Blossoms of Love Read online

  Blossoms of Love

  by

  Juanita J. Foshee

  .

  This book is dedicated to Juanita Jane Foshee and to honor her for her contribution to our society through her writings and other talents such as, art work and paintings.

  Juanita Jane Foshee

  Born in River Rouge, Michigan on June 18, 1927, the daughter of Homer C. and Mary Sue Evans.

  The family moved to Homer's home town, Stevenson, Alabama where, Jane as she was known to all her friends, attended school. During her tenure at Stevenson High School, Jane wrote several books which to this day remain unpublished.

  After marrying her high school sweetheart, George T. Foshee Jr., Jane wrote several other books, also unpublished.

  Taken from the original manuscript, this book is now published and offered to the public. We hope you enjoy it.

  Jane is survived by her, sons Homer W. Foshee, and George T. Foshee, III, daughter in law Sherry Foshee, granddaughters Selena May, Amanda Foshee and Jennifer Foshee, grandsons George T. Foshee, IV and Jason May and great granddaughter Leah Grace May

  On a hot Sunday, the Ellmans were outside. The children were playing in the yard when a police car drove up. The policeman got out of the car. He said, “Mrs. Ellman, I have a telegram from the Navy to you.” Everyone froze. “Oh no, not again.” Mrs. Ellman said, “Which one this time?” Johnny said, “It’s Monty.” Barbara screamed, “No! No! He promised he would come back.” “He was shot down over enemy territory.” Mrs. Ellman asked, “Is—he dead?” The policeman said, “They don’t know.” Barbara said, “He will be home. I know he will. He promised me.”

  The Blossoms of Love

  Chapter One - Lamont Ellman

  • Second of six sons

  • Lives on a horse ranch in Montana

  • Enlists in the Navy

  • Marries Natalie

  Chapter Two

  • Trouble in the marriage

  • Lamont tries to run from his memories

  • World War

  Chapter Three

  • Lamont re-enlists

  • Missing in action

  • The pregnancy

  Chapter Four

  • The recovery

  • The son he never knew existed

  Chapter Five

  • A surprise visit from Natalie

  • Settling down to a normal life

  • Another battle, but this time for Barbara

  Chapter Six

  • Lost in Montana

  • Peace at last, together forever

  This is the story of Lamont Ellman and his family. He is the second of six sons born to Dorothy and John. The Ellman’s live on a small ranch in Montana. The ranch gives them a fair living, but with six growing boys they had no extra money. John worked his sons as soon as they were old enough to handle a horse.

  The oldest son, Johnny, is dark haired and has his mother’s eyes. Lamont is two years younger. Everyone calls him Monty. His hair and eyes were like his fathers, blue eyes and blond hair. Lamont was a very handsome boy. Some people even thought he was beautiful, but his looks deceived them. He was rugged, rough, and tough. Berry, the third son, had the blond hair but his eyes were brown. He and Johnny were the quiet ones. Leon, the fourth son, had dark hair and eyes. He was always making someone laugh. Paul, the fifth son, could also be Leon’s twin. He was the smartest one. The sixth and last son, Allen, looked like Lamont except he was bigger and taller.

  This story starts on Johnny’s 16th birthday. Mr. Ellman helped Johnny and Lamont load cattle on a big truck. The boys were taking them to town to sell. On their way to town, Lamont had an idea. He looked at Johnny who was driving. He asks, “Don’t they have the big rodeo in town tonight?” Johnny answered, “Yea, I read about it in the paper yesterday.” Lamont grinned and said, “We could go. It would be your birthday present from me.” Johnny glanced at him and said, “Are you crazy? Dad would whip the daylights out of us if we don’t go right back. We don’t have any money and we can’t spend Dad’s.”

  Lamont laughed as he said, “We don’t need any money. I know where we can slip in and not be noticed.” Johnny gave a long sigh, “I don’t think we should.” Lamont begged, “Please Johnny, we ain’t never seen a big rodeo. I’m willing to take a whipping from Dad if we can see it.” Johnny said, “I don’t know why I let you talk me into things I know will get us into trouble.” He smiled at Lamont, “Okay, we’ll go. I just wonder if it will be worth the whipping Dad will give us. It better be little brother.”

  The boys went to the stock yards and sold the cattle. The rodeo had just started when they got there. They slipped inside and no one saw them. The two young boys enjoyed the rodeo so much they forgot about the punishment they would get when they got home. They talked about the rodeo all the way home. It was midnight when they got home. Mrs. Ellman was waiting for them in the kitchen as the boys quietly came in the back door. They were surprised to see her. She asked angrily, “Where have you boys been?” Johnny answered, “We went to the rodeo in town, Mom.” She looked at her oldest two sons, “You boys know we don’t have money to spend for things like that.” Lamont said, “We didn’t spend any of Dad’s money. We got in free.” She asked, “What do you mean?” Lamont answered, “We slipped in without anyone seeing us.”

  Mrs. Ellman signed, “Boys, you know that’s dishonest. We try to raise all of you to be honest and truthful.” Lamont said, “Mom, it was Johnny’s birthday and we didn’t have any money.” He looked at his mother, “It was my fault. I talked Johnny into going.”

  Their mother gave a long sigh, “Well it’s done but don’t ever do this again. Your father went to bed early, he was so tired. I won’t tell him this time. Now go to bed.”

  The two oldest Elllman sons kissed their mother and thanked her for not telling their father. Dorothy didn’t like keeping anything from her husband, but she thought it best not to tell him about this. The boys did work very hard.

  When the boys were upstairs in bed Johnny said, “Boy, am I glad Mom’s not gonna tell Dad. He would just about kill us.” Lamont said, “I told you everything would be alright.” Johnny signed, “Yea, you told me.”

  Lamont was glad winter had come. They wouldn’t have to work as hard and he could go hunting. He spent all of his spare time in the mountains. Often on weekends, he would spend the whole time walking in the woods or staying in the old cabin that his father built high in the mountains when they were small. Mr. Ellman used to hunt a lot until he had a light heart attack nearly a year ago. Many times he fed his family for weeks from the animals he killed. He was glad Lamont liked to hunt as much as he did.

  Christmas Eve was here. Mrs. Ellman was busy in the kitchen cooking for her family. She always made her cakes a day or two ahead. She always prepared a turkey and a big ham for their Christmas dinner, and of course all the trimmings.

  The boys were running in and out of the kitchen wanting to taste this and that. John and his three oldest sons went to the mountains to get a tree. The Ellman’s enjoyed Christmas. They didn’t have much money for presents but they always had plenty to eat. After eating their evening meal, the whole family decorated the tree. When the lights were turned on, Dorothy would bring in the popcorn and candy. They would admire the three as they ate the goodies. The older boys got clothes and the smaller ones got one toy for Christmas.

  Two years passed quickly for Dorothy because her boys were growing up fast. Johnny graduated high school. John and Dorothy were very happy when Johnny told them he wanted to stay home and help his father on the ranch. As the family sat at the dinning table eating lunch, Johnny looked up from his plate, then at his father. “Dad, I know you need me here to help you. I’ve decided to sta
y here and be a rancher like you. I believe we can make this ranch really pay off. Maybe in the future we can even buy more land.”

  Mr. Ellman smiled, “With your help, I think we can too. I’m glad you have made that choice. You’re right son, I do need you. Lamont can’t do all of the work until Berry learns more.” John sighed, “I just can’t do the work I did before I had the heart attack.” Lamont replied, “We don’t want you to Dad.” Lamont looked at his brother say, “Berry is learning fast, so is Leon. It won’t be long until Dad will have a lot of help.”

  Paul and Allen had their jobs around the house. When spring came, Berry was doing a man’s work just like Johnny and Lamont. He was like Johnny, he liked working on the ranch.

  As the months passed, the ranch was beginning to pay off. The next spring, John bought more stock. He was very happy because the ranch was finally paying it’s way and he had all of his sons working on the range except Allen. Allen was only ten years old. John didn’t start working them on the range until they were twelve.

  Lamont graduated from high school in May. Two days later, as the family was eating their evening meal, Lamont looked at his mother, then his father. He cleared his throat. Everyone looked at him. He announced, “I have something to tell all of you.” Everyone waited to hear what he had to say. Lamont waited a second then said, “I joined the Navy yesterday.”

  Johnny and Berry were not surprised. Lamont had been talking to them about the Navy. Dorothy looked at her second son with tears in her eyes and said, “I was wishing you would stay here like Johnny.” Johnny said, “Mom, we won’t all stay on here.” Leon said, “That’s right Mom, I want to be a scientist.” Paul said, “I want to be a doctor.” Lamont looked at his father, “Dad, you haven’t said a word.” He could see the disappointment on his father’s face. John took a sip of his coffee. His wife and all of the boys were looking at him. He finally said, “What is there to say? Monty has his mind made up. He’s already joined the Navy.”

  Lamont said, “I want to see the world, I want to see how other people live. Dad I’m sure you can make it without me now. You’ve got all of us on the range now except Allen. He will be on the range in a year and a half.” John said, “Yes, I can make it without you. Go son, get this wild, restless feeling inside of you out of your system. When you do, you’ll be back home to stay.” Dorothy asked, “When do you have to leave?” Lamont answered, “I have a week before I leave.”

  The week passed too fast for everyone. Lamont was a little said leaving home for the first time. He finished packing his small bag with Paul and Allen’s help. The two youngest Ellmans following their brother downstairs where the rest of the family was waiting. Johnny would drive him to town. The other brothers said their good-byes. Allen cried as Lamont went toward the truck. Lamont ruffled his hair, “Be a good boy, little one.”

  He threw his bag in the back of the truck then turned to his mother. He gently put his arms around her. She kissed him on the cheek. He said softly, “I love you Mom.” With tears in her eyes she managed to say, “I love you too. Please take good care of yourself.” Lamont grinned, “I will, I love me too.”

  Then he turned to his father. They shook hands. Lamont could see a tear or two in his father’s eyes as John said, “Don’t stay away too long. You just remember what your mother and I have taught you. Always be truthful and honest.” Lamont answered, “I will Dad. Just as soon as I start getting paid I’ll send you some money out of every paycheck.” John said, “I won’t need it but you go on and send it. We’ll put it in the bank for you.”

  Johnny and Lamont got in the truck. As the truck went around the bend in the road, Lamont looked back. All he could see was the upstairs window. He saw his mother standing in the window of his and Johnny’s room. He threw her a kiss. She waved until they were out of sight.

  They were in town only ten minutes when Lamont had to leave. Johnny hugged Lamont to him as he said, “Damn, I’m gonna miss you.” Lamont looked at his brother whom he was very close to. “I’ll miss you too. I’ll miss home. I’ve got to do this Johnny. I’ve dreamed of this ever since I was twelve years old.” Johnny said, “Good luck brother. Like dad said, don’t stay away too long.” Lamont picked up his bag in his hand, “Take care of Mom and Dad.” Johnny answered him by winking at him as he walked away.

  Lamont didn’t like the first six weeks in the Navy. It wasn’t as hard on him as it was some of the young men. He was accustomed to hard work. After the six week’s training, Lamont went to school to learn to be a pilot. He enjoyed the school because he wanted to fly airplanes. He finished the schooling with very good grades. He was one of the highest in his class. He was then assigned to an aircraft carrier. He was only on the ship a couple of hours when he met David Agar. They liked each other right away. David’s job was keeping the planes in perfect condition. The crew was given a weekend pass and then they were going to sea. David and Lamont went to town together. As they got to town Lamont said, “Dave, I’ve got to call home before we start hitting the bars.” Davis said, “I’ll call home too.”

  They each went to a phone booth to make their calls. The phone rang twice before Lamont heard Allen’s voice say hello. Lamont said, “Hi little brother.” Allen asked with excitement in his voice, “Monty, is it really you?” With a chuckle in his voice Lamont answered, “It’s me.” Allen asked, “Are you coming home?” Lamont answered, “Not this time. Is Mom and Dad there?” He heard Allen yell, “Mom, Monty is on the phone.” It was only seconds when Lamont heard his mother say, “Hello son. Are you alright?” It was so good to hear his mother’s soft, sweet voice. He answered, “Yes, I’m fine. How is my best girl and all the family?” His mother said, “We’re all just fine.” Lamont said, “I have a weekend pass so I thought I’d call. Wish I could come home but I’ll have to wait until I get more than two days. We’re shipping out Monday. Now don’t worry if you don’t get a letter for a while. Mom, I’m a pilot now. Is Dad around?” Dorothy answered, “No dear, he and Johnny went to town to get supplies. Your father will be so sorry he didn’t get to talk to you. The ranch is really doing good. Your father and Johnny bought some more stock yesterday. Monty I wish you weren’t going to fly airplanes. Isn’t it very dangerous?” Lamont said, “It’s no more dangerous than anything else we do. Don’t worry about that Mom, I know what I’m doing. I sent you and Dad some money today. I’ve got to go now. Tell everyone hello. I don’t know how long we’ll be out at sea, but I’m sure we will get a few days leave when we get back. If we do, I’ll be home. Bye Mom, love ya.” She heard the phone click. She put the receiver back on the hook and smiled. She thought he seemed happy.

  David was standing near the phone booth when Lamont came out. David said, “I just got to talk to our maid. Mother and Dad were gone.” Lamont asked, “Ready to have some fun old buddy?” David grinned, “You bet. Let’s go.”

  They went to several bars before they met two girls they wanted to be with. The four of them went to a night club. On Sunday morning Lamont and David were broke, hungry, and lying in bed with two girls all nude and with bad hangovers. Lamont said, “Let’s get out of here.” David agreed.

  They dressed quickly leaving the girls still asleep. As they walked down the street Lamont said, “Damn, I must have really got smashed last night. Did you get a look at what was in bed with me?” David laughed, “Yea, I saw. The one in my bed wasn’t any better.” They walked nearly two blocks then noticed the streets were empty. It was still very early. David stopped walking and began reaching in his pockets. He counted two dollars and ten cents. He looked at Lamont saying, “I’ve got two dollars and ten cents and I’m hungry. Ho much money do you have?” Lamont counted. He looked at David laughing, “I’ve got a sum of one dollar and fifty two cents.” David sighed, “Well, we can’t buy much to eat with what money we have. I’m afraid we’re out of luck.” Lamont said, “There’s only one thing to do. We’ll just go back to the ship.” He looked at his watch, “We can get there just in time for breakf
ast.” David agreed, “Let’s go old buddy.”

  Lamont was right. The men on ship were eating when they arrived. They ate a hearty breakfast and spent the rest of the day on their bunks sleeping.

  As the weeks passed, Lamont and David became the best of friends. Lamont began calling David what he wanted him to. “Since we are real friends, I’d like for you to call me Dave. David sounds so formal.” Lamont said, “Okay Dave, my family and friends call me Monty.” Dave smiled, “Alright, from now on it’s Monty.”

  As the weeks passed, to Lamont’s surprise he was getting homesick to see his parents and brothers. Three days before Thanksgiving the ship was back on the west coast. The crew got two weeks leave. David watched Lamont pack a few things in his bag, “I don’t know what in the hell I’m gonna do these two weeks with you gone.” Lamont looked at him and asked, “Didn’t you get two weeks?” David answered, “Yea, I got two weeks.” He lit a cigar, “Tell you the truth, Mother and Dad are gone on a trip to the Smoky Mountains for two weeks. I think my youngest sister went too. My other sister, well, we just don’t get along very well.” Lamont smiled, “Go home with me.” He patted David on the back, “Come on, get a few things packed.” David looked at Lamont for a second, “Your parents wouldn’t mind.” Lamont answered, “No, they won’t mind. They’ll be glad to meet you. I wrote to Mom and Dad about you. I told them you were my best friend. Get with it bud. I’ve got a free ride on a Navy plane. I know these fellows who have to fly seven planes to the east.”