Blossoms of Love

  This time their lovemaking lasted longer but was just as before. After loving Barbara, Lamont knew he could never love another woman. He liked the way she made him feel. She laid her head on his shoulder. He said, “Goodnight my sweet.”

  The next day Lamont read about the state fair. He suggested, “Let’s go. I haven’t been to a fair in years.” Barbara was brushing her hair, “You’re not getting me on any kind of ride. It makes me sick to ride them.” He laughed, “They have a fun house and a lover’s lane. We can take in those things.” She said, “Just so I don’t have to ride up in the air. I’m also terrified of height.”

  Barbara dressed in a comfortable sun dress with shorts underneath. Of course, Lamont had to wear his uniform. They got a taxi and rode across town to the fair. It was early afternoon and crowds of people were gathering. Right from the start, Lamont won Barbara a big teddy bear. Then they went to the fun house. Lamont laughed when the air hose came on and blew Barbara’s dress over her head. It scared her and she screamed. She was glad she had on shorts. Lamont said, “Maybe I should stick around here and watch the women come in.” Barbara took his hand, “Oh no you don’t.” Then they went through the tunnel of love. Lamont said, “The guy is suppose to kiss the girl just about here.” Barbara asked, “What are you waiting for?” Besides kissing her, she felt his hand on her breast and then on her thigh. It was so dark in the tunnel she couldn’t even see him. She said, “You know a girl could get raped in this place.” He kissed her on the ear. She said, “Monty, we are almost through the tunnel.” He moved his hand, not any time too soon because they were out of the tunnel now.

  They went to get a hot dog and coke. They found a bench to sit on. As they were eating, a man came by taking pictures. The man asked, “Buy a picture for your girl and you sailor?” Lamont asked Barbara, “Want one?” She answered, “Yes. I don’t have a picture of you.” The man took the picture and by the time he had paid the man, the picture was developed. Lamont took one look at it and said, “Damn.” Barbara began to laugh, “I look terrible. The man said to smile and look at me. You didn’t smile at all. Why didn’t you smile? You have the most beautiful smile.” He took a bite of his hot dog, “Throw the damn thing away.” Barbara said, “I will not. It’s the only picture I have of you.” He said, “You don’t need the picture, you’ve got me.” She smiled putting the picture in her purse, “I’m greedy. I want both.”

  It was late afternoon when they got back to the motel. Barbara flopped down on a chair, “I’m beat. I haven’t walked this much in years.” Lamont asked, “Want to go out and eat somewhere fancy?” She replied, “Let’s wait until tomorrow night.” He took his shirt and tie off, “I’m sure glad you said that.” Barbara suggested, “Let’s go take a swim then we can get a snack.” He grinned, “Now why didn’t I think of that?” She teased, “Well, you said you fell in love with my brain.” He reached out and roughly pulled her down on his lap, “I fell in love with an angel.” She ran her finger around his mouth, “Monty, I just can’t let you go back to the war.” He kissed her, “I don’t want to go back but I have to. Don’t worry, I’ll be back. I’ve got a lot to come back to.” He teased, “Don’t you know they can’t win the war without me? If we’re gonna take a quick swim, we better get started.” She put on her swimsuit, “Aren’t you going to swim?” Lamont said, “Honey, I have to go in the raw or with a pair of pants. I don’t have any trunks with me.” Barbara giggled, “We could wait until dark and both of us slip in the nude.” Lamont agreed, “Okay, that’s what we’ll do.” Barbara said, “Monty, I was only teasing.” Lamont said, “I think you had a good idea. Want to go down to the beach now?” She said, “Yes but keep your pants on.”

  As they walked along the water Barbara said, “I like the ocean, don’t you?” Lamont said, “Well, being a sailor I should. It’s okay but I like the mountains and snow.” They walked with his arm around her shoulder and suddenly he said, “Hey, there’s one of the guys from my squad. He flies on my left. He saved my tail from getting shot to hell once. Let’s go over and talk to them a minute.”

  He introduced Barbara to them, “My girl, Barbara Edmonds. Barbara this is one of the best damn fellows I know, Tom Woods.” Tom said, “Hello Barbara, this guy with you ain’t no slouch when it comes to flying. He’s had ninety-eight missions and eighty-one Japs. Some record.” Tom was with a beautiful girl. He took her hand, “This is my girl, Connie Beavers.”

  The four of them spent all evening together. Lamont bought a bottle of champagne and they went to the motel room. Tom laughed, “We’re in a motel on the next block. I wish we had at least a week.” Lamont took Barbara’s hand, “I wish we had the rest of our lives.” Connie said, “You took look very much in love.” Barbara asked, “Does it show that much?” Lamont drank all that was in his glass, “Believe it or not, this gal has promised to tie the knot and to love, honor, and obey me.” Barbara said, “Now wait a minute. Love and honor I’ll go along with and maybe obey.” They all laughed. Tom said, “Me and this chick were married,” he looked at his watch, “six hours and ten minutes ago.” Lamont and Barbara congratulated them. They left soon afterwards.

  As Barbara undressed she said, “Nice people.” Lamont sat on the side of the bed to take his shoes off, “Tom’s a good friend. We’ve been flying together ever since the war started.” Barbara got a towel and started to the bathroom, “Connie is very pretty.” Lamont caught her wrist and pulled her over on him, “So are you.” She laughed, “Flatterer.” He said, “I’m not trying to flatter you. You are beautiful to me.” She became serious, “That’s all that matters to me.” She gave him a quick kiss and disappeared into the bathroom. Just as she stepped into the shower stall and turned the water on, Lamont got in too. Barbara laughed, “You’ll have to soap my back, there’s not room to turn around.” He laughed, “That’s the idea.” He soaped her back, “You must love me very much to come here thinking I wasn’t in love with you. Yet you knew you’d sleep with me.” Barbara ruffled his hair, “Well, I’m a gambler remember and I finally hit the jackpot.”

  After they had fulfilled their lovemaking he said, “After we’re married, this every night lovemaking will have to stop. You’ll make an old man out of me.” She teased back, “Why Captain Ellman, you mean little old me is getting you down?” He playfully pinched her on the butt, “Not yet. I’m good for at least one more night.” Suddenly, she clung to him, “It’s nearly over. I don’t want to think about it. We still have tomorrow and tomorrow night.” He kissed her, “It’s not over baby, just delayed for a while.”

  Barbara woke first. She took a shower, dressed, and brushed her hair. She looked over at Lamont. He was still sleeping soundly. She thought to herself, “He could have been a male model, with his handsome face, beautiful smile, and masculine body.” She went over to the bed and hit him with a pillow, “Get up lazy.” He yawned but still didn’t open his eyes. She threw his shorts at him. She said, “Up captain. I’m not gonna let you sleep another wink.” He opened one eye, then the other. With a quick grab, he got her by the arm then pulled her down on the bed. He said, “So you want to play rough.” He began rubbing her face with his overnight beard. She begged, “Monty—stop—you’re gonna rub the skin off my face.” He teased, “That’s lesson number one, from now on you wake me gently with a kiss.” She laughed, “Oh listen to him. Haven’t you heard sugar is rationed?” He yawned, “In that case, I’ll just go back to sleep.” She kissed him, “How’s that?” He said, “Nope. You can do better than that.” She leaned over and kissed him long and tender. He whispered, “That’s better.”

  He got up, went to the bathroom, and began to shave. He said, “I like your hair.” Barbara said, “I put it up because it’s cooler.” She stood near him watching him shave. She said, “You know honey, I’m glad you don’t wear tight pants.” He stopped shaving and looked at her with a puzzled expression on his face. She started to laugh. She said, “What’s wrong?” He asked, “Why did you say that? Do you mind telli
ng me what’s in that brain of yours?” Barbara said, “I wouldn’t have a chance with you if you wore tight pants. You’re so well equipped, the girls would go wild over you.” Lamont chuckled then he threw a towel at her, “Get out of here.” He yelled from the bathroom, “What do we do today?” She answered, “Spend the morning at the beach, for lunch eat hot dogs, and tonight we live it up. We’ll go to a fancy place and eat and dance.” He came out of the bathroom, slipped on his pants, zipped them up, and said, “Okay kitten, grab a towel and let’s hit the beach.”

  They sunned for a while. Then Barbara got Lamont to the edge of the water, caught him off guard, and pushed him in the water just as a big wave came. She went running up the beach. When he got out of the water, she was way up the beach. When he did catch her, he scooped her up in his arms and said, “Now you’ve done it.” Barbara yelled, “You wouldn’t.” He laughed, “Wouldn’t I?” He waded out in the water waist deep and put her head under the water. She said, “My hair. Monty what will my hair look like tonight?” He chuckled, “It’s a mess isn’t it?” She took the pins out of her hair so it would dry. He stretched out on the sand. She asked, “How do you stay so tan?” He answered, “I stay on deck when we’re out in the Pacific. We better go, you’re turning pink.”

  As they walked towards the motel Lamont said, “Umm—look what’s coming our way.” Barbara said, “How can I help but see.” Lamont said, “Baby you need to wear something like that.” Barbara said, “Come on, let’s go to the motel before you have a heart attack.”

  He fell down on the bed, “I don’t believe you liked that outfit too well.” Barbara said, “Well, really two bandanna handkerchiefs isn’t very much.” He said, “That girl didn’t have anything you don’t have.” Barbara said, “No, but she had more of it in the right places.”

  They showered and dressed. Barbara put on a beautiful black dress that was backless. Lamont put on his dress uniform. Lamont called a taxi. They went to a very expensive night club. As they sipped their wine waiting on their meal, Barbara caught him looking at her several times. She asked, “Why are you looking at me that way?” His eyes met hers, “Only God knows how much I love you.” She put his hand to her lips and kissed it, “I love you too darling.”

  It was almost four a.m. when they got back to the motel. As they undressed Lamont said, “When this damn war is over and I get home, I’m getting rid of every tie and white shirt I’ve got.” She backed up to him, “Unzip me please.” He kissed her back, “You looked real sexy tonight.” S She said, “I wanted to for you.” Suddenly she began to cry. He turned her around facing him, “Hey baby.” She clung to him, “I’ve got a feeling I’ll never see you again.” He said, “I want you to listen to me. I’m coming back to you if I have to swim the Pacific. A year ago it really didn’t matter to me. All I thought of was killing Japs. It’s different now. I’ve got you. I want to marry you Barb. I want us to have a few kids to watch grow up. I want peace and quiet on my ranch and on cold mornings you and I will go hunting and eat breakfast in the woods. On cold nights I want to reach out and touch you. Do you think a damn Jap can keep me from all of that? I promise you my love, I will be back.” She touched his face with her finger tips, “I’m sorry I cried. I promised myself I wouldn’t.” He kissed her, “Let’s make love.”

  She woke early. Lamont wasn’t due on the ship until five p.m. Her plane left at four. She tried to go back to sleep. Lamont turned over and his arm went across her waist. She eased out of bed. She looked out the window. It was going to be a beautiful day. Barbara looked at Lamont sleeping, one arm over his head and the other resting on his chest. His blond hair looked like the wind had blown it. Barbara’s eyes rested on his face. She thought, “Monty Ellman you are so beautiful. Your smile is breathtaking. Your body is perfect. God sure knew what he was doing when he put you together darling.” He turned over and opened his eyes. He yawned, then he saw Barbara looking at him, “Good morning babe.” She went over to him and he put his arms around her. She said, “Morning darling.” Lamont said, “When you get home, tell everyone hello. I’m glad Allen is happy being a minister and Johnny has a business. He always wanted a business. His heart really wasn’t in being a rancher. Kiss Mom for me. She has really had it rough.” Barbara said, “Yes she has. I wish I was half as strong as she is.” Lamont asked, “What did Mom think about you coming here with me?” Barbara answered, “Well of course she didn’t approve, but she understands.” Lamont said, “That’s my Mom alright.”

  The day went by too fast for them. Soon they had to leave. They got a taxi and went to the airport. Lamont checked her bag. He said, “We’re a little early. Want to go to the lounge for a drink?” She said, “I’d rather go out on the top deck and watch the planes come and go.”

  Just as they got up there a big plane came in. Barbara asked, “Monty isn’t it hard to handle one of those planes?” He said, “Not if you know what you’re doing.” Barbara was trying to make conversation so she wouldn’t cry, “The plane you fly, isn’t it hard to land on a moving ship?” He said, “It is if the ocean is rough.” He looked at her and kissed her on the forehead. He asked, “Why all this interest in planes?” Barbara said, “I’m trying to not think about me leaving.” It was then her plane came in.

  Lamont walked to the gate with her. They just stood looking at each other for a second, then he very gently pulled her to him and held her. He said softly in her ear, “I love you Barbara.” She choked as she said, “I love you too for as long as I live.” He looked down at her, “Thank you baby for three of the happiest days of my life. I’ll have nice memories to think about on the ship.” He chuckled, I’ll probably get horny when I think of our nights.” Barbara said, “Monty, let me catch a later plane. We would have a little more time together.” He said, “No, I want to see you on that plane so I’ll know you’re alright.” Still clinging to him she said, “Monty I just can’t leave you. Let’s go to Canada or Mexico. I’d be happy living there with you.” He said, “You know I wouldn’t desert the Navy. You don’t mean it.” Over the PA system, they called her plane. He kissed her long and sweet. He looked at her as if he was trying to paint a picture of her in his mind, “So long angel baby.” It was all she could do to keep from crying as she went through the gate, she looked back, “I’ll be waiting for you.” He winked at her. When she got to the door of the plane, she turned and threw a kiss to him. He waved back. He watched the plane circle. Barbara saw him, tears were in his eyes. By the time the plane was in the sky, she was crying as if her heart would break.

  Ann met her. Barbara was so quiet in the car Ann asked her, “Is anything wrong?” She answered, “No. Ann it tore me apart when I had to get on the plane and leave him.” Ann sighed, “I wish this war would end.” Barbara said, “Ann, Monty asked me to marry him when he gets back. He’s gonna get a divorce just as soon as he can. He loves me, he really does love me.” Ann said, “Barbara that’s just wonderful!” Barbara looked at Ann driving, “How do you do it? I feel so dead inside about Monty.” Ann answered, “Just lie from day to day and pray that he will come back.”

  Everyone was happy to hear Lamont and Barbara would get married when the war was over.

  In May, David came home for a week. They all gathered at the Ellman house so everyone could be together to celebrate David coming home. The phone rang. It was Ellen’s father. When she came back in the living room she was so excited she could hardly talk. She said, “That was Dad. He heard over the radio that the war was over in Europe.” Everyone yelled. Alice turned the radio on. They heard the same news. Barbara asked, “What about the South Pacific?” Allen said, “It won’t be long until it will over now.” David said, “That’s right. We’ve got them on the run too.” Everyone began laughing and crying at the same time.

  The phone kept ringing. Neighbors and friends calling about the good news. Mrs. Ellman said, “Maybe it won’t be long until I’ll have my other sons home where they belong.”

  On a hot Sunday in July, the El
lmans were outside. The children were playing in the yard and the adults sitting on the big porch enjoying a cool breeze from the north when a police car came up the road. The same policeman got out of the car. He said, “Mrs. Ellman, I have a telegram from the Navy to you.” Everyone froze. Even the children stopped playing. Mrs. Ellman put her hand to her mouth, “Oh no, not again.” Johnny took the telegram and read it. Tears were in his eyes. Mrs. Ellman said, “Which one this time?” Johnny said, “It’s Monty.” Barbara screamed, “No! No! He promised he would come back.” The policeman said, “He was shot down over enemy territory.” Mrs. Ellman asked, “Is—he dead?” The policeman said, “They don’t know.” Allen said, “If they don’t know then he is missing.” Johnny said, “That’s what the telegram said, “Missing in action.” Barbara said, “He will be home. I know he will. He promised me.” Mrs. Ellman slowly sat down on the old rocking chair on the porch. Suddenly Barbara ran into the house yelling, “He promised—he promised me he would come back.” Ellen said, “Come on Alice. Ann and Carolyn will look after Mom Ellman, we’ve got to help Barbara.”