Blossoms of Love (46 page)

Carolyn came from the rear of the house, “We’re around here.” David looked around, “Hi neighbor.” Lamont grinned, “What is Carolyn looking so smug about?” David said, “This girl of mine is something. She just told me I’m going to be a Daddy again.” Barbara said, “That’s wonderful.” Carolyn said, “I don’t think Dave is so over joyed.” David said, “Well, after two kids you don’t get as excited. One more mouth to feed won’t hurt a thing. There’s only one way to stop having babies. Right Monty?” Lamont grinned, “There’s only one sure way I know of and that’s to keep your pants on when you’re in bed.” Barbara yelled, “Monty!” Carolyn laughed, “When those two get together there’s nothing they won’t say or do.” David said, “This one has to be a boy. Our daughter is eight and she says she doesn’t need a sister. Freddie could enjoy a brother.” Carolyn asked, “Have you seen Berry and Alice?” Lamont said, “No, we’ve been camping.” David said, “They’ve adopted another girl.” Barbara said, “I thought they wanted a boy?” Carolyn said, “They did but they found out Lisa had a sister. They traced it down and found her in a foster home in Idaho so now their adopted daughters are real sisters. She’s the same age as Freddie.” Barbara said, “That makes it nice.” David said, “Berry told me they put an order in for a boy now.”

That night when Lamont and Barbara were in bed Barbara asked, “Monty, why don’t we adopt a sister or brother for Robbie?” Lamont said, “I’ve thought about it. I decided not to.” Barbara asked, “Why?” He answered, “I don’t think I could love another child like I do Robbie.” Barbara said, “I think I could. Look at Berry and Alice, you’d never know Lisa was adopted.” Lamont said, “That’s different, they didn’t have any of their own.” Barbara said, “They have now. They have a girl of their own which they thought they would never have but you can’t tell the difference in the way they love their children.” Lamont said, “I’m sorry Barb but it wouldn’t be treating the child right if I couldn’t love it just as much as Robbie.”

The next day, Berry came over with his two adopted daughters. He said, “I want all of you to meet Linda, our new addition to the Ellman family.” The girls looked very much alike except Linda was bigger than Lisa of course since she was older. Lamont said, “Come over here Linda. I’m your Uncle Monty and this is Aunt Barbara.” Linda went over to Lamont, “How many aunts and uncles are there?” Berry laughed, “You have just started to meet them honey.” Linda asked Lamont, “Do you have any children?” Lamont said, “Yes, we have a son named Robbie. He is two years old.” Barbara asked, “Where is Alice?” “She had to take the baby for her three-in-one shots.” Berry replied.

In August, Early on a Monday morning, Sara came running into the den where Barbara was reading the paper and drinking coffee. Sara said, “Barbara! Jesse and Dave are bringing Monty home.” Barbara jumped up and ran to the door. Lamont was out of his head his fever was so high. David said, “It’s the fever again Barb.” She turned the cover back on their bed and they got him undressed while Barbara called Dr. Morris. Barbara said to Sara, “Get Robbie and take him somewhere. Monty said he never wanted Robbie to see him with the fever.” It took David and Jesse to hold him in the bed. He was yelling, “You damn bastards. I won’t tell you anything.” Then he would groan and frown like someone was hurting him. Barbara kept a wet washcloth on his forehead. After Dr. Morris gave him a shot, he got quiet. When Lamont seemed to be resting, David and Jesse went back out on the range. As Barbara sat by the bed she thought, “It has been a year since he had the last one.”

David didn’t stay on the range with Jesse and the men. He decided he may be needed. He made coffee for Barbara and himself. He took it to her, “Drink this.” Barbara took the cup of hot coffee, “I was so sure he wouldn’t have any more since he’d gone a year.” David sighed, “So was I. Monty’s been pushing himself too much lately. You know how much time he has been spending on the range. Barbara said, “Yes I know. I fussed at him just the other day about it.” She began to cry, “You know what he said?--If I’m gonna die, let me die doing what I like to d.” David put his cup down, “Yea I know. He told me the same thing.” Barbara asked, “What can we do?” David said, “Not a damn thing. I say let him do the things he loves to do. Just listening to him a few minutes ago made me see what he was trying to say. Let him live the way he wants to. Only God knows the suffering and agony he has had.” David put his arm around Barbara’s shoulder, “Hey now, Monty will be alright in a few days. Dr. Lennon said he would be this way. Snap out of it honey. You’ve got to be strong, remember?” Barbara dried her eyes, “I will be.”

By that evening, everyone was there to offer their help. Johnny said to David, “I’ve been expecting this. He’s been doing too much the last few weeks.” David said, “He knows that but he told me, what’s the use in living if you can’t enjoy it?” Berry said, “He’s right too you know.” Leon said, “Well, he should slow down for his family’s sake.” Allen said, “I agree with Leon.” Johnny asked, “What about that miracle drug they’re giving him?” David said, “It is just in the experimental stages now. They don’t know if it will help him or not. This is just something Monty will have to live with.” Leon said, “It’s a damn shame.” David said, “Yea. After all the hell he’s been through and now he’s got to live with this.” Allen said, “Have faith and pray that he won’t have another siege.” Barbara wouldn’t leave Lamont’s side. Carolyn brought her something to eat. Carolyn took Lamont’s temperature. Barbara asked, “Has the fever gone down?” Carolyn said, “No, not yet.” Barbara took Lamont’s hand and put it to her cheek, “We’ve been so happy. He loves me and Robbie so much.”

Around two a.m. his fever began to drop. Again, Lamont had bought and won but each time seemed to take a little more out of him. It would take him longer to get over it. Barbara went to the window and looked up in the dark sky, “Thank you God. Thank you for letting him live.”

When the morning sun came up, Lamont’s fever was gone and he was sleeping peacefully. The siege didn’t last long this time but Barbara could see it had set him back a little more.

Robbie came into the bedroom sleepily rubbing his eyes, “I want to see Daddy.” Barbara said, “Daddy is asleep now. Go eat your breakfast Sara has for you. When Daddy wakes up, you can see him.” Robbie asked, “Is Daddy sick?” Barbara said, “Yes. We must let him rest.” Robbie began to cry, “I don’t want Daddy to be sick.” Sara came in the room, “come on, let’s see what a big breakfast you can eat and Daddy will be proud of you.”

As Barbara sat beside her husband’s bed she thought, “It just isn’t fair. He was doing so well. He was so happy and content. Their sex life was perfect. He no longer cared for her to see or touch him when he was nude. Why can’t his life be without suffering any more? Oh God, hasn’t he suffered enough?

Lamont moved his hand, then he opened his eyes. At first he didn’t seem to know where he was. Barbara said, “Good morning my love.” He looked over at her, “How long was it this time?” Barbara answered, “Since yesterday morning. It wasn’t a long siege this time.” She leaned over and kissed him, “I’ve been so afraid.” He squeezed her hand, “Don’t be afraid. I’m gonna be around for a long time yet. I’ve got to stay around to see Robbie grow up.” Barbara said, “Oh Monty I love you. I adore you.” He put her hand to his lips and kissed it, “I love you too.” She looked at her watch, “It’s time for you to take your medicine.” Lamont grunted, “Do you have to spoil such a sweet moment?” She got the pills, “Yes I do.” He took the medicine with a glass of water. He looked at her, “You’re a hard woman Barbara Ellman.”

David came in the room, “How’s our patient this morning?” Barbara said, “He’s much better. He’s already getting sassy.” David looked at his best friend, “Hi buddy.” Lamont said, “I’m sorry Dave, but I knew when I started chilling what was happening. We were too far out. I passed out before you got me here.” David said, “You just take it easy. Everything is going off well. Jesse is a fine foreman and he has picked out a good bunch of men. The fence will all be repaired by the last of the week.” Lamont sighed, “I think I will take it easy today. I feel so damn tired.”

Dr. Morris came back late that afternoon. He told Barbara and Lamont that he must take it easy for at least two weeks. Dr. Morris said, “I don’t want you doing anything that will take much of your energy.” The doctor said, “It’s up to you to see that he does it.”

When the doctor was gone Barbara smiled and said, “I’ll have you at least two whole weeks every day.” Lamont said, “I wouldn’t bet on that.” Barbara said, “Okay, if you don’t do what the doctors said for you to do, that means no lovemaking either.” Lamont said, “You don’t mean it.” She looked at him, “Try me.” Lamont said, “Damn! You do mean it.” Barbara said, “You got to do what the doctor tells you. Just a few hours ago you were out of your head.” Lamont pulled her close to him and kissed her, “I’ll be good. I was teasing. The way I feel now, it wouldn’t get hard if I froze it.” Barbara laughed, “You’re a real nut. Now you close your eyes and rest. I’ll be back in a little while.”

The next week, Lamont was up out of bed but only to be around the house. He got Barbara and Sara to set a chair and small table out on the porch. He hated being inside all day. Late that afternoon, David came by. He sat down on the steps near Lamont, “How are you feeling?” Lamont said, “I feel okay except I can’t get my energy back. Is everything going alright?” David said, “All the new stock is branded. The fence is all mended, and tomorrow the men are going up in the canyon to get the pregnant mares.” Lamont grinned, “Hey, you people don’t need me.” David said, “Oh yes, we’ll always need you around. The men have worked like hell since you got sick because they like you.” Lamont said “Jesse is a damn good foreman. He knows how to get work out of them and they respect him.” David said, “We were lucky to get Jesse.” Lamont said, “Yea, I know. Dave one of these days I’m not gonna make it through a siege. I know that and so do you. Each time I feel more taken out of me.” David looked at Lamont, “That doesn’t sound like you Monty.” Lamont sighed, “I’ve stopped kidding myself. The rate I’m going this time, I’ll be laid up longer than two weeks. Dave, if and when the time does come for me—will you promise you will look after Barbara and Robbie? Barbara is a strong willed girl but she has built her whole future around me. This ranch is too much for her to take over, yet I don’t want it to go down. When I get over this, I’m going to have a will made for the ranch to be in your hands until Robbie is twenty-one. It is big enough to take care of itself, moneywise. All you would have to do is keep a good foreman and men. Will you do this?” David said, “You know I will. Monty I don’t like hearing you talk like this.” Lamont said, “Well I’m not planning to kick up my heels any time soon. I just want to be sure Barbara and Robbie will be taken care of. It pays to look ahead. Dave this is just between you and me. Nobody else.” David said, “You bet.”

In September, they all went to a rodeo. On their way back home, Robbie asked Lamont if he ever rode a bucking horse. Lamont began telling him about the time he and Johnny each won a trophy and some money.

As Lamont and Barbara undressed for bed Barbara asked, “Where is your trophy? I don’t remember seeing it at Moms.” Lamont said, “It isn’t there. It was a pretty thing. All gold with a bucking horse on top. You see, the day Lamont Ellman was it he was a big hero.” Lamont got into bed beside Barbara and he continued, “There was this blond. Man she was some chick. After I’d won my trophy, I found a car top to set on to see the rest of the rodeo. It was hot as hell that do so I pulled my shirt off. I was all interested in the calf roping when I felt two hands rubbing my back. I looked around and saw one of the most beautiful girls I’d ever seen. She wasn’t wearing much either. We got real friendly. I found Johnny and told him I was leaving for a little while. I bought a bottle or two and she and I went to a motel. Honey let me tell you, you can’t go by looks. She wasn’t very good on making love. Of course, it could have been partly my fault too. I was too drunk to do much. When I woke up a few hours later, she was gone and so was my trophy and all the money I had. She really took me. I had to hitch hike back to the rodeo. When I got there the rodeo was over, Johnny was gone, I was broke, and had a bad hangover. The funny part of it all was I beat Johnny and Berry home because they looked for me everywhere.” Lamont looked at Barbara and Laughed, “So that’s the story of my trophy. I tried to win one the next year but another fellow beat me.” Barbara said, “She should have at least left you the trophy.” Lamont said, “She sold it.” Barbara asked, “Was she real pretty?” Lamont said, “Yes, she was very pretty.” Barbara asked, “What was her name?” Lamont said, “Honey I don’t know. That’s been a long time ago. I was only seventeen.” He reached over and pulled her to him, “You know a guy doesn’t really know how wonderful a woman can be until he is older, settled, and has a wife. Loving you is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. When you’re a young man, you think you have to get stoned before you can make love, I guess you’re trying to prove something. Anyway, really if you’re full of booze you can’t enjoy sex. You either get ready too soon or you can’t get it up at all. The girl either way can’t enjoy it.” Lamont kissed her tenderly, “Those days in California, I was awakened to real love. I knew I never wanted to make love to anyone else any more.” Barbara asked, “What about when we were in Japan together?” Lamont said, “I guess I just wasn’t ready for you then.” Barbara asked, “What about Natalie?” Lamont said, “At first she was great in bed but it didn’t take her long to loose interest.” Barbara asked, “Do you ever think about her?” Lamont answered, “No. Natalie will never grow up.” He leaned over and kissed Barbara on the breast. Barbara said, “I’m really jealous of her.” Lamont looked surprised, “Why baby?” Barbara said, “Oh I guess because she got you first.” Lamont said, “Believe me, there is no place in my life for Natalie any more.” Barbara kissed him, “I know that but I still can’t help feeling a little bit jealous of her. Maybe it’s because she is so pretty and I’m not.” Lamont held her closer, “You’re beautiful to me.” They made love and it was just as beautiful as ever.