Blossoms of Love

  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.”

  Barbara already liked the Ellman family. They were down to earth, warm, loving, honesty people. It was a while before supper so Lamont took Barbara over the hill to his house to show her. When the topped the hill and she saw the huge house, her mouth came open she was so surprised. She looked at him, then at the house, “You mean this is yours?” Lamont grinned, “Yep. Every piece of it.” She said, “Monty, it’s a mansion not a house.” He took her hand, “Come on, I’ll show you inside.” Barbara said, “I’ll have to say Natalie certainly had good taste.” Lamont said, ‘Yes she had that alright. I saved this room until last. This is my study. I decorated it myself.” He opened the door. The first thing she saw was his gun case, built in the wall. Then she looked all around, “This room is you Monty. I like it.” Lamont said, “Natalie didn’t. She said it didn’t go with the rest of the house.” Barbara said, “It doesn’t need to. This is your room. Monty, what will you do with the house if you go in the Navy?” Lamont said, “Well, Mom lives over the hill south of me and Dave lives over the hill west of me. They will look after it for me.”

  As they walked through the snow back to the Ellman house Barbara said, “I bet this is good hunting country.” He looked at her, “Yes it is. What do you know about hunting?” She smiled, “There’s nothing more fun or relaxing than hunting or fishing.” He asked, “How do you know that?” Barbara laughed, “Don’t you laugh but Dad taught me how to hunt and fish. When Dad got a rare weekend or a few days off, we would camp out and either hunt or fish. All I ever hunted or was quail or squirrel. Dad wouldn’t let me hunt big game. I always wanted to hunt for deer.” Lamont said, “I can’t believe what I just heard.” Barbara chucked, “You see, Dad always wanted a son. When he learned Mother couldn’t have any more children, he made a tomboy out of me. Of course, that wasn’t hard to do, I never was the frilly type lady.” Lamont pointed to the left of them, “See that peak that shoots straight up?” She nodded. He said, “All through there is deer country.” She asked, “How far is it?” He said, “Oh about twenty or twenty-five miles. Dave and I are going up there if the weather lets up before Christmas day. Would you like to go with us?” Her eyes brightened, “Yes—if you’ll let me borrow one of your guns. I stored all of Dad’s. I know how to take care of a gun.” Lamont smiled, “Okay. Let’s hope the weather lets up.”

  When they got back to the Ellman house, everyone was waiting on them to eat. While Barbara helped the other women clean up the kitchen after they ate, Lamont said to David, “Walk down to the stables with me. I want to talk to you.” They got their jackets and went outside.

  David said, “Barbara is a fine person Monty. She fits right in with all of us.” Lamont looked at David, “Yea, Barb is a fine girl but don’t get any ideas. We’re just friends—that’s all.” David said, “Not from her side. I’ve seen the way she looks at you. Her eyes say she’s in love with you. I know she isn’t pretty but man she has something Natalie could never have. Barbara loves people and she knows the important things in life.” Lamont said, “Look bud, you don’t have to try to sell me about Barbara. Remember, I knew her a long time ago. She’s not what I asked you to come out here for.” David said, “You’re fixing to go back in aren’t you?” Lamont chuckled, “You are the damnedest guy I ever knew. How did you know?” David said, “I know you bud.” Lamont said, “You sure as hell do.” David said, “To tell you the truth, I’ve been thinking about it myself.” Lamont said, “You should wait until you think you might be drafted. You have Carolyn and Jeannie to think about.” David said, “That’s true—but that’s the whole bit isn’t it? To fight so our families can be safe and free. So who has the families? Married men. So why shouldn’t they go too?” Lamont said, “They will. I’m afraid this is gonna be a long war. We, the US, wasn’t prepared.” David said, “I agree.” Lamont said, “I’m going in after New Years. Don’t say anything about this. It would ruin Mom’s Christmas. This spring, you get Johnny and Berry to help you get the horses out of the canyon. Then I want you to sell them for me.” David repeated, “Sell them? No, let them stay where they are. I’ll take care of them until I have to go.” Lamont argued, “That’s too much.” David said, “Let’s put it this way, if and when I have to go in service I’ll sell them.” Lamont said, “Okay, but I still say it will be too much on you.” David tapped him on the shoulder, “Let me worry about that.”

  By morning the blizzard hit. At breakfast Lamont said to Barbara, “There goes our hunting trip for a few days.” Allen said, “I haven’t hunted in so long, I bet I couldn’t hit the side of a barn.” Cindy said, “All he does is practice football.” Allen said, “That’s our living honey.”

  Paul called and said he would be home by night. He was going to drive. He said the roads would be clear by this afternoon. That afternoon, David and Lamont went to the woods to get a tree. Barbara helped Ann and Ellen get the tree decorations out while Alice helped Mrs. Ellman with supper. Cindy set the dining table and Carolyn got all the children together giving them baths before they ate. Barbara said, “This family is remarkable.” Ann asked, “What do you mean?” Barbara said, “The way everyone works together.” Ellen said, “Everyone wants to help. The Ellmans are a very close-knit family. Somehow it rubs off on the in-laws too.” Ann said, “You know what they all believe? They believe the most important things in life are free, such as honor, being honest, being truthful, and most of all of course, is love.” Barbara said, “That was my Dad’s policy too. It really is true.” Lamont came down the basement steps, “Hey, you girls gonna stay here all night?” Ann said, “We just got busy talking.” Lamont said laughing, “Yea that’s women for you.” Barbara said, “Since you’re here, you can help carry the decorations upstairs.” Ellen asked, “Did you get a big tree?” Lamont answered, “Just like the one we had last year. You know me and Dave walked quite a ways this time getting a tree to suit you women.” Ann leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, “Well bless your hearts.” She picked up two boxes of decorations and followed Ellen upstairs. Barbara handed Lamont two boxes and got one. He asked, “How come I rate two boxes?” Barbara laughed, “Because you are a big, strong man.”

  They ate supper. David made a stand for the tree. While they were waiting for Paul to get there Johnny suggested, “While we’re waiting to decorate the tree, why don’t we have a glass of Christmas cheer?” They all agreed. Barbara punched Lamont, “What is this Christmas cheer?” Lamont said, “It’s eggnog with a bit of whiskey in it.” Barbara noticed the children got some too. She asked, “Do you all let the children have some too?” Lamont said, “Sure, there’s not enough in there to hurt them. Mom just puts enough in it to flavor it.”

  When the eggnog was almost drank Alice said, “Here comes Paul.” Mrs. Ellman drew a deep breath of relief. She had felt uneasy about Paul driving in this bad weather. Barbara got her first glimpse of Paul as he hugged and kissed his mother. Barbara thought, “He looks like Johnny and Leon, only very distinguished. He looked like you’d think a doctor should look.” Then Barbara was introduced to Paul.

  As everyone took a hand in decorating the tree, it seemed the Christmas spirit had touched everyone. Mrs. Ellman was radiant, she was so happy because all her sons were together again.

  When the tree was finished and the lights were turned on, the women made coffee and Mrs. Ellman put out some of her goodies to eat. Then Mrs. Ellman said, “I want to say something before we leave the table.” Everyone got quiet. She stood up, “I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am tonight. Tomorrow is going to be extra special to me. I realize what is ahead for us. I know before this time comes again, my sons will be separated in different parts of the world. You know as well as I do that you will all have to go to war. I want us to be extra happy. I’m proud of every one of my sons. I’m also proud of their wives who will have to carry on when they’re gone. This includes Dave and Carolyn. They are my children too. I will not be a selfish mother. I will not beg them to stay out of service if th
ey can because they are honorable and love their country.” Her voice broke for a second, “It is very hard to see a son go off to war but, with God’s help, I will be able to let them go. I’m saying this tonight because I want all of you to know I realize what is ahead and you don’t have to spare my feelings. I’m prepared. I talk to God every night and I know he will give me the strength and courage I need.” She smiled, “Now girls, let’s get the children in bed. Santa will be coming soon.”

  If she had looked close, she would have seen tears in every eye. Her talk touched every heart. Barbara looked at Lamont as they got up from the table, “Monty she is wonderful.” Lamont said, “Yes I know. Mom has always been a great lady.”

  The tree was all trimmed except for putting the star on top of the tree. Every year one of the grand children had that honor. This time it was Jeannie’s turn. David held her up high and with happiness all over her face, she placed the star on top. Then Ellen clapped her hands, “Okay—bedtime. Santa comes tonight.”

  There was some oohs and ahhs but they didn’t give any more trouble. Barbara asked, “Do they all stay here?” Lamont answered, “Yes on Christmas Eve we all spend the night together. Now you see why Mom would never let this big house go.” Each mother and father took their children upstairs to tuck them in bed. That left Paul, Lamont, Barbara, and Mrs. Ellman downstairs. Paul looked at Barbara, “What do you think of the Ellman family?” Lamont said, “That isn’t fair Paul. You know she wouldn’t say she didn’t like us.” Barbara said, “I think you are an ideal American family. Everyone is so close, so loving. The wives blend in perfect. You’re an example of what all families would like to be.” Lamont said, “We’re just an average family.” Barbara disagreed, “No Monty. This family is way above average. With a Mother like you have, it couldn’t be any other way.”