I kept my promise by meeting Skeeter at the Bluffington Jewelry Store like we planned over the phone. He wasn't there yet, so I decided to wait for him until he showed up. I only walked back and forth the jewelry store until my best friend showed up.
"Hi, Skeeter."
"Hi, Doug. Have you walked in there yet or did you just get here?"
"No, I haven't walked in, Skeeter. I decided to wait until you came so we can see what we both like."
"Good idea, Doug. Are you ready to go in?"
"Yes," I answered.
So Skeeter followed me inside. It looked like Skeeter and I were the first ones there from what I saw.
"Let's start with the necklaces, Doug."
"I think that's a good place to start," I agreed.
So we walked over to the necklaces. Mom and Dad both knew Patti was coming over to spend the evening with me.
The jeweler looked busy. He was on the telephone taking orders from other customers, so all he did was wave at us. We waved back as we walked over to the necklace section. I decided not to give Patti something that wasn't expensive. I already knew as a fact that some jewelry isn't expensive or real, but I decided to play safe in case I overpaid a price I couldn't afford, and that did make a lot of sense. I had never thought if Patti liked real jewelry or not so Skeeter and I started with the necklaces.
I decided to go through the bracelets as well. Some of the necklaces were better than some of the bracelets. I came across a fake ruby bracelet. I joined Skeeter and see what he thought of my choice.
"Did you find something, Doug?"
"I'm not sure, but what do you think of this bracelet?"
I held up the bracelet so Skeeter could have a better look.
"I like it. Is that real or not?" Skeeter asked.
"I don't know."
The jeweler already put the phone back in its spot so he could help us.
"Is that bracelet real or fake?" I asked.
"It's fake, young man. Are you planning to pick something out for somebody special?"
"Yes, sir. It's for a Valentine's Day gift, but I want to surprise her."
I thought leaving Patti's name out made sense, and Skeeter agreed also.
"How much is the bracelet?" I asked.
"It is twenty dollars. We do have earrings that match the bracelet."
I looked at Skeeter. He liked the idea. I did have a twenty dollar bill, so that was all I had left in my wallet.
"The earrings are less than the bracelet. If you buy both, the price will be down to fifteen dollars," he told us.
"What do you think, Skeeter?"
"Go for it. At least you chose something that wasn't expensive."
I had to agree.
"Since it's Valentine's Day, fifteen dollars is the best offer for you."
"That makes sense," I agreed as Skeeter nodded.
"Would you like these gift wrapped?'
"That would be great," I answered.
Skeeter and I watched as he took the bracelet from my hands and we watched him put a pair of earrings as well. I paid my twenty dollars when he finished wrapping Patti's gift.
"Thank you, sir," I said.
He took my twenty dollars and gave me five dollars change.
"Thank you for visiting us today. Happy Valentine's Day."
"Happy Valentine's Day," Skeeter and I said at the same time and left the store.
"That wasn't so bad, was it, Doug?"
"No. At least Patti would be surprised when she opens this box."
Skeeter agreed.
"What time does Patti come over?"
"Before Mom and Dad leave. Judy will be gone by then."
Skeeter and I spent some of the afternoon together and then he left before one in the afternoon. I did walk him to the front door.
"See you later, Doug. Tell Patti happy Valentine's Day from me."
"I will."
After I slammed the door after him, I was able to have some time alone until Patti showed up. I didn't feel nervous at all.
Mom and Dad saw Patti's box.
"What's inside the box, Doug?" Dad asked.
"A bracelet and matching earrings. The jeweler said they come together, so there was no way to turn down that offer. Since today is Valentine's Day, he made it a special offer."
"How much were these?" Dad asked.
Ever since I was a kid, I learned a lot about money.
"The bracelet was twenty, but he did say there were earrings that matched the bracelet were fifteen dollars. So he gave them to me at that price. All I did was get back five dollars in change."
"That's a fair price, Doug. When you're older, you can start spending one hundred dollars. This is the place to start."
"That's a fair price, Doug. When you're older, you can start spending one hundred dollars. This is the place to start."
Mom agreed with Dad.
When they left, I told myself I chose the right gift for Patti that wasn't expensive. Judy left around five – fifteen since she was going out to eat with her friends and go from there. Patti showed up right on time. Her dad watched her walk up to my front door safely. I knew this because I was watching from the window. Mom and Dad were almost finished getting ready when I let Patti inside.
Note: Up next we'll look at Doug and Patti's evening. Hope you enjoy this latest chapter.