Blossoms of Love (22 page)

He went to the bathroom, shaved and showered, and put on a clean pair of jeans. They ate and Lamont sat back in his chair, patted his stomach, and said, “Baby you’ve out done yourself this time. The meal was very good. You’re gonna make a damn good cook.”

He helped her with the dishes. As she bathed, Lamont settled on his favorite chair listening to music on the radio. When she came in the den he asked, “Do you miss your piano?” She said, “Yes I do.” He said, “One of these days I’ll buy you one.” She went over and sat down on his lap, “I don’t really play that well.” Lamont disagreed, “I think you do. I use to listen to you when you didn’t know it.” She snuggled close to him, “How did you and Dave do today?” He answered, “Not too well. There’s too much snow to do much.” She asked, “Does that mean you won’t be going out in the morning?” He said, “No need to since it’s snowing now.” She giggled, “Good, we can make love all day tomorrow.” He laughed, “The hell we can.” She looked at him, “Why not?” He asked, “Since when do you like lovemaking so much?” She looked surprised, “Monty, you talk like I don’t like lovemaking.” Lamont said, “You don’t like it often. You’re not as passionate as I’d like for you to be. Maybe I like sex too much.” Natalie remarked, “Monty I didn’t realize I wasn’t satisfying you.” He said, ‘Hey now don’t get all alarmed over what I said. When you do want me you’re just great. That makes up for the times you don’t.” His hand went to her breast under her robe, “Like now. You want me. Tonight is gonna be another paradise.” She pulled her robe off her shoulders so Lamont could see her naked breasts, “Oh I do want you darling.”

Afterwards, when Lamont’s breathing became normal and quieter and she was in his arms, “Monty?” He answered, “Hmm.” She continued, “I want a baby.” He said, “So do I. Not just yet. I’d like for us to be better financially. By spring we should be.” Natalie said, “I need a baby more than you do. When you’re gone, I would have the baby to take care of.” He looked at Natalie. She looked much younger than she really was. He smiled, “Okay. If you want one that bad, we’ll have one.” She kissed him, “Oh Monty you’re the sweetest buy in the world.” He hugged her against him, “I just love you like hell honey.”

As the days passed, she was in hopes she would get pregnant. November came. She learned she wasn’t pregnant. She was so disappointed she cried. Ann came over and saw her, “Natalie, what on earth is wrong? Did you and Monty have a big fuss?” Natalie dried her eyes, “No. Oh Ann I was so sure I was pregnant. I learned a few minutes ago I wasn’t.” Ann asked, “You mean you want a baby that bad?” Natalie sighed, “Yes. I do want a baby.” Ann asked, “What about Monty? How does he feel about a baby.” Natalie said, “He doesn’t care. I mean, he would rather not have one this soon but he wants one. He would be happy if I did get pregnant.” Ann poured herself a cup of coffee, “A baby is wonderful. It completes a relationship between husband and wife.” Natalie asked, “Why doesn’t Alice and Berry have children? They have been married longer than you.” Ann said, “Alice can’t have children. The doctor told her that before she and Berry got married.” Natalie said, “Poor Alice.” Ann sipped her coffee, “I think they plan to adopt one soon. I’ll tell you a secret. Ellen thinks she’s pregnant again. Keep that under your hat until Ellen tells it herself. Johnny doesn’t even know she thinks she is.”

Thanksgiving Day. Ellen announced to everyone that she was pregnant. Natalie wished it was her. Christmas came and Natalie still wasn’t with child. She and Lamont were married a year. For the first time in years, it didn’t snow on Christmas day. There was snow on the ground. David went home for Christmas again. Natalie really wanted to go but she knew they didn’t have the money. She was homesick for Alabama. Like always, the Ellmans gathered at the Ellman house for Christmas dinner. After dinner, Allen got Johnny’s daughter and showed her how to play with one of her new toys. Cindy said, “He’s going to be a father so he’s getting in practice.” Everyone was happy for them. Johnny laughed, “Just imagine, our baby brother will be a daddy.” Ellen and Cindy discovered they were expecting just a few days apart. Allen asked his mother, “Mom, I’d like for Cindy to come here a few weeks before the baby is due. She’s alone a lot because of my practicing. I don’t want her alone at that time.” Mrs. Ellman said, “Why of course. I’d love for her to come.” They all knew Cindy’s parents were dead. They were killed in the same tornado Sharon was. Cindy was the only child who lived with an old maid aunt after her parents died. Natalie hugged her, “I’m so happy for you and Allen.” Cindy said, “Allen wasn’t so overjoyed about the baby at first but now I think he’s happy.” Berry said, “Now let me tell you our good news. Alice and I have our adoption papers started.” Alice said, “We have to wait for a period of time. There’s a little baby boy only a month old we’d like to have.” Ann said, “That’s great. Everybody has good news.” Paul said, “My news is good too. I start in my new office in February.” Leon said, “Okay, we’ve heard from everyone but Natalie and Monty.” Natalie said sadly, “We have no news.” Johnny laughed, “Get with it Monty. Here I’ve got number three on the way and you ain’t even started yet.” Lamont said, “I’m trying brother.” Ann slipped up behind Lamont and put her arms around his waist, “Well try harder bud. Your wife wants a baby real bad.” Lamont teased, “Maybe I need a little help from my brother Johnny. He seems to have what it takes.” They all laughed. Ellen said, “Oh he has that alright.” Alice said, “There’s a real good movie on in town. Let’s all go.” Everyone agreed. That made Natalie angry to think of the times she wanted to go somewhere and she couldn’t go home for Christmas because they didn’t have the money. Now Lamont was all for going to a movie and maybe a nightclub later. Mrs. Ellman said she would stay home with the children and Paul didn’t want to go either. So the others piled in two cars and left.

The movie was a good one and Berry and Alice suggested a nightclub and they would pay all the expenses. Lamont said, “No, that would be too much. Each family pay their own.” They all agreed. Johnny replied, “Wait on us. My old lady is craving water.” He got her some ice cold water from a fountain. While they were waiting in the car Lamont looked at Natalie, “What’s wrong honey? Are you feeling bad?” Natalie answered, “I feel alright.” Lamont said, “Get with it sugar. You’ve been wanting to go out. Now that we are you’re as quiet as a mouse.”

Natalie was too angry inside to be happy. After a few drinks Lamont didn’t seem to care if she was angry. He danced once with Ann and twice with Natalie. They all laughed and joked with each other. Natalie tried hard to join in the fun. Lamont knew she wasn’t enjoying herself.

It was late when they went home. Just as soon as they were in their house Lamont asked, “Okay Nat, what’s bugging you?” She said, “I’m just tired. I’m going to bed.” He said, “Like hell you are. Not until you tell me why you acted the way you did tonight. You’ve been after me for weeks to go out. I did take you out and you show your ass.” Natalie yelled, “Okay, you said we didn’t have the money to go out. Yet when someone else suggests going somewhere you’re all for it. I wanted to go home for Christmas but the same old thing, no money.” Lamont remarked, “You didn’t mention about going to Alabama.” Natalie asked, “Would it have done any good if I had?” Natalie dried her eyes, “Oh yes, there’s something else. I don’t like the way Ann hugs you and looks at you.” Lamont yelled, “You what!” He really got angry, “Ann is married to my brother. She doesn’t mean anything by it. She does all of us like that. Grow up Natalie. I’m beginning to wonder if I married a child instead of a woman.” She was crying again.

He went to the bedroom to undress for bed. She yelled at him as she came to the bedroom, “You’re selfish Monty!” She took a deep breath, “As long as you’re satisfied that’s all that matters.” He looked around at her, “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” She answered, “Just what I said. If you don’t want to go somewhere we don’t If you want to go hunting, you go. If you want me then I’m supposed to want you. I want a baby, you really don’t so I don’t get pregnant. Our marriage is one sided Monty. You do all the taking and I do all the giving.”

He began putting his clothes back on, “Don’t start that with me. I told you our money situation and you knew I liked hunting. You’re smothering me Natalie. As far as making love, I know all about that. You think making love is a duty that goes with being married. Maybe I am old fashioned but I thought when you loved someone you wanted them. Maybe that should tell me something. I’ve tried to get you pregnant. Did it ever occur to you it just might be your fault you’re not getting pregnant? Frankly, you're not mature enough to be a baby’s mother. A baby is a very big responsibility. I can’t live the way you want me to. You’re smothering the hell out of me Natalie. I can’t stay under your coat tail. If that’s what you want then you’ll just have to find someone else.” She yelled, “That’s what you want. You’re tired of being married.” He grabbed his jacket. She followed him, “Where are you going?” He answered, “Where there’s peace and quiet.” She begged, “Monty it’s one o’clock in the morning. Don’t you dare go off and leave me alone. You’ll be sorry if you go.” He opened the door, “I’ll be sorry if I stay.”

She stood in the doorway and watched him walk toward the stables. It had started to snow. She slammed the door shut. She went to their bedroom and cried. This was the worst argument they’d had.

At daybreak the snow was falling hard. She watched for Lamont to come back. She went to the kitchen and made coffee. She poured her a cup. She went to the living room. There was the piano Lamont had given her for Christmas. She cried to herself, “Oh Monty come home.”

As the day passed into late afternoon, Natalie began to really get worried. Had he gone off in the snow on his horse? David was still in Alabama. She didn’t want to alarm Mrs. Ellman. She decided she would drive over to Berry or Johnny’s house. They lived about the same distance from her. Then she decided to go to Johnny’s house since he lived in town and it would be easier to get there. She took her gown off. She was putting her panties on when she heard the back door open. She hurried in the kitchen. Someone threw a cap inside the kitchen and asked, “Is it safe?”

Oh how glad she was to hear that teasing voice of Lamont’s. By the time she got to the door, he was inside. She flung herself in his arms and cried, “Hold me Monty.” He kissed her, “I’m sorry baby. I have been unfair to you.” She looked up at him. He continued to say, “All I ask is don’t smother me. Don’t cling. I have to feel free enough to be a man.” She said, “I do love you Monty. I’m sorry I’m not one to respond to sex as often as you want. I’ll go to Dr. Morris . . “ “No, you be the way you’re supposed to be.” He said, “I didn’t mean what I said, you satisfy me.” She disagreed, “I don’t Monty. I know I don’t.” He put his hands on each side of her face, “I’ve got to be more patient with you. We’ve both got a lot to learn about each other.” Natalie said, “Monty we have to make this marriage last. I just couldn’t loose you.” He smoothed her hair from her forehead, “You’re not gonna loose me.”

He went to shower and shave. She followed him, “I have coffee made. Want some breakfast?” He answered, “Not yet. I want to get cleaned up first.” He undressed and she saw him standing in front of the basin completely naked, shaving. She thought, “Oh Monty you’re so beautiful, so manly, and so well equipped.” She smiled when she looked at his hair, as always unruly. It never looked combed unless he plastered it down with hair oil. She went over to the dresser and looked at herself in the mirror. She was always pleased with her body. She heard the shower turn on. Suddenly her desire for her husband rose. She wanted Lamont. She took her bra and panties off. She looked in the mirror again. She smiled as the thought, “Yes Natalie, you have a nice figure.” She ran her hands over her breasts. Her breasts were shaped beautifully even though they were large. She laid down on the bed to wait for her husband. She couldn’t remember ever wanting him so much. She heard the shower cut off. She got very excited knowing in seconds he could come in the room. When he saw Natalie lying on the bed naked he was really surprised, but pleased. His desires went sky high when he looked at his wife’s nude body. He put the towel down, “What does my baby want?” She looked up at him, “You. Oh Monty I’ve never wanted you so much.” He laid down beside her then roughly grabbed her in his arms. He whispered, “Oh god Natalie, I’ve been waiting a long time for you to want me this much.” She clung to him pressing her body to his. This time there was very little petting. He didn't have to build her up to a fiery climax, she was already there. They were both lost in a sweet paradise of love. Nothing mattered but their togetherness, two bodies as one, two bodies feeling the divine fulfillment from the other. Such sweetness Lamont would never forget and a wonderful sensation of love that Natalie wanted again.

Afterwards as she laid her head on his shoulder, there was silence as they enjoyed the contentment that came after their climax. Lamont said, “We’ve made it sweetheart. We’ve found each other and I’ve never been so damn happy in my life. You’re everything I knew you would be. You’ve awakened to me and I love you like hell.” Natalie said, “I’ve never felt such a sweet sensation.” He said, “It’s because you really wanted me. You’ll never know what that means to me.” She said softly, I know I want to always love you this way. When I saw you standing in the bathroom naked, something happened to me. Suddenly I needed you. You’re mine and I want you for keeps.” He grinned, “Seeing me naked? If that sets you off I’ll never wear any clothes in the house.” She laughed, “Not a bad idea.” He said, “Now I’m hungry.” She put on her robe, “I’ll go fix it.”

When she was gone, he stayed in bed thinking of their lovemaking. He thought, “Married over a year and Natalie has just awakened to the beautiful pleasures God gave a man and a woman.”

It wasn’t long until she called him that breakfast was ready. He came into the kitchen. She giggled, “Lamont Ellman put some clothes on. Someone may come.” He teased, “I was just trying to please you.” She said, “That’s fine but what you have belongs to me and no one else. I don’t intend to share it, not even a peep.” He laughed, “Well, maybe you’re right. You’d never keep women from our door if they did see me.” She flipped him with a dish towel, “Get out of here Romeo.” She could hear him laughing as he went to the bedroom to get dressed.