Blossoms of Love

  David came in the room, “How’s our patient this morning?” Barbara said, “He’s much better. He’s already getting sassy.” David looked at his best friend, “Hi buddy.” Lamont said, “I’m sorry Dave, but I knew when I started chilling what was happening. We were too far out. I passed out before you got me here.” David said, “You just take it easy. Everything is going off well. Jesse is a fine foreman and he has picked out a good bunch of men. The fence will all be repaired by the last of the week.” Lamont sighed, “I think I will take it easy today. I feel so damn tired.”

  Dr. Morris came back late that afternoon. He told Barbara and Lamont that he must take it easy for at least two weeks. Dr. Morris said, “I don’t want you doing anything that will take much of your energy.” The doctor said, “It’s up to you to see that he does it.”

  When the doctor was gone Barbara smiled and said, “I’ll have you at least two whole weeks every day.” Lamont said, “I wouldn’t bet on that.” Barbara said, “Okay, if you don’t do what the doctors said for you to do, that means no lovemaking either.” Lamont said, “You don’t mean it.” She looked at him, “Try me.” Lamont said, “Damn! You do mean it.” Barbara said, “You got to do what the doctor tells you. Just a few hours ago you were out of your head.” Lamont pulled her close to him and kissed her, “I’ll be good. I was teasing. The way I feel now, it wouldn’t get hard if I froze it.” Barbara laughed, “You’re a real nut. Now you close your eyes and rest. I’ll be back in a little while.”

  The next week, Lamont was up out of bed but only to be around the house. He got Barbara and Sara to set a chair and small table out on the porch. He hated being inside all day. Late that afternoon, David came by. He sat down on the steps near Lamont, “How are you feeling?” Lamont said, “I feel okay except I can’t get my energy back. Is everything going alright?” David said, “All the new stock is branded. The fence is all mended, and tomorrow the men are going up in the canyon to get the pregnant mares.” Lamont grinned, “Hey, you people don’t need me.” David said, “Oh yes, we’ll always need you around. The men have worked like hell since you got sick because they like you.” Lamont said “Jesse is a damn good foreman. He knows how to get work out of them and they respect him.” David said, “We were lucky to get Jesse.” Lamont said, “Yea, I know. Dave one of these days I’m not gonna make it through a siege. I know that and so do you. Each time I feel more taken out of me.” David looked at Lamont, “That doesn’t sound like you Monty.” Lamont sighed, “I’ve stopped kidding myself. The rate I’m going this time, I’ll be laid up longer than two weeks. Dave, if and when the time does come for me—will you promise you will look after Barbara and Robbie? Barbara is a strong willed girl but she has built her whole future around me. This ranch is too much for her to take over, yet I don’t want it to go down. When I get over this, I’m going to have a will made for the ranch to be in your hands until Robbie is twenty-one. It is big enough to take care of itself, moneywise. All you would have to do is keep a good foreman and men. Will you do this?” David said, “You know I will. Monty I don’t like hearing you talk like this.” Lamont said, “Well I’m not planning to kick up my heels any time soon. I just want to be sure Barbara and Robbie will be taken care of. It pays to look ahead. Dave this is just between you and me. Nobody else.” David said, “You bet.”

  In September, they all went to a rodeo. On their way back home, Robbie asked Lamont if he ever rode a bucking horse. Lamont began telling him about the time he and Johnny each won a trophy and some money.

  As Lamont and Barbara undressed for bed Barbara asked, “Where is your trophy? I don’t remember seeing it at Moms.” Lamont said, “It isn’t there. It was a pretty thing. All gold with a bucking horse on top. You see, the day Lamont Ellman was it he was a big hero.” Lamont got into bed beside Barbara and he continued, “There was this blond. Man she was some chick. After I’d won my trophy, I found a car top to set on to see the rest of the rodeo. It was hot as hell that do so I pulled my shirt off. I was all interested in the calf roping when I felt two hands rubbing my back. I looked around and saw one of the most beautiful girls I’d ever seen. She wasn’t wearing much either. We got real friendly. I found Johnny and told him I was leaving for a little while. I bought a bottle or two and she and I went to a motel. Honey let me tell you, you can’t go by looks. She wasn’t very good on making love. Of course, it could have been partly my fault too. I was too drunk to do much. When I woke up a few hours later, she was gone and so was my trophy and all the money I had. She really took me. I had to hitch hike back to the rodeo. When I got there the rodeo was over, Johnny was gone, I was broke, and had a bad hangover. The funny part of it all was I beat Johnny and Berry home because they looked for me everywhere.” Lamont looked at Barbara and Laughed, “So that’s the story of my trophy. I tried to win one the next year but another fellow beat me.” Barbara said, “She should have at least left you the trophy.” Lamont said, “She sold it.” Barbara asked, “Was she real pretty?” Lamont said, “Yes, she was very pretty.” Barbara asked, “What was her name?” Lamont said, “Honey I don’t know. That’s been a long time ago. I was only seventeen.” He reached over and pulled her to him, “You know a guy doesn’t really know how wonderful a woman can be until he is older, settled, and has a wife. Loving you is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. When you’re a young man, you think you have to get stoned before you can make love, I guess you’re trying to prove something. Anyway, really if you’re full of booze you can’t enjoy sex. You either get ready too soon or you can’t get it up at all. The girl either way can’t enjoy it.” Lamont kissed her tenderly, “Those days in California, I was awakened to real love. I knew I never wanted to make love to anyone else any more.” Barbara asked, “What about when we were in Japan together?” Lamont said, “I guess I just wasn’t ready for you then.” Barbara asked, “What about Natalie?” Lamont said, “At first she was great in bed but it didn’t take her long to loose interest.” Barbara asked, “Do you ever think about her?” Lamont answered, “No. Natalie will never grow up.” He leaned over and kissed Barbara on the breast. Barbara said, “I’m really jealous of her.” Lamont looked surprised, “Why baby?” Barbara said, “Oh I guess because she got you first.” Lamont said, “Believe me, there is no place in my life for Natalie any more.” Barbara kissed him, “I know that but I still can’t help feeling a little bit jealous of her. Maybe it’s because she is so pretty and I’m not.” Lamont held her closer, “You’re beautiful to me.” They made love and it was just as beautiful as ever.

  Two weeks later Leon and Ann got another motorcycle. This one was for Ann. They wanted to enter the races. They came over to see Lamont because he had been in races before. Leon said, “We would like for you to give us some pointers on racing.” Ann asked, “Monty, have you done everything?” Lamont grinned, “Yea, just about. I was always one who looked to try things just to see if I could do it.” Leon said, “That’s why Monty was so good with his fists. He had lots of practice with five brothers. He just wouldn’t stop until he won the fight.” Lamont laughed, “I remember one time Berry and me got into it over a damn pair of jeans. Berry nearly beat me to death.” Leon said, “Yea I remember that. I was about twelve. Dad was gone to town with Johnny to get feed for the stock. Mom came running upstairs and tried to stop the fighting but she couldn’t She had to just let you fight.” Lamont chuckled, “Berry would have beat me to death but he gave out before I did. The worse thing was when Dad and Johnny got back home. Mom was so upset, Dad really laid it on us.” Lamont gave them some pointers on racing.

  The whole Ellman family went to see Leon and Ann race. Leon came in second place and Ann won the women’s race. Leon told his family, “Oh boy, I’ll never live this down.” Lamont said, “Get ready brother, here she comes.” Ann did tease Leon a lot. Leon said, “I’ll have to take her out to eat tonight. I’d never get her to cook.” Ann laughed, “How right you are my dear husband.” Barbara said, “Well I don’t bla
me her, she needs to celebrate.” Berry said, “You ain’t got a chance Leon.” Leon laughed, “Don’t I know it.”

  Lamont and Barbara stopped at the grocery store for a few things they had ran out of. When they got home, Sara met them at the door, “Monty there’s been an accident. Leon and Ann. I guess they are in the hospital by now.” Lamont and Barbara hurried back to the car.

  On their way to the hospital Barbara said, “I just can’t believe it. We were just with them an hour ago.”

  Lamont was pale as a ghost when they hurried in the hospital. Barbara had a hard time keeping up with him. The nurse told Lamont they were both in emergency. Lamont asked the policeman, “What the hell happened?” The policeman said, “A car was passing another and hit Leon head on. It killed three people in the other car. If Leon hadn’t been in his truck it would have been worse.”

  Lamont was pacing up and down in front of the emergency room when Allen and Cindy got there. Then David and Mrs. Ellman came. Soon everyone was there. It seemed such a long time before they saw Leon come out of the room. He had cuts all over his face and a broken nose. Then Dr. Morris and two nurses came wheeling Ann on a stretcher to the operating room. They were in a hurry. The whole family gathered around Leon. He said, “They’ve got to operate on Ann. She has brain damage and a punctured lung.” A nurse came into the room and gave Leon a shot. Everyone stayed with Leon.

  The minutes ticked slowly by. Leon looked at Lamont, “If I loose her—I’ve lost everything.” Allen said, “Let’s pray while we wait.” The family all got down on their knees and Allen prayed.

  The operation lasted five and a half hours. Lamont and Johnny were the only ones who could keep Leon from going to pieces. Finally, Dr. Morris came in the waiting room still wearing the green clothes he wore while operating. He said, “I think she will be alright Leon. The brain damage wasn’t as bad as the x-rays looked.” Leon sighed with relief. Dr. Morris suggested, “I think you should stay in the hospital tonight.” Leon said, “Sure, anything you say.”

  They all stayed until Leon was settled in bed. Barbara and Alice offered to stay but Dr. Morris said, “There’s no need for that. When Ann comes from recovery, we’ll put her in the room with Leon. There will be a nurse with her for the next twenty-four hours.”

  On their way home Barbara sighed, “That was a close call.” Lamont said, “I’ll never forget the look on Leon’s face when he told me if he lost Ann he would loose everything. He wanted me to tell him she would be alright. I couldn’t say anything.”

  When they got to the door, before he opened it, he took Barbara in his arms and said, “I know just how he felt. If I lost you, I’d loose everything too.” Barbara said, “I know darling. If I lost you, I would too.” He kissed her tenderly. He held her close, “I didn’t think I could love anyone so much. You’re a part of me. You’re my reason for everything I do. I just hope we have many years together.” Barbara said, “Oh so do I, but no matter how many years we have, we’ve already had more than most people.”

  Leon got out of the hospital the next day. Ann got out the last day of October.

  The first week in November, the mayor of the town asked Lamont and David if they would allow their names to be placed in a magazine. A feed company out of Butte, Montana, picked their ranches for them to advertise. Lamont and David agreed to it. Some men from the magazine came to the ranches and looked them over. They were really impressed. One of the men said, “Mr. Ellman, Mr. Agar you have got fine ranches. To be so large I don’t see how you keep them in tip top shape.” David said, “We have a fine foreman and good men working for him.” The men met both families. “Not only do you have lots of land, but you both have beautiful house. The big one on the hill, is it on the ranches too?” Lamont said, “It’s on my land. People here know it as the Ellman house. My father built the house when he and my mother came here. My mother lives there now.” The man looked over his notes. Sara brought them coffee. One of the men said, “Mr. Ellman, you were born here on this ranch. You are the second son of six boys. Mr. Agar was born in Mobile, Alabama. You both met in the Navy. Both of you served time in the Navy during World War II. Mr. Ellman’s wife was the daughter of a Navy officer and Mr. Agar’s wife was born in Idaho. Mr. Ellman you have one son who is three and Mr. Agar has two daughters, nine and two, and a son seven. Let’s see, I’ve got how large the ranches are and how many men work for you. Your foreman’s name is Jesse King. I think that just about covers it.” The other man said, “No you both will receive two free years of our magazine. There will be reporters and camera men here for two days. They will start tomorrow.” They shook Lamont and David’s hands, “Thank you very much.” David grinned as the men drove away, “Wow, one of those men could talk a mile a minute.” Lamont said, “They talk too damn much.”

  Barbara was brushing her hair when Lamont came in the bedroom. She asked, “Are they gone?” Lamont said, “Yea. I was beginning to think they were going to stay all night. If I’d known it was gonna be like this, I wouldn’t have agreed to it.” Barbara said, “Cheer up darling, you wife will get a mink stole.” He looked at her, “If my wife wanted a mink stole, her husband would get her one.” She laughed, “Your wife isn’t too crazy for one but since it is free, I’ll take it. Really Monty, it will be nice to have a magazine about the ranch and us.” She got into bed. He undressed and went to take a shower. When he came back in the room she said, “Well, since my husband is in a bad mood, I guess he isn’t interested in making love.” He looked at her and grinned, then flipped her with a towel, “Who said I was in a bad mood?” He crawled in bed under the sheet beside her, “Since you’re all cocked and ready, I suppose I’ll have to ease your pain.” Barbara said, “Well, don’t do me any favors.” He put her hand on him, “Are you sure this is what you want?” He brushed his lips across hers. That was his way of teasing her before he kissed her. She whispered, “Yes. I’m very sure.”

  By noon the next day, Lamont and David’s ranches were covered with men, cameras, and people who came to watch. As they ate lunch Lamont grumbled, “This is a hell of a day. I’m glad they won’t be back tomorrow. They thought it would take two days but they brought enough men to do the job today.” Barbara said, “Oh stop being so grumpy. You should be proud, you’ve got a ranch that will be in a leading magazine. Just think of how many people that will see the ranch and read about it.” Lamont gave her a sarcastic look. Barbara smiled, “Darling, please look pleasant when they take your picture. I intend to show it to our grandchildren.” Lamont laughed, “Okay. I’ll be pleasant.”

  Jesse came in the kitchen, “If you’re through eating boss, they want to take our pictures together.” Lamont got up from his chair, “Come on Jesse, let’s break the camera for them.” Barbara teased, “Who knows, you may get a movie contract out of this.” Lamont gave Barbara a quick glance, “You know Jesse, this wife of mine is a damn idiot sometimes.”

  At supper time, Lamont sighed with relief, “Well that’s over. Now we can start living a normal life.” Robbie asked, “Will my picture be in the magazine too?” Barbara answered, “Yes it will honey.” Sara laughed, “They even took my picture.”

  A blanket of snow covered the ground three weeks later. Summer was gone for another year. Lamont and Barbara spent a lot of time hunting.

  Just a few days before Thanksgiving, Lamont and David gave Jesse and the ranch hands a month off with pay for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Most of the men went to their homes. Jesse and Sara had no family or relatives to visit except Sara had a sister that lived in Idaho. They would spend a weekend with her, Sara wouldn’t go at Thanksgiving. Even though the families gather at the Ellman house, Sara wanted to cook for Lamont and Barbara. Lamont was glad because she made the best oyster dressing he ever ate. Barbara said as Sara was making the dressing, “I understand why Mom Ellman is such a good cook with six boys and a husband, but you’re a very good cook and don’t have any children.” Jesse said, “She was a good cook when I married her.” He laughed, �
�In fact, when I ate a piece of her apple pie one Sunday at her house, I made up my mind she would be my wife.” Lamont and Barbara laughed. Jesse said, “Sara came from a very large family.” Sara smiled, “Yes, I was the oldest of eleven children.” Barbara said, “Eleven! I thought the Ellmans were a large family.” Lamont said, “People like to have big families out here. We have lots of room to raise them.” Sara said, “We lived on a potato farm in Idaho. I was always kind of sickly. My mother put me to cooking instead of working in the fields. There were nine boys, my sister, and me.” Lamont said, “You speak of your sister often. What about your brothers?” Sara’s face grew very sad, “My youngest brother was killed in a truck coming from town with my father. A tire blew out and caused them to have a wreck. He was thrown out and hit a tree. He was only fifteen. My father never did get over it. He blamed himself. My other brothers were in service during the war. Four of them didn’t come back. One is in a mental hospital and will be there for the rest of his life. He cracked up in the fight at Aiwa Jima.” Barbara said, “That’s where Monty was.” Lamont said, “I can understand why it happened to him. I damn near did myself.” Sara continued, “The other three brothers are living in the east. One lives in New York. He married a girl from there. The other two are still in service. My parents are both dead. The accident crippled my father and he didn’t live long after that. My mother died three years later.” Barbara sighed, “Everyone has their troubles.” Jesse said, “Yes they do. But a person has to be big enough to overcome the bad things that happen to them. God didn’t say life would be perfect. He only promises us a paradise after death if we believe in him.” Sara smiled at Jesse, “He has given me a wonderful life. I just regret I couldn’t give him children.” Jesse said, “That couldn’t be helped.” Robbie said, “You got me.” They all laughed, “Sara hugged Robbie, “We sure do.” Lamont said, “We are your family.” Sara said, “I’m glad. Jesse and I have never been as happy as we are here.”