Blossoms of Love (40 page)

Leon put her baggage in the car. Barbara said, “You’re all my family. I love all of you. I’ll be back one of these days.” Then she hurried to the car. As Leon turned the curve, she looked back to see all the Ellmans standing on the porch.

At the bus station, Leon said, “It isn’t too late to change your mind.” Barbara said, “I have to go Leon.” He put his hand on her shoulder, “Listen to me Barbara, if you need anything, let us know. Will you do that?” She answered, “Yes I will. I promise.” He kissed her on the cheek, “We all love you. None of us can thank you enough for what you’ve done for all of us.” She kissed him and got on the bus.

When the bus was nearly out of town, she saw the building with big red letters saying “The Ellman Club.” The club Lamont started. The farther the bus went away from the small town she loved so well, the more frightened she got. She was completely alone but she knew she would be alright because it was up to her to take care of Lamont’s baby.

CHAPTER FOUR

By the middle of September, everyone was trying to pick up their lives to a normal pace as it was before the war. So many adjustments had to be made. It’s very hard to adjust after four years of war. It seemed harder for David to adjust. With Lamont gone, his heart wasn’t in the ranch.

One Sunday while everyone was eating Leon asked his mother, “What will you do with Monty’s ranch and house?” Mrs. Ellman said, “Nothing yet. It’s only been a month since the Japanese surrendered.” Berry said, “Mom, don’t count on his coming home.” Mrs. Ellman said, “I’m not counting on it, I’m praying. We don’t know he’s dead.” Johnny said, “Mom’s right. We don’t know.” David said, “I agree. I just can’t believe he’s dead.” Alice said, “Well I do. Tom Woods saw him. He was shot at. What chance did he have?” David said, “There’s still a chance Alice. I’m going next week and start buying our stock back. I’m buying for Monty too. That’s how much I believe he will come back.” Ann sighed, “I hope you’re right but I’m afraid some of us just won’t let ourselves accept the truth. Barbara knew after Tom Woods came here there was no chance for Monty to come back. Carolyn asked, “Mom Ellman have you heard from Barbara?” Mrs. Ellman answered, “No but she hasn’t had time to get settled.”

The next week, David did buy back half the stock he and Lamont had. Soon, the middle of October came.

There was snow on the mountains and the wind was getting cold but no snow in the valleys. David was sitting on the patio repairing a saddle. He looked up at the mountains. He thought of Monty. A day like this and Monty would have been in those mountains hunting. Carolyn came out to the patio. He called her to come over and sit down by him. When she did, he put his arms around her and said, “We’re damn luck. I got through the war without a scratch. I’ve got a lovely wife, a six year old daughter, a four year old son, and a big ranch. I wish everyone had been that well blessed.” Carolyn said, “So do I. When I think of Paul lying out there in his grave when he was such a brilliant doctor—and Monty—Dave will we ever know what happened to him?” David said, “Oh yes. When the Navy knows for sure, they’ll let Mom Ellman know. I look in the paper every night at the list of prisoners being released. The Japs had more than anyone knew. Yesterday there was one Ellman listed. He was from Idaho.”

They didn’t notice a woman walking towards their house until David looked up and saw her. She was at the edge of the yard. David said, “Damn! What the hell is she doing here?” Carolyn said, “Dave, she’s your sister.” Natalie said, “Hello everyone. Dave hasn’t been to see us since he got out of the Navy so I decided to come see him.” David said, “I called and told Dad we were all coming Thanksgiving. David asked, “Are you alone?” Natalie answered, “Yes. Della will take care of Jimmy while I’m gone.” Natalie was still very pretty. She looked much younger than she was. Natalie lit a cigarette. She said, “I came by Mom Ellmans’ but no one was home.” Carolyn said, “She is at Johnny’s house. She won’t be home until late.” Natalie sighed, “I also stopped by our house. It was locked. Does Monty keep the doors locked now?” Carolyn looked at David. Of course she didn’t know about Lamont. They were legally separated and since there were no children, Lamont had his allotment made to his mother. David said, “The doors are locked because Monty isn’t here.” Natalie looked at her brother. David continued, “He was shot down over some damn island in the South Pacific.” Natalie turned suddenly looking out towards the house, “I can’t believe it. Not Monty. Not my beautiful, golden boy with the adorable smile.” David got angry, “Stop acting so damn sad.” She turned swiftly and looked at her brother, “I did love him Dave.” There were tears in her eyes, “We just couldn’t be happy together.” David said, “That makes a hell of a lot of sense. When you love someone, you’re happy with them.” Natalie said, “I want to go to our house. Do you have the key?” David said, “The house doesn’t belong to you. Monty had it willed to his mother. There’s nothing here that belongs to you.” Natalie said, “I’m still his wife. I can break the will, but I won’t. I never liked the damn house anyway. I never intended to give Monty up. I thought someday when we were older we would get back together, but now I have really lost him. He’s gone from me forever.” David said, “What was Monty suppose to do? Live day after day being lonely as hell waiting for you to decide to come back? Natalie—you can’t have people on a string like puppets. Get out of this make believe world of yours, find someone you can be happy with and go halfway with him. You’ll find life can be wonderful.”

Natalie called the airport and left that night. As the plane took off David said, “I really feel sorry for her.” Carolyn said, “I don’t Dave. She’s had everything all her life. She hasn’t appreciated any of it.” David agreed, “That’s true but you don’t understand our backgrounds. If I hadn’t met Monty, I’d never known happiness, real happiness. He showed me what the real important things in life were and money can’t buy a damn one of them. I remember as if it were yesterday, he took me over the ranch and said, “This is real buddy. This is happiness. To be able to feel free. Happiness is freedom, being honest with people and yourself, and love. Being able to love and having someone return it. To me Dave, that is what life is all about.” David sighed, “Freedom, love, and honesty. That’s why he went off the deep end when Natalie tried to stop him from hunting and when she wouldn’t return his love.”

As they rode home Carolyn asked, “About Natalie’s child. Monty didn’t know?” David said, “No. I didn’t even know until I went home just before going in the Navy.” Carolyn said, “I just don’t understand her. What is she looking for?” David gave a long sigh, “I wish to hell I know.”

Thanksgiving when David and his family went to Alabama, they learned Natalie had gotten a divorce. She was dating a lawyer, well established in Mobile. Mrs. Agar was very happy and was encouraging their courtship. Natalie’s little boy, Jimmy, was a pretty child. Looked very much like her.

Christmas while every was gone, Mrs. Ellman sat down in the living room looking at the pictures on the mantel. Her thoughts went back to the Christmas’s before the war. Those were happy times. She remembered how her husband would sit back on his favorite chair and listen to the boys. Monty and Leon were always making everyone laugh. Paul would sit back and quietly urge them on. She cried and then went to bed.

Barbara was living in a small town about fifteen miles from Seattle. She and her father lived there several years ago. She found a small apartment. The few people she knew thought her husband was killed in the war. Barbara never touched the money her father left her. She also had the money from his allotment. There was enough money for her to live on even after their baby was several years old if she spent it wisely. Barbara sat by the window looking out. She began thinking of the Ellmans. She almost called Mrs. Ellman but decided not to. Barbara was eight months pregnant now. She looked up in the sky and saw the north star. She whispered, “Merry Christmas Monty. Soon our baby will be born. I know it will be a boy. He’s strong and active now. Oh Monty! I’m so lonely. When is the pain of loosing you going to ease up? I hope when the baby gets here, I’ll be too busy to miss you all the time. Of course darling, at night I’ll always miss you. Goodnight my love.”

In January, it was final that Lamont wouldn’t be coming back. Mrs. Ellman received his allotment and a letter from the Navy.

Mrs. Dorothy Ellman,

I regret to inform you that Captain Lamont Ellman, who was missing in action, has now been formally pronounced final. There is no doubt he gave his life for his country and is awarded the flying cross for his heroic duties.

Everyone had hoped until now that Lamont would be back. David got on his horse and told Carolyn, “I’ll be back soon. I’ve got to be alone for a while.”

As David rode along the fence that separated his and Lamont’s ranch he thought, “I just can’t accept it Monty. I can’t believe you won’t come back. I’ve got this gut feeling you are still alive.” Tears came in his eyes. He got off his horse and looked out over the land and mountains Monty loved so much. He sighed and said aloud to the wind, “You’ll be back Monty. I’m buying us more stock next month. We’ll be back like we were.” He took his handkerchief out of his pocket and said, “We’ve been through a lot together Monty. I made it back. I know damn well you will too. I don’t care what the Navy wrote. They don’t know you like I do.” He wiped the tears from his eyes. He said, “Bud, if you could see me now you’d sure tease the hell out of me. Damn! Monty hurry up and come back.”

He got back on his horse. He really felt better, as if he had talked to Lamont and Lamont heard him.

In March, Mrs. Ellman asked, “David, what can I do with Monty’s house? I can’t let it set there empty from now on.” David said, “We’ll just have to take care of it. Mom Ellman, I believe Monty will be back.” Mrs. Ellman asked, “Dave, how can you believe that? It’s been seven months since the war ended. I got the allotment and the letter from the Navy.” David said, “I know all that Mom. All the odds are again it but the Navy makes mistakes just like anyone else does. I’ve just got that feeling.” She said, “Sometimes I feel the way you do, but then deep inside I know Monty is gone just like Paul. It hurts worse because I couldn’t put him next to Paul.” David kissed Mrs. Ellman on the cheek, “I’ll take care of Monty’s house.” Mrs. Ellman said, “You’re taking care of both ranches.” David said, “I want to Mom.” She smiled, “I hope Monty knew just how much you loved him.” David said, “He knew just as I know he felt the same about me.”

In April, Natalie married her lawyer boyfriend. David hoped she’d be happy. He hoped she had found the person she could have happiness and contentment with just as he had with Carolyn.

Summer came. Berry, Leon, David, and Johnny took care of the club. Everyone was proud of it. The club was growing. Even young people from neighboring towns came. David suggested that they build the club larger. He said he would furnished the money for it. So they made plans to add to the club. When the people heard about it, they insisted on donating the money themselves.

Summer went swiftly by. The war had been over almost a year. People were getting back into their normal ways of life.

In September, Cindy announced she was pregnant. Along the last of the month, Alice was shocked to learn that she was pregnant. She looked at Berry, “I can’t believe it. Three different doctors said I could never get pregnant.” Berry asked, “Dr. Morris are you sure?” Dr. Morris smiled, “Positive. Sometimes these things happen. We don’t know why?” Alice asked, “Will the baby be normal?” Dr. Morris answered, “Of course no one knows that, but I see no reason why it shouldn’t be. You are very healthy.” When they got up to leave Dr. Morris asked, “When have you all heard from Barbara?” Alice said, “No one has since before Christmas.”

In October, David got a letter from Dr. Dennis Lennon. David was puzzled. He didn’t know a doctor by that name. He opened the letter.

Mr. David Agar,

This letter is pertaining to a patient we have. He was brought in the last of January. One of the prisoners of war in the South Pacific. There are no dog tags and he refuses to give his rank and number. Once in his sleep, he called your name. Through a lot of paperwork and phone calls, we learned you were in the Navy. That is how we found you. Could you possibly come here?

Chief of Staff,

Dr. Dennis Lennon

David breathed to himself, “It’s Monty. I know it is.” Carolyn came into the den, “Darling would you like steak for supper?” Then she saw the letter in his hand, “What is it Dave?” He handed her the letter. After reading the letter she said, “Do you think it’s Monty?” David said, “I’m sure it is. I don’t want anyone to know about this yet. There is some reason he won’t let them know who he is. Just tell them I took a trip about some stock.”

David threw a few things together and was on a plane to California in four and a half hours after reading the letter. On the flight, David was happy because he was sure it was Lamont. He also felt a little afraid. How was he going to find him? What condition was he in?

The hospital was a huge building. It was out of town in quiet, peaceful surroundings. David asked to see Dr. Lennon. He had to wait almost an hour. Dr. Lennon was about his age. The doctor said, “I’m Dr. Lennon.” David said, “I’m David Agar.” For a second, the name didn’t register then he said, “Yes, yes I remember. Sit down Mr. Agar.” The doctor looked at David, “I hope I haven’t sent for you for nothing.” He got up from his desk, “Come with me. I want you to see if you know him.”

David followed him down to a room. The door was shut but they could see through the glass window in the door. There was at least ten beds in the room. Dr. Lennon said, “Look at the one on the first bed on the right.” David’s eyes anxiously looked at each bed, then he saw the man. He almost said he didn’t know him. He kept looking at him. Then he said, “My God, what have they done to him?” Dr. Lennon asked, “Do you know him?” David ran his hand through his hair, “Yes. I know him.” Dr. Lennon said, “Come with me to my office.”

Again, David followed the doctor. In his office Dr. Lennon said, “Relax Mr. Agar. That guy in there is as stubborn as a mule and has willpower like you’ve never seen. If he hadn’t been that way, he would have been dead a long time ago. He is one officer the Japs got no where with.” David said, “He doesn’t look like he would weigh more than a hundred pounds.” Dr. Lennon said, “To be exact, he weighs one hundred and ten pounds. He had very little to eat those eight months he was a prisoner of war. From this man and many more like him, the Japanese found out just how tough the Americans are. His weight is a minor thing.” He looked at David, “This man has lived a living hell. I’m sure the Japanese thought the operation they did would break the captain. Two men that were in the same camp with him said he never once broke down. That is why I have tried so hard to find someone who knew him. He deserves everything we can give him.” Dr. Lennon gave a long sigh, “The operation is why the captain doesn’t want to be known. In fact, he doesn’t have any will or desire to live.” David said, “That’s hard to believe doctor. Monty has so much to live for. He has always loved life.” Dr. Lennon said, “Mr. Agar, the operation the Japs performed—they partially castrated him.” David couldn’t believe what he heard. He just sat there looking at the doctor. Dr. Lennon said, “They didn’t do a good job either.” David felt sick, “That’s not human. Nobody could do that and be human.” Dr. Lennon said, “I agree completely. To tell you the truth, when they brought him in I didn’t think he would live a day. This man was hot and the bullet lodged in his left thigh. This sounds like a miracle, and it really is. That bullet has been in his leg for eight months. I don’t know what kept him from bleeding to death. Now get this, he was tortured alright. He has scars on his back. His fingers have been broken and some of his toes.” David gritted his teeth, “Damn them.” Dr. Lennon continued, “Who is he?” David said, “He is Captain Lamont Ellman. He was on a carrier. He flew one of the planes. He is like a brother to me.” Dr. Lennon said, “Well, my hat goes off to this man. He has no idea we know about you. When his fever was so high, before the operation, he called your name, and his home. Is he married?” David answered, “No. He is engaged. She thinks he is dead.” Dr. Lennon sighed, “I was wishing he was married and had children. In time he can enjoy sex but he can never give a wife a child.” David said, “Monty must have been captured by animals, not humans.” Dr. Lennon said, “I’ve seen a lot of POW’s come to this hospital. Two months ago, a young marine was brought here from the South Pacific. They cut his tongue out so he couldn’t talk. Another was in the Air Force. A lieutenant. They punched his eyes out.” David said, “Will Monty be alright?” Dr. Lennon said, “If he makes it through this next operation he will. I didn’t want to operate but I had no choice. He was slowly dying anyway. He doesn’t have much strength to fight back.” The doctor shook his head, “ But with this guy—how he’s made it this long was God’s will. No need to tell you he will be here a long time. In his condition, it will take months for him to recover from the next operation. He also has a touch of jungle fever which we have got to control or he’s had it.” David said, “Then I must let his family know he isn’t dead.” Dr. Lennon said, “Yes, they should know. I would rather he just had male visitors right now. Women are very emotional and I don’t want anything else going against him.” David said, “I understand. I’ll explain it to his mother.” Dr. Lennon said, “You can go in to see him now. He probably won’t know you. He is heavily sedated. He needs the rest.”