Page 4 of Cocky Origins: May and Jerald Cocker

She laughs, hugging me, “Yes, but stay close to Sable. That’s a girl with a good head on her shoulders. Lily on the other hand…” Mother trails off and I kiss her cheek.

“You changed my life!”

I bound up our stairs and she calls after, “It’s merely a dance, May Eloise! Not a ticket to France.” As I clear the final step I hear her worry, “I do hope I made the right decision!”

3

JERALD

I’m introduced to Hank’s friends, and they’re all good sorts for being kids and all.

“Peter Tuck, nice to meet you! Heard a lot about you, Jerald! Yes sir! Hank’s heroic brother!” He’s a good-looking fellow who can cut a rug with the best of them. He was with some gal doing the mambo when we got here, a circle formed to watch the show.

I didn’t get Darren’s last name, or a chance to shake his hand. He waved from the floor when Hank shouted who I was. “Howdie, Jerald!” Since we’ve been here he’s changed dance partners after every song in an effort to find one who suits him.

Now Marvin Smith, on the other hand, I greet with an easy smile, “Marv, yes, I remember you.”

“Good to see you, Jerald.”

Friends since my brother was in kindergarten, Marvin’s a square who means well and doesn’t take up much space. You hardly remember he’s here until he pipes up with the rare offering.

Standing with them is more comfortable than I expected it would be. They act as if I’m one of them.

As soon as Hank gets a dance partner, I’m shoving off. I’ll have the last laugh when he looks around and Marvin tells him I’m gone.

Peter tilts his fedora and throws a shiny shoe on a chair. “Say, that doll Darren is jitterbugging with, her dress is in danger of a tap-out, wouldn’t you say?”

Hank, Marvin and I watch for a bit, and look around for the nuns. They’re sure to notice a hem bouncing above her knee like that one is. Because she’s so pretty, we continue watching Darren and his dance partner until Peter cups his hands and shouts, “Been taking lessons, Darren?”

We all laugh.

He ignores us, but she casts a sideways glance, then leans in with a smile to ask him a question. The way his eyes light up makes my brother turn to me. “Hey Jer, what do you think she asked him?”

I’m just shy of twenty-two, and a sailor, so Peter and Marvin lean in, awaiting my answer. They’re hoping it’s something dirty, and that I might just educate them.

I smirk, “She’s wondering how he ended up with such good looking friends.”

The guys laugh and I glance away. Peter says something, but I don’t hear him because off to my left stands a pretty blonde with eyes of a clear summer’s day.

Somethin’ special about her.

And she’s watching me.

It dawns on her that I’m staring back.

Hank taps my arm. “Jer!”

“What?”

“Gin.”

My distracted gaze drops to the spiked punch, and I push it away.“You go ahead. I think I might have a dance.”

Hank slyly leans past me, hoping he can predict which one without letting on that we’re talking about them. “The doll in pink?”

“Blue.”

“Oh yeah? Hey Pete, it’s one of Lily’s friends.”

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