Page 63 of Cocky Origins: May and Jerald Cocker

Germany, Japan, and Italy wanted control over everyone everywhere.

Every decision, theirs.

Freedom taken.

Lives taken.

All three fell.

And millions with them.

Since the beginning of time attempts to rule the world have failed.

Our future scientist, Sable, said it right. “All you have to do is look at nature to know we’re supposed to live in balance.”

It’s a time to rebuild now, for all of the world.

One thing is keeping this smile on my face — Jerald’s return. I’m waiting to see if my handsome sailor meant all of the beautiful plans he wrote about.

36

MAY

August 15th, 1945

“Why, May! Is that what you intend to wear?” Mrs. Cocker asks from where she surprised me on our doorstep. Dressed smashingly, she’s wearing a hat Mother would swoon over were she here. “Oh dear! Did Archie forget to send a note around?”

I stammer, “I suppose he did! What did it say?”

“He is getting on in years. My apologies. But there is no time to delay! If you’d like to come with us, run upstairs and find a dress that makes you happy.”

“Where are we going?”

“We’re taking you to Norfolk with us! Jerald’s returning home!”

“Oh Mrs. Cocker! Truly?”

“Yes, dear. Now run along! Fred! How wonderful to see you.”

I dash to my room while Father apologizes for his dirty coveralls, “You caught me tinkering with my pickup!”

There has never been a better Saturday in all the Saturdays in all of time.I’m going to Virginia with the Cockers to see Jerald for the first time in a whole year! Next month it will be, anyway.

It feels like two!

Or five!

The high-waisted pants and lavender blouse I had on get tossed in favor of a blue dress Mother bought for my eighteenth birthday, which isn’t until Wednesday. The girls and I planned a party for the following Saturday, but so what! This occasion is far more special than that one, and if I have to wear the dress twice, so be it!

Checking my stockings to make sure the seams are straight, I laugh from excitement and snatch a pair of heels, hopping out the door to put them on.

As I run downstairs Mrs. Cocker says, “Raymond often marvels at the vehicles of today. They’ve come a long way since we were children, haven’t they? I’m excited to see what the future holds. Who knows? Perhaps one day they’ll fly!”

Father smiles, “Don’t you look nice. Is that a new dress?”

I gave his cheek a kiss. “Tell Mother where I went?”

“It’ll be the first thing I say, rest assured.”

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