Page 95 of Cocky Origins: May and Jerald Cocker

“I know this dress.”

“From?”

“And I’m just wondering…”

“Yes?”

“Are you going to faint again?”

She laughs, the sound heaven to my ears. “I missed you last night.”

I give her a wink, “Don’t worry. Won’t happen again.”

52

MAY

“May! Jerald!” Mrs. Cocker waves us over. “Stand here!”

“Now Frances, let Father Michael take over now.”

“I was just...”

“—and you’re doing a brilliant job at it!”

While they argue, I’m staring at my father. He walks to me with sadness in his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I just love him so much.”

“You’re all grown up.”

“Mr. Kearns?”

He looks at Jerald standing by my side. “Yes?”

Everyone quiets, Mother and Mrs. Cocker extremely curious now. They step to where they can see better as Jerald clears his throat.

“I’d like permission to marry your daughter, sir.”

Father breathes in the respect, nods, and looks at me as he says, “You have it, Jerald. You have it.”

Tears jumps to my eyes, and I throw my arms around him, “Thank you!”

He hugs me tight. “I’ll always be here for you, kiddo, if you ever need anything, I’ll aways be your father. I love you so much!”

I squeeze him. “I love you, too, Daddy!”

Jerald and I stand in front of the priest who, with circumstances as they are, and the weather just so, conducts a truncated ceremony. Mother sniffles the entire time, especially when he says,

“May, repeat after me…”

I face Jerald, saying my vows exactly as Father Michael gives them:

“I, May Eloise Kearns, take thee, Jerald Daniel Cocker to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance, and thereto I pledge myself to thee.”

“Jerald, repeat after me.”

He applies gentle pressure on my hands, eyes brimming with love.

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