Blossoms of Love (19 page)

Lamont put on a suit and tie because he knew Natalie liked to see him dressed up. He quietly opened the door to her room. She was sitting up in bed looking much better. He said, “Hello baby.” She looked toward the door, “Wow, aren’t you dressed up.” He grinned, “I’ve got a very heavy date.” She smiled, “Oh?” “Yea, with the sweetest girl I know. She has a figure that will knock your eyeball out. I know because I spent three glorious nights with her in the mountains.” Natalie teased, “What a lucky girl she is.” He leaned over and kissed her, “She’s not half as lucky as I am.” Natalie traced her finger along his mouth, “That is a matter of opinion.” He asked, “Feeling better?” Holding his hand she said, “Yes I am.” He said, “You’re sure looking a lot better.” She said, “It’s because you’re here now.” She scooted over on the bed, “Sit down beside me.” He asked, “Have you seen Dr. Morris today?” She answered, “Yes, he was here just before lunch. He’s well pleased with my foot. The medicine is killing the infection.” She looked at her husband, “You’ve been worried about me haven’t you? You’ve got me now and you’re not gonna loose me.” He grinned, “I won’t mind for the next seventy years.” Natalie said, “Mother and Dad were here. Since I’ve improved so much, they’re leaving tomorrow.” Lamont said, “Dave said to tell you he’ll be here later.” Natalie turned his head with her hand until their eyes met, “Monty, I know about Mother having one of her tantrums. I wish she hadn’t. All of us are use to it but you all aren’t. I just wish she would be a nice person. She can be when she wants to.” Lamont said, “I didn’t tell you because I was afraid it would upset you.” Natalie remarked, “No, it didn’t upset me. Like I said, we are use to her ways. We never know what to expect.” Natalie leaned back on her pillow, “We sure got off to a bad start, didn’t we?” Lamont said, “I was thinking we reached heaven a few times.” Natalie said, “I don’t mean sex. I mean we didn’t get to do the things we planned. You were going to teach me to skate and ski and we were going to dance on the rooftop by soft music. You said the ballroom was on top of the lodge completely surrounded by glass.” Lamont said, “I’ll take you back one of these days.” Natalie said, “I’ll ask Dr. Morris how long I’ll be here. He said if I keep improving the way I am, I could go home in a few days.” He looked at her and winked, “That’s great.” Natalie asked, “When will we move in our house?” He said, “Just as soon as you pick out the furniture.” She said, “Oh Monty, I’m so excited about the house.” She could see it pleased him very much.

David opened the door just sticking his head in, “Hello there.” Natalie laughed, “come on in you nut.” David looked at his sister, “Well, you sure don’t look sick.” Lamont teased, “Just between you and me Dave, I think she needed a rest. I was too much for her.” Natalie playfully hit Lamont, “You were not! I didn’t ask to be put in here.” David kissed his sister, “Seriously honey, how are you feeling?” Natalie answered, “Lots better. I think I’ll live. Monty’s not gonna be rid of me yet.”

Before visiting hours were over, all the Ellmans came to see Natalie. Johnny and Ellen brought her flowers, Berry and Alice brought her candy, and Ann and Leon brought her magazines to read. When everyone had left Lamont said, “I better go before they run me off.” He took a small box from his coat, “Here’s something to look at.” She opened the box and saw a small, gold locket with her birthstone. On the back it read, “To my girl of paradise.” Natalie said, “Oh Monty I love it. I’ll cherish it always. Thank you my darling.”

A nurse came into the room, “I’m sorry Mr. Ellman but visiting hours are over.” He kissed Natalie, “I told you they were going to run me off.” She watched her husband go to the door. He looked back and winked at her. The nurse said, “Time for your shot Mrs. Ellman.” Natalie turned to get the shot, “I can’t get use to being called Mrs. Ellman, but I like it.” The nurse asked, “How long have you been married?” Natalie answered, “Just four days.” The nurse said, “Okay, you can turn over. So you’re a brand new bride.” She straightened Natalie’s cover, “I hope you don’t mind my saying so, but you’ve got a very handsome husband.” Natalie beamed, “I don’t mind. I’m use to women looking at him. I knew him for five years before we were married.”

The next morning Mr. and Mrs. Agar came to see Natalie. They kissed her goodbye and left. David came to see his sister early so he could feed the stock and let Lamont have longer to stay with Natalie. He was walking down the corridor, turned the corner, and ran into a nurse with a try of pills. The tray went one way and the pills went another. She got angry, “Can’t you see where you’re going?” David tried to apologize, “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.” She said, “You’re darn right it is.” He picked up the tray and handed it to her, “I’ll pick every pill up.” Suddenly she seemed more calm, “Never mind. I couldn’t give them to the patients now.” David said looking at her tag on her uniform, “I’m sorry Miss Grey.” She smiled slightly, “I accept. You look like you mean it.” David liked her looks and she had a voice like Sharon. He said, “I wonder if you could tell me which room my sister is in?” The nurse asked, “What’s her name?” He answered, “Natalie Ellman.” The pretty nurse said, “You have a very bad memory. I think it was yesterday I saw you coming out of her room.” They both began laughing. David said, “I’d like to buy you lunch to show you how sorry I am.” To his surprise she said, “Alright. I get my lunch hour in twenty minutes.” David grinned, “Good, I’ll meet you at the elevator.” When Natalie saw her brother’s face she asked, “What has happened to you? You look extra happy.” David said, “I ran into a very pretty nurse.” Natalie looked at him wide eyed, “Oh really?” David said laughing, “Yes, and I mean I ran into her. I was hurrying to see you and when I turned the corner there she was. The tray went one way and the pills went everywhere.” Natalie laughed, “You didn’t! Which nurse was it?” David answered, “All I know is Miss Grey.” Natalie remarked, “Oh she is real cute. She just got out of training.” David leaned back in the chair, “I’m having lunch with her today.” Natalie said, “You’re kidding.” “No I’m not. In twenty minutes I meet her at the elevator.” he said, “Natalie said, “I’m really glad. It’s time you started going with girls again.” David sighed, “Maybe. I haven’t been interested in going with anyone.” Natalie said, “Look Dave, perhaps you’ll never love another like you did Sharon but you’re young and you need someone. I know what your dreams were—just like mine. Someone to love, a home, and children.” David said, “I almost had all of that once. It hurts too bad to loose it all. I don’t know if I want to try again.” Natalie said, “Well you’ll never know unless you get out and meet people. For the last eight months you’ve lived around the ranch.” David said, “Oh I’ve been out a few times.” Natalie grinned, “Sure, but only to satisfy your need for sex. I’m talking about meeting the right girl. A nice girl.” Natalie leaned back on her pillow, “Dave I want you to be as happy as I am. Ever since I married it seems I’m in a dreamland, all roses and happiness. Monty is so sweet and considerate. I never dreamed he could be so gentle, so understanding, and lovable. I remember what Dad said, that he was rough and wild.” David said, “The guy loves you sis. When a man loves a woman, he wants to protect her, to take care of her. If he couldn’t do that it would damage his ego. Dad was right. Monty is rough and he does have a wild streak, but like I said, he loves you. To Monty, his wife and family will always come first. You know how I feel about Monty. I love him just as you do. I don’t think you could have fallen in love with anyone any better.” Natalie agreed. David looked at his watch, “It’s time for me to go.” He kissed her, “See you tomorrow.”

He waited at the elevator about five minutes before the pretty nurse met him. She was very pretty. She was short, small, her hair was reddish brown, her eyes dark brown, and her smile was sweet. She asked, “Have you been waiting long?” He said, “No, not long at all.”

As they rode the elevator to the main floor where the cafeteria was, David said, “You really surprised me when you accepted my asking you to eat lunch.” She said, “I felt a little guilty because I got so angry with you.” In the cafeteria, they got their trays and went through the line. It was very crowded. They looked around and found a table in the far corner of the room. When they were seated and began to eat David said, “My name is David Agar.” She smiled, “I know. You’re twenty-six, you’re from Mobile, Alabama, but you’re living on a ranch with the Ellmans. You’ve been married but lost your wife over eight months ago.” David was very surprised, “You’ve been talking to my sister. She’s a big talker. Since you know so much about me, I think it would be nice to know about you.” She smiled, “I’m Carolyn Grey. I’m twenty-one. I just finished nurses training, I’m from a small town in Idaho and I’ve never been married.” David said, “Carolyn is a pretty name. It seems to suit you.” Carolyn asked, “Do you like this country?” David answered, “Yes I do. I’m thinking about buying a ranch of my own.” Carolyn smiled, “I’ve never lived on a ranch. My family has always lived in town. My father is the postmaster at our small post office.” David said, “My brother-in-law taught me everything I know about ranching. When my wife was killed, he talked me into coming here and living with them for a while. I’m glad I did.” Carolyn said, “This brother-in-law and you must be real good friends.” David sighed, “We’re much closer than friends. We met in service. We were in the Navy together. I’m sure you’ve seen him here. He’s Natalie’s husband.” Carolyn remarked, “Oh yes I saw him. He’s very good looking.” David said, “If I hadn’t had Monty around to give me a lift, I guess I’d went off the deep end. You see, I didn’t only loose a wife, I lost an unborn baby. Only one more month and it would have been born.” He looked at Carolyn, “I don’t know what got into me. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bore you with my past.” Carolyn said, “You haven’t bored me. I’m a very good listener.”

She looked at her watch, “I’ve enjoyed our lunch and our talk David. It’s about time for me to get back to work.” David smiled, “I’ve enjoyed it too—Carolyn, would you consider going to a movie or having dinner or even both with me some evening?” Their eyes meet. Each liked what the other saw. She said, “Yes David. I think I’d like that. My night off is Sunday.” David asked, “Day too?” She laughed, “Yes, I have all day.” David suggested, “Then why don’t we do both? Have a nice, quiet dinner then a movie.” She answered, “Alright David, it’s a date.”

He walked to the elevator with her. Just as she stepped inside the elevator David asked, “Hey, where do you live?” She said, “At the nurses home next door to this hospital.” David asked, “What time? Six o’clock?” She nodded her head as the elevator door closed.

David walked around town for a while thinking about his past and about the girl he’d just met. He thought to himself, “Could it be possible he could fall in love again? Could it be possible to find another woman who would love him and give him the kind of life he wanted?” He sighed and put the thoughts out of his mind. He decided he’d better get back so Lamont could go see Natalie.

On Friday, the doctor put Natalie’s foot and ankle in another cast. When they were finished with the cast the doctor told Natalie, “The nurse will bring your crutches. I think you can go home today. Now remember, no weight on that ankle. I want to see you in my office in two weeks.” Natalie asked, “How long will I have to wear this cast?” He answered, “At least six weeks.”

As Lamont and Natalie rode home, suddenly he pulled off on the side of the road. He turned and looked at his wife then he said, “Hello Mrs. Ellman.” She asked, “Why are we parked here?” He reached out and pulled her over to him then kissed her hungrily. He said, “I wanted to kiss you.” She smiled, “I’m so glad to get out of the hospital and be with you.” Lamont replied, “I wish we were going to our house instead of Mom’s.” She agreed, “So do I. Will you go with me to pick out our furniture in a few days?” He said, “Sure I’ll go with you.”

When they got to the Ellman house, the whole family except Paul and Allen were there to welcome Natalie. Paul and Allen had both left that morning. Allen went back to playing football and Paul was starting his practice at a hospital in Seattle. Allen was a pro football player now. The Ellmans went to see him play a lot. Lamont opened the car door and helped her out and onto the crutches. As they started Natalie said, “Let me try these crutches by myself. Just stand by in case I start to fall.” She walked a few steps, “Just think, I’ve got to use these darn things for six weeks.” Lamont remarked, “That’s better than staying in bed honey.”

When they opened the door, everyone yelled from the inside “Welcome home Natalie.” Tears came to her eyes. She stopped inside the door and Lamont shut the door behind her. Natalie said, “It’s just wonderful to be loved by so many.” They all gathered around them. In a few minutes Mrs. Ellman said, “Come on everyone. The food is ready.” Mrs. Ellman had baked a big cake and the others brought dishes of different foods. They all gathered around the table. The afternoon past very fast for everyone. When the Ellmans got together laughing and joking, the time seemed to go faster because they had so much fun. All of the Ellman boys liked to tease and so did David. Mrs. Ellman would sit back and listen and enjoy her family.

It was past nine o’clock when the last ones left. Natalie was tired but she didn’t want anyone to know for fearing of hurting someone’s feelings. She said, “I wish our family was a close-knit family.” David said, “Yes, so do I. We have missed out on a lot of happiness.” Lamont said, “When we were growing up, all we had was each other. I guess that’s why we’re so close.” Mrs. Ellman said, “We had plenty to eat but that was all except for love. The boys were always fighting each other. But if one got into trouble, the others were always there to help him out.” Mrs. Ellman smiled, “Johnny was always the leader, Monty the protector. He could fight better than the others. Berry was the troublemaker. He liked to get them all into trouble just so they could show everyone they could win a fight. Leon was the bragger. He was always bragging about the fights they’d win. Paul didn’t like fighting but he would do his part. Even then he would try to heal the bruises and black eyes. Allen was next to Monty with his fists. Even though he was the youngest, he was always big.” Lamont laughed, “He use to follow me around every chance he got. I guess I taught him so bad habits.” Natalie said, “Mom Ellman, I just don’t see how you made it.” Mrs. Ellman smiled, “I had help. Their father kept them under control.” Lamont said, “He sure did. Dad could whip harder than anyone.” Natalie said, “I bet you got plenty of whippings.” Lamont said, ‘Yes I got a lot but not as many as I should have.” Mrs. Ellman said, “I guess Monty and Berry got more whippings than the others. They were harder to handle. Monty was stubborn and Berry was lazy.” David yawned, “I think I’ll hit the sack. I’ll see you all in the morning.” Natalie said, “I think I will too, I’m tired.” Lamont gave her a quick look. She knew he was wondering if she was too tired to make love.