Break these clocks forget about time

 The May holiday felt a little sad to Randy. Maybe it was the weather. It rained, but it was a quaint rain. Not a big lot, but the skies were gray, and it was a chill that made him sneeze from time to time. Of course, Jared said it was the cottonwood. And Randy saw a little float about,  like random snowflakes, so he guessed Jared was right.

Still, he felt under the weather. Cassie was on his mind. She wasn't getting any better. Of course, no one would let him see her. It felt like it was all lies somehow. But it didn't seem to matter. 

It didn't help that Justin told him to stop asking about her. It wasn't the time. He needed to go on with things. Although he didn't think Justin was all that happy either, these days. He wasn't sure what was going on, but celebrating the last day of the school year with Carmen's nephew Kenny helped a little. Playing games at the arcade helped. Maybe. But then he had to share his room with Kenny. 

It wasn't that he hated it, but he liked having his own space. Now he was having to share it with a fifth grader.

"That's just not right." Monica, of course, was on his side, and he wasn't sure what that meant either, but like clockwork work she was there when he got off work. Now she had more time since school was out.

"It won't be forever," he shrugged, trying to think why he'd told her this after all. Justin told him to stop talking about Cassie, so what was he supposed to say when she asked what was going on?

"He's a little kid, you shouldn't have to put up with him," Monica informed him. Randy was old enough to be on his own if he wanted to.

"What are you trying to say?" He looked at her as if she were no help. He liked living with Justin, but not always. Justin looked angry these days, and Randy did wonder if it was his fault.

"Well, if I ever get my own place, then we could live together." Monica was very matter-of-fact about it. She was sixteen now, and she had her driver's license.

"Huh."

He squinted as if he wasn't even sure he'd get in the car with her. "Are you sure you can drive by yourself?"

"I  got here by myself."

She wanted them to go to McDonald's and get a milkshake.

"We can walk there from here," Randy wouldn't mind having a milkshake.

"But the drive-through is quicker."

Monica looked at him as if he needed to trust her. He looked at the watch he had almost thirty minutes to kill. "Oh, let's just walk, we've got time."

All they had to do was cross the street, and it wasn't busy.  So they did, and he got her strawberry shake while he got a chocolate one. They were the only two people there. There was a long line at the drive-through.

"Why can't you let me drive you home?" She sulked.

"Let's just let you practice more," Randy said as he took a draw from the thick milkshake.

"And then we can go somewhere?" She perked up.

"Where would we go?" He asked even if Cassie was on his mind. If only he could go see Cassie, but he didn't even know which hospital she was in.

"There's a carnival coming," Monica was happy to tell him.

"I might get sick on the rides," Randy told her. Of course, he was thinking her driving the car.

"Oh, come on, please," Monica begged.

"I don't know, what if we get in trouble?" Randy didn't want any trouble.

"Oh, but we could go on the Ferris wheel, and it would be so much fun. Maybe you could win me a teddy bear."

Monica had numerous ideas in mind. "What if I teach you how to drive?" Those eyes of hers were always up to mischief, but Randy had never had anyone to have so much faith in him like she did.