I got together with my classmates at school the next day. It was lunchtime when I told them about what Dad said about receiving my driver's permit.

"Funnie, maybe you could help us get ours after you finish passing the test."

"Roger, I am not going to do that for you."

I watched Skeeter agreeing with me.

"Doug does have a good point, Roger. All you ever think about is cheating on other people's tests. You need to stop."

"I am not going to stop that anytime, Valentine."

I somehow figured Roger was right, but I didn't bother saying anything about that.

Cheating on other people is his character, and everyone who knows him agree he won't change that.

Maybe he should start that now if he does want to get a permit like the rest of us, I thought to myself.

"Doug, are you still there?"

I heard Skeeter's voice. It's not very often when I do this sort of thing. I then looked at him.

I nodded my head and answered, "Yes."

"It didn't look like it," Roger said.

The rest of my classmates had to agree with him.

I didn't have anything else to say, so I didn't. Let someone else talk for a while. It looked like Patti was going to say something. She had our attention, but it was mostly me.

"My dad is letting me get one. He thinks it's about time I do start."

"Did he say when your first day of joining a class?" I asked.

She looked at me and said, "He hadn't said anything about it yet," was her answer.

We talked about this for a while longer, then it was time to do other things at home. Even I had other things going on, and I was the first one to leave.

"I hope you don't mind if I cone along with you," she said.

"Okay. I like that, and it has been a while since we were last together walking home. Do you mind if I walk you home?" I asked.

"You can if you want me to."

That's when we had a chance to talk alone without the rest of our friends. Patti and I are close friends, from the way I look at it. I don't even care if our friends seem to tell. Even if they did, they sure didn't bother saying so.

"Patti?"

"What?"

"On Valentine's Day, would you like to come over to my house and you can eat for dinner?"

"I would like that. I will get back to you on that one."

"Your dad is welcome to come along, too."

"Do your mom and dad know you're inviting me over?" she asked.

"Not yet, but I will bring it up at supper tonight."

"Okay. I hope it will be romantic."

"I don't know about that one. If we have some privacy to ourselves, we can try to do that, but I can't promise anything."

"I know. Is your sister going to be around when I come over to your place?"

"I don't think she will be around. I think she said she has a date that night. She did say what his name was, but I forgot now."

"The name isn't important, Doug. That's her business, and not ours."

Patti was right. It was none of my business on who Judy goes out with. I don't even care if Mom and Dad know.

So we got closer to her neighborhood.

"Want me to walk you over to your place?" I asked.

"You can if you want to. Maybe we can be in the same driving class."

"Maybe. Dad wants to think about it a bit longer before I can get permission," I said.

"That makes a lot of sense. I will talk to you later."

"All right, Patti. I will mention my inviting you and your dad over on Valentine's Day."

"When you give their answer, let me know so I can tell my dad. Good – night."

It really wasn't nighttime yet, but I don't know why she said that. So I said the same thing back in return. Then she was out of sight.