Blossoms of Love (51 page)

Davie smiled, “Another girl. I was wishing for a boy but another daughter will be nice.” Lamont said, “I’m going with Barbara to the airport in an hour. She’s going back this evening.”

Suddenly Natalie began grasping for breath. David rang for the nurse. The oxygen was turned up as high as it would go. Two nurses came in. One began working with her and the other went to call the doctor. It was only seconds until he was there. After he examined her he turned to David, “You better call everyone in.” David looked at Lamont, “Oh God no!” The nurse asked, “Would you like for me to call them for you?” David said, “Yes please.”

David took her hand, “Nat, it’s Dave.” She opened her eyes, “It’s time –Dave” David begged, “No, don’t go sis.” She asked, “Where----is—Mo—nty?” Lamont said, “I’m here.” She slowly turned her head until she could see him. “Mon---ty—kiss Jimmy for---me. I’m—glad you’re—here. I wa—nt to---talk to you be---fore I---close my eyes---forever.” She took a deep breath, “My life has---been running through—my mind. Monty—I just realized—there’s a---time for everything. A time to be---born, a time to ---work, a time to---play, a time to cry, ---a time to ---laugh, a time ----to love and---a time to die. My---time has come----to die.” Monty said, “Nat, you’ve got to fight. To have the will to live.” She tired to smile, “It’s my -----time to die. I don’t---mind. My---baby is ---dead.---I heard the----doctor ---tell---the nurse. I can----almost feel the ----peacefulness----that comes---with death. I have----asked God to----forgive me for---being---so---wicked.” She looked up until her eyes met his, “Forgive---me for---the pain I’ve----caused---you.” Lamont said, “You’re forgiven.” “Tell Jimmy---I love---him.” Lamont took her hand in his. Her fingers tried to grip his hand, “Thank you---Monty---for—loving---me.-----I----love----you.” She drew one long, deep breath and then Lamont felt her fingers letting go of his hand. Her eyes were closed. He knew she was dead. Lamont looked at David. His face told him she was gone.

The doctor examined her then turned to David, “I’m sorry. She just wouldn’t help me. I did all I could.” The doctor just shook his head and continued, “I believed an operation would have been successful.” The nurse cut the oxygen off and pulled the sheet over her face after taking away the tent. Lamont stood quietly looking down at her. David said, “You know Monty, she actually looks peaceful, as if she had found what she was looking for.” Lamont said, “Maybe she has Dave.”

Lamont put his arm around David’s shoulder and just as they went out of the room, the whole Agar family, except Mr. Agar, got off the elevator. David stood and waited for them to get to him. Lamont went to the waiting room where Barbara was. Lamont said, “You may as well cancel your reservations. Natalie just died.”

David said to his family, “You’re too late.” Dora put her hand to her mouth. Mrs. Agar began to cry, “I can’t believe she is gone.” Roy went into the room where Natalie’s body was. Ralph put his arm around his wife’s shoulder. Ralph asked, “Who’s going to tell Mr. Agar and Jimmy?” David said, “I’ll tell them.”

David went to the waiting room, “Come on you two, we’ve done all we can do here.”

As they waited for a taxi in front of the hospital Lamont said, “We’ll get a motel room. I think it’s best if we don’t go home with you.” David said, “Maybe you’re right. There’s a motel at the edge of the city limits on your way. I’ve got to go tell Dad and Jimmy.” Lamont asked, “Do you want me to go with you?’ David said, “No. This is one job I’ll have to do alone. Thanks anyway.”

Della met David at the door. When she saw his face she said, “She’s gone isn’t she?” With tears in his eyes, he nodded his head. Porter said, “I’m not surprised.” Della cried as she poured David some coffee. Porter asked, “What will happen to Jimmy?” David said, “Monty is adopting him. That was all settled two months ago. As of now, Monty has custody of Jimmy. That’s the way Nat wanted it.” Porter said, “I’m glad. The boy needs a good home.”

Della fixed Mr. Agar’s breakfast tray. David said, “I’ll take that to Dad. I’ve got to tell him.”

As David walked up the long staircase, he knew this was one of the hardest things he would ever have to do. He leaned over and called to his father. He didn’t answer or even move. David pulled the cover from his shoulders. He took one of his hands and felt his pulse. He couldn’t feel any at all. His hand was very cold. He laid his head on his father’s chest. He couldn’t hear a heartbeat. He was sure his father was also dead. He picked up the phone and called their family doctor.

When the doctor came and examined the elderly man he told David, “He has been dead for several hours. He died sometime after noon.” David stood looking down at him, “Dad, I’m glad you didn’t have to know about Natalie. Oh God---!” He began to cry. He left the room and called Lamont.

Barbara and Lamont got a taxi and went to the Agar house. While Lamont was paying the driver, Barbara stood looking at the huge colonial house. When Lamont took her arm she said, “Monty, just look at that.” Lamont said, “It’s just as beautiful inside.”

David met them at the door. Tears were in his eyes, “My God Monty, I’ve lost the only two people in my family that really mean anything to me.” Lamont said, “I’m sorry bud. Is there anything I can do?” David said, “Yes, I’ve still got to tell Jimmy about Nat and now his grandfather whom he loved very much. Will you go with me?” Lamont said, “Sure.” David looked at Barbara, “You too honey.”

They followed David upstairs to the bedroom Natalie once had. They opened the door and, to their surprise, Jimmy was dressed sitting on the window seat looking out. For the first time Barbara and Lamont saw Natalie’s son. He was a healthy looking boy. He looked very much like Natalie. His eyes were blue and his hair light brown like his mothers. He was a very handsome little boy. David said, “Jimmy.” Jimmy said very calmly, “I know. Momma is dead. She told me she would never see me again when she went to the hospital. Grandpa is dead too. I went to see him a while ago. He was cold and didn’t talk to me.” Then the little boy began to cry.

Barbara’s heart went out to him. She put her arm around him but he pulled away. David reached out and cuddled the boy in his arms and let him cry. Lamont had never had anything touch him as close as this seven year old boy trying so hard to be brave. Tears came in his eyes and David cried silently with the boy. After a few minutes David said, “Jimmy, this is Mr. and Mrs. Ellman.” Not looking at either of them he said, ‘Momma told me about you. I’m suppose to go live with you.” Lamont said, “Yes Jimmy you are. Later I’ll tell you about your new home.” Jimmy said, “Doesn’t matter.”

Natalie had prepared him for her death and the new home he would have but that didn’t mean he had to accept it or even want it.

The Agar house was in a terrible state. The doctor had to give Mrs. Agar a shot to calm her down. Dora cried constantly. Lamont and David kept Jimmy with them all the time since Roy was in the house. They spent most of their time at the funeral home.

The day of the funeral for Natalie and her father, hell broke loose. David, Barbara, Lamont, and Jimmy came from the funeral home to get ready for the funeral. David told Jimmy to go upstairs and take a shower. He and Lamont went in the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. Mrs. Agar came in the kitchen. She said, “What on earth am I going to do with Jimmy? I’m too old to raise another child.” David said, “You can ease you mind Mother. Jimmy is going home with us right after the funeral. Monty is his guardian. That was all arranged while Natalie was living.” Mrs. Agar sat down at the kitchen table, “Him? I won’t have him raising a grandson of mine. He has no right to a child of Natalie’s. Roy is his stepfather.” David said, “There is nothing you can do about it. The papers are all signed.” Mrs. Agar said, “Roy will look into this matter.”

David was tired and heartbroken. Lamont knew when she said that, David would really get angry. It was the straw that broke the camels back. David said, “There’s not a damn thing your sweet Roy can do about it. Natalie brought the custody papers to Monty two months ago. I’m warning you Mother, keep Roy out of my sigh. I could kill him with my bare hands and enjoy it.”

Dora came into the kitchen crying. David looked up at her, “Why don’t you cut the tears Dora. You didn’t love her or Dad that much. All of us, including me, will have to live with guilt for the rest of our life. We could have helped Natalie if we’d just taken the time. Nat has been sick for a long time.” Mrs. Agar said, “The doctor said she only developed the heart condition a few months ago.”

Lamont just sat back and listened quietly for he knew David was fixing to blow his top and that would help him ease the tension and strain he’d been under. Lamont was glad Barbara had gone upstairs to pack Jimmy’s things because they were leaving right after the funeral. David yelled at his mother, “I’m not talking about the damn heart condition with an operation that could have been cured. Nat was sick in the head. If she hadn’t been, she wouldn’t have wanted to die. She needed help. She needed love and that damn bastard she married didn’t help matters. If the truth was known, he drove her to the point of wanting to die. The son-of-a-bitch wouldn’t accept Jimmy and the boy is afraid to trust anyone.” Dora said, “Dave you shouldn’t talk like that.” David said, “I don’t know of any better time. Natalie and Dad can’t hear it and the rest of you need to hear. We’re a very selfish family. I’m sure as hell not proud of it. I never knew what real love and togetherness was until I was with the Ellmans. They weren’t rich and they worked hard but they love each other and they show it. If one of them is in trouble or needs something, they sense it because they love and care for one another.”

Roy came into the kitchen , “I heard you Dave. I think you should quieten down. This is no time for talk like this.” Before anyone knew it, David hit him with his fist and knocked him to the floor. Dora screamed and Mrs. Agar cried, “Stop it Dave.” Roy got up, “I’m going to break that custody.” Lamont spoke, “No way. He is my son now. I adopted him the minute Natalie took her last breath.” David laughed, “Go ahead and try. That’s one time Nat was smarter than you. The papers are with her lawyer and a copy in Monty’s safe deposit box in the bank in Montana. Nat was very concerned about Jimmy’s future. She knew he didn’t have one her.” David looked at Lamont, “Come on bud, I can’t stand the sight of this damn bastard.”

As they started out of the kitchen, Roy grabbed David by the arm. David pulled loose. He hit Roy this time so hard he knocked him across the kitchen knocking dishes off the table. Roy rubbed his hand across his mouth. It was bleeding. David said, “Stay out of my sight while I’m here.”

David and Lamont went upstairs where Barbara was. She had most of Jimmy’s things packed. Ralph kept his arm around Dora, “You know Dave is right. Roy never loved Natalie. We all know why he married her. We all know how mean he was to Jimmy.”

They had went in the living room after the first time David hit Roy. Dora said, “Be quiet Ralph. They might hear you.” In the kitchen Mrs. Agar said, “Della get a wash cloth for Roy. His mouth is bleeding.”

When all the things were packed, Lamont, Barbara, and David took Jimmy to town and bought him a suit for the funeral. When they got back from town, they all went upstairs to get ready. Barbara knew she would be glad when they got out of this house. After Mr. Agar died, David talked them into staying here so they gave up their motel room.

David got dressed and went downstairs. He went to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. Mrs. Agar was there. She said to David, “Aren’t you going to apologize for acting the way you did this morning?” David said, “Alright Mother. I’m sorry I blew my top but I’m not sorry I hit Roy. I should have broken his damn neck.” Mrs. Agar asked, “Why do you hate him so much? He’s a fine lawyer and well known.” David looked at his mother, “That’s all that matters to you isn’t it? Okay, so he’s a fine lawyer. That doesn’t make him a man. He doesn’t have what it takes to be a man. If he would have kept his bargain with Natalie and gave Jimmy a good home and been a father to him, I’m sure things would have been different.” Mrs. Agar said, “You can’t blame Roy for all that has happened to Natalie. What about Monty? Don’t you blame him?” David sighed with disgust, “Mother, there’s no need to try to explain anything to you.” Mrs. Agar said, “When the funeral is over, I want you to see that Monty and his wife leave right away. You know how I feel about him.” David said, “Don’t worry Mother, we are leaving just as soon as the funeral is over. Our plane is at the airport. Monty flew me here. We will all go back together.” Mrs. Agar said, “I didn’t mean you, you’re welcome here.” David said, “I couldn’t stay around here any more. Every time I’d see Roy, I’d get mad. Besides, I’ve got a brand new daughter I haven’t seen and Carolyn needs me.” Mrs. Agar said, “I’ve been thinking about the adoption. Jimmy will be better off with you around. Why don’t you try to get him instead of letting Monty have him?” David said, “Why worry about it Mother? He’s out of your hair. Natalie made a special trip to see Monty two months ago. She wanted Monty to have him and I think it’s damn good of Barbara and Monty to agree to it.”

The Agar family was very surprised when they saw Johnny and Berry at the funeral. They got there just a few minutes before it started. David said, “I sure do appreciate you fellows coming.” Johnny said, “Leon and Allen would have come if it had been possible.” David smiled, “Sure, I know that.”

The funeral was in the chapel connected to the funeral home. Organ music played while the people were being seated. The family sat in the corner isle. The two caskets were in front surrounded with beautiful flowers. By the time the minister began to talk, the big room was full of people. Mrs. Agar cried during the ministers talk and Dora moaned and cried. Roy sat between Mrs. Agar and Dora; Ralph on the other side of Dora. David sat on the other side of his mother. Jimmy sat between David and Lamont. Johnny, Berry, and Barbara sat behind them. David sat with his hands in a fist and his jaw set. Roy pretended to cry. People would have thought he was broken hearted.

The bodies were taken to a high cemetery. A few words were spoken at the graves. Then it was over.