Page 83 of Cocky Origins: May and Jerald Cocker

“What did you see? Was there someone out there? Why are you smiling like that?” I bend down and use the wetted towel to clean her. She stares at me, voice quieting to ask, “Do you want me to? I don’t mind!”

“I like doing it.”

“Why are you so relaxed all of a sudden?”

Toweling her inner thighs I say, “On account of you’re here with me, and what we just did. And what we’re doing tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day. And the next day.”

She laughs, and lies back, letting me bathe her like this. I scoot her round bottom over and put a dry towel atop the stain. It doesn’t do much, so I open a couple closets. “Hot dog! Found us a fresh set!”

We redress the bed, enjoying the fact that we’re naked.

Except for this damn bra.

“Why is this thing still on?”

She throws her hands on her hips. “Did you think I was going to take it off? I figure that’s your job!”

“Oh it is.” I remove it with such ease, she smacks my arm. I throw the thing. It hits the wall.

A second later someone bangs from the other side. “Enough already! I’m trying to sleep!”

May breaks into a fit of the giggles, and makes a break for the bed. But I snatch her and plop her in front of me. “Hold on a second. Let me get a gander. Well, look at these beauties. They’re just saying hello, now aren’t they? They always this friendly?”

Trying to break free again, her giggles are as quiet as she can make them, and awfully adorable.

“You didn’t answer the question. Are these gumdrops always so sharp?”

“Cut it out!” She smacks my arm, and suddenly burrows into me, throwing her arms ‘round tight. “I’m so happy, Jerald! I don’t think anybody has a right to be this happy.”

With my mind instantly returning to the war, I kiss the top of her head. “I think everyone has a right to be this happy, May.”

Switching off the lamps and climbing into fresh sheets, we cuddle up close, kissing each other.

I awaken in total darkness with small hands on my arm and a female voice urging, “Wake up! Jerald, wake up! Oh please wake up!”

The hotel room comes into focus, and I realize it’s May here with me.

I’m not in my bunk.

There is no alarm.

Water isn’t pouring in.

I turn on the light, tan lampshade throwing a golden hue onto her troubled face.

“What is it, May?”

“You were shouting.”

“I was?”

We stare at each other. My head falls back on the pillow, and I’m so surprised I don’t know what to say.

May leans over to caress my face, her touch extra gentle, voice so warm, “It’s okay. It’s alright.” She reaches over me, turns off the light, and molds her naked body to mine, whispering,“You’re safe now. It’s alright. It’s all over. I’m with you and we’re safe,” until my muscles loosen, and I drift off.

47

JERALD

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