Blossoms of Love (58 page)

When Lamont got to his car, before he got in, he looked at her window. He wished so much he didn’t have to leave her here. He got in the car and as he drove away he thought, “I had to put her here. I couldn’t help myself.”

When he got home, Jimmy and Robbie were sitting on the steps waiting for him to come back.

The next weekend, Lamont, Carolyn, and David went to see Barbara. She seemed terribly nervous and had lost some weight. She clung to Lamont. She didn’t want him out of her reach but she seemed in good spirits. When it came time for them to leave, David and Carolyn went on to the car. Lamont held her close to him, “Love me?” Barbara touched his face with her finger tips, “Oh yes, yes I love you.” Lamont asked, “Are they good to you?” Barbara clung to him, “No, they watch me all the time. If I walk outside, a nurse is with me. A nurse is with me all the time in this room. I can’t even think alone. If I have to go through what I did again this week, I think I’d rather die.” Lamont said, “We both knew it would be rough. Hang in there babe. You’ve got what it takes to whip this thing.” She sighed, “You thought I was in a bad way that night at home. That was nothing. You know Monty, I thought a person had to be a drunkard to be an alcoholic but that’s not true. It is the drinking every day. Dr. Silver said most social drinkers become alcoholics.” Lamont said, “I know. He told me the same thing.” The nurse came in the room, “Visiting hours are over.” Lamont kissed her, “I’ll see you next weekend babe.”

As the weeks passed, the doctor told Lamont Barbara was improving. But for some reason it was slow. On weekends, Barbara always had a lot of company. There was always some of the Ellmans there.

Just before Thanksgiving, Lamont and David went to town to get extra feed for the mates that would soon be giving birth. It was very cold. David suggested that they stop in a bar and get just one drink to warm them up. A man that Lamont had to fire for stealing on the ranch was at the bar with another man. They were both drinking heavily. The man that had worked for Lamont and David said to his friend, “Well well. This man use to be one of my bosses.” He looked at Lamont, “How is your wife? Is she still drinking up the booze like she use to?” Lamont and David ignored him. They ordered them a drink. The man looked at his friend, “You should see his wife. She could drink booze like it was water. I don’t blame her, she’s so ugly she would stop a freight train.” Lamont turned around and hit the man so hard he hit the floor and didn’t move. David knew Lamont would hit him again if he tried to get up but he didn’t move. David said, “Let’s go Monty.” The man groaned and moved his head. Lamont said, “Nobody talks about my wife like that.” David said, “Come on, he’s not gonna get up for a while.” The bar tender said, “Maybe you better go. I don’t want any more trouble. I think that guy will keep his mouth shut from now on.”

When they were outside, David began to laugh, “Man, you sure hung one on him. If you didn’t break his jaw, you came close to it.” Lamont said, “Nobody is gonna talk about Barbara like that.” They got in the truck and lamont started it. David was laughing again, “Monty that guy didn’t know what hit him. I bet he thinks that freight train he was talking about was what hit him.” Lamont began to laugh, “I damn near broke my hand.”

Lamont was sure Barbara would be home by Christmas. Dr. Silver wanted to keep her a little while longer because she didn’t have the confidence she should have. He was afraid she just wasn’t ready to leave yet. She didn’t have the self control she should have. So Dr. Silver let her go with Monty to a very expensive hotel on Christmas Eve night. They spent their whole time making love and talking.

Christmas morning, Lamont called the boys and Barbara talked to them for a while. That helped her a lot to be able to talk to Jimmy and Robbie. When it came time for them to leave Barbara begged, “Don’t take me back. Let’s go home. I’m cured now I know I am.” Lamont kissed her tenderly, “Look babe, there’s nothing I would rather do. But you’ve gone this far, let’s go the rest of the way with Dr. Silver. It can’t be too much longer.” Barbara said, “The days are long and the nights are longer. All I want is to be with you and the boys.” He said, “Just hang on a little while.” She smiled, “You’re right. Dr. Silver is a good doctor. He knows best.”

January came and Robbie was five years old. Then on Jimmy’s ninth birthday, Barbara called Lamont to come after her. She was coming home to stay. “I’ll be there just as soon as I can. You be ready.” Lamont replied. She laughed, “Don’t worry, I’m ready now.”

Before they left the hospital, Dr. Silver wanted to talk with them. He asked them to sit down, “I’m glad you’re going home Barbara. I’m always glad to see a patient leave cured. The sad part of it is a lot of them come back. There is no guarantee you will stay cured. That is entirely up to you. I want to warn you, it will be tempting out in society. I advise you to stay away from social events where there is drinking. By all means, don’t have liquor in the house. If you ever take one drink Barbara, you’ll be hooked again. You’ve been an outstanding patient Barbara.” She smiled, “Me? I thought I was terrible.” Dr. Silver laughed, “Even if she did call me names. Good luck Barbara and please don’t come back.”

On their way home, Barbara sat very close to Lamont. She said, “Don’t worry about me ever drinking again. I’ll never as long as I live. I couldn’t go through that again.” He smiled, “I don’t think I could either babe.” She smiled, “Well Mr. Ellman, it looks like you’re stuck with me for the rest of your life.” Lamont teased, “I’ll just have to make the best of it.”

When they topped the hill from the Ellman house and saw the two boys sitting on the steps to see her she cried, “My boys.” The car hardly stopped when Robbie and Jimmy were there. The boys hugged and kissed her before she could get out of the car. Jesse and Sara came to meet them. As Barbara got out of the car she said, “My how you boys have grown.” Jesse kissed her on the cheek and Sara hugged her.

Later that day, the whole Ellman family was there to welcome Barbara home. Barbara said, “I want to thank each and every one for being so good to me. I really don’t know what got into me but I’m straightened out now. God and all of you have stood by me and I’ll never forget it.”

All evening was just as it use to be except there was no liquor. The drinks were ginger ale, coffee, and hot chocolate. Barbara had never been as proud as she was now that she was one of the Ellmans. Barbara looked around and saw Lamont just looking at her with so much love in his eyes she wanted to go to bed with him right that minute. She thought, “Even though he was almost forty, he looked much younger.” Ellen interrupted her thoughts, “Come with me. I’ve got something real cute to show you.” She followed Ellen to the kitchen. Ellen said, “These off springs of the Ellmans are carbon copies.” Ellen opened the door. Some of the children were eating ice cream. Robbie had chocolate all over his face. Jimmy was acting like he was putting a spell on all of them eating the ice cream. Ellen said, “I bet we have a few stomach aches before bedtime.” Barbara said, “Jimmy looks more like Natalie every day.” Ellen said, “Yes he does. He’s a very happy little boy. That’s because you and Lamont have let him know he is loved.” Barbara said, “Yes we have. He really requires more attention and love than Robbie does. He’s a very sensitive boy too.” Ellen said, “He gets that from his mother.” Barbara said, “Well maybe Natalie would have been different if she’d had the love and understanding we’ve given Jimmy.” Ellen said, “Yes, that would have made a difference.”

When everyone had gone, Barbara helped Sara get the house in order while Lamont and Jesse went to the stables to feed.

That night as Lamont shaved Barbara said, “It was a beautiful party wasn’t it?” Lamont smiled, “Yes it was.”

He showered and came into the room with a towel around his middle. Barbara said as she brushed her hair, “I saw you looking at me a lot when they were all here.” He went over to her, untied her robe, and slipped his arms around her body, “I was looking at you because I think you’re the most gorgeous person I’ve ever seen.” She slipped her arms around his neck, “Monty my darling, you make me feel so beautiful.” He kissed her passionately, “We’ve won our battle again. We always will as long as we have each other and the blooms of our love will never die.”

As they were waiting for the fish to bite Lamont said, “Son, I have something to talk over with you. Remember when you came out here I promised to take you back to see your mother’s grave? We can go this weekend if you want to. I’ll be busy in a few weeks so we’ll have to go soon.” The young boy didn’t say anything right away then he looked at Lamont and said, “I don’t want to go Dad.” Lamont was surprised at his answer, “That’s up to you son. I promised you and I wanted to keep my promise.” Lamont got a bite and caught a nice size fish. He took it off the hook and baited the hook again. Jimmy asked, “Is it bad of me to not want to go Dad?” Lamont answered, “No, it isn’t bad. A lot of people don’t like to go visit graves. I don’t myself. I have a brother buried on the ranch, and my father too. I never go there. It just makes you feel bad and very sad.” Jimmy asked, “Dad, did you really love my real Mom?” Lamont said, “Yes Jimmy, I did. She was the first woman I ever loved. After we were married for a while, we knew we couldn’t stay married.” Jimmy asked, “Didn’t she love you?” Lamont said, “I think she did. You see, Natalie didn’t like the things in life that I did. She hated this ranch, even the house. We decided to go separate ways.” Jimmy sighed, “I don’t ever want to go back there again. Grandmother doesn’t like me.” Those words hit Lamont hard. How on earth could a grandmother not like her own grandson? Lamont asked, “Are you happy here Jimmy?” He answered, “Oh yes. I’m glad I cam here. I love you, I love Mom, and Robbie, Grandma Ellman, Uncle Jesse, and Aunt Sara.” The boy looked up at Lamont, “I especially love you Dad. I want to be just like you when I grow up.” Those words touched Lamont’s heart. He said, “I’m very glad you are my son.” Jimmy asked, “Do you love me as much as you do Robbie?” Lamont said honestly, “Yes Jimmy, I do. I can’t tell any difference.” Jimmy smiled, “I’m glad we had this talk.” Lamont said, “I am too. Sometimes it’s good to be together and have a man to man talk. I want you to always feel free to come to me and talk.” Jimmy said excitingly, “I’ve got a bite.” They went home with plenty of fish for supper.

The next week Lamont had a light siege of the fever. It set him back for a few weeks.

Another year went by quickly. Since Jimmy and Freddie were eleven now, Lamont and David put them to work on the range helping the men. Robbie was seven so Lamont would let him ride on the range once in a while so he wouldn’t feel left out of things.

Then Ellen and Johnny came to see Barbara and Lamont. They were upset. Susan was giving them a lot of trouble. She would soon be eighteen and would finish high school in a few weeks. Johnny said, “She wants to get married. She’s too young.” Lamont said, “Girls do get married that young Johnny.” Ellen said, “Susan is not that mature yet. Some girls are, but she isn’t.” Barbara said, “Maybe children think different now days.” Lamont took his boots off, “Children are just as they always were. Susan’s body has developed into a woman so she thinks she is a mature adult.” Lamont looked at his oldest brother, “I’m surprised you have forgotten how we felt when we changed into manhood.” Johnny said, “I haven’t forgotten.” Ellen asked, “Monty, would you talk to Susan? She thinks you’re the only uncle who understands.” Lamont said, “Wouldn’t that be a woman’s job since she is a girl?” Johnny said, “Not for Susan. She will listen to you when she won’t listen to anyone else.” Lamont agreed he would talk to Susan.

On Saturday morning, Lamont put a steering wheel on Jimmy’s bicycle instead of handle bars. Robbie watched him. Then Robbie asked, “Why does Jimmy want a steering wheel on his bicycle?” Lamont chuckled, “Well, I guess to be like his friends. All of them are putting them on their bikes.” Jimmy went to the stables to help Jesse feed. When Lamont got the steering wheel on, he rode it around the yard. Jimmy was coming from the stables and saw Lamont riding. Jimmy yelled, “Hey Dad, that looks neat.” Lamont laughed, “Hey you boys may have something here.” Robbie said, “It looks silly.” Jimmy said, “You wouldn’t understand Robbie. You’re too young.” Lamont got off the bicycle, “You try it Jim.” Jimmy began to ride the bike, “It steers easier. I like it. Just wait until the others see mine.” Robbie didn’t like for Jimmy’s friends to come because they were all Jimmy’s ate.” Robbie asked, “Are they all coming over here?” Jimmy said, “Not today. Four of them are coming tomorrow after church.” Robbie asked, “Are they gonna ride all the way here?” Jimmy laughed, “Sure. That’s only eight or ten miles.” Robbie asked Lamont, “Daddy can you ride that far on a bicycle?” Lamont said, “Sure you can. I use to walk to town and back. All of us did. We didn’t have bicycles. My Dad had a truck but we didn’t drive it unless it was to get feed. We couldn’t afford to buy much gas.” Robbie asked, “Could I ride to town?” Lamont said, “No, you’ll have to wait until you’re older. Go get your bike and you, me, and Jimmy will ride around for a while.”

While Jimmy ran around the house to get his bike, Lamont went in the house to tell Barbara where they were going. Barbara sighed, “Monty Ellman, how do you have so much energy?” He grinned, “I don’t really but I need to spend some time with the boys. See you later.” He kissed Barbara and went back outside.

Barbara followed him out on the porch and watched them ride off. She thought, “He’s a perfect father. Maybe we won’t have trouble with them like Ellen and Johnny are with Susan. They were also having a bit of trouble with Dennis, Ellen and Johnny’s oldest son who was sixteen now. They are keeping him at home for two weeks because they smelled beer on him. Johnny and Ellen were very good parents, they couldn’t understand why their children were so wild. Sandra was thirteen and not old enough yet to be boy crazy and Amy was only six. Amy came along after the war.