Page 29 of Cocky Origins: May and Jerald Cocker

Hank aims.

Cool as can be.

He throws.

And whoosh.

Doesn’t even hit the wood.

Dead through the center of that creepy clown’s mouth like the thing was starving and this was its reward for giving up a rag-doll.

Everyone cheers. Except me.

Hank looks at me as his back is swatted by Peter. I tip my chin with approval and my kid brother’s grin spreads.

The carny hands over a rag doll and Hank thanks him, turning to say, “Gertie, I got this for you.”

The smile on her!

Our group of eight walk off to see what else we can get ourselves into. Peter says, “Why’d you thank him? That guy was a real piece of work!”

“Because that’s what you do with a guy stuck back here day in and day out no matter the weather.”

Sable snorts, “I would’ve told him to stuff it!”

“I did.” Everyone looks at Hank. “When I won. You want to know the best way to get revenge? Be happy. Then you don’t care and they don’t win. Pops taught us that, right Jerald?”

He doesn’t wait for my answer, the group happily moving onto the next amusement. I’ve slowed to offer May the soda pop we were given to share. She stops walking to take a sip, putting a little distance between us and the rest soon enough.

“You knew he was going to make it.”

“Had an idea he might.”

She hands back the glass bottle. “Does anyone ever call you the cocky brothers?”

I laugh and shake my head, “I don’t believe they have.”

“I find that hard to believe! You both own your own worth.” She follows her friends and calls back, “And I rather like it.”

Watching her polka dots sway I mutter to myself, “You don’t say,” and take my time in catching up. What a peach.

We go on a few more rides, win a few more prizes, a few more coins well spent before the girls say they have to go home. May is by my side, the bear I won for her hugged close with one arm. She nibbles her bottom lip as we walk to the cars.

“Can I call on you this evening, May? Would you like to get a malt with me?”

Her eyes are cast down. “Gee I would like that, but I don’t see how!”

Sable overheard and calls over, “Don’t forget, May is supposed to be at the hospital.”

Lily corrects her, “That’s not true. I’m supposed to be at the hospital. May is watching Tommy at our house. At least that’s the tale. Perhaps you could’ve met her there?”

We gather around Peter’s car since it’s first up. Everyone remembers at the same time that the other fib was we drove them to Sable’s house last night. Eyes light up with a new scheme, but I’m the first to say how it fits. “That’s right. When we drove you home, I asked if I could call on you tonight!”

“I don’t know if they’ll let me, Jerald.”

“Can we try?”

The cloud over her eyes sure is persistent. “Alright, supper should be done at a quarter past seven.”

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