“Just tell me.”
“Find a dictionary,” I smirk, “And look it up.”
She gasps, faces front and pretends to be mad at me. After about a block where I don’t budge she mumbles, “My mother always says the same.”
“Smart lady.”
“Jerald Cocker!”
“Sable…whatever your last name is!” I joke, calling her Sable since that’s who uses whole names when she’s irritated.
May laughs and playfully swats my arm. “Oh alright. When I get home I’ll look it up.” She spreads her arms wide. “I don’t have a dictionary laying around!”
“We could stop by the library.”
“It’s not open, is it?”
“No.”
“We can’t even open the door!”
“We could stand outside and imagine what it says. You game?” I give her a wink, and turn the wheel to take us there.
“Sure, I’m game. Let’s see what scheme you’ve cooked up.”
“You’re the schemer, May. The way that ‘nineteen’ rolled off your tongue was something else.”
She covers her grin for a second, laughing with mischief.
Truth is, I couldn’t stomach a girl who didn’t have moxie. And May moves mountains to spend time with me, wants to fly planes, and loves tiny green bugs on top of it all. Well, she seems to have it in spades.
“The only trouble was keeping quiet about my time in the Navy. Your pop seems to understand us.”
Her smile sobers up. “He so wanted to enlist! His leg is bad, didn’t you notice his limp?”
My mind returns to meeting Mr. Kearns. So that’s why he didn’t invite me in straight away, and stood there like a barrier with his hands hidden. He seemed amiable enough, in manner, just not in stance. Probably didn’t want me to see his limp. It was only when Mrs. Kearns spoke that he backed up, and by that time I wasn’t paying attention to him.
“No, can’t say I noticed.”
“He’s awful conscious of it. People never treat him any different but it’s the fear they might, I guess.”
No cars in front of the library at this hour on a Saturday. During the week kids might still be studying, but the place is dark tonight. “Wait there.”
Hopping out, I’m thinking of Mr. Kearns until May’s smile through the window wipes him from my mind entirely. I open her door and offer my hand, palm up. She slides her fingers across it and sends goosebumps into my chest. “Thank you for noticing my necklace, Jerald. It’s my Mother’s. She loaned it to me tonight.”
“It’s awful pretty on you. But you could wear a potato sack and I’d still think so.”
May’s lips part, bright blue eyes searching mine. I grin at her, shut the door, and keep her hand prisoner, guiding her to the austere building I spent a lot of time at when I was younger.
We stare together at it. I lean toward her a little. “You feel that?”
“What?”
“All that knowledge.”
She stifles a laugh. “Why yes, now that you mention it, I can!”
“Can you?”
“Well, there was a funny sensation and I thought it was just being near you.”
My body gets hot and I turn to her. “You get a funny sensation around me?”
“Yes, I do.” She glances to my mouth which just about undoes me.
“Me too. Awful funny.”
I lose my head, leaning down to press my lips to hers, feel what they’re like, how she tastes. I bet it’s sweet. Real sweet. I don’t get the chance though.
May steps back, fast. “Since we know how the library feels, what about the malt shop? Knowledge is one thing, chocolate is another!”
I swipe my hat off my head, shake it out, and put it back on. “Let’s find out, shall we?”
May grabs my hand with a grateful smile. “Perhaps someday you’ll tell me what effusive means.”
I smirk, “Perhaps someday you’ll look it up!”
A beautiful laugh bubbles out as she slides in with the grace of a lady. “I might not, just to make sure you’ll come back.”
My eyebrow cocks. “To give you the definition.”
She winks, “That’s right.”
I shut the door and whistle myself back to the driver’s side, but this time with a bounce in my step.
Oh there are lots of things I’d like to give her, smirks the sailor in me.
18
MAY
T he malt shop is filled with high school kids, and Jerald looks surprised. I wonder how long it’s been since he was here. Everyone comes to the local place where we can be ourselves. And it’s open until ten. They realized they make a lot of money in that final hour when every other shop and restaurant has shut down for the night.
“May! Jerald!”
We look over to the far corner booth where Peter, Lily, Hank and Gertie are waving.
Jerald grimaces. “Well I’ll be.”
He leads me through the loud crowd as paper napkins whiz by our heads.
Hank grins, “We got the biggest table so we could save you a spot.”
“Mighty thoughtful. Would’ve been even more so had you told me you planned to crash my date.”
“Oh! Is this a date?” Lily asks with a smile. “We were wondering.”
“Sure you were.”
“Weren’t we, Peter?”
He tips his fedora. “Sure were.”
Gertie smiles at me, and wiggles her fingers.
I scoot in beside her, and Hank jumps up to sit on the back of the booth on her other side. “Don’t be sore, Jer. We overheard you were coming here. Thought since Monday is just around the corner, we might make ourselves available.”
“Available,” Peter laughs. “I’ll say!”
I ask Gertie, “Where’s Sable?”
“She ate too much cotton candy and had a stomach ache. Marvin didn’t want to come if she didn’t.”
Lily throws up a pretty hand. “I miss the sourpuss, imagine that!”
Peter pushes one of her dark curls back. “She’s a good kid.”
Lily has a thought in her eyes as she answers, “Loyal to the end.”
“May, would you mind?” Gertie holds out the bracelet hanging off her wrist. “My clasp keeps coming loose!”
“I’ll get it, Gert,” Hank offers. She twists around and kneels on the seat so he can reach.
Jerald and I look at each other. He shakes his head, a hidden smile making him all the more handsome. “Will you share a malt with me?”
“I’d love to. Do you think they’ll drink it before we get a chance?”
This gets a laugh from everyone and Peter says, “That’s an idea! We’ll have a contest. Whoever loses…”
We wait for a prize and it’s Hank who gives one. “Loser has to stand on the seat and sing a song of their choice without telling anyone in the shop they’re going to do it.”
Gertie cries out, “Oh, I can’t do that!”
“You’re not going to lose. You’re with me, see? Who won you that rag-doll?”
One of the girls who graduated from our school comes over, her name tag reminding us she’s Ethel. “You wanna order something?” Her eyes light up at Lily. “Say, don’t I know you?”
“Sure you do. We went to the same high school.”
“That’s it!” A pencil gets stuck behind her ear. “How is Sister Charlotte and the Buzzard Squad, anyhow? Boy, I don’t miss them!”
Lily laughs, “I’m sure we won’t either. Will we girls?” Gertie and I shake our heads.
This turns Ethel’s attention to us, and she spots Jerald for the first time. Her eyes go wide. “Jerald Cocker! I haven’t seen you in ages!” He blinks, not recognizing her. She glances around the table, and asks, “Do you know what you want?”
Peter circles his finger. “Three malt shakes to be shared all around, thanks. And an order of fries? I’m sure someone will eat them.”
Lily smirks, “You mean everyone.”
Before she leaves, Ethel
looks at Jerald again, and her eyes flicker curiously to me. I’m staring right at her, so she looks away, fast.
“Who was that?” I ask him.
“No idea,” he shrugs, tipping his fedora with one hand as he throws his arm on the back of the booth, around me.
Hank keeps his voice just for us six. “He means it. Jerald doesn’t know what a legend he is. All the girls cried their eyes out to see him go.”
I look at Jerald as he smirks, “That’s a bunch of malarkey.”
Peter isn’t convinced. “That true, Hank?”
“Cross my heart! I’ll never forget Ma telling one who showed up at our house, Get a hold of yourself!”
Jerald laughs, and I gaze at him. He gives me a wink. As the others listen to Hank tell stories about him, I’m staring at the real thing.
He leans in to whisper, warm breath on my neck, “This wasn’t how I planned tonight to go, but I’m sure happy you’re with me.”
That tingly feeling below my naval is back, and I whisper to him, “I was just thinking the same thing.”
The malts come and everybody is having a gay old time, talking about anything and everything that suits us. We finish ours first, and I claim victory, holding up the glass while the other couples try and catch second place. Lily and Peter win that but only by a nose, and we all soon get the feeling Peter will never let Hank forget it.
“Get up there!”
“I will!”
“The prize was your idea!”
“I know! I know!”
“What’s the hold up?”
“I’m thinking of a song!”
“Want to go to the washroom with me?” Gertie whispers while they debate the merits of speed over savoring, abandoning the topic of a song for now.
Jerald stands and we slide out.
Lily jumps up from her side. “I’ll go too!”
We three wind our way through the crowd, officially greeting familiar faces with brief conversation. In the girl’s room we go where we’d intended all along — the mirror, where we fluff our hair and get to the nitty gritty.
“You like Hank, don’t you?” I ask Gertie since I’ve not had a chance to talk with her alone since we met them last night.
She shows us a smile I don’t recognize, one just for him. “He’s awful nice. And witty. And cute. And...oh, I’m a goner!”
Lily smirks, pulling lipstick from her handbag. She’s the only one among us who wears any. “He seems to think an awful lot about you, too, Gert.”
“You really think so?”
“Anyone with eyes can see.” Lily offers me the lipstick. “Would you like to try some? It’d be nice with your complexion.”
“My Mother would flip her wig, but thanks all the same.”
“How about you, Gert?”
“Nah, I’m afraid it’ll wipe off and I’ll look silly and never know it!”
Lily slides the stick away, clasping the handbag shut. “There is always that possibility if you’re not practiced. I swear I have to remind myself all the time, since I bite my lips constantly!”
“I have that habit, too,” I sigh. “Can’t seem to break it.”
She smirks, and wiggles her finger in front of my mouth. “Don’t think Jerald seems to mind, the way he’s always looking right here!”
With a private grin I stare at the floor, remembering his face. “He does do that.”
Gertie agrees, “The way Jerald looks at you, May!”
“Makes Peter and Hank feel like boys, doesn’t it?” Lily laughs. “I hope every boy finds something worth fighting for, if that’s what it does to him!”
A toilet flushes and the stall opens. Ethel steps out, chewing gum, curious eyes on me. “Don’t know how you did it.”
“Did what?” I ask.
“You know what!” She waves her hand up and down. “You don’t seem that special to me.”
Fire lights up my belly. “Every one of us is special, Ethel. And maybe you not thinking so is what makes you less!”
I walk out. Gertie follows. Lily, behind her, sticks out her tongue right before the door shuts.
19
JERALD
When the girls return, I’m waiting at the end of the booth. “I hate to say it, but I have to take you home.”
May frowns at the wall-clock, disappointed. “Already?”
“We have eleven minutes. I’m not sure if that’s enough, and I made a promise.”
“Oh alright,” she smiles. “So long, everyone!”
“So long, May!” They wave as Gertie and Lily sit back down.
I take her hand to lead the way, and May waves to kids she knows. Place must be the most popular in town on a Saturday night. I’d forgotten all about it, and visiting feels like almost being in a dream. This world is so different from the one I’m returning to. Not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad to be reminded of a world outside of the war. Then have to go dark once more.
“You are my sunshine!” Hank sings, standing on the booth, “…my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey.” More kids join in until everyone is singing, “You'll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away!”
The air is cool outside as we laugh and continue the lyrics until we can’t remember them. I prop my jacket on her shoulders to keep her warm.
“Did you see Gertie joining in?” May beams and glances down to her dress. “I’m the only one still wearing what we wore to the fair.”
“I think you look swell.”
“Even if I wore a potato sack.”
“That’s right.” I toss my keys in the air, wishing time didn’t move as quick as it does when you’re having fun.
On the ride to her house, May hugs my coat tight around her body and asks, “What’s it like to live on a submarine?”
“No place for a lady, I can tell you that.”
“You sound just like my Father. He says that about the factories.” Caressing my coat’s lapel, she tells me in a voice not angry, but thoughtful, “I think you men underestimate us women.”
I frown, “That’s not what I meant at all. If anyone were to ask me, I’d say that women haven’t been given the chance to show what they’re capable of. Pops is of the same mind. He believes in equal rights for all, that everyone should have the opportunity to show what they’re made of — no matter gender, race, or religion. It’s only then that we’ll see real growth, that’s what he says. And I agree with him. It’s just, on a sub, the stench isn’t pleasant for a lady.”
May looks at me. “Stench?”
Turning onto the road she lives on, I explain, “Water is rationed. We often go ten days without bathing.”
“Oh!”
“On top of that, all the fellas smoke cigarettes, so add smoke and the faint scent of sewage and you’ve got home sweet home.”
May scrunches her nose. “Is it really as bad as all that? And you love it?”
Yanking keys from the ignition, I throw May a proud smile, “I sure do.”
I hurry to escort her up the path, porch light on and curtain falling back into place on one of the windows.
“Mother was checking to see if it was us.”
She hands me my coat as the front door swings open, and there stands Mr. Kearns, not Mrs.
“I hope I’m not late, sir.”
May exclaims, “Gertie and Lily were there! We had a malt-drinking contest, and we won, of course.”
Her Father checks his watch, sternness softening. “Can’t say that two measly minutes is late, now can I?”
“That’s awful good of you, sir. I appreciate it.”
Mrs. Kearns appears behind her husband, watchful of me.
May smiles, “Good night, Jerald. Thank you for a lovely time.”
“Pleasure was all mine, May.” As she walks inside, I tip my hat to her parents. “It was a real honor meeting you both. Good night.”
I head back to my father’s car, and Mr. Kearns calls after me, “Son?”
> I pause in the middle of their path. “Yes sir?”
“When do you leave?”
“Monday, fourteen hundred hours, sir.“ I remove my hat, holding it in both hands.
“Looking forward to it?”
“I can honestly say I am.”
He slides his hands in his pockets, a small smile appearing.
I decide to take my shot. “Sir, I don’t suppose you’d let me take May for a picnic after church tomorrow, would you? If it’s too much to ask, I understand and beg your pardon."
May stands on her tippy toes behind her father as he thinks it over. She grabs onto Mrs. Kearns arm, tugging it, but no help is given. If it were up to her, May would stay home until Tuesday on an exhale.
But Mr. Kearns has a better opinion of me than his wife has. “That sounds harmless enough. Will we be seeing you at church, Jerald?”
“Oh, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that, sir.”
“Until the morning then.” He shuts the door, and the porch light goes dark.
Putting on my hat I give it a tap and stroll away.
If I were the skipping sort, this here would be the time.
20
JERALD
“What’s this about you going to Mass?” Ma walks down the stairs in her Sunday best, a smart hat tilted just so, the short lace veil perfectly balanced. “It’s my week. We’re going to my church.”
“Since Pops needs to stay home and rest, I thought I would represent him at his church.”
She pauses at the bottom of the stairs. “You look so handsome in your suit, Jerald. I hate to think of going without you to show off to my friends!”
“Not sure if that’s a reason good enough for me to stand by.”
“How about your Mother wants you there?” She smacks me with her short gloves, before putting them on. “Your father might have to stay home, and I wish that weren’t the case, but why must I suffer with you leaving tomorrow.”
We were teasing up until now, but her voice has shifted and I can’t joke around her sincerity. “Well Mother I…”
Hank descends the stairs with a quick gait. “Why don’t you just tell her!”
May Cocker (Cocker Brothers Book 24) Page 7