May Cocker (Cocker Brothers Book 24), стр. 47
She throws her hands on her hips. “Did you think I was going to take it off? I figure that’s your job!”
“Oh it is.” I remove it with such ease, she smacks my arm. I throw the thing. It hits the wall.
A second later someone bangs from the other side. “Enough already! I’m trying to sleep!”
May breaks into a fit of the giggles, and makes a break for the bed. But I snatch her and plop her in front of me. “Hold on a second. Let me get a gander. Well, look at these beauties. They’re just saying hello, now aren’t they? They always this friendly?”
Trying to break free again, her giggles are as quiet as she can make them, and awfully adorable.
“You didn’t answer the question. Are these gumdrops always so sharp?”
“Cut it out!” She smacks my arm, and suddenly burrows into me, throwing her arms ‘round tight. “I’m so happy, Jerald! I don’t think anybody has a right to be this happy.”
With my mind instantly returning to the war, I kiss the top of her head. “I think everyone has a right to be this happy, May.”
Switching off the lamps and climbing into fresh sheets, we cuddle up close, kissing each other.
I awaken in total darkness with small hands on my arm and a female voice urging, “Wake up! Jerald, wake up! Oh please wake up!”
The hotel room comes into focus, and I realize it’s May here with me.
I’m not in my bunk.
There is no alarm.
Water isn’t pouring in.
I turn on the light, tan lampshade throwing a golden hue onto her troubled face.
“What is it, May?”
“You were shouting.”
“I was?”
We stare at each other. My head falls back on the pillow, and I’m so surprised I don’t know what to say.
May leans over to caress my face, her touch extra gentle, voice so warm, “It’s okay. It’s alright.” She reaches over me, turns off the light, and molds her naked body to mine, whispering, “You’re safe now. It’s alright. It’s all over. I’m with you and we’re safe,” until my muscles loosen, and I drift off.
47
JERALD
M ay is wrapped over me, her body lax. I turn my head to find dust particles floating on sunbeams through a crack in the curtains. Watching them while I listen to my girl’s soft breathing, I feel good on the inside.
Content.
I’ve got nowhere to be and someone to be there with.
She rouses, blinking the room into focus, and stretches her body, one fist reaching high. Lifting up to see if I’m awake, May says, “Oh!”
“Morning.”
“Were you watching me sleep?”
“No, but I was listening. This position, you on my chest, hard to see you. Look at the dust in the sunlight over there.”
She gazes at it, and after a moment smiles just like I knew she would. “That’s magical.”
“I figured a girl who likes bugs might find it pretty. Didn’t count on magical though.” I gather her up and kiss her neck.
“Petty Officer Cocker?!”
We look to the knock, both of us jarred by it. “Yeah, Walter?”
“You have a phone call!”
Under my breath I say, “Wait, am I still dreaming?”
“Let’s see.”
“Ouch! You pinched me!”
May’s blue eyes are huge. “Had to find out!”
We jump up, rushing for our clothes as I call to him, “Give me a second, Walter!”
She whispers while pulling on her lavender dress and searching for stockings, “Who could it be?”
“Someone who knows we’re here, and that’s not good!”
“Did you tell anyone, Jerald?”
“No, of course not!” Buttoning up my shirt I mutter, “I know you didn’t have time to tell the girls!”
“I’ve been with you this whole time.”
“Hang tight.”
“I’m coming with you if I can just find my panties!”
Snatching them from under the soiled blanket we left in a corner, I toss them over. She lets them drop, staring at them. “I’ll get a new pair.”
“Why don’t you stay here?” I walk to the door, smoothing my hair. “Good morning, Walter, good to see you again.”
We walk toward the front desk, side by side. “It’s one in the afternoon, son.”
It’s what?!
Hiding my alarm, I chuckle, “I suppose my body hasn’t had time yet to get used to dry land and normal schedules.” Glancing to him, I gauge his expression as amiable.
“I remember that feeling,” Walter sighs. “Took me months to acclimate.”
“Say, who’s on the phone?”
“Your father.”
I cough, covering my mouth. “I see. How did you know that? Out of curiosity?”
“He said he was Congressman Cocker and asked if his son Jerald was staying in my hotel. I said yes, and went to get you.”
Sucking my teeth I nod. “Fine fine good good.”
“Sounds like a nice fellow, for a politician. Here’s the telephone there.” He walks to the far side and picks up a fountain pen to mark up his accounting ledger, slipping on reading glasses.
I pick up the telephone, steel myself, and answer, “Pops, great to hear from you. Everything alright at home, I hope?” so Chief Petty Officer Walter Gibbons doesn’t know what deep shit I’m in.
“Jerald, what in Sam Hill are you doing all the way in Atlanta with Fred’s daughter!”
In the background, Ma says, “I’ll tell you what he’s doing! Or what he’s done!”
“Quiet, Frances, I’ll handle this! Jerald, have you lost your damn mind?”
“Have you no forethought for what would happen!”
“I said I’d handle this! Jerald, you get back here today!”
“What good will that do? Her reputation is already ruined! Her parents will know they didn’t just sleep in a hotel!”
“Frances, dammit, cut it out! Jerald, I called every establishment from here to Atlanta when Fred telephoned me, shouting before I’d had my coffee.”
“Who cares about your coffee at a time like this, Raymond?!”
“I’m trying to tell the boy that I wasn’t prepared!”
“How could you be?”
“Let me handle this, wife, or I will hang up and make the call from my office with the door locked!”
“Try it! I heard you say which hotel. By the time you get there, I’ll be on the line making decisions that must be made.”
I try to get his