Page 50 of Cocky Origins: May and Jerald Cocker

“Are you afraid of flying?”

“Why do you think I skipped the Ferris wheel?” We stop and stare at her, and she looks over her glasses at us like we’re the biggest lugheads she ever saw. “Have you ever seen me get on that thing? Every year I find a way to steer clear!”

Stunned we never noticed, we continue walking in silence for a bit, running our memories back to all the times she squeezed out of what we thought was fun, on account of she was afraid of heights this whole time!

Finally Lily asks, “Have you received a letter from him,” a breeze lifting her hair in a pretty way, now that it’s getting longer.

“Not yet.” Watching a butterfly flutter past I add, “It’s been seventy-three days today, since I saw him.”

Nobody teases me for counting. In fact, they take time very seriously.

We all do, these days.

The war began in 1939. America joined in 1941, three years ago this month. And I suppose around now is when Jerald enlisted, back then. That’s an awful long period of time, with terrible news reported daily. Grief is everywhere, folded flags delivered to parents, wives, and children for far too long.

They’re waiting for his letter with me, just to make sure he’s alive. Hank has had no news good or bad.

As we approach Sable’s car, Lily lightens the mood on purpose.“Say, how about bowling this weekend? Peter suggested it, and I think it’s a fine idea, don’t you?”

“When did you talk to him?” Sable asks her.

“Just last night. On the telephone.”

“Does he call often?”

A blush rises in Lily’s cheeks. “What are you getting on about?”

“That’s not an answer.”

“You know how often he calls.”

“I want the other girls to know that Peter Thomas Tuck calls you every single night on the telephone. Every night!”

Gertie and I drop our jaws on the sidewalk.

“It’s not a big deal,” Lily insists. “We enjoy talking, is all.”

Sable bumps their hips together. “I’d say!”

“I wish Hank would do that!” Gertie switches her books to her other side. “He only calls about once a week.”

“But you saw him when we all went to the movies on Saturday,” I remind her to make her feel better. “And you held hands the whole time!”

“Yes,” Gertie says, wistfully. “I just wonder, when I hear about Peter, why it’s not more.”

Sable rolls her eyes. “This is why I’m going into science. There are more important things to think about than boys. Just imagine, I could help cure diseases! That seems a worthwhile way to spend one’s time. Oh, I know it’s not for everybody,” she admits, on account of the looks on our faces. “I just know it’s for me. And one of the things this war has given me is the understanding that we women should make our mark. Do you girls want a ride home?”

Gertie and I look at each other, deciding, and we both shake our head at the same time with me saying, “Thank you, Sable, but I think we will walk today. It’s lovely out.”

Lily climbs into the passenger side and waves to us, placing her books on the floor as a footrest. Sable places hers in the backseat, carefully spacing them so they don’t slide around easily. She hops behind the wheel and says, “So long! See you tomorrow!”

Lily waves one last time as they drive off.

It’s a chilly Tuesday but nevertheless, Gertie asks, “Would you like to stop for ice cream on the way home, May?”

“That would be swell.”

We move for some younger girls hurrying to join their waiting parents, then fall into an easy pace side-by-side.

---