Blossoms of Love (52 page)

When the family was gone except for David, Barbara stood looking down at the two caskets. She thought as she laid a red rose on Natalie’s casket, “I truly hope you are at peace now. I promise you I will be a good mother to your son.” David stood a long time and looked at the caskets with Jimmy beside him. Then in a low voice he said, “Goodbye sis. Goodbye Dad.” HE turned and walked slowly away as if he was hiding tears. Jimmy knelt down at his mother’s grave, “Why did you have to die Momma? I love you.” Barbara said, “Come on darling, we have to go.”

As they walked away, Barbara looked back and saw Lamont still standing over the graves. He was very much touched. He just stood looking down and said silently, “Rest dear one. May you have peace with God. May you find the joy and love you searched for here on earth. Your son will be well taken care of and he will have the love and affection you wished for him. The wound in my heart is healed that you put there. In your own way, I know now you did love me. Our life together wasn’t completely wasted. I made as many mistakes as you did in our married life. I learned from them. It makes me a better husband to Barbara. Goodbye dear one. Sweet dreams forever.”

Barbara didn’t call Lamont. She knew he was saying goodbye to his first love. Barbara put her arm around Jimmy’s shoulder. She was really worried about him. This seven year old boy never once cried at the funeral. It was an awful thing to happen to such a young boy. The only two people who loved him. How alone he must feel.

The plane David and Lamont came in was large enough for six people so they all went back together. On their way, Jimmy and David sat together. Jimmy was quiet for a long time. Then he said, “Uncle Dave, why didn’t you adopt me?” David said, “Because your mother wanted Barbara and Monty to give you a home. You see son, your mother and Monty were once married. For some reason, they couldn’t get along but they still liked each other. I guess your mother loved Monty more than anyone.”

Everyone sat quietly as David talked to Jimmy. Jimmy asked, “If they loved each other, why didn’t they stay married?” Lamont said, “There are things besides love that count in a marriage Jimmy. Your mother and I didn’t have those things.” David said, “You’ll like your new home. My ranch joins Monty’s.” Barbara said, “You’ll have a little brother. His name is Robbie. He is three years old.” Berry said, “Yea and your Uncle Dave has a son the same age as you.” David said, “His name is Freddie. He was born the same day you were.” Lamont said, “Give us a chance to know you and for you to know us. Will you do that?” Jimmy said, “It’s so far away from Momma and Grandpa’s grave.” They all knew then why Jimmy didn’t want to come. Lamont said, “Look Jimmy, Uncle Dave, Barbara, or me one will bring you back here once in a while to visit their graves.” His face seemed to brighten, “Okay, I’ll never forget my mother.” Barbara said, “We don’t want you to forget her darling. I don’t ever mean to try to take her place. We just want to love you and take care of you. Monty has given you his name because you are his son now.” David said, “Hey, James Agar Ellman. That sounds pretty good.”

When they got to Montana, before they went home, Lamont, Barbara, and David went to their lawyer. Johnny and Berry went on home.

They were all seated when the lawyer said, “I have the original papers, they were sent to me a few days ago.” He looked at Jimmy, “Are you Jimmy?” The young boy answered, “Yes sir. The middle aged lawyer said, “Jimmy, as of now, your name is James Agar Ellman. Lamont and Barbara are your legal parents. You will legally receive thirty thousand dollars from your mother but Barbara and Lamont will hold the money for you until you are twenty-one. The ranch at Barbara and Lamont’s death will be half yours.” The lawyer told Lamont, “There is also twenty-thousand dollars in the bank for you to spend on Jimmy as you see fit.” Barbara and Lamont looked at each other. The lawyer could see that they were both surprised. The lawyer smiled, “It was Natalie’s wish that no one knew this until after her death. That is what her lawyer wrote to me.” The middle aged man looked at Jimmy, “You’re very lucky to have Barbara and Lamont for your parents. Listen to them Jimmy. They won’t guide you wrong. They will give you a good home and they will love you.” Jimmy said, “Yes sir.” Lamont, David, and Barbara shook the lawyer’s hand.

When they were outside Jimmy looked up at Lamont, “Do I call you Dad now?” Lamont said, “I’d like that very much.”

On their way to the ranch, Jimmy was very quiet. Then all of a sudden he said, “I think I’ll like calling you Dad. I never had a Dad before.” Lamont said, “I think I’m gonna like having two sons.” Jimmy looked at Barbara, “I can’t call her Mom. My Mom’s dead.” Barbara said, “That’s alright honey, I understand. You can call me Barbara if you like.”

Jimmy was surprised at the big brick house where he would live. When they got out of the car, Robbie came out of the house and ran to meet them but Mrs. Ellman stood on the porch. Robbie cried out with joy, “Mommy, Daddy.” Lamont scooped him up in his arms and kissed him, “I’m so glad to see you.” Then Barbara kissed him, “Have you been a good boy?” Robbie said, “Sometimes Mommy.” Everyone laughed except Jimmy. David said as he got his bag out of the car, “I better get home.” Lamont said, “I’ll drive you over there.” David said, ‘No, remember I just live over the hill.” He went over to the porch, “Mom Ellman, Carolyn is home, isn’t she?” Mrs. Ellman answered, “Yes. She and that daughter came home yesterday. Ellen is with her.” David waved and started over the hill to his house.

Lamont got the other bags out of the car and said, “Okay Jimmy, this is Robbie. Robbie, this is Jimmy. You are brothers now.” The boys stood looking at each other. Finally Robbie said, “You are bigger than me.” Jimmy said, “I’m older than you are.” Barbara said, “Come on you two. We need to show Jimmy his room.”

Jimmy’s room was just across the hall from Robbie’s Jimmy looked around the room. Barbara said, “If you don’t like the way it looks, then we will fix it the way you want it.” Jimmy said, “I like it. Is this just my room?” Lamont said, “Yes. Robbie’s room is across the hall.” Jimmy said, “I never had a room of my own before except when I was at Grandpa’s house.”

Lamont and Robbie went back downstairs. Barbara unpacked Jimmy’s things. When she was done, she noticed him sitting on the window seat looking out. Barbara sat down on the bed. She said to him softly, “Jimmy, come here please.” He obeyed. Barbara took his hands in hers, “I know how hard it is for you dear. Loosing your mother and moving to a strange house and country. You will like it here in a short time.” Jimmy asked, “Was you and Momma good friends?” Barbara answered, “Yes, I think we were. The last time I saw her, we kissed each other goodbye.” Jimmy was almost in tears, “I miss her.” Barbara took him in her arms, “Of course you do. Go ahead and cry darling. Sometimes crying helps. Even men cry sometimes.” Jimmy did cry. His heart was broken. Barbara cuddled him closer to her, “Jimmy we love you already. You’re the other son Monty and I wanted.” It was then he clung to Barbara.

That night when the boys were asleep and Barbara was undressing for bed she told Lamont about what happened when she was alone with Jimmy. She said, “Jimmy really needs a lot of affection.” Lamont got into bed, “Yes I know, but we’re gonna have to be very careful for a while and not show him too much affection or more than we do Robbie. It’s gonna be rough on Robbie too. He’s always been use to all of the attention.” Barbara said, “I know but I think in time we will be a very happy family. He reached out and pulled her in his arms, “Come here baby. I haven’t held you in my arms for a long time.”

As the days passed, Jimmy began to relax in his new home. Robbie followed him around. Jimmy would play with him but there was four years difference in their ages. Jimmy and Freddie became very good pals, even though they were cousins.

After Jimmy had been there three weeks, Lamont gave him a horse and taught him how to ride. Jimmy was so happy. Last year he wanted a dog but Roy wouldn’t let him have one. Lamont said, “Now you must not ride out on the range. Only around here and over at Dave’s.” So Jimmy, Robbie, and Freddie would ride around the stables.

Spring came and went. Lamont and Barbara were well pleased with the way Jimmy had adapted to his new home. Jimmy already loved Lamont and he showed he was very fond of Barbara. He loved Sara and Jesse too.

One hot June afternoon, Carolyn came over to see Barbara. Barbara took the baby, “My you sure are growing.” Carolyn laughed, “She sure is. I think she’s bigger at four months than the others were.”

Freddie was outside playing with Jimmy and Robbie. Suddenly Robbie came running in the house crying, “Mommy, Mommy.” Barbara asked, “Robbie! What’s happened to you?” Robbie’s knee was bleeding. Robbie cried, “Jimmy pushed me down. He didn’t want me to play with him and Freddie. He said I was too little.” Barbara cleaned the dirt off of his knee and put medicine on it. Robbie wouldn’t go back outside. He went upstairs to the play room. Barbara said to Carolyn, “Jimmy is going to have to be punished. This is the third time this week he has done things like this. Since Monty has to be on the range so much, Jimmy has gotten over bearing.” Carolyn said, “I know it must be a problem. I wouldn’t want your job.”

Barbara called Jimmy to come in the house. When he came in Barbara asked, “Why did you push Robbie down?” Jimmy answered, “He got in the way. He’s too small to play ball with me and Freddie.” Barbara said, “This makes three times this week. I think you better go to your room and think about this for a while.” Jimmy threw his ball and glove down on the floor, “When Dad gets here I’m gonna tell him.” Barbara said, “You do that. I think he should know.” Robbie was in the play room when Jimmy went by to his room. He stuck his head in the door, “Tattle tale.” Then he went on to his room.

By the time Lamont got home, Barbara was almost in tears. He took one look at her, “What’s wrong honey?” Barbara sighed, “It’s our sons.” Then she told him what happened. She finished saying, “Jimmy is still in his room.” Lamont said, “Honey don’t get so upset. Boys are going to fight. That’s part of growing up. We all did. I don’t guess there was a day that went by some of us didn’t fight.” Barbara said, “Monty this is a little different. They aren’t blood brothers and Jimmy knows it.” Lamont said, “That doesn’t matter. Jimmy is our son now and he is going to be punished just like Robbie is. I’ll go upstairs and talk to both of them. Is supper ready?” Barbara said, “In about an hour.”

Lamont went upstairs. He went to Robbie’s room first. Robbie was playing with a truck on the bed. Lamont said, “Come here Robbie. Daddy wants to talk to you.” Robbie came over to him and got on his lap. Lamont said, “What is this I hear about you and Jimmy?” Robbie said, “He pushed me down and hurt my knee.” Lamont said, “Why did he push you down?” Robbie said, “Because I wanted to play ball with him and Freddie.” Lamont said, “Look Robbie, you’re a lot younger than they are. Don’t you think Jimmy didn’t want you to play because he thought you might get hurt. You see son, big brothers have to look out for their younger brothers. I did my young brothers.” Robbie smiled, “Yea, Dad I bet that was why.” Lamont said, “Now you go get washed up, supper will be ready soon.”

Lamont went to Jimmy’s room. He opened the door. Jimmy was sitting on the window seat looking out watching a plane go over. Lamont went over to him. Jimmy said, “Someday, I think I’ll fly a plane like you Dad.” He looked around at Lamont and asked, “What is it like being way up in the sky?” Lamont said, “I’ll tell you about it someday. Right now we’ve got to get something straightened out. Now do you want to tell me about why you have been so unruly and mean to Robbie this week?” Jimmy asked, “Are you gonna whip me?” Lamont asked, “Do you think you deserve getting a spanking?” Jimmy looked down at his hands, “I don’t know.” Lamont said, “Jimmy, you’re our son. You will get punished just like Robbie when you do something you shouldn’t do. Now I don’t think you did anything bad enough for a spanking but this must stop. You’re a little over four years older than Robbie. He looks up to you. You’re his big brother. Whatever you do, he wants to do. Now I know there are times when you don’t want him tagging along and I agree but let him be with you some. When you don’t want him tagging along just sit down and explain to him why. He will understand. Do you think you can do that?” Jimmy said, “I never thought of it that way. Yes Dad, I will. Is Barbara mad at me?” Lamont said, “No one is mad at you. We just want you to grow up being a nice person. Now get washed up. Supper will be ready soon.” Jimmy threw his arms around Lamont’s neck, “I’m sorry. I won’t be mean to Robbie any more.” Lamont said, “I’m not the one you should apologize to.” Jimmy asked, “You mean Robbie?” Lamont nodded his head.

After that, Jimmy knew he would be treated just like Robbie.

He and Robbie became very close. Jimmy began looking after Robbie and Robbie didn’t mind the bossing too much. Freddie was their best friend.

One Sunday afternoon, everyone gathered at Lamont’s house. Lamont had a ball playing with the children. Ellen said, “Look at Monty. I never saw anyone enjoy children as much as he does. I wish Johnny had that much patience with them.” Barbara said, “Jimmy absolutely worships Monty, of course Robbie does too.” Johnny asked, “Robbie isn’t jealous?” Barbara said, ‘No, not now. Everything has turned out fine for us. We had a little trouble at first. We had to prove to Jimmy that we really wanted him.” Ellen asked, “How did you do that?” Barbara replied, “By punishing him and Robbie for things they did wrong.” Allen said, “Yes, I see why that would prove to him you cared. A boy his age knew if he did things wrong and wasn’t punished for it, you didn’t care enough.”

Everyone stayed until dark because they were enjoying themselves so much.

In their bedroom, Barbara started rubbing Lamont’s shoulders and neck. He said, “Umm, how relaxing that is.” Barbara said, “You look so tired darling.” He sighed, “I am tonight.” Barbara begged, “Monty slow down. Just about a year ago you had a siege of the fever.” Lamont said, “I’ll slow down in about three more weeks. I want to help the men get all of our new stock branded.” Barbara asked, “Promise?” He yawned, “I promise.”