Chief Casey Season 1: Chicago's Newest Chief (Dawsey)

Chapter 132

Jay's POV: After making our way into an office with Ethan, I looked at him while wrapping my arm around Erin and putting my hand on Olivia's stroller again. Turning to look at us, Ethan was obviously confused as to why we wanted to talk. "Will not being straight with you Jay?" I then sighed and looked at him. "Ethan, I am not here to talk to you as a doctor. I am here to talk to you as a fellow veteran." Ethan then sighed and looked me because we were in the same veterans PTSD support group here run by the hospital. "Man, you missed 2 straight weeks."

Ethan then looked at me. "I was working those night." I sighed and shook my head. "Ethan, we both know that you go to that meeting because the hospital guarantees you that night off so that you can specifically attend the PTSD meeting with veterans you know. So, Ethan...what's up? I am asking you veteran to veteran. And as a friend. I don't care if you weren't friends that much with my brother...I am here as a fellow brother-in-arms. Regardless of your unit of rank, we both know you are still struggling after more than 20 years post-9/11. Dude, talk to me."

Ethan sighed as he went to lean against the desk. "I am just getting too busy. Heck, I don't even know why I applied to take this job as Chief Resident. April advised me against it because she knew that it would be too much for me. Between my PTSD, work and our personal stuff. It's hard." I then looked at him and went to put my hand on his shoulder. "Ethan, you can still be Chief Resident and go to PTSD meetings. Heck, I worked it out with Hank to be able to go with them. That means he looses 2 detectives every Tuesday night."

Moving back to Erin, I then wrapped my arm around her and smiled as I went to kiss her cheek. "However, it also gives us a date night. We make a date out of it every week. We go to dinner as a couple and then we go to the meeting." Erin smiled as she put her hand on my chest and then looked at me, kissing me softly. I then turned to look at Ethan and smiled. "Ethan, I am not going to tell you what to do okay? But we both know you keeping it all in isn't healthy. I found that out the hard way. Almost hit this one when she was pregnant the first time."

Ethan was shocked when I said that. "Like physical abuse?" Erin then stopped him. "No, he means in his sleep Ethan. Jay, remember what I told you. You have to say in your sleep. Make sure that people know that it was during a PTSD dream. If not, it can cause us to loose Olivia." I then turned to look at her and then agreed. "Sorry, I promise to try to remember. But no, I would never ever be physically abusive with her. I would be a dead man. Remember who her dad is." Ethan nodded and agreed when I said that. "You have a very good point."

I then smiled at Erin and then went to kiss her softly. "Listen Ethan, Tuesday night? Promise me that you will come? You haven't been in a while and you need to come talk to us okay? I don't care if you say that you are fine. After all the shit you've been through over the past 2 years. The COVID isolation and stuff...you need to come talk to your brothers and sisters-in-arms okay? Ethan, remember...I don't care about whether you were friends with my brother or not. You are my brother-in-arms for life. I've got your back." Ethan smiled and agreed, hugging me.

I then smiled as I hugged him. "You call me if you need anything okay? And smarten up. Come to your meetings. They are here at the hospital man." Ethan then agreed. "I promise. Now, I need to get back to work. Say hi to Will and Natalie." I nodded and agreed as he left. Meanwhile, I turned to look at Erin and smiled at her. "Sorry about how I said that." Erin nodded and agreed as she stepped close to me, putting her hand on my chest before kissing me. "I love you. Now listen, we have plans. So, let's head to Matt and Gabby's place." I agreed and nodded, ready to leave.