Page 70 of Cocky Origins: May and Jerald Cocker

I nod, and stare at the fire. Soon I’m seeing another one altogether, and the memory threatens to overtake my mind. Blinking to Pop I ask, “How are things in Washington, with the war over?”

He exhales, eyes weary, rolling his cigar with an index finger and thumb nearly as thick. “Much work to be done. Much work. Not an easy transition. F.D.R was one of the best this country has ever known. He brought us through our worst financial crisis to be immediately met with a second war more devastating than the first. He cultivated relationships that enabled us to come together with one goal — take that evil maniac, Hitler, down for good.” Pops looks at the fire, amber light flickering on his concerns. “I daresay F.D.R. stuck around just long enough to see it through, and then off he went to get some much needed rest eternal.” Pops taps the ash into a tray not meant for it. “Now enter a Vice President who thought that’s all he would be for another four years. One who most likely didn’t see himself getting the vote after that. Some say he’s not of sound mind to hold this position, his need to outdo his predecessor too great. I am in agreement. But that’s neither here nor there because deal with it we must as it stands. The House has its hands full getting men back in the jobs they were drafted to abandon, farmers restructuring now that defense no longer needs first demand. Don’t get me started on our education system, the inadequacies this war exposed. The country must be rebuilt, and we are the ones to guide its growth. If all men could agree that would be simple. It is not. It’s an important time for me, and while I look forward to it, I cannot deny that I am tired. No time to complain though. Why? Because the nation is tired with me.” Setting his cigar down he rises with the future on his shoulders. “Care to join me in a whiskey?”

“Don’t mind if I do.”

I watch him lift the decanter, pouring into crystal and walking back with heavy footsteps. “Here you are.” He clinks our glasses, and sits down, picking up the cigar. “Let’s explore a more pleasant subject! What about this young May? There now! That’s the first smile I’ve seen tonight from you!”

I roll my cigar, enjoying how it looks between my fingers as I ask, “You want a shock? I’m head over heels in love.”

Pops stares at me.

He explodes into laughter.

I blink, confused.

“Jerald, I don’t think that would be a shock to anyone. The look on your face! Your Mother and I have made friends with the Kearns. Over the summer we were at their house quite a lot. Fred barbecues with a sauce that makes my stomach ask for seconds before I step foot on his property. They’re good people, both your mother and I think so.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Not sure how that tipped off my feelings for May.”

“Perhaps the first some twenty plus letters may have done the trick. Or the thirty-eight that arrived while we were there. No no, that’s not it. It was…”

I wave for him to stop. “Alright, cut it out.”

He chuckles, “My boy, I envy you your passion. Your Mother and I have…a tamer love. We respect one another, and it was a given we’d marry when our parents set it up. It was a love that grew on both of us. You see, in politics things are often decided with ambition ahead of heart. I was just lucky we got on so well. I know she was relieved. She’s told me so.”

“I didn’t know this, Pops.”

“How would you? It’s not something you tell your children. But you’re a man now, Jerald, and I suppose seeing your ardor for that sweet girl touches my heart.” He pauses to sip, licking his lips for the warmth. “Not so sure of her father’s blessing, however.”

“Seems he lost all love for me tonight.”

“You looked like the wolf greeting Little Red.”

I stare at Pops, and we both start laughing. “Well, I’ll be. Guess I got myself into a jam.”

Suddenly the drawing room door opens. Or tries to. That rug bars the way and mom calls through the crack, “Raymond, if you think I don’t know you’re smoking a cigar!”

He stamps it out, muttering, “Guess rebelliousness runs in the family!”

40

JERALD

“Ray, I believe you planned this in advance!”

“How could I know exactly when our son would return home?”

I stroll into the foyer and grab my fedora from a hook on the wall. Been a long while since I wore one of these. “I take it we were supposed to go to your church this week, Ma?”

“Goodness, aren’t you handsome? And yes, once again I expected to show you off at my church, but because your sweetheart just happens to be at your father’s congregation, he wins again!”

“Frances, I don’t believe devotion should be a competition.”

This flusters her, and she stammers, “Well, I didn’t say that it was! But don’t forget, you asked to switch last week, and here we are the following week, which makes three in a row!”

I chuckle at my fathers smirk, and we all walk outside together with me trying to change subjects. “Sure is a hot one!”

“I stand by my original argument. When I asked to switch, I couldn’t have known precisely when Jerald’s fleet would return. This is purely innocent, I assure you.”

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