outbursts, over and over.

In addition, he was a foster kid and I think his foster parents may have abused him, which is another factor in PTSD. PTSD symptoms can result when a traumatic event causes an overactive adrenaline response which creates deep neurological patterns in the brain. Private Prim displays biochemical changes in his brain which is also reflective of clinical depression. Most people with PTSD show a low secretion of cortisol and a high secretion of catecholamines in urine. Private Prim has both.

My feeling is that Private Prim needs a lot of medical attention, including medication, and more important, he needs significant counseling. It is my professional opinion that he not return to any form of combat, and furthermore, I believe that he is no longer fit for service.

Private Prim needs a lot of help and keeping him here or anywhere in the service is sure to make his situation worse. I believe the guy is capable of murder and would do so and not even know what he is doing.

Thanks Doctor, I will recommend that he be transferred back stateside to our medical facility in Washington, DC. Following treatment I will recommend that he receive a medical discharge and disability.

‘I think that is best, Sir. This guy is a cannon waiting to go off again."

Psychiatric Ward 54

Walter Reed Hospital

Washington, DC

Several Weeks Earlier

On the military plane crossing the ocean at night, the wounded lay in stretchers stacked three high. The sound of the engines was broken only by the occasional sound of moans.

Private Willy Prim was sedated and sleeping on a top bunk. He was handcuffed to his stretcher.

When he woke up he found himself in the lockdown psychiatric ward at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. They call it Ward 54.

In Ward 54, recent combat veterans are mixed with other soldiers and even civilians suffering a wide range of mental problems. For them, coming back from Afghanistan and being treated alongside soldiers with schizophrenia makes one think he is crazier then he is. This is the unit for those labeled goofy and crazy and the problem is some are and some aren’t.

Willy, Willy, can you hear me?

Willy rolled his eyes and tried to open them but the drugs had done their thing and everything to him was a blur.

Where the hell am I?

Willy, my name is Lieutenant Small, I am a medical doctor and you are at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Is this the crazy ward?

Well, I wouldn’t call it that. You are here in a specialized ward because you are being treated for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I want you to learn to trust me. I’m in charge of your medications and I’m monitoring your behavior. You have a wide variety of destructive emotions that are a natural result of your war experience, Dr. Small intoned quietly.

Hey Doc, I’m just fine. Just need to get the hell out of this place, Willy said with a rising level of anxiety.

Willy, you are not alone here. Every month 20 to 40 guys just like you are evacuated from Afghanistan because of mental and emotional breakdowns. Guys with your condition outnumber all of the war’s amputees by 43 to 1. So my plan is to treat you and help you to return to a normal life.

Can I get up and walk around?

No, I’m afraid you are in lockdown and will be for about 10 days while I evaluate your progress and recommend your treatment. I want to make sure that your mental problems are from combat stress. If it is, then you will be eligible for disability. If it isn’t, then you won’t.

When I was in Afgan, I was told by guys that the Army does not want to help any of us who have the syndrome. Guys said you guys all want to band-aid it, and that you just try to get me out of here as fast as possible without having to pay anything in the future. Is that true, Doc?

That is not the way I work, Willy.

Willy was as focused as the drugs would allow and spoke with a sneer in his voice. Yeah, well then why did the chick ask me when they brought me here if I wanted to sign a release? If I signed it, I was free to go. I didn’t sign anything cause the guys in Afgan told me they would try that and if I signed I wouldn’t get a dime to get home to West Virginia.

Willy, I think we’re doing a great job of taking care of those suffering from acute battlefield injuries, including the psychological needs of returning veterans like you, Small said firmly.

Just then, Willy heard a scream coming from another room and then the Doctor gave him another shot that put him out for the next six hours.

For the first five days, Willy had no idea where he was or what planet he was on. The drugs had him resting comfortably and the emotions that were so pent up in him had dissipated to a certain extent.

It was day six when Dr. Small, returned to his room. Willy was awake.

Hey Doc, Willy asked, what day is it and where am I?

Well, Willy, you’re in the hospital at Walter Reed Medical Center. Do you remember me? Small asked.

Yeh, kinda. But most everything is a complete blur, Doc.

Willy, you are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

What the hell is that, Doc?

Well, you have severe anxiety that is the result of psychological trauma. If we don’t treat it, it will impact your ability to cope and live on the outside of this hospital.

We are still learning a lot about this disease but we do know that it is caused by physical or psychological trauma and, in your case, a combination of both, Small explained.

Do you remember what you did to that solider in the shower at Camp Victory?

You mean the FAG! Willy responded.

Small sat in the chair next to the bed, and said, Willy, that solider was not gay. He is married and has three children. PTSD causes one to have many reactions. One common reaction is violent tendencies. You beat that man until he was within one more blow of his life. You also kicked him until every one of his ribs was broken.

That’s what he gets for looking at my private parts. What’s a guy to do, and what you gonna do to get me out of here?

Well, Willy, we are going to treat you with a few drugs and, once I feel you’re stabilized, we will work to have you released from the Army.

What about disability, Doc? Willy asked.

While you are going through treatment the Army is going to consider what, if any, disability payment you should receive. I have recommended that you receive something. I have also recommended that once we have you out of here that you get counseling at the Veterans Affairs Office in Virginia.

Well, let’s get movin, Doc, Willy said. What’s the program?

I am going to begin your treatment, Small responded, by reducing the sedatives that you have been under. Things will get clearer for you but there are some things I want you to watch for. If you notice any of these things I want you to talk with me about them.

What things, Doc?

Well, Willy, the key things I want you to be aware of are: sleep disturbance or nightmares and intense distress or anger. This also includes anxiety.

What’s anxiety?

Stress and worry, Willy. The third item on the list is depression.

Willy snorted and sat up a little straighter in bed.

I also want you to know that if we can find the right drug treatment for you, you must stay away from alcohol or drug abuse. Your recovery from PTSD can be hindered or worsened by any substance abuse. This is an important thing to keep in mind. I’ll be back in the morning to see how you are doing with the reduced medication.

Willy glared at Doctor Small, as the man left the room.

PTSD treatment is always a delicate task. Trust is crucial, and medications are carefully administered and monitored. Most critical is getting patients to control the powerful and destructive emotions that can follow traumatic events like fightin’ a war.

After ten days of monitoring and adjusting drugs, Willy was starting to show improvement. His main goal was to get the hell out of the hospital and go home. That was the topic at his next session with Doctor Small.

How are you feeling today, Willy? the doctor asked.

Much better, Doc. My head’s clear now that you eased off on all of the drugs. When can I get out of here and go home?

Well, Willy, right now a panel at Walter Reed, called the Physical Evaluation Board is reviewing your case. I have recommended that you be discharged from the Army and that you receive a disability pension. The board will make its decision in the next week.

Thanks, Doc, appreciate your help, Willy’s words were sincere and his mind was relieved.

Three days passed and finally the Doctor returned to Willy’s room. He told Willy that the Board had authorized his release to go home. Willy was prescribed a drug called Nefazodone to help him sleep and to ease the symptoms of depression. He was to take the drug daily and was to check into the Veterans Hospital in Virginia for further PTSD counseling. Small also told him he would get a disability payment of $150 per month for the rest of his life.

CHAPTER 2

THE WHITE HOUSE

Spring 2017

The President of the United States, Bruce Gavin, sat in the oval office looking out the door. It was a beautiful spring day in Washington, D.C. and the apple blossoms were in full bloom.

Gavin had been elected for a second four year term in spite of his admission that he was gay and in love with a Catholic Priest. His thoughts were not focused on the multitude of issues that required his attention, but to the events of the night before with Patrick O’Callaghan, his lover.

What a night it had been; great conversation, great meal and wine, and all the love a man could ask for. He did love Patrick and was very clear on that with anyone who cared to know. What he didn’t tell the world was that he had asked Patrick to marry him when, and if, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of same sex marriage.

He smiled at the thought that if they did marry while he was in office that Patrick would become the First Man in the White House which would be quite different than the traditional First Lady.

Mr. President.

Yes, Pete, what is it?

Pete Bailey had been the President’s appointment secretary for the past five years and before that had been an active senior staffer for the President when he was the Senior Senator from Oregon.

Sir, Greta is here for her appointment.

Thanks, Pete, please show her in.

Good morning, Mr. President, how are you on this bright and warm spring Washington day? Greta asked as she sat in the chair at the corner of her boss’s desk.

I’m great, Greta. And how are you today and what’s up?

I’m doing well, sir, and I thought it would be good to revisit our campaign promises and make sure that we are still on course to deal with all of them. You have developed a pretty gutsy reputation and I want to make sure that when we leave this place in three and a half years that reputation is in tact.

Good idea. What are we doing well and what aren’t we doing well is probably the best way to begin. Don’t you think, Greta?

Yes, sir. Here are the top four issues we are focused on and the status of each.

"First, the sale of Hawaii to the Chinese. All payments have been made on time. The Chinese have begun to govern the islands like they govern in the mainland. They have taken their time with the transition based on your request to Woo Wong, the President of the People’s Republic of China. President Wong has proved to be a man of his word and I feel that your relationship with him has gone a long way in making this transaction as positive as we could have ever hoped for. The proceeds of the sale have funded Social Security and Medicare and I don’t have a count on the number of additional health and welfare programs that have been made possible by the transaction. I’m sure that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Langoon, is all over it though.

Love Lilly, she has been a key trouper for us for a lot of years now.

Yes sir, she is one of my best friends and the one I go to when I’m stuck.

Greta, with all due respect, I don’t think I ever remember a time when you were stuck.

Thanks, Mr. President.

Anyway, the protests have died down and President Wong has slowed the implementation of the Chinese Education System so most folks can learn to deal with it.

Secondly, the war in Afghanistan. This Goddamned war has gone on since you first took office. As you will remember it was a campaign promise to get out within one year in the first election and we promised the same thing again with the reelection campaign. We need to move forward on this. I think a session with the Joint Chiefs will be required to get agreement but we have yet to achieve our goal on this issue. I’m told that Walter Reed is full of guys with Post Traumatic Stress Disorders. Someone told me that for every man or women wounded in the war we have 40 PTSD’s. The PTSD’s are really screwed up sir and I don’t think we know the extent to which they will do harm to themselves or others.

The President nodded slowly, muttered a quiet oath and asked, What’s next on your list?

Illegal immigration, sir, Greta said. We have made good progress on the implementation of the National Identification Card. Even the hard line anti-immigration folks are starting to understand that this is the right way to go. This is particularly true with those who want to see all of the current illegal’s in the country paying taxes. We anticipate that we will have complete implementation by the end of 2018. If that happens you will have two years left and the illegal immigration problem should be behind us.

Jesus, wouldn’t that be great? To actually solve a problem, once and for all, Gavin said.

"Last is terrorism. After the ignition by Al-Qaeda of the dirty bomb in Mexico City with the resulting deaths of over 200 Mexican citizens and