Blossoms of Love (3 page)

Out of the city limits Lamont saw the beautiful, southern houses he had seen in books. Seeing them with his own eyes, they were more beautiful than any picture he had seen. Lamont said, “These houses are very beautiful and so big.” Porter turned into a big circular driveway. Lamont saw the house. It was one of those old southern homes. Hugh trees stood around the big white framed house. Lamont looked at David saying, “I thought our house at home was big but it’s small compared to this.” David laughed, “It’s small. It only has 18 rooms. Most of these houses have more rooms.”

Porter got their bags out of the trunk. Lamont followed David into the house. The foyer was large; the floor was covered with black and white tile. A huge winding staircase lead to the second floor. Red carpet covered the steps. David pitched his sailor cap on the bench in the foyer. Lamont looked to the left and saw a very large living room. It was the most beautiful room he had ever seen. The furniture was very expensive. His eyes rested on a baby grand piano. The carpet here was red also. The heavy drapes were red velvet and the furniture was all white. On the right of the foyer was a large library. The room was in gold and brown. Books covered two of the walls. The book shelves reached from floor to ceiling. An elderly lady came from the back of the foyer which lead to the kitchen. She held out her arms as she came closer to David, “Oh David! I’m so glad you’re home.” David put his arms around her and kissed her on the cheek. He turned to Lamont and said, “She’s my second Mom. Monty, this is Della,” he looked at Della, “Della, this is Monty Ellman, my best friend.” Lamont held out his hand as he said, “Hello Della.” Della smiled saying, “Welcome Monty. My, my you two look so handsome in those Navy uniforms.” David asked, “Where is everyone?” Della answered, “Mrs. Agar is in town shopping, Mr. Agar is at the club, and Natalie is with her friends decorating for the school Christmas party.” David gave a long sigh then motioned for Lamont to follow him, “Come on buddy, I’ll show you the room you will use while you’re here.” Lamont followed him up the long stairway.

The red carpet at the head of the stairs lead to many doors. David opened the second door on the right, “Your room sir.” The bedroom looked like a mans’ room. The colors were gray and blue. The furniture was oak and on the mantle of the fireplace was a big model ship. French doors led to a balcony. David smiled, “My room is next to yours.” Lamont laughed, “I’ve never slept in such a swanky room. I feel like a king.” David slapped him on the back, “If you feel like a king that’s fine with me. I think I’ll freshen up.” Lamont agreed, “I think I will too.”

The den was the room Lamont liked best. There was a huge fireplace, nice comfortable furniture. A big Christmas tree stood in front of the bay window. There was a bar at the far side of the dent. David began mixing a drink for Lamont and himself. Lamont asked, “I saw a piano in the living room, who plays it? Would it be you?” David looked at Lamont and burst out laughing, “Not me. Both of my sisters play but Nat does most of the time. I call Natalie, Nat.” David handed Lamont his drink. Lamont sat down in a big over-stuffed chair. He looked at David and said, “Hell Dave, I can’t understand why you’d leave something like this for a cot on a ship.” Dave took a sip of his drink. His face became very serious, “You know something Monty, I’ve been more content and happy since I joined the Navy than I’ve ever been since I’ve grown up. Money doesn’t mean you’re happy. Look at me, my whole family knew I was coming home. They haven’t seen me in a long time and what do they do? They send the hired help to meet me. When I get home, who is here? Again, the hired help. I love Della and Porter but they aren’t my parents or my sisters. See what I mean? Look how you were greeted. Your whole family showed their love and how glad they were to see you. Why Monty, if my Mother hugged and kissed me like yours did ...” Real tears came in his eyes as he poured another drink. He said, “When they get home my Mother will kiss me on the cheek and Dad will shake my hand. Dora will smile and say she’s happy to see me and Nat will kiss me. There won’t be love, just an act. I guess Nat really loves me in her own way.”

Lamont really felt sorry for his friend. He didn’t know what to say except, “You could be wrong.” David drank his second drink, set the glass down, and said, “No, I’m not wrong. You’ll see. In my family money has taken over. Money means everything to them, there’s no room for love.”

They heard a woman’s voice coming from the foyer. David made no attempt to move. Then they heard Porter’s voice, “David is home Mrs. Agar. He’s in the den.”

Lamont looked up in time to see a very nice looking, middle aged woman, so different from his mother. She was dressed in expensive clothes, her hair looked as if she had just came from a beauty salon. She was about his mother’s age but she looked much younger. She smiled at David, leaned over and kissed him lightly on the cheek. She asked, “Have you been here long darling?” David answered, “Not long.” She looked at Lamont, “A friend of yours David?”

“Yes Mother. This is Lamont Ellman, my best friend. He’s the best friend I’ve ever had.” Lamont said, “Glad to meet you Mrs. Agar.” David said, “Monty is going to spend Christmas with us.” Mrs. Agar replied, “That’s nice. Glad you could come with David.”

Mrs. Agar went to the kitchen to tell Della there would be guests for dinner. Mr. Agar came home soon after his wife. Just as David said to Lamont, his father shook his hand and said he was glad to see him. After he was introduced to Lamont, he made them all a drink. Then he began talking about his business and the club.

A little later Natalie came into the room. She looked very much like her mother. She threw her arms around David and kissed him. “I’m so glad to see you,” she replied. Natalie wasn’t beautiful but she was very attractive, neat, and cute. She looked around, it was then she saw Lamont, “Well, who do we have here?” David spoke, “Nat, my best friend, Lamont Ellman. Lamont, my baby sister.” “Hello Natalie,” Lamont said. She smiled, “Hello Monty. I’m glad you’re my brother’s friend.”

They could hear voices in the living room. The guests had arrived. Natalie said, “Oh hell, I forgot we were having company. I must go get ready. Please excuse me.” She hurried out of the room.

David began laughing at Natalie. He said to Lamont, “That’s my kid sister. She’s only 18. She graduates high school this spring. David looked up and saw Dora, “Here comes my big sister.” He barely had the words out of his mouth when she came into the room. The clothes she was wearing were very expensive. She looked like her father. Ralph was tall, very thin, dark hair and eyes, and wore a dark suit that didn’t fit very well. Dora held out her arms and hurried toward David. She kissed him and hugged him for a second. She said, “David, I’m so glad they finally let you come home.” Ralph held out his hand and grunted, “Yes, we are glad to see you.” When they were introduced to lamont, they both grunted, “hello.”

At the dinner table, the women were in semiformal clothes and the men in suits and ties, except for David and Lamont. They were wearing their uniforms. After the main meal, Della poured coffee and served the dessert. Lamont felt out of place. Eating a meal here wasn’t like at home. People talked but everyone was too polite. There was no togetherness like in his family. Lamont was beginning to see what David was talking about. The Agar family was well respected and very popular but the love and closeness was missing. For the first time in Lamont’s life he was glad his family was poor. They were rich with love and togetherness. Lamont smiled to himself because he knew what real happiness was. At eight p.m. more people began arriving and by nine o’clock the huge house was packed with people. David went over to Lamont who was being introduced to Mr. Agar’s club members. David gave a big smile to his father and club members saying to them, “Excuse me, I want my friend here to meet someone.” He took Lamont by the arm leading him away. “I thought I would rescue you from being bored to death with Dad’s old friends.” Lamont said, “Thanks buddy. Gold isn’t my height of interest.” Natalie came over to them as they sipped on a drink. She put her drink down, “I’m bored stiff. Let’s go somewhere.” David said, “I’m with you sis. What about you Lamont?” Lamont answered, “Let’s go.”

The three of them left, not really being missed. Natalie sat between them in the car. She gave a sigh of boredom, “Let’s go somewhere exciting.” David asked, “Where would that be Nat?” Natalie’s eyes flashed with excitement, “We’ll go to the White Dove. That’s the best place now.” David said, “You can’t go there, you aren’t twenty-one.” He looked at Lamont, “Monty’s only nineteen. I’m the only one who’s 21.” Natalie giggled and said proudly, “I’ve been there before. Don’t you think I look twenty-one?” David answered, “Hell no. You don’t even look 17.” Natalie replied, “Well thanks brother. Come on let’s go there.” David asked Lamont, “What do you say buddy?” Lamont grinned, “I’m game if you are. Let’s give it a whirl.”

The White Dove was a very elaborate night club. It was a rich mans’ club. David parked the car in the parking lot in front of the club. He turned to his sister and asked, “Now tell me Nat, how do we get you and Monty inside? It seems you have a big secret on knowing how.” She giggled, “I’ll just ask for Mr. Allen. He’ll let us in. He and Dad are good friends, besides he owes Dad a great deal of money.” David laughed, “This sister of mine may be 17 but she sure knows the ropes.”

Natalie told the doorman she wanted to see Mr. Allen. It was only seconds when Mr. Allen came from his office. Natalie asked him, “We want to go inside.” Mr. Allen looked at Lamont, then David. Natalie said, “This is my brother David and our friend Lamont.” Mr. Allen said, “Don’t get too loud or do anything that will draw to your attention. I could get into big trouble.” David said, “We promise to be good.”

The waiter seated them at a table far in the corner. Lamont had never been in such an expensive place. When he looked at the menu he groaned, “I don’t know about you two but I can’t stay here long.” Natalie laughed, “Everything’s on dear old Dad. He has a charge account here.” David looked at his sister, whistled through his teeth and said, “Just what would dear old Dad say when he gets the bill?” Natalie answered, “I’ve done this before. When he got the bill, he thought he had bought all of it himself. You know how Dad gets loaded every time he goes to a club.” David sighed, “My how times have changed since I was home last.” Natalie laughed, “Dad doesn’t think I drink.” She looked at Lamont, “Let’s live it up.” They ordered drinks.

David met a girl and asked her to dance. Natalie looked at Lamont, “You don’t talk much do you?” Lamont answered, “I never saw any need to talk if you don’t have anything to say.” Natalie sipped on her drink then she said, “Well, sometimes talking keeps you from being lonely.” Natalie thought Lamont was the best looking man she had ever seen. He had golden blonde hair that was always a bit unruly. His eyes were a deep blue and his smile would capture any girl's heart. She wished he wasn’t so quiet. Natalie asked, “Do you dance?” Lamont said, “I’ve tried, but I’m afraid I don’t do too well.” She laughed, “I’ll take a chance.” She took his hand, “Come on.” Lamont laughed, “Okay, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

The orchestra was just beginning to play a soft romantic tune. As they began to dance, Natalie knew he was going to be easy to follow, “You’re doing fine Monty Ellman.” Lamont laughed, “Maybe it’s because I’m sober. I don’t try to dance unless I’m drunk.” She giggled, “I can’t imagine you drunk. In fact, I can’t understand why you and David are such good friends.” He looked down at her, “What do you mean?” “You’re so different. Dave is wild and loud. You’re more grown up even though Dave is two years older than you are. You’re more the serious type. You and Dave have nothing in common.” Lamont said, “I’m not all that serious. You just don’t know me.” The music stopped. As they walked back to their table, Natalie squeezed his fingers, “I want to know you better. You should loosen up a little. Enjoy yourself. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.” They sat down. Lamont said, “S your motto is the old saying, eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow you may die.” “Yes, I do feel that way. I don’t want to miss out on anything in life.”

“You’re wrong you know.” Lamont said. Natalie sipped on another drink. She took her finger and moved the ice around in her glass. She asked, “Give me one good reason why I’m wrong.” Lamont thought for a second, “Think of your future, your plans. The way you want to spend most of your life.” Natalie looked at Lamont, “I have no plans. All I know is I don’t want to ever get married and I certainly don’t want to get old. When I begin to get old I want to die.” Lamont said, “Oh come on Nat. You’re just talking. You’ll change your mind when you get a little older. You’ll get married one of these days and when you do and are deeply in love, you’ll want to live to be a ripe old age.” Lamont saw a seriousness on her face he had not seen before.

Natalie said, “Don’t think this is the booze talking. It isn’t. I’m dead serious Monty. There is no such thing as love so why marry some man just so you can legally sleep together. I’ve never slept with anyone yet but if and when I find someone who I want to go to bed with, I will.” She looked at Lamont, “I just don’t want any strings. No one’s gonna own me.”

She looked at Lamont, their eyes meeting, “Monty, I bet you’re the marrying type. The little house with the white picket fence and a lot of kids.” Lamont put his glass down after drinking all in his glass, “I’ve not thought about it, but I suppose some day I will get married.” She asked, “Why?” Lamont thought for a minute then said, “Why? Because everyone needs somebody to care for. Someone to share your dreams with. I’d like children someday and I want a wife to go with them.” She made a jester with her hands, “Well, to each his own but not me. All I want is to have fun with no ties. Say, how’d we get in this mood?”

David came over to the table with a sexy blonde. David asked, “Having fun?” Before anyone could answer he said, “This is Tina. Tina, my sister Natalie and a friend Monty.” They flashed a big smile and said, “Glad to meet you I’m sure.”

It wasn’t long until the blond was flirting with Lamont. David was getting drunk and really didn’t care. It wasn’t long until David was talking loud. People were looking at them. Mr. Allen came over to their table, “I’m sorry but you’ll have to leave before all of us get into trouble.” Natalie was ready to go because she wanted to get away from Tina. Natalie said, “We’ll go Mr. Allen.”