"Doug, may I ask you something?" Patti asked.
"Sure. What's your question?" I asked.
Ever since we first met, I had a crush on Patti, and still do.
"What did your mom and dad say about getting the permit?"
"They said I can try, but if something goes wrong, they will take the permit away from me. I don't want that, you know."
All Patti did was nod in agreement.
"I understand, Doug. My dad never said anything about that to me."
"Yeah, that's because I am trusted by him."
What she had just said is true. Ever since she and I became friends, that was something I saw in her. No argument there.
"He's right, Patti. I can picture you being married someday."
"You think so? I really never thought about it, but it can happen."
That was another thing we both agreed on. I still had a smile on my face.
"My dad is a very big help to me about this driving thing when the class first being held," Patti told me.
"That's what I like about your dad, Patti. I don't know anyone else here in Bluffington like him."
"I know. He's always been a friendly person."
"Patti, do you know when the next driving class starts?"
"This Friday."
"Okay. How long did you say it was again?"
I wanted to write down this information so Mom and Dad could see what I had found out. This could be worth sharing is writing it in my journal. I only write for fun. When we separated for the rest of the day, I went straight to my room to write.
Neither Dad or Mom were around when I let myself inside.
"Mom, Dad, I'm home!" I yelled.
I went into the kitchen to put Patti's information down by the sink. They weren't in the kitchen either. I'm sure they will see what I had found out. I helped myself to a full glass of water. I still haven't heard any sign of Judy either.
When I finished drinking my water, I headed upstairs to my room. I decided to leave my door open so I would know when somebody returns. I stood before my desk. I reached out for a pencil. My journal was on my desk just where I'd left it. Patti was the only friend I had talked with today. Skeeter and everyone else were busy, so they weren't there to join us. That sounded fine with me.
I had to leave my room so I could find a pencil sharpener. The pencil really did need it. I don't have one of those in my bedroom, but there wasn't any need to have one with me. It only took me about a minute to sharpen that pencil. When I finished, I headed for my bedroom once again. I sat down at my desk and opened the journal.
When I write in journals, I never write the dates down. It really doesn't make a difference to me at all. I began to write:
'Dear Journal,
This is an adventure I would like to share with you. I think I have told you earlier about letting me have a driver's permit. Mom and Dad did come up with an agreement that I had to accept.
They suggested that I can give it a try. If I did something wrong, the permit would be taken away. Since I am now in high school, I want to learn to drive a car because I might have to drive myself to certain places that Mom and Dad won't have to do it. Mom and Dad aren't home right now, so my conversation with Patti will have to wait some other time.
Mom and Dad never told me anything about having plans in town. Judy isn't home either, which is a good thing. When I have something else I think is worth sharing, I will share it with you.
I was still writing when I heard the front door open. I stopped writing in my journal to see who it was. It was Dad. He looked at me when I walked down the stairs to greet him.
"Hi, Doug. How was your day?" Dad asked.
"it's good, thanks for asking, Dad. I didn't see any note from you or Mom when I came home. You should've told me so I would know."
"Sorry about that, Doug. We'll be sure to tell you next time," he said.
"Okay. I did find a little bit of information about driving."
"Looks like you did a little bit of research by writing this stuff down. I'll look at it over with your mother so it will give us a better idea."
"Glad you accepted my notes," I told him.
"Information like this really helps. Your mother won't be home for dinner, so it's just both of us."
"Okay. I'm heading back to my room."
That's when I headed upstairs once again. At least I learned something today.
