He snores.
It turns me around and tiptoes me right up the stairs. I lift my suitcase, oh-so-casually peek into the hallway, and tiptoe back down.
The last floor board creeks.
Of course it does.
It always has.
A snarf noise is immediately followed by a groggy, “Dottie?”
Tucking the suitcase out of sight by our front door, I hurry into the living room. “No, it’s May.”
“May? What’s this about?”
“Nothing Daddy. I was just going to the kitchen for a snack.” He blinks at me. “I’m sorry I’m not Mother.”
He grumbles incoherent nonsense and flips onto his side, facing the back of the sofa. To keep up the ruse, I rummage through our cupboards, and carry cookies upstairs. But I don’t go all the way up. I’m going to hide here and wait for that horrendous noise again. Then and only then will I be certain it’s time to make my move.
I wish I could eat these.
But they’re so crunchy.
How long does it take for men to fall asleep?
Oh!
Not long!
How does Mother live with that infernal racket?
This time I avoid the final step, carefully lift my suitcase, open the front door, step outside, and…
I am free.
43
JERALD
I hid the car around the block, but seeing as her street is in the middle of two, I’m not leaving it to chance for May to run in the wrong direction when she finally sneaks out. This hedge hides me well enough.
Mr. Kearn’s eyes, the stubborn set of his jaw, and I understood as only a man can what it would take to change his outlook. He believes I’ll make ill use of his daughter. Break her heart, and ruin her reputation in the process. There’s only one way to prove him wrong, so wrong.
It was easy to disappear after dinner with the excuse I was tired. Ma already said she was turning in early to enjoy a new novel, and I could see the gleam in the eyes of my pop. Another forbidden cigar was in his near future. He’d soon lock himself in the drawing room and have no concept of anything else, least of all a son eloping with the girl of his dreams.
Literally.
Last night I had another one. She was dancing with some fella. It was like the night I met her, but everything went awry. When I tried to talk to her, she wanted nothing to do with me. Her smile was for him. I woke up knowing one thing – I would never let that happen.
A man is greeted with opportunities in his lifetime. If he doesn’t take them, it’s his own damn fault.
Sure, I considered courting May for months and earning her father’s respect. It just seems like a waste of time, days and nights where she isn’t with me and I would only be able to visit her. No, thanks.
This game is dangerous because it throws every parent to the wind. But I can’t think about that right now. Reality only exists because you make it reality.
It’s real quiet out tonight. Even the cicadas are in suspense. So it only takes a few of her steps before I hear May. I wave at her, and she dashes across her neighbor’s lawn to me in a pink nightgown that bounces just above her speeding ankles. That’s not the only thing bouncing. Hey now.
I snatch her suitcase, grab her hand, and we make a run for it, rounding the bend to where I parked.
May and I watch Albany disappear into farmlands where streets stretch for miles, no lights except for the headlights on Pops’ Ford.
I left them the Lincoln, and someday soon I’ll return this. I’ve saved my pay. Working on a submarine meant I never had much need of money. Over three years worth of checks waiting in the bank for our future.
May tucks herself against the door, hand under her head as she tries to keep her eyes open. I reach back, scoop up my jacket. “Here.”
“Thank you, Jerald.” She wraps it around her, and soon is asleep.
We haven’t spoken except for that. Too much on our minds, all the implications of what this means. Yet underneath is something else, for both of us.
Calm.
Certainty.
Clarity.
We’re doing the right thing in following our hearts.
Street signs swap names and hours pass with only the hum of the engine until we’re finally at the destination I had in mind all along — a place where you can disappear and no one will notice.
Groggily looking around, May asks, “Where are we?”
I park, sliding the key from the ignition. “Atlanta.”
She perks up. “Really?”
“Yep!”
I hop out, stroll to her side, taking her hand as she asks, “Why are we stopping here?”
“Just passed a hotel, and this was the first space.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh!”
I lean to grab her suitcase, and next open the trunk for mine.
We walk together only a few steps when she halts. “We need to go back!”
A frown slices my face. “No fooling around, May. I’m going to make an honest woman of you. You have my word on that! We’re here to get married, nothing less!”
Confused, she stares at me then breaks into a knowing smile. “No, silly! I meant we have to go back to your car so I can change. I can’t wear this nightgown to the hotel! I’m not wearing shoes!” Laughing, I carry the suitcases back with her skipping ahead, saying, “Give me the key! I shouldn’t be walking around in this! Didn’t you notice?”
Oh, I noticed.
“It’s here in my suit pocket.”
May dashes up and rummages around until she finds it while I enjoy her search. With triumph she shows me my key. Hurrying to unlock the door, she at first doesn’t notice I’m laying her suitcase on the sidewalk.
As soon as she does, she snaps it closed. “No, Jerald, don’t look! Please turn around. “I brought a dress for our wedding, and I don’t want you to see it!”
I
