Blossoms of Love (50 page)

Christmas came and, as always, the Ellmans had their joyous one. On New Years’ Eve, Johnny and Ellen gave a party.

In January, two days after Robbie had his birthday Dora called David to come home as soon as he could. Natalie was dying. Could you come stay with Carolyn? You know she is expecting next week.” Barbara said, “You know I will.” Barbara handed the phone to Lamont, “It’s Dave. Natalie is dying.” Lamont said, “I’m going with you bud.” David said, “I was hoping you would. God Monty, my little sister is dying.” Lamont said, “Just get ready, I’ll fly you to Alabama. I’ll get Jim’s plane.” Lamont put the receiver down on the hook and turned to Barbara, “I’ve got to go. You understand, don’t you?” Barbara said, “Yes I do. I don’t blame you.” She helped him pack a few things, “I’ll be there too just as soon as someone can stay with Carolyn.”

In two hours Lamont and David were in the borrowed plane heading southeast.

It was early morning when they got to Mobile. They went straight to the hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Agar were in the waiting room with Roy and Ralph. Dora was in the room with Natalie. When Mrs. Agar saw Lamont she asked David, “What’s he doing here?” David said, “Please Mother, be civilized now, won’t you?” David went in to see Natalie.

In just a few seconds, Dora came out so Lamont went in the room. Natalie looked terrible. Her eyes were closed and her small pale face looked tired and expressionless. She was under an oxygen tent. David took her hand in his then he looked at Lamont, “Dora said she has a fair chance to pull through—if she will fight to get better.” Lamont sat down on the opposite side of the bed from David. David said, “We’ve got to make her fight Monty. The doctor told Dora that with an operation, he believed she would live a normal life. The main artery to her heart is almost closed.” Lamont said, “I’m gonna do all I can Dave.”

Lamont took Natalie’s other hand then he spoke very softly, “Natalie, this is Monty. Listen to me honey, you don’t need to say anything, just listen to me. I want you to live. If you heard me, open your eyes.” She slowly opened her eyes. Lamont said, “That’s fine honey.” She turned her head and looked at David. David said, “Hi sis. Me and Monty are staying right here with you until you get better.” She turned her head and looked back at Lamont. She was trying to say something. Her voice was very weak. He leaned closer so he could hear what she was saying, “For—give me----pl---ease?” Lamont said, “There is nothing to forgive. I was wrong too.”

Suddenly she was having a harder time breathing. David called a nurse. She turned the oxygen up higher. Natalie closed her eyes. She was motionless but she was still breathing.

After four hours of constant watching, David went out of the room to get them some coffee. When he came up the hall to go in the room he met Roy going in. David said, “You’re not going in there.” Roy looked at David, “I’m her husband, I have a right.” David said, “The hell you say! You’ve never been a husband to her. You get your ass back in that waiting room or I’ll knock you there.” Lamont heard David’s loud voice, he opened the door, “Dave!” David pushed Roy out of his way as he went in Natalie’s room. Roy went to the waiting room.

When David was in the room and shut the door Lamont said, “Hey bud, you’ll get us thrown out of here.” David said as he handed Lamont a cup of coffee, “I want to hit that son-of-a-bitch so bad I can taste it.” Lamont said, “Let it go Dave. The damage is already done.” David said, “I know Nat doesn’t want to see him. As long as I’m here she won’t have to. Any change?” Lamont answered, “Not any. I thought I’d let her rest for a while then I’ll talk to her again.” David said, “If anyone can get her to fight for her life, you can.” Lamont gave a long sigh, “I’m afraid she’s not gonna listen to anyone. She has her mind made up.” David put his coffee cup down and his voice broke when he said, “Damn it Monty, she’s slowly slipping out of this world.”

About an hour later Dora came into the room, “Any change?” David answered, “None.” Lamont got up and quietly went out of the room. He walked down the hall to a window at the end and looked out. It was afternoon. Nurses were coming and going. It was time for the afternoon shift. Even though it was the middle of January, it was warm and beautiful. Since he was on the seventh floor, he could see the ocean far in the distance. He remembered how Natalie loved the beach. His thoughts went back to when he first saw her. How lovely and carefree she was. Always laughing, joking, and talking all the time. They were both so young then. She was just a senior in high school and he was nineteen. A siren far away came closer to the hospital. He saw the flashing lights. A block away the driver cut the siren off.

Lamont went back to Natalie’s room. He could see Natalie’s whole family in the waiting room. Mr. Agar looked crushed and defeated. Lamont wondered if he could take what was ahead, for he was sure Natalie wasn’t going to make it. He opened the door. He heard Dora tell David, “She’s resting now. I’m taking Mother and Dad home for a while. Dad has got to rest.”

Soon the doctor came in the room. He looked at the chart. David asked, “Any changes?” The doctor said, “I’m afraid not Mr. Agar. She needs that operation. I can’t do it until she gets stronger.” Lamont could see David was really getting shook up. He suggested, “Why don’t you go get us something to eat?” David said, “Yea, I need to get out of here for a few minutes.”

After David left, Natalie began to fight at the tent over her. She called, “Monty—Monty” Lamont took her hand in his, “I’m right here honey.” She opened her eyes and then closed them. She seemed to go back into a deep sleep.

Suddenly, Lamont felt trapped. If Natalie lived, she was going to expect him to love her again. He didn’t love her, not anymore. Not the kind of love she would want. Barbara was the woman he loved. Barbara and Robbie were his life. He thought, if she lives he would deal with that when the time came.

The evening shift came on duty. This day had been so very long for Lamont. He wished he was back in Montana.

David and Lamont decided they would take turns sleeping in the big chair by the bed. Dora, Ralph, and Mrs. Agar came back to the hospital. Mr. Agar wasn’t able to come back. Roy didn’t come back. He decided he would wait until morning to come to the hospital. David said, “I talked to Dora a few minutes ago. They had to put Dad to bed. He was feeling weak. If Nat doesn’t pull through this soon, we’ll have to put Dad in the hospital too.” Lamont said, “Yea, I know. He sure looks done in.”

Mrs. Agar came into the room. She looked down at her daughter. David wondered if she felt guilty because she’d never given Natalie much affection. She went over to David and said very low, “Roy will be back in the morning. I want you to behave yourself and not give him any trouble. You can’t stop a man from seeing his wife.” David said, “I can and I will. Just keep him out of this room.” “He’s a lawyer. He can have you put out of here. I just don’t want any trouble,” Mrs. Agar said. “Just let him try,” replied David. Mrs. Agar looked at Lamont, “See if you can talk some sense into him.” Then she left the room.

Lamont said, “You can’t keep him out of here Dave.” David said, “Maybe I can’t but I can knock the hell out of him when he does come in.” Lamont said, “Okay, so you knock the hell out of him, then you’ll be in trouble. What difference does it make if he does come in?” David said, “It makes a difference to me.”

By midnight the hospital was very quiet. Once in a while you could hear a nurse going up the hall. The nurse came in the room often and took Natalie’s temperature and blood pressure.

Tomorrow her baby would be buried. A little girl that only had two hours of life on this earth. Natalie didn’t know the baby died.

David went to sleep. Lamont went to the window and stared out into the dark and began remembering again. This time his thoughts went to the Agars. All those wild parties they had. How different they were from his parents. His father or mother didn’t drink anything pertaining to liquor. Of course, their lifestyles were so different. They were hard working people who didn’t have the time or money to have parties and buy liquor. It seemed the whole Agar family thrived on parties and social affairs. David changed when he went to Montana. He saw what real living was. He found out what closeness and love was in a family. David knew that was what he wanted out of life and he grabbed it. Natalie didn’t. Lamont remembered how happy he was when the house was being built. To Natalie, it was just a building. He gave her his love, she either didn’t know how to accept it or it wasn’t enough for her.

Lamont went over to the bed and looked down at her and thought, “I gave you everything I had Natalie and you took it, even my honor and pride. That wasn’t enough. If I had given you a child, would that have been enough? No, I don’t think so. I gave to you until you stripped me clean and you didn’t care. God, Natalie what did you want? Whatever it is, you haven’t found it and now you’ve given up.”

David woke about three a.m. Lamont settled in the chair and closed his eyes.

When Lamont woke, he saw David looking down at Natalie. It hurt him to see David hurting so much. He loved David as much as he did his brothers.

Another day was being born. Lamont stood at the window and watched the sun come up. How often he had seen the sun rise in so many different places. But to Lamont, the most beautiful sight was being in the mountains of Montana with only the sound of wild animals, some moving around as the sun would rise.

David went for more coffee and saw Barbara. She was in the waiting room where Mrs. Agar and Dora were. David asked, “When did you get here?” Barbara said, “About an hour ago.” David asked, “How is Carolyn?” Barbara said, “She is just fine. Mom Ellman is staying with her and the kids. How is Natalie?” David sighed, “No change. She just lies there with her eyes closed. She won’t fight back to get better. I’ll go tell Monty you’re here.”

When David went back in the room Mrs. Agar said, “So you’re Monty’s wife.” Barbara smiled, “Yes and you are Dave’s mother. He looks a lot like you.” Dora said, “I’m Dave’s oldest sister.” Barbara said, “You and Natalie look alike.” Mrs. Agar said, “Monty really surprised all of us when he married again. Barbara could see Mrs. Agar was a real snob. Mrs. Agar said, “Monty didn’t get the divorce. He was hanging onto the hope he and Natalie would get back together. They just weren’t suited for each other. If Monty hadn’t taken her to that God forsaken country, maybe they could have been happy.” Barbara wanted to defend Lamont, “One reason Monty didn’t get the divorce sooner was because he was somewhere in the South Pacific, a prisoner of war for nearly two years and you’re perfectly right Mrs. Agar, Monty and Natalie weren’t suited for each other. In a marriage, both have to give and take.” Lamont came out of the room before Mrs. Agar could say anything.

When Barbara saw him, she met him in the hall. He put his arm around her and kissed her, “Hello baby.” Barbara said, “You look so tired.” They walked to the elevator. They would eat breakfast together in the cafe downstairs.

As they began to eat, Lamont noticed Barbara was angry. He asked, “What’s wrong honey?” Barbara sighed, “Mrs. Agar.” Barbara told him what she said. Lamont said, “Don’t pay any attention to her. I just ignore her.” Barbara said, “I think she’s a horses ass.”

Barbara was worried about Lamont. He looked so tired. She was afraid by him not getting the proper rest, a siege of the fever might come back. Barbara asked, “Is Natalie going to make it?” Lamont said, “I don’t think so. She won’t try. I noticed a difference in her breathing just a few minutes ago. Barbara said, “Oh Monty, it’s so terrible for anyone to want to die.” Barbara ate the last of her egg, “Where are you staying?” Lamont said, “Here. Dave and I are staying with her around the clock.” Barbara said, “You’re not getting enough rest. Monty it could cause you to have a siege of the fever.” Lamont said, “I can’t leave Dave to sit alone.” Barbara knew it wasn’t just David he didn’t want to leave, even if he wouldn’t admit it to himself. It was Natalie. Barbara said, “You’ve done all you can do. Let’s go back home.” Lamont said, “Baby I can’t do that. That woman upstairs needs help. Somehow, some way Dave and I are going to have to reach her.” Barbara said, “She won’t listen to either of you.” Lamont got annoyed, “Barbara I don’t expect you to understand but I’ve got to be here in case she needs me. Just maybe I can help her. Dave is in a bad way, he needs me now. I can’t leave him seeing her die and listening to Mrs. Agar’s remarks. He already threatens to throw Natalie’s husband out of the room if he tries to come in.” Barbara asked, “What do you want me to do?” Lamont said, “Go back home. Robbie needs you to be there.” Barbara sighed, “Alright Monty. I’ll go back today.” He could see the disappointment on her face. He reached out and put his hand over hers, “Look baby, there is nothing I wouldn’t like better than to go back with you but I just can’t.” Barbara looked at him until their eyes met, “Monty are you sure there’s not another reason why you want to stay?” Lamont said, “There is no other reason.”

Barbara called the airport. It would be three and a half hours before she could get a flight. She went back upstairs with Lamont. No one was in the waiting room. He pulled her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. He said softly, “I love you.”

Then he went in Natalie’s room. Barbara sat down on one of the chairs in the waiting room. She was glad none of the Agars were there. She thought, “Will Natalie always stand between them? Even if she dies, will her ghost always be there? Would it be a good idea to take her son to raise. He would always be a constant reminder, but it was too late. The papers were sighed.” Her thoughts were interrupted by two nurses hurrying in Natalie’s room.

They worked with her for twenty minutes and finally got her breathing some better. Lamont came out of the room with the nurses. He went over to Barbara standing in the door of the waiting room. She asked, “Is she worse?” Lamont answered, “I thought she was gone there for a few minutes. She’s breathing better now.”

A nurse came over to them, “Are you Mrs. Barbara Ellman?” Barbara nodded her head. The nurse said, “I am to give you this message. Mrs. Dorothy Ellman said Carolyn is doing fine and she has a six pound girl.” Barbara thanked the nurse. Lamont said, “I’d better go in and tell Dave.”