Blossoms of Love (7 page)

The night club was crowded when they arrived. As they made their way to a table, Natalie was well aware of women’s eyes following Lamont. She was proud she was the one holding his hand. The table was outside on the balcony under the starry sky and cool breeze. When they were seated, Sharon squeezed David’s arm, “Oh how romantic.” The moon shining on the ocean made the water look as though it was sprinkled with diamonds. Natalie squeezed Lamont’s hand. Lamont smiled, “You’ve got stars in your eyes tonight sugar.” Natalie beamed, “It’s because I’m so very happy.” David said, “I’m very hungry.” Sharon said, “List to him. Not a bit romantic.” Lamont said, “I agree. Who needs romance before you eat and have a few drinks under their belt?” They order the food and drinks. When the food was all eaten, the drinks kept coming. The girls knew their dates would get drunk before they left. Natalie asked, “Come on Monty, dance with me before you get stoned.” Lamont asked, “Who’s gonna get stoned?” She took his hand, “You will and you know it.”

As they danced, Natalie knew she was the envy of a lot of women there. She saw one blond woman trying to get Lamont’s attention as they went back to the table. The music started again just as they sat down. Sharon got David to dance. Lamont poured himself another drink. He looked at Natalie, “You’re very beautiful tonight Nat.” She smiled, “Uh oh. The champagne’s talking already.” He repeated, “You are beautiful.” She kissed him on the cheek, “Well just keep talking like that. It’s nice to hear from you.” She giggled, “I’d like to be a sex pot like the blond who has been trying to get your attention all evening.” He looked at her seriously, “Who the hell likes sex pots?” Natalie looked surprised, “Why I thought all men liked sexy women.” Lamont said, “Only when they just want to play around.” Natalie said, “Just as long as you like me, I’m satisfied.” Lamont said, “There’s something about you that separates you from most women. Maybe it’s the way you were raised.” He winked at her, “You’re a classy dame. You also have a damn good figure.” She asked, “How do you know?” He grinned, “A bikini leaves damn little for the imagination.” She giggled, “I didn’t think you noticed.” He sipped on his drink, “I noticed alright.”

As they danced again, Natalie kissed him on the ear and whispered, “Oh Monty I love you.” The next dance Sharon asked Monty to dance. While they were on the dance floor Natalie said, “I’m going to sleep with Monty tonight.” David asked, “Did he ask you?” She answered, “No I want to. It will be a long time before we see each other again.” David remarked, “That won’t hold him Nat. Don’t do it.” She asked, “Why not? I love him. Besides I know you and Sharon are.” David explained, “That’s different. One of these days, I’ll marry her.” Natalie said, “So. Maybe someday Monty and I may tie the knot.” David said, “I wouldn’t bet on it. Listen to me, Monty’s in love with no one. I admit that he is very fond of you but I doubt if that guy ever marries. His own mother told me he had a wild streak in him and always has had. He’s my best friend and I love him like a brother, but I don’t want him hurting you. When he leaves tomorrow night who knows when we’ll see him again. It may be a year, five years, maybe longer.” Natalie sighed, “David I’m head over heels in love with him. I can’t help it. I have no choice. No matter how long it takes, I’ll be waiting for him.” David said, “Oh come on Nat.” Natalie replied, “That’s the way it is.” David poured another drink, “Okay sis. If I can’t talk to you and make you listen, I just hope I’m around to pick up the pieces.”

They stopped talking because Sharon and Lamont came back to the table. Lamont said, “Dave, this girl of yours is a very good dancer.” David and Sharon decided to dance the next one.” Natalie looked at Lamont, “I wish tonight would never end.” Natalie’s eyes met his, “Oh Monty! I don’t want tomorrow to come. Love me, make love to me. Give me the sweet memory of loving you.” He looked at her. She continued, “Remember I told you once if I ever met a man I wanted I would go to bed with him? You are the one Monty. I’m no silly kid now. I’m a woman and I know the difference between being fond of someone and being in love. I want you.” His eyes looked at her a long time. Finally he asked, “Where do you want to go?” She answered quickly, “To a motel.”

David and Lamont drank gin as if it were water until they decided to leave. Sharon suggested to Natalie, “We’d better get them out of here. You know how loud Dave gets when he really gets drunk and he’s not far away from that point.” Lamont was just the opposite. When he got drunk he was very quiet, unless someone got smart with him. With the promise of one more drink, the girls finally got them out of the club. Sharon said, “You drive Nat. Let’s go to my apartment. I’ll get him sober before he goes home”

On their way to Sharon’s apartment, Natalie looked for a vacant room in one of the motels. She was disappointed. They were all filled up. There was a convention in town. Natalie helped Sharon get David in her apartment and onto the bed. Lamont was passed out when she got back to the car. She had a hard time getting him awake enough to get him out of the car and into the house. He leaned heavily on her as they stumbled up the stairs. In his room, he almost didn’t make it to the bathroom. He was very sick. She turned the covers back. When he came from the bathroom, he had all his clothes off except for his underwear. He fell on the bed. She began to undress herself. When she was completely nude, she looked over at him. He was out cold. She sat on the side of the bed. Suddenly she began crying. Their last night together for a long time and he didn’t know or care that she was in his room nude. She cried softly, “I didn’t want to fall in love with you, but I did.”

Even asleep he was a very handsome man. He not only had a beautiful face but he had a muscular body. Even with his shorts on she could see he was very much a man. She pulled the sheet over him and kissed him tenderly on the mouth. She whispered, “Good night my love.” She didn’t bother to put her clothes back on. She quietly went across the hall to her room. She crawled on her bed and pulled the cover over her nude body. She began to plan what they would do before he had to leave. She would at least have him all day. It was daybreak before she finally fell asleep.

She woke early, dressed, and went down to the kitchen. It was a beautiful morning. As she ate toast and drank coffee, she asked Della, “Would you fix Monty and I a picnic lunch?” Della said, “Of course. What would you like?” Natalie answered, “Just anything. I really don’t care what we eat I just want Lamont all to myself for today.”

She went upstairs to wake Lamont but he had already showered, shaved, and was coming out of his room when she got to the top of the stairs. She smiled, “Good morning darling.” He said, “Morning.” Natalie said, “Della is packing us a picnic lunch.” Lamont asked, “Did we plan a picnic for today?” Natalie smiled, “We didn’t, I did.” He asked, “Is Sharon and Dave going too?” She said, “No. Just you and I. Dave hasn’t come home from Sharon’s apartment yet. He may be there all day. Any objections?” He smiled, “None.” She grabbed his arm, “We’ll go to Swan Lake.”

As they went down the steps Lamont said, “Anywhere is fine with me but first I’m going to drink a cup of coffee.”

It was ten thirty when they left for the lake. As they rode down the highway Lamont said, “I don’t remember leaving the club.” Natalie said, “You and Dave were loaded. No wonder with all those mixed drinks. That’s probably what made you sick. Drinking different booze will do that.” Lamont sighed, “Yea, we really knew better. Did I get out of hand?” Natalie said, “No, you and Dave were good boys. I could lie to you and say you were a marvelous lover, that you’re everything I ever dreamed of.” Lamont looked at her very puzzled, “Was I that lousy?” Natalie replied, “You weren’t anything. You passed out before I could get undressed. You really disappointed me Lamont Ellman.”

She parked the car. “Here we are.” Lamont got the basket of food and Natalie got the blanket. They found an isolated spot by the lake. As she put the blanket on the grass Lamont looked around, “Hey this is beautiful.” She began spreading the food so they could eat. It took them over an hour to get there. She said, “Yes, it is lovely. That’s why I wanted to come here.” Lamont sat down hear her. “Umm, the food looks good.” She laughed, “Well let’s eat, I’m starved.” They laughed, joked, and talked. Natalie didn’t want to think about him leaving in a few hours. He helped her put the things away when they finished eating so the ants wouldn’t get in the leftovers. Then he laid back on the blanket. She sat down beside him, “What are you thinking?” He answered, “Nothing special.” She got a blade of grass and tried to tickle his nose. He rose up on one elbow, “So you want to play.” He started to tickle her and she threw her arms around his neck, kissing him. The kiss was long and sweet. Lamont said, “Nat I’m really glad nothing happened last night. I’d hate to miss out on something as sweet as you.” She looked at him, “It still could happen Monty.” He touched her face with his hand, “No, I respect you too much. We have something nice. Let’s don’t spoil it.” She replied, “Oh Monty. I don’t want to be respected. I don’t even want to be nice. I just want to belong to you.” His face was serious, “You are very special to me. I don’t want to hurt you. You are a very sweet girl but Nat, we could never afford to get too close.” Natalie asked, “Are you saying you could never love me?” Lamont said, “I’m saying we’re not for each other. Our life styles are nothing alike.” She asked, “Is it because I’m Dave’s sister?” He put his arms around his knees, “No, I want you to find someone who can give you the rich life you’re use to. I could never give you that kind of life. Even if I could, I wouldn’t be happy living the way you’re use to.” She replied, “I would be happy living any kind of life.” Lamont looked into her eyes, “What I’m saying honey, I think you are a wonderful person but you cling too much. You latch on too hard. I can’t breath. I can’t live that way. I’ve got to feel free, have room to breath. You’re smothering me with all your sweetness. I can’t take that.” Natalie asked, “What do you want? Someone to not show their feelings? I’m so sorry Monty. I just love you so much I can’t help from showing it.” Lamont took a long, deep breath, “I’m just not ready to be serious. If I’ve hurt you, it’s better this way than to lead you on and then tell you.” Almost in tears she said, “Yes, I’m hurt. Go ahead Monty, lead me on. I still want you.” Lamont suggested, “I think we better go.”

Just as he said those words, it began to shower. Lamont grabbed the basket and Natalie the blanket and they ran to the car.

They were silent on their way back. When the car was parked in the carport, Lamont looked over at Natalie, “Friends?” She answered, “I can’t be your friend. A lover yes.” Tears were in her eyes, “I just can’t be only a friend.” She got out of the car and ran into the house.

David drove Lamont to the airport. Lamont didn’t see Natalie before he left. Natalie felt her life wasn’t worth living since Lamont had rejected her. He was gone a week and she still wouldn’t come out of her room. David decided he had to talk to her and tell her how childish she was acting. He tapped on her door. She said, “Come in.” When she saw David, “What do you want?” He sat down on the pink satin chair near the window, “I’m going to talk to you rather you want me to or not.” Her eyes were swollen from crying so much. She replied, “I don’t want to hear it.” Her hair wasn’t combed and she was still wearing her gown and negligee. David said, “You’re going to listen to me. I’m real disappointed in you Nat. You’re acting like a child.” She lit a cigarette, “Frankly Dave. I don’t give a damn.” David said angrily, “You are just a spoiled child. When you can’t have something you want you act like a baby.” You’re a grown woman. Act like one.” Natalie got angry, “How can you give me advice? You’ve never loved and lost. You have no idea so stop trying to tell me what to do.” David said, “I tried to tell you. Anyway, you never had Monty. You can’t loose something you never had. Look sis, you’re only hurting yourself. Monty didn’t lead you on. I’ll say this for him, he was honest with you. He’s used to women falling in love with him. When we were together in the Navy, they made fools of themselves over him. The guy’s just too damn good looking.” Natalie said softly, “I didn’t just fall in love with his looks. The way I love him is a deep, lasting love that only Monty can give to me. I’m not mad at him but Dave, I do love him so much.” David said, “I wish I could help you.” He hugged his sister to him and she cried. David said, “You can’t go on like this Nat.” She dried the tears from her eyes, “I know. I think I’ll get a job.” David looked surprised then he said, “You know sis, that will do you good. I think that’s a good idea.”

When the family learned Natalie had a job as a bookkeeper for a trucking company, Mrs. Agar grumbled, “Surely you’re not going to work in an office where all kinds of truck drivers are going and coming? Natalie answered, “Mother I’ve got the job and I’m going to keep it.” Dora said, “Don’t let her Mother.” She looked at her sister, “With our standard of living, it’s a disgrace. What will our friends say?” Natalie asked, “Why should they say anything?” Mr. Agar said, “Let her alone. If she wants the job, then she should take it.” Mrs. Agar said, “You always did spoil her.” Natalie said, “If it’s such a disgrace, I’ll move out.” Mr. Agar said, “No you won’t move out and you keep the job.” That ended the talk about Natalie’s job.

Natalie was on her job just about a week when she knew she was going to like it. The job was already helping her to stop thinking of Lamont so much. It was true, a lot of men came by the office. Natalie gave them their orders every morning. On payday, she gave out the checks. Most of the men were married and in their late thirties or early forties. Natalie’s boss, Mr. Gross, was in his fifties. Everyone liked Natalie. After she’d been working three months, two younger men started driving. One of them began dating Natalie. She liked him because he was a lot of fun to be with.

In Japan, Lamont met a girl he liked. Her father was in the Navy. He had been in Japan two years with his daughter. The first time he was invited to their house for dinner, he met the young woman. Her name was Barbara. She really liked Lamont from the first. Most women did. After being at their house several times, Lamont began dating Barbara often. She wasn’t beautiful, or even pretty, but she had a wonderful disposition. They had a lot of fun together. Lamont really enjoyed being with her. He wrote to David about Barbara and sent him a picture of them together. Lamont wrote, “Wish you were here old boy. Barbara is a fine person and a very good bed fellow. Her father is my boss so you see, I’ve got it made. Say, how do you like the suit I’m wearing in the picture? We don’t have to wear our uniforms off duty. I got this suit real cheap.” David smiled as he read the letter. As he folded it and put it back in the envelope, he thought, “That’s Monty alright, got him a girl to sleep with while he’s there.”