Page 78 of Cocky Origins: May and Jerald Cocker

Her eyes widen. “Oh!”

I lean to grab her suitcase, and next open the trunk for mine.

We walk together only a few steps when she halts. “We need to go back!”

A frown slices my face. “No fooling around, May. I’m going to make an honest woman of you. You have my word on that! We’re here to get married, nothing less!”

Confused, she stares at me then breaks into a knowing smile. “No, silly! I meant we have to go back to your car so I can change. I can’t wear this nightgown to the hotel! I’m not wearing shoes!” Laughing, I carry the suitcases back with her skipping ahead, saying, “Give me the key! I shouldn’t be walking around in this! Didn’t you notice?”

Oh, I noticed.

“It’s here in my suit pocket.”

May dashes up and rummages around until she finds it while I enjoy her search. With triumph she shows me my key. Hurrying to unlock the door, she at first doesn’t notice I’m laying her suitcase on the sidewalk.

As soon as she does, she snaps it closed. “No, Jerald, don’t look! Please turn around. “I brought a dress for our wedding, and I don’t want you to see it!”

I cross my arms to stand watch while she changes in the car. The city streets are quiet on account of the late hour, so I happily whistle to myself until a rap on the window lets me know she’s ready.

I offer my hand once more. We both look at her purple dress and heels.

“What do you think?”

“Pretty. But I preferred the nightgown.”

She swats my chest with the nightgown, and I chuckle, grab it, about to bend for the suitcase.

“No! I said I don’t want you to see!” She takes the nightgown back and swirls her finger, gesturing for me to turn around. “Don’t look down!”

As soon as I hear the buckles fasten I ask, “How ‘bout now?”

“Yes, you can turn around now.” We walk to the hotel, me with a suitcase in each hand as she confides, “I haven’t been to Atlanta since I was little! I so loved it here. There was an enormous park I hoped I’d visit again. Do they still have Piedmont Park?”

“To be honest, I’m not sure. But I’ve got a hankering to find out. Uh oh.”

We stop in front of the hotel, and May asks, “What is it?”

“Looks like it’s locked. Pretty dark in there, too.”

“There’s one lamp.”

“Probably leave that on all night. I’m sorry, May, I didn’t figure on it being closed. Not in a big city.”

She smiles, “Why don’t we sleep in the car? I was able to. It will be morning in a few hours. Oh, I will need to use the washroom. Especially if we’re to be married tomorrow?”

Disturbed at our prospects I rub my chin, staring at the sidewalk and mutter, “That’s the plan.”

“Well perhaps… Oh look! There’s someone!”

My head pops up, and I lean closer to give the window a good knock.

A grey-haired man blinks at us, and hurries over to unlock the door. “Can I help you?”

I set down May’s suitcase, shake his hand and explain, “Yes hello! I’m awful sorry to bother you but my wife and I have driven in from Norfolk, Virginia and we misjudged the time. Afraid I assumed wrongly that your establishment might still be open. I don’t suppose you would make an exception?”

His eyes narrow with suspicion. “What were you doing in Norfolk?”

“Just getting back from the war, sir.”

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