Once again, I got together with my friends. Skeeter told me that Patti was sick, so she had to miss out on today. That was disappointing, I told myself.

"Patti did tell us something about you giving driving a chance," Skeeter said.

We were tossing a basketball to each other. We weren't throwing it in the hoop.

"Mom and Dad finally decided to let me have a shot. I'm all excited about it," I said with a smile on my face.

"Mom and Dad were asking about the days and time the driving classes are," I told Skeeter.

"I think she mentioned it to me, but I forgot."

"That's okay, Doug. Do you want to come over to my house for a while?"

"I'll go," I answered, and then added, "let me call Mom and Dad first."

They weren't home, so all I did was leave a message.

"No luck, huh?"

"No, they didn't answer. Do you have books on driving?" I asked.

"No. All I'm reading now is the annual."

"At least it's a start, I guess. Finding a lot of interesting stuff, I bet."

"Some of it is, but not everything in it is interesting," he told me.

"I believe it. Mom and Dad think I should start with that first," I replied.

"My mom and dad thought it made sense to start there. You know what I mean."

"The basics," I agreed.

"That's why I have to start with that."

"Which does make sense. I don't remember what Judy had to do when she started her first day."

"I'm sure she probably did the same thing as we did."

"It's been a long time that I don't remember."

"That's for sure. Time flies, doesn't it?"

That was something we both agreed on, which is true. Skeeter and I talked about other things besides driving as we walked over to his house.

Neither of his parents were home when we walked in.

"This place sure is quiet," I said.

"I know. Mom and Dad didn't say anything about it."

"Plans change."

Once again we both agreed. It was only 2:18 when we walked into the kitchen.

"Want a snack or drink?" he asked me.

"Water would be good. What are the choices on snacks?" I asked as he poured a glass of water and handed it over.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. All we have are fruits and vegetables. Maybe Mom is grocery shopping right now."

"I never thought about that one. Are you running out of food?"

"I think so. Maybe this is why the house is quiet. Even my brother isn't here."

"He might be with his own friends," I replied.

"You can be right. Since I'm learning about driving right now, Mom and Dad won't trust me to drive on my own yet."

I understood what he had just said. I watched as he grabbed out some carrots and radishes along with some pineapple and apples. He sure did have a lot of fruits and vegetables from what I saw. I didn't mind, though. Mom and Dad told me I could have my own car when I'm older, but I'm not yet disappointed. That was fine with me for now.

I chewed a few bites of carrots while he grabbed a plate for both of us. Before he did, he washed his hands. I do the same thing at home, but I also did that here at Skeeter's house. At least this time alone gave us the chance to hang out without his family being around us, which isn't very often. When I finished eating a carrot, I coughed.

"Are you okay, Doug?" he asked.

All I did was nod my head. I picked up my glass of water and drank most of it for my coughing. It helped. I drank the entire glass. I poured myself a second glass.

"I needed that," I told him.

"You sure did," he agreed.

Skeeter did the same thing, but he didn't cough like I did. Even he filled up another glass.

"Want to go outside for a while?" he asked me.

"Sure. It's a nice day anyway," I answered.

Neither of us don't spend much time indoors. We're both the type of people who like the outdoors the best. He also took the plate of vegetables and fruit outside with us. Which is fine with me. There was no need for us to have an argument. We sat at the table in the patio.

"Did your parents say anything reading the driver's manual?" Skeeter asked.

"No, but I have the feeling they would say something about it at some point," I answered.

"Parents are like that sometimes," he agreed.

For a while after that, neither of us said a word. I stayed over until Mr. and Mrs. Valentine drove up in the driveway.

"I'd better get going," I told him as we walked inside.

"Okay, Doug. I'll see you again soon."

"You will. Thanks for inviting me over."

I finished my second glass of water as we saw Mr. and Mrs. Valentine come in with a few grocery bags.

"Hello, Doug," Mrs. Valentine greeted me.

"Hi. I was just leaving."

"You can stay for a while," Mr. Valentine said.

"Thanks. I already have, Mr. and Mrs. Valentine."

Skeeter was with me when I told them that.

"He's been here this whole time, Mom and Dad. He can leave now if he wants to."

I agreed with him.

"All right, Doug. Do your folks know where you are?"

"I only left a message for them since they weren't home," I answered.

"I'll walk him to the front door. Can I help put the groceries away?" he asked.

"We'd like that."

I thanked Skeeter once again and then I left.