Page 46 of Cocky Origins: May and Jerald Cocker

Ma is much more sensible, dry and protected inside the door. She’s dressed in a cream blouse and high-waisted slacks, arms crossed as she yells, “Must you bring the ocean with you, Jerald? You’ll be seeing it again tomorrow.”

Pops grumbles, “It’s not funny, Frances,” following us inside and slamming the door.

24

MAY

It’s Monday and I can’t sit still. “I can’t call him, Mother, can I?”

“I should say not!” She separates laundry as if the subject is over.

“If you have to be at the airport at two o’clock, what time must you leave?”

“May Eloise, now you stop thinking about that boy. I can’t believe I allowed you to stay home from school.If he wants to call you, he’ll call. Don’t be a ninny. And stop picking at my wallpaper!”

I drop my hand and sigh, looking from the window to the phone and back again. “I feel like if that doesn’t ring I’ll bust!”

“Yes well, you won’t.”

How is it only two minutes since I last looked at the clock?

Matthew and Margaret run down the stairs, but this time get away with it. Perhaps even Mother is feeling anxious for me. I caught her looking at the clock, too, without reason for it.

“Do you like him?”

She shrugs, “Can’t say I know him very well.”

“Do you?”

On a sigh she picks up detergent. “I like his parents. Mrs. Cocker is very kind. And Mr. Cocker couldn’t be morecharming. Although I suppose that’s a necessary trait for a politician. Still, I felt they were genuine.But Jerald, well, himI’m not quite sure of.”

I slide onto the chair, my arm on the back of it, posture slouched with disappointment. “Why?”

“He’s much too handsome, May.”

I laugh from surprise. “Is that all?”

“That’s a lot. He’ll be overseas for who knows how long. And I’m not sure if you understand young men, or even young women for that matter.”

“Is it really too hard to believe he could love me? The way Father loves you?”

“I just think it’s easier to love a man who won’t have women chasing his coattails is all. You’ll have a lot less to worry about.”

The chair rocks as I jump up. “You know what I think? Worrying about a thing doesn’t stop it from happening. In fact it probably makes it happen. And if it doesn’t, well then it was just time wasted, now wasn’t it? Someone’s going to marry him someday, and I hope that someone is me.”

“Where are you going,” Mother calls out.

I swing open the front door. “For a bike ride!”

“May Eloise! Don’t you go riding by that boy’s house!”

“I won’t!”

“I mean it!”

“I said I won’t, didn’t I?!”

It is tempting, but I do have pride. Never chase boys, that’s a rule. I simply cannot wait around for one, neither.

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