Simon
One of my friends was Simon, the only child of a couple that had lived in our small town for only a few years.
Simon was a little older than me and he got his driver’s license before I did. And he managed to get a car too; a small chocolate brown two-door coupe. He quickly gained reputation as a fast, and often reckless, driver. Not something that went over well with people who saw him speeding on the only major through street we had, as well as in the residential neighborhood.
Then I reached the age where I was for drafted for military service. In those days, that system was still in place and some men came up with the silliest excuses trying to get from under it. I approached it more or less with indifference, it was what it was.
But first I had to report for a physical examination and psychological test. I rode the bus into a nearby town and underwent the almost full day long procedure.
It so happened that Simon was there as well and at the end of the day he offered me a ride home. Although it would be easier and faster than taking the bus, I kindly refused with the excuse that I still had some business to take care of elsewhere in the city.