Blossoms of Love (29 page)

When David and his family were nearly ready to go back to Montana, David cornered Natalie off in a room by themselves. He said, “I’m warning you Natalie, if you still have the bright idea bout coming to Montana for Christmas, forget it. I swear I’ll send you back so fast your head will swim.” Natalie had never seen David so angry and she didn’t like the way he was talking to her. She said, “David Agar I am not a child!” He continued, “I mean it! You’re not gonna hurt Monty anymore if I can help it. Go find you a man who wants the glitter and glow life.” Natalie yelled, “I don’t want just any man. I want Monty!” David put his hands on her shoulders and shook her until her head hurt, “He’s not yours anymore. I’m warning you, don’t you show your ass in Montana.” David really scared her.

As Porter drove them to the airport, Carolyn noticed David was very angry. Carolyn asked, “What’s wrong Dave?” David said, “It’s Natalie. I think she’s lost her marbles. Do you know she is planning to come to Montana for Christmas?” Carolyn was surprised. David sighed, “Can you imagine anyone with that much gall?” Carolyn said, “Surely she won’t.” David said, “I warned her not to come but she knows Monty loved her very much and she thinks he would take her back.” Carolyn said, “I don’t think Monty would. A few months ago I would have said he would take her back, but now I don’t think he would. I’m sure he still loves her but he knows it just won’t work for them. I think Monty is too smart to let himself in for another siege of hell.” David said, “I hope you’re right but love can make a person do a lot of things.”

The first of December, the news reporter caught Lamont and three of his brothers, Leon, Berry, and Johnny, coming out of the practice shooting range. They went there once every week. All four of them liked hunting and they took pride in their guns and shooting. They believed to be a good hunter you had to keep in practice. The news reporter asked, “Aren’t you the Ellman brothers who are building the youth club at the edge of town?” Berry said as he pointed to Lamont, “He’s the one who has furnished most of the money. We’re helping a little. We plan to teach some of the sports.” Leon said, “Yes, all of the credit should go to Monty, he thought of it and like Berry said, he has a lot of money in it.” Lamont spoke, “That’s not true. I did furnish a lot of the money but they are the ones who have done the work on the tennis courts and the inside of the building.” The reporter asked, “Would you mind if I took your picture?” They all agreed. They all laughed at the picture when it came out in the paper.

On the sixth of December, which was Saturday, Lamont came in the kitchen where his mother was busy baking cakes for Christmas. Lamont sat down at the table, “Smells good Mom.” She laughed, “That is exactly what you use to say when you were a boy.” He grinned, “I guess men always have a little boy in them no matter how big or how tough they get. Mom, I need you to do me a favor. I guess I should say a big favor.” She looked up at him from frosting a cake, “Of course son, if I can.” Lamont explained, “When I went to the ski lodge in October, I met an old friend. I first met her in Japan six years ago. Her father is in the Navy. He was my commanding officer. I talked to her about an hour ago. She lives in Seattle. She is going to be alone for Christmas. Her mother is dead. Her father called and told her he was in Hawaii and couldn’t get home before the tenth. Would you let her come here for the holidays?” Mrs. Ellman said, “I see nothing wrong if she stays here with me.” Lamont smiled, “Mom you’re the best.” His mother asked, “Does this girl mean much to you?” He said, “If you mean am I in love with her, no. She’s just a real good friend. She helped me through a very depressing time. She knows I’m a married man.” Mrs. Ellman began frosting her cake again, “Monty, why don’t you get a divorce from Natalie?” Lamont’s face saddened. She could see it was still painful for Lamont to talk about Natalie. He said, “That’s up to Natalie. If and when she wants a divorce, she can have it. Doesn’t matter to me. I never intend to marry again.” Mrs. Ellman said, “You don’t really mean that son.” He said, “Oh but I do. Once is enough for me.” She smiled, “You’ll change your mind one of these days. Just like I told Paul, when you meet the right girl you’ll forget all of this.” Lamont said, “I thought I did meet the right girl.”

Lamont called Barbara and told her to come. Then he said, “Call me when you get ready to leave. I’ll meet you at the airport.”

Sunday morning Lamont stayed in bed while Mrs. Ellman went to church. He had just showered and shaved when Johnny and his family brought Mrs. Ellman home from church. The children ran to Lamont. They loved him because he would play ball with them and carry them around on his shoulders. Leon and Ann came for dinner too.

After dinner as they sat around the table drinking second cups of coffee, Johnny’s son came running into the dining room. He was very excited, “Mom, Dad—the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.” Lamont asked, “Where did you hear that?” The boy answered, “On the radio.” Ellen said, “He’s listing to some more of those stories again.” The boy said, “No Mom, it’s true.”

Lamont got up and went to the living room where the radio was. The others followed him. The news was on. The announcer was saying over and over, “The Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor.” They didn’t know yet how much damage was done. Johnny breathed, “My god!” Ann said, “I can’t believe it.” Leon took Ann’s hand, “I can’t either.” Lamont said, “You know what that means—we’re in war.” Ellen cried out, “Oh no!”

Mrs. Ellman thought of her six sons. Every one of them would have to go. The phone rang, it was Berry. He had hear the news. Later they learned from the radio that ships had been sunk and hundreds of people were killed. When the president declared war, that was final. The United States was in a world war.

Late the next evening, Lamont got a phone call from Barbara. When he answered, a muffled voice said, “Monty---.” Lamont asked, “Barbara what’s wrong?” Barbara said, “It’s Dad.” Then it came to him that her father was in Pearl Harbor. Lamont asked, “Are you alright?” She was crying. Finally she got control of her sobbing, “Monty—Dad’s ship was bombed. He’s dead.” Lamont said, “Damn! I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Barbara asked, “Oh would you? I need you.” Lamont said, “I’ll be there on the first plane I can get on.”

Lamont called and they told him there was a plane going to Seattle in two hours. Lamont explained to everyone about Barbara’s father. Mrs. Ellman said, “The poor child.” Lamont said, “I’ve got to go to her Mom. She has no one.” Mrs. Ellman suggested, “Why don’t you bring her here?” Lamont hugged her, “Thanks Mom.”

It was daybreak when Lamont knocked on Barbara’s apartment door. When she opened the door, she fell into his arms. He held her and she cried as if her heart would break. He let her cry and tears came to his eyes too. He admired her father. He was a great naval officer. Finally, when she couldn’t cry any more she said, “I’m sorry but I needed a shoulder to cry on.” Lamont said, “It helps to cry.” She looked at him, “Monty what am I gonna do now?” He said, “You’re going home with me.” She disagreed, “I can’t do that.” He said, “You can and you will. Mom told me to tell you to come.”

He stayed with her. The next day, her father was brought to the states by plane. He couldn’t be opened. One of the guards who came with the body told Lamont that Barbara’s father was burned badly.

After they buried her father in a military cemetery, Lamont helped her pack her things, and her father’s. The apartment was furnished so there was nothing to pack but clothes and books. She stored everything but her clothes. Lamont made reservations for a plane home. Then he suggested for her to lie down and rest. It would be six hours before they could leave. She fell asleep.

He made coffee. As he sat at the bar drinking coffee, he made a decision. After New Years’ he would go back in the Navy. The United States was in war now. He was already a trained man. He felt it was his duty and he was proud of his country.

After Barbara had slept nearly four hours, he went to the bedroom to wake her. He looked down at her and thought, “Poor kid. All alone in this world. Alone and frightened.” He leaned over and touched her shoulder to wake her up, “Honey get up. I’ve got coffee made. By the time you drink it and dress, it will be time to go.” She opened her eyes, “I don’t know what I would have done without you Monty. You’ve helped me so much.” Lamont said, “That’s what friends are for honey.” She asked, “Are you sure it’s alright for me to go home with you?” He answered, “I’m sure. You can stay a few weeks then you can decide what you want to do.”

When they were ready to leave, Barbara looked around. Tears came to her eyes, “I couldn’t live here any more. It reminds me of Dad too much.” Lamont got the bags, locked the door, and when they were downstairs, he turned the key in at the office.

As they sat side by side on the plane Barbara said, “Only a week until Christmas.” Lamont said, “I guess it will be our last one all together for a while. I’ve decided to go back in the Navy after the holidays.” Barbara looked at him, “Don’t Monty. We’re in war. Don’t volunteer.” Lamont replied, “I have to, it’s my duty. It’s the best country in the world and I’ve got to give myself to defend it. If it means my life, well some of us have to sacrifice. It’s better for me to give than a man who has a family. I’d rather go now than my brothers. They all have children except Paul and he has a very important profession. A doctor is always needed.” Barbara reached out and took his hand, “You are the most unselfish person I’ve ever know.” Lamont said, “It’s not that. I guess I just love my brothers. Barb, I don’t want any of the family to know my plans until after the holidays. I want this to be a happy Christmas.” Barbara said, “I won’t say a word.” She looked at him, “Kiss me.” He leaned over and kissed her tenderly.

Barbara was very nervous when they got off the plane. He noticed. He said, “Honey take it easy. There’s nothing to be nervous about. We are all just plain ranchers. We don’t live fancy, just comfortable.” He looked around and saw Johnny coming toward them. Lamont said, “Here comes the oldest Ellman brother.” Barbara was introduced to Johnny. She thought, “He doesn’t look at all like Monty.”

When they were in the car Johnny said as he started the car, “I’m sure glad you two got here on this flight. There’s a snow blizzard coming this way. It’s suppose to be here by morning.” Lamont said, “Good, that will be more like Christmas. When will Paul and Allen be here?” Johnny answered, “Allen will be here this weekend. Paul will be here the first of next week.”

As they rode along, Barbara enjoyed the scenery. Lamont got lost in his thoughts as Barbara and Johnny were talking. He was thinking about five years ago. Same was now, it was snowing. Johnny picked them up at the airport except it was a different girl. She was a young, beautiful girl with a dazzling body and bubbling over with excitement and Lamont was deeply in love with her. Barbara broke into his thoughts, “I can see why you bought land here and made it your home Monty. It is just beautiful.” Lamont pointed as they turned the long curve that went to the house, “There’s the Ellman mansion.” Johnny said, “It does look a lot better since you and Dave painted it.” Barbara sighed, “It’s so large.” Lamont laughed, “it had to be with six boys growing up there.”

Johnny and Lamont were surprised to see Allen and his family had come. His coach surprised them and let them off a few days early. So everyone was at the Ellman house except Paul. Lamont took Barbara around and introduced her to all of them. He said, “That’s everyone but Paul.” Barbara said, “I’ll try to keep everyone straight.” Johnny laughed, “Don’t worry about that. It would take a genius to get all of us straight at first.” Alice said, “Oh it took me six weeks to find out who was who and there wasn’t as many in the family then.” They all laughed. Mrs. Ellman said, “Monty, take Barbara to the bedroom she will use. She may want to freshen up before supper.”

Barbara followed Lamont up the stairway. He opened the door to the bedroom that use to be his and Johnny’s. He grinned, “This my pet, is the room that Johnny and I shared when we were growing up.” He walked over to the window after setting her baggage down. He said, “That tree, if it could talk, would have got me into a lot of trouble. I use to climb down and go to town after Mom and Dad were asleep. Sometimes Johnny would go with me. Most of the time I would get back just in time to get in bed when Dad would come up to wake us for breakfast. Sometimes I had to get in bed with my clothes on because I didn’t have time to take them off.” Barbara laughed, “You were a little devil, weren’t you? Didn’t you ever get caught?” Lamont said, “A couple of times I would have but Johnny covered for me. He would tell Dad I was in the bathroom and I’d be out on the tree limb because I didn’t get inside in time.” Lamont smiled, “I’ll go. Get freshened up and come downstairs.”

When he was gone, she looked around the room. It was very clean. The bed was an old brass bed with a homemade quilt for a spread. The dresser was made of pine. The chair had a homemade cushion in the seat. The chest of drawers matched the dresser. There was a huge, handmade, braided rug that covered most of the floor. The drapes were plain material which was also handmade. Barbara smiled to herself thinking the room suited Lamont. It wasn’t fancy, but neat and clean.

Barbara took a shower and changed clothes. Then she went back downstairs. She could hear laughing and talking in the kitchen. When Lamont said her he said, “I’ve got one more family I want you to meet. You’ve heard me talk about Dave. His ranch joins mine. He is just like another brother to me.” Barbara said, “If I’m getting too personal, just say so but wasn’t it his sister you married? Wasn’t her name Natalie?” Lamont was surprised, “You have a very good memory. Yes, Natalie and I were married and she is Dave’s sister.” Barbara said, “I saw her picture in the paper several times when we lived in Mobile.”

Barbara was surprised when she was David. She was expecting David to be a very handsome man like his sister was a beautiful woman. David was just an average-looking fellow. Everyone made Barbara feel welcome and a part of them. Barbara was easy to like. She had a wonderful personality.

Once Barbara looked out the window. She saw children playing in the snow. The whole countryside was covered with snow. Barbara thought, “What a beautiful sight. Looks like a picture of a Christmas card.”