Time to De-Brief
Steve is hysterical. His neighbor is not dancing today; we’re in the music room. (Tull is still dominating us) He’s just heard my story about Doug.
“Yea, I heard he gets served. They say he has an altered Driver’s License.”
[Back then, driver’s Licenses were simple wallet-sized paper documents. Forging one was tough but could be done. The best thing was to get blank ones and go from there. Don’t laugh–an RA at college sold blank driver’s licenses to help him pay his way.]
“And you pitched him about taking you places?” I nod. “How did he take it?
“He seemed okay. I think I’ll be asked to go with him again.”
“Seniors have parties at some big houses. You might get in one of them. Simple after school trips are good, though–I heard that Pizza Hut restaurant is unique. The lighting is supposed to be really dim.”
So…..he asked the $64 question. “Now: you think you’re ready to have a relationship with her, or are you just hungry to get her shirt off?”
I contemplate. “Well, it’s for sure that shirt won’t come off unless we have a relationship. We find common ground when we talk, it’s kind of different talking with a girl. They look at things differently. All I talk about with Dan and Bob is girls and teachers. And her town sure isn’t like this neighborhood. It’s hard for me to get a handle on the way things work.”
“And you feign interest when she talks to you about shoes, purses and skirts.”
“Shit! Doesn’t every boy?”
He takes a slug of Green Spot. “I’m going to talk to Sarah, my girl. Maybe if we go to this Pizza Hut place, we’ll take you two.”
“Can she be trusted to not gossip?”
“Yea, she’s kind of a hippy. Not at all part of the social circle. Anyway, it looks like you’ll make it to Christmas. That’s something to be proud of, for a Seventh Grade romance.”
“Steve, I have a question?
“Doug mentioned somebody named Jerry Garcia. Is he a senior at school or something?
Doug’s hysterical again. I’m a dweeb.