Page 17 of Cocky Origins: May and Jerald Cocker

Lily rolls her eyes. “It isn’t mine. She wouldn’t wonder where I was unless I held a bottle in my hand.”

Sable exchanges glances with Gertie and I before she lifts the receiver to answer, “Hello?”

“Why yes, Mrs. Felts, Gertie is here. I’m looking right at her.”

I whisper, “We can drive you, too, Lily, if you need.”

“No thanks. Home is the last place I want to be.”

“We’re having sandwiches, and tea, and a real grown-up night. The dance sure was a yawn. I hope Sister Charlotte didn’t give you any cause to worry about us.” Pause. “Oh no, I sent those boys away as soon as they did us the favor of bringing us home. You see, my parents are away and I can’t have male company.” As she listens to Gertie’s mother say something, Sable sticks her tongue out at Lily. “Well that would do just fine. I’ll tell her. Goodnight Mrs. Felts.”

“What will do just fine?” Gertie asks as Sable hangs up.

Lily interrupts, “I do declare, you are piece of work!”

“One thing you don’t seem to know about me, Lily Marie Marlow, is that I am loyal as the day is long. Lying isn’t such a big deal if it saves your friends from getting into a jam. As long as the lie isn’t about something awful. I would never lie about stealing, or hurting someone’s property, or—”

“—I thought having boys here when your parents were gone was an atrocity!”

“I will not take your bait! You know very well what I mean!”

“Do I?” Lily smiles and tosses a bit of bread at her head.

Sable swats it away and we all look toward the sound of a car coming up the driveway.

“That’s Father. Are you coming, Gertie?”

“That all depends. What did my Mother say?”

“She said you could stay another half hour if you’d like. Your Father will pick you up then, and I agreed. But if you’d rather go with May.”

I look back, expecting her company and disappointed when I see her sit down in the chair. “You aren't coming?”

“I’d like to stay a little longer, if it’s all the same to you. You don’t mind, do you, May?”

“No, I guess it’s alright.”

Lily tosses bread at me next. “Don’t look so disappointed. We’ll be seeing you tomorrow at the fair. And Marvin will be driving Sable crazy, mooning after her and all. It’ll be a riot. You’ll see.”

My Father’s knock quiets us all.

Gertie whispers, “He sounds mad.”

I force a smile on my face, swinging open the door. He sure left home in a hurry because his sweater vest is buttoned wrong, the wide bottom hem not matching up like it’s meant to. “May Eloise, do you know what a state you’ve gotten your Mother into?”

“I’m awful sorry, Daddy.”

He throws his arm to point at his Ford. As I walk past him, my friends wish me, “Goodnight May!”

It sure was one.

I hurry along, throwing a quick wave behind me. When Father climbs in and starts the pickup, I rest my hands in my lap and wait. He’s a quiet man, but when he’s mad that quality forgets it knows him.

“May Eloise! What in Sam Hill possessed you to leave that dance without calling? You put your Mother in a state. And what’s this I hear about you leaving with four boys?”

With my ears ringing, I keep my eyes on the road. Someone’s got to.

“Gee, I hardly thought it was anything to worry about. They only gave us a ride, and didn’t stay or even come inside. I’d never been in that situation before, so I didn’t see the harm in it.”

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