Page 18 of Cocky Origins: May and Jerald Cocker

“No, you wouldn’t,” he grumbles, silent the rest of the way.

I expect him to grumble about our home being just as good as anyone else’s home, when we park the car. Sable’s is two times the size, and he always remarks on it. Not tonight.

The keys are absolutely yanked from the ignition.

Oh goodness.

I’m in an awful mess, aren’t I?

The fair tomorrow.

What if I’m forbidden to go?

11

JERALD

We stroll into a sitting room lit by the black and white static of a program schedule long gone. I turn the knob on the television and the room goes black. Been a bit too quiet and dark around here since Pops had that heart attack. Worried Ma, us, and half of Congress.

I flip on a lamp, adjusting the shade from nearly knocking it over in my haste as Hank tosses his hat on the coffee table and quietly asks, “Evening Pops, fall asleep in front of the television?”

He rouses, blinking his exhaustion away. “You boys home? Have a good time?”

“Sure did,” Hank grins. “Where’s Ma hiding?”

“She doesn’t appreciate television. Prefers to read. Says she can’t...”

We all say, “Bear the racket!”

“Your Mother is old fashioned, boys, you know that.”

Hank sits on the sofa’s arm.

I stand with mine crossed. “Say Pop, how ya feelin? Any better?”

His eyes don’t match, “Better every day, Jerald better every day!” He glances between us, sees we’d prefer the truth, and sighs, “I’m tired, but that’s to be expected. The doctor assures me surviving one heart attack means your chances of living past another are higher.”

Hank rubs his head, “Listen here! You need to take better care of yourself!”

“He’s right, Pops. We want you sticking around.”

“Speaking of that. What time is your plane leaving again?”

“Monday at fourteen hundred hours.”

He smiles, “Two o’clock to us non-military folk then.”

“I can drive him, Pops!”

“I’d say not, Hank. Let you drive my car?”

“I’m old enough.”

“In years maybe”

Hank glowers at first, but quickly remembers how close we were to being fatherless. “If you’re tired, is all I’m saying. I’m ready and able, despite what you might think of me. And I would be happy to take Jer. Not happy to see him go, but you get the idea.”

“Yes, son, I do.” He closes his eyes, showing his age.

---