My brother's best friend

Jason's Fantasy Dreamworld

Jason's pov

It's as if nothing ever happened. I'm fifteen again and she's three. We're a family again. Nobody remembers anything but me. I still don't know what's going on but I'm just rolling with it. We had just finished dinner and Miranda was helping mom with the dishes. Dad patted my shoulder. "How about we play a little before bed." I smile and pull out my guitar. "I packed it all on a whim, through an old Hank cassette tape in, dad's 84 rusty Ford, he swore we'd never make it." I remember writing this song five months after my parents' deaths. I really did use my dad's ford to get to Nashville. "Pulled my roots from the ground for the hum of wheels on a blacktop, the strum of strings on a flattop, it's a neon fever for a smalltown dreamer, tells you everything you have is worth losin', damn country music." "Jason no cussing around your sister!" Mom shouts from the kitchen. "Sorry ma." It feels so good to hear her scold me about cussing again. Dad laughs. "I thought it was a great song." He says, smiling. "You'll be a star one day, Jason." I already was.... Or at least I think I was.... I.... I can't remember. I shrug it off and go to my room for bed. I'm exhausted.

*the next day*

I open my eyes and have a weird feeling in my gut. Like I'm forgetting something.... Or someone. I sit up quickly, my hands gripped tight to the sheet, all sweaty and shaking. "Taylor!" I gasp, caught off guard. I forgot Taylor! I forgot who she was for a split second. How.... How could I forget the girl I love?! "Jason! Breakfast!" "C-Comin' mom!" I shakily stand up. What is going on here?! I walk downstairs. "Jason are you alright? You look sick." Mom says, concerned. The same look I remember seeing in Taylor's eyes before I rushed to the hospital..... What was it again? I don't remember? Was it something to do with Luke? I don't know anymore. "I-I just got a lot on my mind." I mumble. Why do I get the feeling that's deja vu? Seriously what's going on with me!? I'm just a normal 15 year old, getting ready for school. My hand freezes. I drop the spoon in my hand and stand up. "Jason?" Dad asks confused. My hands are shaking uncontrollably. I'm not fifteen!! What's going on here??! I'm almost forty with a wife and kids! Kevin! And Rachel! "Where's Rachel and Kevin?" I shakily cry, a hand on the table. "Who are you talking about?" Mom asks walking over. I back up quickly. "You aren't supposed to be here! You're dead! And you too! What the hell is going on here?!" I gasp, now pressed to the wall, terrified. Both my parents are staring at me confused and worried. "I think we should call the doctor." Mom says, biting her lip. Where the hell am I?! "What the fuck is going on here?!" I screech. "JASON ALDINE WILLIAMS I WILL NOT HAVE ANY SON OF MINE SAYING FUCK!" Mom screams. I stare at her confused. "My name's not.... Oh wait!" Yes it is! I'm not a star anymore! I never changed my name! I'm fifteen again! But how!? Everything fades to black.

*later*

When I wake up, mom has a cold washcloth to my forehead. Dad stood beside the bed. I struggle to sit up. "What happened?" I mumble confused. "You were freaking out." Mom says gently. She looks so scared. I can feel it all slipping away. Forgetting who I really am! My family, my nephew, my life. I don't know where I am but whereever it is, I need to get out and fast before I forget Tanya again.... Wait I mean Taylor! Dammit! I shakily lay back down, scared out of my wits and repeating the names over and over so I don't forget them. J.J., Tay, Kev, Rachel. My family. I can't forget them. If I do, I'll lose myself in this world. I'll stop needing a reason to escape. "I wanna go home." I shakily mumble. I wanna hold Taylor and kiss her. Read a bedtime story to my baby girl. Play catch with Kevin and tea party with Rachel. "You are home Jason, you're in your bed." No I'm not. "I want my home. In Nashville with Taylor and my son and daughter." I gasp, tears slipping from my eyes, imagining a life without Taylor. "Jason you aren't making any sense!" Mom gasps, a hand to my forehead. I stare at her worried. What if I forget them all and I'm stuck here forever?