Blossoms of Love (34 page)

Berry hugged all the kids except Dennis (Johnny’s boy), he felt he was getting too old for that so Berry shook hands with him. Carolyn said, “Alright children, go on back to playing. Uncle Berry is tired and I bet hungry.” He sat down at the kitchen table, “Something sure smells good but all I want now is a cup of coffee.” Carolyn got the coffee for him while Mrs. Ellman hung his coat up in the hall. He drank some of the coffee. He asked, “Where is Alice working?” Carolyn said, “All of the girls are working except me. Freddie is too young to leave all day. Mom Ellman needs me here anyway. They made a defense plant out of the gun factory. They needed women to work so they make guns and ammunition all day. They said they felt like they were helping to win the war.” Berry said, “I’m real proud of all of you. Looks like everything all well organized around here. I think all of us men should take our hats off to the women in our life.” Carolyn said, “We are doing alright. We don’t like being without our men but we want to help get this war over with so you all can come back to us and we can live normally again.” Berry sighed, “Don’t count on that anytime soon Carolyn.” Mrs. Ellman asked, “That bad?” Berry said, “The Japs caught us with our britches down. We had very little armed forces. We had to start from scratch. We had a few ships in moth balls. The planes were obsolete. Right now no doubt, Monty is flying an old plane. We’re building them but it takes time. We will beat the hell out of them.” Mrs. Ellman said, “Monty wrote a good while ago, he had to go to school because the planes were more modern.” Berry said, “Sure they were for Monty. He was out of service a long time. The Japs and Germans have a lot better ones than we do right now.” Carolyn asked, “How did you manage to get home?” Berry answered, “I’m leaving for Europe soon. I found out a plane was coming this way so I hitched a ride with Uncle Sam. I have to leave tomorrow. They will pick me up on their way back.”

They heard a car coming up the road. Berry met the car as it stopped. Alice jumped out of the car and was in his arms. The other girls went inside the house so they could have their moment alone. After kissing her over and over he said, “Hey, you’ve cut your hair.” Alice said, “Ann cut it like her. Do you like it?” Berry said, “It’s okay but I like it better long.” Carolyn gave Berry and Alice the key to her house, “You two need to have what time is left alone.” Berry said, “Thanks Carolyn. One of these days I’ll do something special for you.”

The next day Alice didn’t go to work. She wanted to drive Berry to catch his plane. He said, “No, I don’t want you too. I’ll catch the mail man. It is easier for me to leave if you are here.” She put her arms around his neck, “It has been such a short time.” He said, “I know but I’m lucky, I did get to come home. There’s Monty, he’s been gone ten months and hasn’t been home at all. He’s on a carrier, it’s doubtful he gets home at all. Those planes on the carriers make a lot of missions.” Alice said, “I’m glad you don’t fly. I’m glad you just keep the plane repaired.” He looked down at her, “I love you.” Alice said, “I love you too darling.” Berry said, “Now if you don’t hear from me often, don’t worry. We’ll be going a long ways and it will take a while for the mail to catch up to us. I’ll be back honey, don’t ever doubt it.” Alice asked, “Do you know where you are going?” He said, “I know but I can’t tell you.” She clung to him, “Oh Berry, I’m scared.” Berry said, “I promise you I’ll come back.”

The mailman came. Berry looked at all of them standing on the porch after he got in the car. As it moved out on the road, he waved. When they were all back in the house, Alice began crying. She said, “It was harder to see him go than the first time.”

Christmas Eve Barbara and Ann went out in the wooded section and got a tree. This was always Lamont and David’s job. Christmas was very sad this year. None of the men were home but they had to have a tree for the children. They decorated the tree that night. They tried hard to get the Christmas spirit but it just wasn’t there, not even with the older children. On Christmas day they sat down to eat. There was seven empty places. Mrs. Ellman said grace then she said, “We thank you God, all our men are still living.” She looked at the women. She dried her eyes, “Girls, even if they can’t be with us we still have them. Wherever they are, I know their minds are with us today.”

The girls worked on New Years. Christmas day was the only day they didn’t work. In February, Mrs. Ellman got a letter from Paul.

Hello Mom,

Sorry I haven’t written any sooner but I’ve been very busy. I’ll have more time now. I’m going on a hospital ship to bring back the wounded. They are the ones who won’t be in combat anymore. We will put them in hospitals in the states. Maybe I’ll see you in a few weeks, if only for a short time. Oh, I saw Monty yesterday. He has been wounded but not seriously. He just won’t be flying for a few weeks. His plane was shot down. He had to parachute in enemy territory but somehow, even wounded, he got back to the allied lines. He is going back to his ship tomorrow. He was shot in the shoulder, but Mom, you’ve got to believe he is okay. He looks good and is just as sassy as ever. Goodnight Mom. I love you. Tell everyone hello. Hope to see you soon.

Love always,

Paul

Barbara asked after reading Paul’s letter, “Mom Ellman, would Paul keep it from you if Monty was hurt bad?” Mrs. Ellman said, “No, not Paul. He has never believed in keeping things from anyone. He has always been that way even when he was a child. It is just like he wrote.”

That night as Barbara lay in bed, she couldn’t sleep. She thought, “Monty is hurt. If only I could be with him so I could take care of him.”

Three weeks later when everyone was eating supper, Cindy was sitting near the window and saw a car coming up the road to the house. Cindy said as her face grew frightened, “The police—their car is coming.” They all looked at each other. They knew it was bad news. They wondered which one it was. The knock on the door froze them to their chairs. Nobody wanted to go to the door. The knock came again. Finally, Barbara got up slowly and opened the door. The policeman asked, “Is Mrs. Ellman home?” Barbara felt like she was going to faint. She knew it was neither Paul or Lamont or he would have asked for one of the girls. Barbara said, “Yes, please come in.” The policeman followed Barbara to the dining room where they were all sitting. The policeman’s face was very sad as he handed Mrs. Ellman the telegram from the US Navy. With her hands shaking, she could hardly open the envelop. She read:

I regret to report your son, Paul Franklin Ellman, has been killed in the line of duty. He will be decorated for bravery.

US Navy

Mrs. Ellman just sat looking at the telegram. The policeman said, “Mrs. Ellman, the hospital ship he was on was bombed by the enemy. He stay aboard helping get the wounded on rafts. The ship exploded before he could get off. His body will be here in three days with two Navy officers.” The girls all gathered around her. The policeman asked, “Is there anything I can do?” Mrs. Ellman looked up at him, “No. Nothing.” The policeman said to Ellen, “If you need us, don’t fail to call.”

When he was gone, Mrs. Ellman didn’t say anything else. She didn’t cry, it seemed she was in shock. Barbara suggested, “Maybe we should call Dr. Morris.” Carolyn felt of her pulse and took her blood count, “I think you should. She is in shock.”

The girls got her to bed while Ann called Dr. Morris. By the time Dr. Morris got there, she had began to absorbed the news. She began to cry. It wasn’t a loud cry but a cry of a broken heart. Dr. Morris gave her a shot. He said to Carolyn, “She will be alright. Give her one of these pills twice a day until after the funeral.”

Dr. Morris looked at the pictures on the mantle in the living room. Four in Navy uniforms, one in Army, one in Air Force, and one Marine. David’s picture was there just like the Ellman brothers. Dr. Morris’ eyes stopped at Paul’s picture. He looked very handsome in his white uniform with gold braid and one star on his shoulder. Dr. Morris said, “It’s a shame. He was a brilliant doctor. He was magnificent with his hands in surgery. I’ve known him since he was a child. He was always serious and determined in anything he did. When he decided to be a doctor, he came to my office and talked to me about it. He was finishing high school then. I encouraged him, I knew he could be an outstanding doctor. He didn’t disappoint me. He graduated with honors. Carolyn, war is a terrible thing. It takes good men like Paul. America needs men like Paul.” Tears were in the doctor’s eyes. Carolyn said, “If he hadn’t stayed on the ship to help the wounded, he would have been safe. The ship exploded.” Dr. Morris said, “It was his duty to take are of the wounded. Knowing Paul, he wasn’t thinking of himself.”

Barbara came into the room, “Why did they bomb a hospital ship? I just can’t understand any human being that would bomb a ship with wounded men.” Dr. Morris said, “That is true, it was suppose to be bombed or even fired at.”

It wasn’t long until the house was full of friends and neighbors with food offering their help. Mrs. Ellman insisted on getting up to greet her friends and neighbors.

Late that night, there were still a lot of people at the house. Old men, too old for service, women, and a lot of teenagers. Several service men were there too. They were home on leave. After a while, the girls finally got Mrs. Ellman to bed. Barbara stayed with her for a while. Mrs. Ellman said, “You know what I remember most about Paul? The weekends and holidays. He would be home, after everyone was in bed, I’d see a light on in his room from downstairs. He would be studying. Once I went upstairs and knocked on his bedroom door. He called for me to come in. He was sitting by his table reading a medical book. I told him he should get some rest while he was home. He said, “Mom I can rest when I become a doctor. I’ve got to make good grades. Monty has spent a lot of money helping me and you and Dad have too. This is the most important thing in my life.” So I told him good night. After that, I didn’t bother him no matter how late he was up.”

Mrs. Ellman looked at Barbara, “I know it is God’s will. He knows best.” Then she began to cry, “I don’t know if I can get through this or not.” Barbara had never felt so sorry for anyone in her life. She knew the worst was yet to come. When Paul’s body arrived, she wondered if Mrs. Ellman could take it.”

Carolyn said as she and Barbara were drinking coffee while Cindy sat with Mrs. Ellman, “I’ll have to keep those pills in her.” Barbara said, “Carolyn, I’m afraid for all of us. We know it can happen again anytime.” Carolyn said, “Yes it can, six more times.” Barbara said, “Oh, it makes chills run down my sine.”

Two women came in the back door carrying food. Carolyn greeted them. Ellen and Alice were washing dishes. Ann came in the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee, “I just went upstairs to see about the kids. All of them are asleep except Dennis. This has touched him deeply for a nine year old. He asked me if this could happen to his Daddy.” Ellen dried her hands, “I better go up and talk to him.”

Barbara made more coffee. They all planned to stay up all night and take turns sitting with Mrs. Ellman. They weren’t going to leave her alone at all.

Morning came, some of the ladies that had stayed all night fixed breakfast. The morning looked gloomy. It looked as if it would snow. Barbara told Ann, “I’ve got to go feed the horses in the stable. I’ll be back as soon as I can. It won’t take long to feed twelve horses.” Ann said, “Be sure to bundle up good. It’s really cold this morning. Do you want me to help?” Barbara got her coat and scarf, “No need for both of us to get cold.”

Barbara fed the horses. Before she left the stable, she got down on her knees and said, “Dear Father in Heaven, I need, or we need, your help and guidance. I know it has been a long time since I have talked to you. Please forgive me. Dear Father, help Mom Ellman. Give her the strength to endure what is ahead for her. Help her through the suffering from the loss of her fifth son. Dear Lord, keep her other sons safe. Watch over them, guide them. Amen.” She got up and dried her eyes.

As she started back to the house, she put the scarf over her mouth, the wind was so cold. Just before she got to the porch, she looked down the road. She had no reason to. She did it all the time. The first time she looked, she thought she saw a Navy officer walking towards the house. It was just getting daylight and she decided her eyes were playing tricks on her. She stepped up on the first step and decided to look again. This time she knew it was a man in a Navy uniform. Suddenly, she knew this man. Only one person walked like that, only one. She yelled, “Monty—Monty” and she broke into a run. It had been thirteen months since he had walked that road.

He reached out with one arm; the other was in a sling. He smiled that beautiful smile of his, “Hello angel baby.” She whispered, “Hello my darling.” She was kissing him over and over. He chuckled, “Baby I sure as hell like this welcome.” She said, “I love you—I love you. Monty, your arm.” He said, “My arm is okay. I got shot in the shoulder but it’s almost well. Don’t you think it’s a bit cold out here.” They began to walk, “I went to feed the horses.”

As they got closer to the house he asked, “Why are so many cars here? What’s all the lights doing on? Mom is okay isn’t she?” It was then Barbara knew Lamont didn’t know about Paul. Barbara said, “Oh Monty, I thought you knew. I thought that was why you came home.” Lamont stopped walking, “Know what?” Barbara said, “Your mother is alright. I wish I didn’t have to tell you.” Lamont’s face clouded, “Which one Barbara? Which one of us got it?” Barbara answered, “It’s Paul.” Lamont said, “It can’t be. I saw him leave on a hospital ship heading for the states just three hours before I shipped out.” Barbara said, “The ship Paul was on was bombed.” Lamont gritted his teeth, “The damn yellow-bellied bastards. That’s the kind of damn animals they are.” Then there was a break in his voice, “Oh God. Why Paul? He was the best one of us. I can’t go in there right now. I can’t face Mom just yet.” She said, “Come on, we’ll go to the stables.”

When they got to the stables he said, “I wish you’d leave me alone for a few minutes.” He looked at Barbara, bit tears were in his eyes. Barbara said, “Don’t be ashamed to cry darling.” Lamont bursted out crying, “He was only twenty-six. He worked and studied like hell and was just getting a good start. My God—it isn’t fair—just not fair.” Lamont began to shake from sobbing. Barbara held him close to her. It was tearing her apart, seeing a big, strong, brae man who wasn’t afraid to fight, who would tackle anything, cry as if his heart was breaking into. She had never seen a man cry before and she hoped she never would again. Suddenly, he stopped. He said, “I’m sorry Barbara. A man doesn’t do these things, especially an officer in the Navy.” Tears came to his eyes again, “Oh Barbara, it hurts like hell.” She put her arm around him again, “Officers are human Monty. They have hearts and feelings too.” Lamont said, “They are suppose to be able to control themselves.” Barbara said, “He is your brother Monty. I don’t think General George Patton could, or would, be any different.” Lamont cleared his throat, “I’m ready to see Mom.”