The puppet show had finished and the Captain and Herr Detweiller were having a heated discussion of whether the children could sing at the Salzburg Festival.
" Max I told you my children will not sing in public!" Georg says as they enter the living room.
Trying to distract from the disagreement I ask the children who we should hear from next. They run to me and whisper in my ear. I look at them and mouth "are you sure? They all nod enthusiastically. I walk over to the Captain guitar in hand and hold it out to him.
" The vote is unanimous, you Captain. He looks at me and laughs.
" Me Fraulein, I don't think so"
" I am told that you play beautifully" I say smiling at him.
" That was along time ago" he says smiling at me.
"Please father I remember" Leisl says looking at him.
He looks at her and smiles. He looks at the other children and then looks back at me. His eyes seem to see right into my soul. The warmth I feel causes me to blush slightly. The change in him is remarkable.
He takes the guitar and goes to the sofa. I motion for the children to sit on the floor. He begins to strum the guitar struggling to remember the chords. I watch as the Baroness sits on the opposite side of the room next to Herr Detweiller. I sense she is uncomfortable but cannot figure out why. I walk to the small chair beside the sofa him and sit down waiting for him to play.
He looks at the children and begins to play. I recognize the song immediately. Edelweiss. It is a song I know well. I remember my mother singing it to me when I was young. I listen as he begins. I marvel at his strong voice and stare at him as he sings. I listen and I can't help but stare at him. Why am I so drawn to him. I look down at the children and see their faces. They are simply memorized by him. They have missed this part of him.
I hear him finish the first part and watch as he struggles to remember the rest. Instinct takes over and I begin to sing. He looks at me and joins me. Our voices blend perfectly as we sing the song together. He looks at me and suddenly no one is in the room. I only see his face. His mouth moving , his eyes looking at me as if he is trying to convey some feeling to me. I feel warm all over as we finish the song. He smiles at me and suddenly I am the one who is feeling strangely uncomfortable.