At lunch, I ate with Patti. Not once has Patti figured out about my secret crush on her. I wasn't so sure what would happen if I told her. Skeeter wasn't around when Patti and I were eating.

"Patti, what do you have planned for on Valentine's Day?"

"Nothing now. Why did you ask?"

"I was just wondering. Maybe you and I can get together."

Today was Friday afternoon, so I had plenty of time to ask her.

We were eating lunch at the Honker Burger. As usual, they were busy. Anyway, Mom and Dad were going out to dinner on Valentine's Day while Judy went to the movies with a few friends of hers.

"I would love that, Doug."

"We'll talk about the time now if you want or wait until Valentine's Day and go from there."

"Are your parents and Judy going to be around if I come over?"

"Of course not. They will be celebrating Valentine's Day without me involved, so I thought it would be a good idea to have some time alone with you. Judy will be at the movies with some of her friends. Mom and Dad are celebrating because they got married on Valentine's Day."

"How romantic, Doug. What time would you want me to come over?"

"Would five – thirty work? Judy is going to meet her friends at the movies, but their movie starts a little after six, and Mom and Dad will leave about five – fifteen."

"That could work. Are you sure it's all right with your mother and father know you invited me?"

"Not yet, but I'll mention it to them."

"I'll tell my dad I will be spending Valentine's Day with you for the evening. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

"He normally is good about that, Patti. He's a good guy."

"Of course he is. I'll be sure to tell him that."

"You could call me if plans change."

"I plan to do that, Doug. You do have a nice family."

"Thank you, Patti."

I looked at the clock at the Honker Burger. It told me the time was now 1:23 PM. If I wanted to surprise Patti with some jewelry for Valentine's Day, now was the time and it wasn't very far away. I didn't have much time left. I'll ask Skeeter to come along. I didn't talk to Skeeter until the evening. I called him up.

"Hi, Doug. How did you and Patti enjoy lunch at the Honker Burger?"

This was the greeting my best friend gave me today.

"It went well, Skeeter. I don't have much time to decide what to get Patti as a surprise. I wanted to see if you would come along and give me an opinion."

"I'd be happy to come with you, Doug. We better visit the jewelry store again tomorrow."

"That's why I was calling you, Skeeter. Patti said she didn't have anything planned, so at least it would be the right time for me to surprise her with the jewelry. Mom and Dad will be out of the house since it's their wedding anniversary. Judy wont' be at home either."

"No wonder it was a perfect time for you and Patti to be alone."

"That's why I invited her."

"What will Judy be doing?" Skeeter asked.

"She and a few of her friends will be visiting the movie theater."

"Do you know what movie she's planning to see?"

"No, I don't. Do you think I care?"

"Probably not. Has she said anything about he movie if the story was supposed to be good?"

"She didn't give details, Skeeter. I'm sure she will tell me when she returns."

"True, Doug. What time would you prefer to meet me at the jewelry store?"

"Would ten – fifteen work?"

"That works perfectly. I'll see you then."

That was the conversation I had with my best friend. Roger better not be around when Skeeter and I will be at the jewelry store. I don't want him to ruin my surprise to Patti and tell her about the visit I was doing to share with his friends. Still it could happen, I told myself. After my conversation with Skeeter, I paid a visit to my journal.