Page 31 of Cocky Origins: May and Jerald Cocker

Father’s chest relaxes, as does his fist. Laying his fingers flat on the table, he looks at the pie for a moment. “A Navy boy.”

I blink, remembering how much he wanted to enlist but wasn’t able to on account of his leg. It never dawned on me that he might find Jerald a worthy suitor as a sailor even more so than the son of a politician. Father respects the men who protect our country more than those who control it.

Which might be my lie’s saving grace. They won’t know anything about the Cocker family, especially not the real age of their first born son.

“I think you’ll like him, if you’ll just give him a chance.” I reach across the table for Mother’s hand. “His family is very respectable.”

“Nineteen,” she murmurs, worrying.

Father says, “The boy leaves in less than two days. What trouble could they get into?” He clears his throat. “If it were a boy of a different sort, I would object. But the son of a Congressman I’d warrant is just as interested in his reputation as he is in my daughter’s. And anyone who chooses to serve our country is made of good stuff.”

“I wanted to serve our country, Fred,” Mother reminds him.

“Now Dot, let’s not go through that again.”

Matthew and Margaret have resumed devouring what’s left of their second slices, even lifting crumbs with the pads of their fingers to suck on since they know my folks are distracted and won’t pay them any mind.

A knock at the door gives us all a start, and we discover the clock-hands at exactly the right places for my father’s approving, “A prompt boy, at that.” He pushes his chair out and stands up.

Mother looks at my polkadot dress. “Is that what you’re wearing?”

I hadn’t wanted to change and look suspicious. “Yes.”

“It is becoming for daytime, but…” She unfastens her favorite necklace. “Put this on.”

“Really?”

“Yes, child. Now hurry up. Don’t keep the boy waiting.”

She starts to clear the table and I realize his status has her a nervous wreck.

I won’t have that at all, so I take her hand. “Mother, come and meet him. He’s a swell boy, and I think you’ll like him very much!”

She’d sat for supper with her apron still on, on account of it was just us and the children. She unties and tosses it in a heap out of sight, fixing her graying curls.“Well, alright. I am curious.”

We enter the living room together, and see Father in the doorframe, his back to us, both hands in the pockets of his denims, button-up shirt still rolled just below his elbows.

“Why Fred, invite the boy in!”

Father reacts with a start and steps backward to allow room.

My breath catches at Jerald standing on our welcome mat, dressed smartly in a suit. His stance is confident and open as he looks from me to my father saying, “May tells me you’re a Navy man.”

I hurry to explain, “I hope you don’t mind, Jerald. I was telling Father how you just enlisted, since you’re nineteen-years-old now.”

Jerald blinks to my mother. “Mrs. Kearns, I’m Jerald Cocker.” He removes his hat. “You have a lovely home.”

She beams, and I can tell she finds him handsome. “Why thank you, Jerald. Would you like to come in for some pie?”

Please say no.

Please say no.

Please say no!

“I’d love to, ma’am, but I promised May a malt and I like to keep my promises. But if it would suit you both better that I stay here, then that’s fine by me, as well.“

Father says, “Oh I don’t think that’s necessary. Why don’t you kids have a good time, as long as you have May home by nine sharp.”

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