I need some time to get it right

 Justin thought he might be in over his head with this writing thing with Cassie's mother Kei. Oh, she opened some doors for him, with this drama world that could help him make money. Really, he knew it was a craft he wouldn't have any idea about, but the more she showed him how to create these stories into scripts, well..he was in. 

Maybe a little too much. Some nights, he might be writing until morning. He'd found out Kei wasn't just popular in China, but in the states, as well. Maybe not to the extent of being popular in her home country, but even graphic novelists respected her and to have her for a mentor....It was like he was dreaming.

But it was work. She always paid him, in whatever he helped her with. Of course, he was still going to the university. Lately, he was extremely busy and he knew he didn't have time for Randy like he usually did, but Randy was doing fine with the job at Goodwill. Justin heard his success story, again and again from the place, and even Carmen made sure all was well with him.

Justin took a break from his laptop and cracked his knuckles, he wondered what Randy was up to. He went to see, but Randy's room was empty.

"Where is he?" He found Carmen in the livingroom vegging in front of the TV, comfortable for the evening.

"Randy?" She looked up at him blankly, "He's at Cassie's."

"Cassie's?"

"Why? Isn't he always there?" She winced as if Justin might have thought she had done something wrong.

"Yeah," he nursed his bottom lip and scooted in next to her on the couch as an old episode of FRIENDS began its laugh track. He stretched his arms, thinking he was typing too much. His upper arms were sore. He felt he might be coming down with something. Or maybe he was just in front of the laptop too much.

"Are you OK?" 

Carmen turned to him and looked him in the eye.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" He scowled back as if he wished she'd stop looking at him that way.

"Your eye," she pointed to his right eye. He practically winked.

"What?"

"It's bloodshot." Carmen winced a frown.

"Bloodshot?" He cringed. She couldn't be right. Couldn't be, but he went to the bathroom to check it out. She was right.

"I'll get a warm wash cloth," she said they should go to the ER.

"NO." 

He yelped.

"Yes, we're going."

She got on the phone with Kei, asked her if Randy could stay over.

"Stay over?" He looked at Carmen as if that was so wrong.

"Well, you're brother's not here, and I'm not leaving him home alone," she put the warm wash cloth over his eyes. He didn't protest. Actually, it felt nice.

She gathered their things for the car and they headed downstairs. She was in her shower slippers, boxers, and tank. It wasn't until they got to the car that he realized he hadn't worn underwear today.

"You don't think they're having sex, do you?" He asked out of the blue, and Carmen almost swerved into a car.

"Who are we talking about?" She finally looked over at him at the stoplight. The night was getting dark and a sweet winter chill in the air. It made Justin shiver in his old cardigan. He tried to shake the dust from his jogging pants.

"Randy and Cassie."

"Oh, don't even think it," she snapped. "No."

She managed to get to the hospital without another word.

"Well, he spends way too much time with her."

"How would you know?" She shot him a look. "You are always busy on your laptop."

She slammed the door with force. It almost made him jump.

"Well, I'm trying to make a living, you know." 

Justin didn't mean to look so sad. Maybe he wasn't any better than his brother. Maybe Carmen deserved better.

"I just want you to take care of you," she said as she grabbed his hand. It felt as if this might be a wake up call, but she was destined to be by his side.