Ma laughs, “My word! I never would’ve thought! Had I known, I’d have sent you there with Little Women, too!”
“Oh, they would’ve objected like mad until there was nothing else to read, then watch them turn!”
I tell stories until we arrive at the runway, many I’d shared with May in my letters. Pops thanks our driver with probably the best tip of his life on account of the celebration.
Ma and May walk ahead of us to a small plane, stairs rolled up at its entrance. Pops is last to ascend as he explains with a breeze trying to lift his hat, “Congressman Hardy from Texas loaned me this. Man’s a billionaire, oil. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had three. Captain Wallace, this is my son Jerald, my eldest, the one we told you about! He helped us win this war!”
I shake the pilot’s hand, “Good to meet you Captain Wallace.”
He smiles, “A Navy man! Battleship?”
“Yes sir, that’s what brought us here, but my time was spent on a submarine.”
Ma offers, standing by. “Jerald is a planesman!”
Impressed, he says, “Steering the vessel yourself, very nice!”
“Me and three other planesmen, sir.”
“That’s one heck of a skill.”
“So is flying a plane, Captain.”
He laughs, “Indeed. I’m going to close the door, but if you folks need anything, I’ll be right up here. The weather looks good and we should have a smooth flight to Georgia!”
May and I sit together, my folks in front discussing the merits of owning a plane and how they wouldn’t want to think of storing costs. Or gasoline, what with the rationing, especially.
While they animately talk, I hold May’s happy gaze. Virginia to Georgia isn’t long by air, but it feels like a lifetime until I’ll get to see May alone.
I sure am glad they brought her.
Who needs food or sleep?
I could live on that smile.
Leaning close, I whisper in her ear, “Marry me.”
38
MAY
By the time we arrive at my home, of course it’s very late. No time for dinner together. But that’s alright. I’m just happy I was along for the ride.
Jerald’s mother bids me goodbye, “May, my dear, we enjoyed your company!”
“Thank you ever so much for bringing me, Mr. and Mrs. Cocker, it meant the world.”
“Now don’t forget to keep our little secret,” his father smiles.
“Cross my heart!”
They wait in the car as Jerald walks with me. “What secret?”
“It’s not a secret if I tell!”
The door opens, and we hide our disappointment. Here is Mother with one of her nice dresses on, Father in clean slacks and a pressed shirt, not far behind. How long had they been waiting, I wonder, forgiving them for stealing my moment alone with Jerald.
They greet him with a friendly welcome, tell him he looks well and everyone is glad to have him back in Georgia. Mother has enough sense to know how much I miss him. “Fred, let’s say hello to Ray and Frances!”
Jerald gives me a lopsided grin as our parents, both sets, happily chat outside of the car. But at least they’re way over there.
He’s staring at my lips as he asks, “Can I call on you tomorrow?”
My heart is louder than my, “Yes!”
“What time?”
“I have church in the morning.”
“I’ll be there. Can I pick you up?”
“Oh,” I glance to our folks. “I always go with my parents.”
“Alright then. How about I take you out after? Say a real restaurant for lunch? I’m sure we can find one open on a Sunday. Can’t claim to have another picnic ready by tomorrow, what with it being this late and my getting used to things.”
“Are you sure you want to?”
He frowns, “Want to what?”
“See me tomorrow. You must be very tired and—”
“—Never wanted anything more in my life.”
We gaze at each other, a kiss not far away. Tomorrow we’ll be alone. This look is saying he’ll kiss me then, and how.
Footsteps approaching drag his gaze from my lips. “Mrs. Kearns, Mr. Kearns, it’s awful late and I better be heading off.”
His mother calls out, “Why Jerald, that’s what I just said to you. Didn’t you hear?”
His father chuckles, walking around the car to get behind the wheel, “I think he had other things on his mind.”
My face goes red, only not from embarrassment. That kind of teasing won’t sit well with my folks. They like Jerald, but I’m their daughter. That’s a layered heap of trouble, in their minds.
“See you at church tomorrow?” he politely asks them, but their lips are tight, manner curt and guarded. Jerald glances to me, tips his white sailor’s cap, and strolls along.
Father’s limp is pronounced as he hurries me inside, shutting the door and pacing.
“Fred, now calm down.”
“Did you see how he looked at her? Like a wolf to a lone sheep in the shadows!”
She takes a deep breath, but her frown won’t budge. “Yes, but you must understand it’s nearly a year since they’ve seen each other.”
“Since he’s seen a female at all!”
“Fred!”
“I’m not wrong!”
“I didn’t say you were wrong, I just wish you’d realize that his parents took May all the way to Virginia to be there when he docked. They would not do that for someone who Jerald was not serious about. They are respectable people. The most respectable we know!”
His nostrils might fly away. “We’re not going to church tomorrow.”
I gasp!
Mother waves me to be quiet. “We go to church every week.”
“Not this week, Dot!”
“Every week, to show our devotion to God, whether or not you are losing your mind.”
He glares at her. “We need to let some time pass before he sets foot near my daughter! That boy needs to cool off!”
With love she says, “You are being ridiculous.”
“You don’t understand men like I do!”
“Fred, listen to me!” She slides her fingers down his arms and takes hold of his hands to stop them from swinging. “Jerald is from a good family. They have become friends of ours. We even had them over
