Page 64 of Cocky Origins: May and Jerald Cocker

“Goodbye Fred! It was a pleasure speaking with you as always.”

“Likewise, Frances.” He steps onto our welcome mat as we hurry off, waving. “Hello Ray! Good to see you! Congratulations on Jerald’s return!”

From behind the driver seat, Mr. Cocker bellows, “Fred, top of the morning to you! Yes, we’re very excited! And where is that lovely wife of yours?”

“Helping a friend care for a sick baby.”

“That’s a fine woman you’ve got!”

“None finer! You all have a safe drive.”

Mrs. Cocker climbs into the passenger seat after I’ve made myself comfortable in back. She calls to him a surprised, “Drive? All that way? Oh no, Fred! We’re flying!”

I nearly combust. “On a plane?!!”

Mrs. Cocker laughs, “Yes, dear, I don’t have wings. Do you?”

Mr. Cocker drives like someone is chasing him. “Good thing I stopped Archie from sending that letter!”

Mrs. Cocker turns to look at her husband. “Whatever do you mean?”

“See the look on Fred’s face? He wouldn’t have let May come had we not steamrolled him!”

“Why Ray! You sneak! You dastardly sneak!”

He chuckles, “Rather proud of myself for that one. Do me a favor, May! Keep this between us, will you?”

“You can count on me, sir!”

“Have you ever been on a plane?”

“I’m afraid I haven’t, but it’s a dream of mine! I’m considering becoming a pilot.”

They react, and since Mrs. Cocker can turn in her seat while her husband cannot, she twists to face me. “A female pilot? That is rare! But I don’t see why not! Women can do anything men can do! Isn’t that accurate, Ray?”

“You’d never hear me saying anything different.” He adds as an aside, “Or you’d have my head!”

She smacks him. “You’d never say anything different because you don’t believe anything different!”

“I know, I know,” he chuckles. “But don’t take away my fun, will you?”

She returns to me, “I’m sure you told Hank of your ambitions. He has wanted to fly since he was a boy! I received a letter from him.”

“How is he?”

She tugs off her gloves with frustration. “They are retaining Hank for the meantime. He joined late, has zero seniority, and much needs to be done.”

Disappointed, especially for Gertie, I ask, “Done?”

“Raymond, you can explain it better than I!”

“When a war ends, May, it isn’t like an argument. I have it on good authority that Japan surrenders today. There will be a ceremony for the official signature if all goes well. America and our allies must ensure our enemies don’t try anything funny. There is also the business of rebuilding. Looters thrive in desolate times such as this. England has been bombed to smithereens. We must support their efforts as they bring London back from the rubble. As much as we’d like to have all of our men returned, the process must take time.”

“I’m sorry I know so little!”

“I’m married to a politician, my dear, and even I know very little! Washington doesn’t explain everything that goes on to the public. It’s far too complicated, which is why we trust the good men and women we elect to hold our best interests at heart.”

Mr. Cocker mutters, “Some good men have to fight some not good men on more issues than they’d like to count!”

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