Free Blossoms of Love by Juanita Jane Foshee Page B

their late thirties or early forties. Natalie’s boss, Mr. Gross, was in his fifties. Everyone liked Natalie. After she’d been working three months, two younger men started driving. One of them began dating Natalie. She liked him because he was a lot of fun to be with.
    In Japan, Lamont met a girl he liked. Her father was in the Navy. He had been in Japan two years with his daughter. The first time he was invited to their house for dinner, he met the young woman. Her name was Barbara. She really liked Lamont from the first. Most women did. After being at their house several times, Lamont began dating Barbara often. She wasn’t beautiful, or even pretty, but she had a wonderful disposition. They had a lot of fun together. Lamont really enjoyed being with her. He wrote to David about Barbara and sent him a picture of them together. Lamont wrote, “Wish you were here old boy. Barbara is a fine person and a very good bed fellow. Her father is my boss so you see, I’ve got it made. Say, how do you like the suit I’m wearing in the picture? We don’t have to wear our uniforms off duty. I got this suit real cheap.” David smiled as he read the letter. As he folded it and put it back in the envelope, he thought, “That’s Monty alright, got him a girl to sleep with while he’s there.”
    A few days later, Natalie went to David’s room looking for the new records he’d bought. She saw the letter from Lamont on his dresser. She picked it up but laid it back down. The letter was private. She found the records she was looking for. She walked to the door, looked back at the letter. Lamont had been gone almost four months. Of course, she had not gotten a letter or even a postcard. She thought, “What was Monty doing, how was he? David wouldn’t care if I read the letter.” She went back to the letter and opened it. She cried as the read the short letter, then she looked at the picture. She hated the way Barbara was clinging to Lamont. She cried softly, “Oh Monty. You wouldn’t sleep with me. She’s not as pretty as I am. She’s not even pretty. Why?” She put the letter and picture in the envelope.
    All evening she played the records. Lamont was in her thoughts. She came to a decision. From now on, she was going to live a wild and carefree life. She was going to put Lamont out of her mind and her life.
    Natalie began dating more men and often came home from her date more than satisfied because in her mind, she was getting even with Lamont. But she wasn’t interested in anyone.
    As the weeks passed and Lamont continued to date Barbara, she knew now that she was in love with him. Her father was very fond of him.
    Lamont seldom thought of Natalie, but on her twenty-second birthday he sent her a beautiful jewelry box. It played a lovely, Japanese song. Natalie received the present the day before her birthday. She was even more surprised when he called her on her birthday. She was so excited she could hardly talk, “Where re you Monty?” He chuckled, “I’m still in Japan. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday.” Natalie said, “Oh Monty, it’s wonderful to hear your voice.” He asked, “How are you doing kiddo?” She answered, “Just fine. I’ve got a job. It keeps me busy. Monty thanks so much for the present. I love it and I’ll listen to the song every night before I go to sleep.” Lamont said, “I thought you would like it. When I saw it, I thought of you.” She asked, “When will you be coming home?” He answered, “Not for a long time yet. As far as I know now I’ll be here another two years.” She replied, “Oh Monty, that’s such a long time.” He laughed, “It will pass before long.” Lamont cleared his throat, “How is everyone? How’s Dave?” She said, “We are all fine. Dave and Sharon are engaged. They haven’t set a wedding date yet.” Lamont chuckled, “My old buddy getting married? I can’t believe it. You tell him to let me know when they set a date and I think I