Blossoms of Love

  As they entered town, Barbara saw Leon standing in front of the bus station. The bus must have been early for a change. Barbara stopped the car in front of the station. Ann opened the door and they met on the curb. Barbara stayed in the car. She knew this was Ann and Leon’s moment. She saw him hold out his arms and she clung to him as he circled his arms around her kissing her over and over. They came to the car holding hands.

  When they got in the car, Leon said, “Hello Barb.” Barbara said, “Hi. Wonderful to have you home.” Leon said, “I’ve got twelve glorious days to be here.” Ann squeezed his hand, “Oh Leon that’s wonderful.” Leon asked, “How is Debbie?” Ann said, “Debbie?” Leon laughed, “Yea, our daughter. You know we do have a daughter.” Barbara laughed, “Just look over your wife Leon. She has been on cloud nine ever since you called. That is why I drove. I knew she would never get here in one piece.” Ann said, “Our daughter is fine. She is getting to be a big girl and she looks more and more like you.” Leon teased, “Then that makes her a beauty.” Then Leon’s face got serious, “How is Allen?” Barbara said, “He is doing fine. He can’t walk yet. He has one more operation to go. Cindy flew home a few days ago. It is hard on her. Allen in California and Tina here.” Leon asked, “Has he got his sight back?” Ann said, “Only one eye. He will never see out of the other.” Leon said, “That’s a damn shame.”

  Mrs. Ellman and the others were on the porch when the car stopped. Leon kissed and hugged his mother. Then he hugged the others. They were all outside cooking hamburgers on a grill and Ellen went in the kitchen to get the buns and salad when the doorbell rang.

  In seconds, they all heard her scream. They all came running in the house. Barbara got to her first. She was crying holding a telegram. Barbara took the telegram from her hand, “Johnny has been wounded.” Leon said, “Monty is right. The Ellmans have been zeroed in.” Mrs. Ellman cried, “My sons! How many more?”

  Johnny was in a hospital on the east coast because he was in Italy. Barbara thought, “One dead and three wounded, counting Monty’s shoulder.” Ellen asked Barbara, “Would you go with me?” Barbara said, “Of course I will.”

  The next morning they were ready to leave. Ellen kissed her four children and told Dennis (the oldest who was eleven), “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. You be good and help Grandma and the others take care of the kids.”

  Again Barbara was on the plane with another one of Lamont’s sisters-in-law to see another wounded Ellman. Ellen was different from Cindy. She was strong and in control of herself.

  Like before, the doctor wanted to talk to them before they saw Johnny. The doctor was a younger man than Dr. Pardon. He said, “I’m Dr. Steve Russell. Your husband was in severe fighting for eleven days. They were pinned between two German regiments. They finally had to fight their way out. Our Air Force and tanks helped them. They did a splendid job. There were sixty eight men trapped and all got out but four. A sniper shot your husband. If he could have gotten medication soon enough, he wouldn’t have lost his leg. If you see him in pain, don’t worry. We’re giving him something for it. He knows the leg is off, but to him, it feels like it is there only it hurts,” Ellen asked, “Is it his whole leg?” He answered, “No, just below the knee.” Barbara asked, “What about his mental condition? How is he taking it?” Dr. Russell, “As well as anyone could.”

  As they walked down the long corridor Barbara thought, “This is like the hospital Allen is in. They must all look alike.” Johnny’s room was shared with three other men. Ellen and Barbara were surprised to see Johnny sitting up in bed. He looked around and saw them coming towards the bed, “There’s my blond baby.” Ellen ran to the bed. They hugged each other and Johnny kissed her. He breathed, “Baby I thought I’d never see you again.” Ellen touched his face with her finger tips, “Johnny—Johnny I love you. I love you so much.” Johnny looked at Barbara, “Hi Barb.” Barbara smiled, “Hello Johnny. It’s good to see you. I’m going to leave now. I think you two need some time alone. Ellen, I’ll be in the cafe.”

  Johnny kissed Ellen again. Then she pulled a chair next to the bed and held his hand. Johnny asked, “How is everyone? How is Mom since Paul died and how is Allen?” Ellen said, “You’re mother is doing alright. She’s a very strong person. Allen can see out of one eye. He will never see out of the other one. He has one more operation. The doctor thinks he will walk again. The others are alright.” Johnny’s face got real serious, “Can you still love a one legged man?” Ellen squeezed his hand, “Do you really need to ask? Of course I love you. I’d love you if you didn’t have any legs.” She saw tears in his eyes, “I wanted to give you a chance to get out if you wanted it.” She said, “Oh Johnny, you’re my husband for better or for worse. It could have been so much worse.” Johnny sighed, “Yea, I know. When I first learned my leg was off, I went to pieces. Then I kept seeing men brought in blind, crazy, or dead. I thanked God for watching over me. I’ve got so much Ellen. With an artificial leg I can live a normal life and I’ve got a wonderful wife and four kids to share it with. The doctor said I could be home by Thanksgiving and by then I’ll be walking on my peg leg. Baby, I’ll be home to stay.” She looked tired. He said, “I don’t guess it’s been so easy on all of you either. I got a letter from Berry once. He said you women were really organized. I hope the others make it through this damn war. My heart hurts when I think of Paul. He was the best one of us.” Ellen said, “It is good he wasn’t married.”

  Ellen planned to stay a month with Johnny. Barbara stayed three days.

  In October, Allen and Cindy came home. Barbara met them at the airport. Allen could walk as good as he ever could. He had no signs of being wounded except being blind in one eye. He looked happy but he also looked tired and had lost a lot of weight. Mrs. Ellman cried as she kissed him, “My son, you’re home to stay. You don’t know how glad I am.” He looked at his mother, “Yes Mom, I’m home to stay.” Tears were in his eyes.

  Then everyone greeted him. He wasn’t there long before everyone noticed how serious he was. Allen had always been a happy go lucky person. That night at supper he said to all of them, “My career as a pro football player is over. I’ve decided I want to be a minister for God.” Everyone looked at him., even the children. He saw how surprised they all were. He also saw a slight smile on his mother’s lips. He said, “I want to preach the word of God to people. I want to tell them how close God has been to me. He touched me on the battle field and gave me my life. I want to spend the rest of my life helping others find God.” Alice said, ‘I think that is wonderful.” Mrs. Ellman said, “Yes son, that is wonderful.” Cindy said, “I will help him all I can.”

  Three weeks later Allen, Cindy, and their daughter moved into a small house next to a church about two miles out of town. The people at the church didn’t have a minister. The minister had died three months earlier. Allen would go to school at night and would one day be ordained.

  Three days before Thanksgiving, Johnny called home. Mrs. Ellman answered the phone. Johnny said, “Hello Mom.” She said, “Johnny! Son it is so good to hear your voice.” Johnny said, “I’ll be home tomorrow. Tell Ellen to meet me at the airport at one forty-five tomorrow afternoon.” Mrs. Ellman rejoiced, “I’ll tell her. Will you have to go back to the hospital?” Johnny laughed, “No, I’m coming home to stay. I’ll be walking too. This peg leg isn’t bad at all.” Mrs. Ellman said, “I’ll have a good dinner for you.” Johnny said, “Hey that sounds great. How about fried chicken? I haven’t had any good fried chicken since I was home.” She promised, “You’ll have all the fried chicken you can eat tomorrow.”

  To Johnny’s surprise, Allen was with Ellen when he got off the plane. It was a joyous reunion when the brothers met. They hadn’t seen each other since they went in service. Mrs. Ellman was happy she had two of her sons home to stay. Johnny’s four children wouldn’t let him out of their sight. Johnny couldn’t realize Dennis had gotten so big.

  The war news was sounding better. The Germans were be
ing pushed back now. It was still bad in the South Pacific.

  The next week, Johnny, Ellen, and their children moved back in their house. Ellen kept working at the defense plant with Alice, Ann, and Barbara. Cindy had to quit because she moved too far away.

  Christmas came. It was still a lonely time for the Ellmans. Lamont, Berry, Leon, and David were still in the war.

  As the weeks passed, Allen’s little church began to grow. More and more people came to listen to him. Of course, the Ellmans were there every Sunday.

  April came, the war was starting another year. People wondered how much longer it would last. So many men had been wounded and killed.

  Johnny took over his father-in-laws business. Ellen’s father was in bad health. When they could, Johnny and Allen spent time at the club.

  One evening as everyone was listening to the news, the phone rang. Lamont said, “Hi Mom.” Mrs. Ellman said, “Monty! It has been over a month since we heard from you. Are you alright?” He chuckled, “I’m fine Mom. I’m in San Diego. I’ve got three days before we ship out again. That’s not enough time to come home. I couldn’t come home anyway, we’re on standby. That means we can’t leave here. We are subject to leave anytime before the three days are up.” Mrs. Ellman said, ‘I wish you could son. It has been nearly a year since you were home.” Lamont asked, “How is everyone?” She answered, “Just fine. I wrote and told you about Johnny and Allen.” He said, “Yes, I got the letter last week. I’m glad they’re home. I just can’t see Allen being a minister.” Mrs. Ellman said, “He’s a good one Monty. I wish you could hear him.” Lamont said, “I want to talk to Barbara. Tell everyone hello.”

  Barbara said, “Hello darling.” He said softly, “Hello baby. I’ve got a three day pass but I can’t come home. Mom will tell you why. I’m lonesome as hell.” Barbara said, “I wish I was there.” He said, “You can be. Would you want to come?” She said, “Yes. Where will I find you?” He answered, “I’m at a motel just a block off the beach. It isn’t real fancy but it’s clean. The name of the motel is, now get this, The Lover’s Hut.” Barbara laughed, “I’m not likely to forget that. I’ll be there just as soon as I can catch a plane.” He made a sound in his throat, “I’ll be waiting.” Then she heard the click of the receiver.

  She looked at Mrs. Ellman. She sat down, “Mom Ellman, you aren’t gonna like what I’m about to do. I’m going to meet Monty and be with him three days. I’ve got to.” Mrs. Ellman said, “Monty is wrong to ask you to come to him. He is my son and I love him dearly but he is wrong. You’re right, I don’t approve.” Barbara said, “I love him. I love him so much I can’t deny him. If the war was over maybe I would refuse, but not now. Every minute together will be a sweet memory.” Mrs. Ellman sighed, “War is so hard on young people.” She put her hand on Barbara’s hand, “I’m not judging you. I know you feel you have to go. I want you to come back here when the three days are up.” Barbara put her arms around Mrs. Ellman and kissed her. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she said, “Mom, I really do love you.” Mrs. Ellman said after kissing her on the forehead, “I love the other girls very much. They are all sweet and honest, but Barbara, there is a special place in my heart for you. You are like a real daughter to me.” Barbara said, “Thank you for understanding.”

  Mrs. Ellman watched Barbara hurry upstairs all excited and so much in love. She thought, “War can get young people so mixed up. They grab at every chance for happiness if only for a few hours. How can I blame them?” She looked at her husband’s pictures, “We would have been just like them John, if there had been a war during our young life. I’ve needed you so much. First Paul died for his country, then Allen lost an eye, Johnny lost one leg. Our other three sons are still fighting. I just don’t know how much more I can taken. There is Dave. He’s like a son too. Oh yes! I know what you would say, It’s God’s will.” She put the picture back on the mantle where her sons and David’s’ were.

  Barbara couldn’t get a plane until the next morning. The girls had to work so Johnny took her to the airport. He got someone to watch the store while he was gone. As they waited for the plane to come in Johnny asked, “Does Mom know you’re meeting Monty?” Barbara answered, “Yes. She knew even before I told her. She really understands. I wasn’t going to come back but she asked me to.” Johnny said, “You better come back. We all want you to. You’ve been a sister to all of us and a crutch for Mom and the girls. Anyway, Monty will marry you when the war is over.” Barbara said, “I wish I was as sure as you are.” Johnny said, “I know he will.” Barbara said, “He’s still married to Natalie.” Johnny said, “That’s because he’s not wanted to be free.”

  The plane came in. Barbara smiled, “See you in three days.” Johnny waved as she went to the plane.

  In San Diego, the weather was warm. She got a taxi. Before the taxi stopped, she saw Lamont sitting outside of the motel room reading some kind of paper. When the taxi stopped and she paid the driver, he looked up. He threw the paper down and hurried to her. She thought, “Oh Monty, why do you have to be so beautiful?”

  They met, he lifted her up and swung her around kissing her at the same time. He held her so close she could hardly breath. He said, “Umm—how sweet you are. I thought you would never get here. Baby I’m so glad you came.” She giggled, “Honey it’s only been eleven hours since you called.” “It seemed like forever,” he said, “but here you are now. That’s what matters. I’ve got you all to myself for three days.”

  He picked her small bag up and opened the door. He said, “It isn’t much but finding a place around here is murder. If you knew what I went through to get it.” She teased, “Oh stop complaining, I’m worth it.” He reached out and held her to him, “You’re dam right you are.” He kissed her on the neck, “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a woman? Six lousy months.” She asked, “Is that so bad?” He grinned, “Bad? It’s terrible. I ain’t been near a female in six months.” She said, “Well, I feel honored you waited for me.” He laughed, “I didn’t have any choice. They don’t have women on ships.” She said, “Okay, since you’ve been so faithful, if you’ll let me go Captain Ellman, I’ll take a shower.” He yelled to her in the bathroom, “I’m gonna be hard to handle.” She laughed, “I think I can take care of you.” Lamont said very softly, “I love you.” She stuck her head out from the bathroom, “You said you wouldn’t say that until you knew for sure.” He said, “That’s right.” She ran out of the bathroom without anything on and threw her arms around his neck, “Monty, I didn’t think I’d ever hear you say that to me.” His hands went up and down her naked back, “I do love you Barb. Our kind of love is what I’ve been searching for. That is what I wanted from Natalie. It wasn’t there, never could be. If I was free, I’d marry you now, today. You believe me don’t you?” She said, “Yes, I believe you. Monty I can’t believe this is happening to me. You’re so beautiful, so wonderful.” He smiled, “Don’t set me up on a pedestal. I’m just a man and right now this man is on the verge of rape.” She pulled away, “Don’t you dare.” He began laughing, “I told you kitten, I’m in a damn bad way.” She got back to the bathroom door, “You just keep calm Captain Ellman. Smoke a cigarette, I won’t be long.”

  He undressed, lit a cigarette, and thought, “Yes. She is the one for me.” He thought of Natalie for the first time in months. Natalie was very pretty and had a beautiful figure. Barbara wasn’t pretty. Her figure was nice. He was sure now he loved Barbara deeply. His love for her wasn’t a young, exciting love but a deep, mature, lasting love. A love he knew would grow as they got older.

  She came from the bathroom. He said, “Hey that didn’t take long.” She said, “I wasn’t dirty, besides I kept thinking about being raped.” He laughed big, “Come here! You’re just in time.” She sat down on his lap. He ran his hands over her shoulders and kissed her tenderly. He started kissing her ear, throat, and neck, “You’re sweet.” He pulled the towel from her body. He gently touched her breast. She groaned with passion. S
he ran her hands along his chest and kissed his ear, “Monty—Oh Monty I love you. When I’m not with you I just exist. I only live when I’m with you.” He rubbed his nose against her nose, “Let’s live angel.”

  When he laid down beside her he whispered, “Love me baby. I need you.” Their lovemaking became wild and beautiful. They found an ecstasy that not even Lamont had known. He was overwhelmed by the intimate relations he had with Barbara, what a sweet fulfillment. It seemed Barbara’s love for him had blossomed.

  As she lay on her back with her eyes closed, Lamont raised up on his elbow and looked at her. He said, “I’m completely spellbound baby. You’ve awakened something inside of me I never knew existed.” He laid back down and reached out pulling her to him. He said softly, “You and I have a beautiful future. Just as soon as this damn war is over, I’ll get a divorce and you and I will have the rest of our days and nights together.”

  She pinched the end of his nose, “Is that all we do, is make love?” He hugged her closer, “Just about.” She kissed him, “In that case, I’ll marry you.” He asked, “Is that a promise?” She said, “Scout’s honor.” He asked, “Want to take a walk along the beach?” Barbara sat up, “Let’s eat first. I just realized I didn’t eat any lunch on the plane. I was too excited.” He asked, “What would you like to eat?” She suggested, “I don’t want to go anywhere we have to dress up. Let’s just have hamburgers.” He got off the bed, “That’s fine with me.”

  They walked three blocks and found a clean cafe. They ordered hamburgers and french fries. As they ate Barbara asked, “Do you have any idea how much longer this war will last?” Lamont said, “It shouldn’t last much longer. We’ve got them on the run.”

  They walked along the beach until it grew dark. As they walked, he put his arm around her. Lamont said, “I thought you were hungry. You didn’t eat much.” She looked up at him, “I guess I’m still on cloud nine. I can’t believe Captain Lamont Ellman is in love with me.” He said, “You better believe me. I was an idiot to not realize it when we were in Japan. We would have at least a dozen little Ellmans running around by now.” Barbara laughed, “Do you realize that has been almost eleven years ago?” He answered, “Don’t remind me.” She said, “Monty?” He answered, “Hum.” She asked, “What made you fall in love with me? It couldn’t be physical attraction. I don’t have pretty hair, my nose is too big, so is my mouth and my body isn’t anything extra.” He teased, “Well, let’s see. It must be your brain.” He stopped walking, smoothed her hair from her face, “You’re beautiful to me Barbara. You’re the most beautiful person I know.” Tears came in her eyes, “Monty my heart is bursting with love for you.” His mouth found hers and their kiss was long and passionate. He said, “Come on my love. Let’s find that paradise we had a few hours ago. I think we both need that now.”