Hey tollermom! I remember meeting you at Trail Crest several years ago!
Yes, you answered your own question. On May 1, keep checking throughout the day to see if a permit for your day shows up. When it does, get into your existing permit, and add a person quickly -- before someone else claims the available slots.
I wrote something similar in
post 49614 above. Here's the link for day hikes starting
July 1. Good luck!!