Georg VonTrapp wasn't a man who noticed his weaknesses. He needed to be strong, and he finally after six years realized that he needed help- psychological help.
Grief and utter sadness controlled his life. It made him forget who he was and it cost him his children. Ever since his dear wife had passed he had kept himself at distance from them-not realizing that they were grieving as well and needed him desperately.
He had heard from one of the maids that his firstborn had recently been sneaking out to meet up with a telegram boy. He knew that Liesl would never do such a thing without his permission.
The others were to busy playing cruel jokes on the poor governesses. This meant one thing-They were rebelling. They wanted to get caught and possibly be punished. At first, he couldn't understand why they would willingly get themselves into trouble and then the shocking realization hit him like a train-They wanted attention.
For days on end Georg was troubled. He didn't know what to do but one thing he did know was that he needed help. He needed to talk to some...but who?
As life would have it he suddenly remembered that when Agatha died Max had advised him to go see an analyst. He still had the contact details somewhere in his study . He immediately went there. Luckily it didn't take him long to find the contact details, they were folded neatly in the folder with Agatha's details and information. He sat down on one of the comfortable chairs and studied the card.
*Frauline Maria Rainer*
He wondered if he was making the right decision. Maybe he could just try harder with his children or leave things as they are. Those options did sound easier but not ideal. He needed to do this. He wasn't going to lose his children as well.
X
"Frauline Maria Rainer's office how can I help you today ?"
The lady on the other end of the line sounded almost too happy for Georg's liking.
"Hello, I'd like to make an appointment with Frauline Rainer please. As soon as possible."
He could hear the lady going through the pages of her planner.
"Frauline Rainer has an opening Wednesday morning at ten, would that be suitable for you Mr..."
"VonTrapp. Georg VonTrapp."
"Of course Mr. VonTrapp. Will this be a regular or once off appointment? "
He pondered a moment before answering. After all he's never met the woman. Why make a commitment if he doesn't know her ?
"Mr. VonTrapp? Are you still there Sir ?"
"Um yes, make it a once off appointment for the time being."
"Great. We shall see you Wednesday morning at ten. Have a nice day Sir."
Georg let out an audible sigh. At least that is done with. Now all he had to do was actually show up on Wednesday morning. He pondered if he actually should show up. He could always cancel a day ahead... He scolded himself.
'You need to do this Georg. Think of the children.'
X
Punctual as always Georg had showed up half an hour early for his appointment. He was nervous...very nervous.
He didn't know what to do with himself,he felt out of place. A man of his social standing wasn't supposed to be in a place like this. He kept crossing and uncrossing his long legs. Finding it very uncomfortable to sit in the small chairs in the waiting room.
It felt like hours before the door finally opened to reveal an elderly lady clinging onto the arm of a young woman.
"Thank you so much my dear. I'll see you next week. Remember to talk to that fiancé of yours. He sounds like he needs a nudge or two."
"Thank you, Miss Schmidt I'll do that. Remember to do the homework I gave you. Drive safely."
The elderly woman made her way out the door and gave Georg a warm smile which he awkwardly returned before focusing on the young woman who he assumed was Frauline Maria. She was busy talking to the receptionist.
He couldn't help but admire her toned long legs. She had a boyish haircut that somehow fit her perfectly. Not to mention the bright blue eyes that he could see from across the room.
He didn't even notice her coming towards him up until she cleared her throat. He quickly stood up and remembered himself. She gave him a smile and extended her hand.
"Maria Rainer, pleased to meet you." He took her small hand in his and gave it a firm grip before he finally got the courage to look her in the eyes.
"Georg VonTrapp." He stated almost proudly.
"Well uh Mr. VonTrapp why don't you head to my office and have a seat. I'll be with you momentarily."
He did as he was told and went to her office. It wasn't at all as he imagined it would be. The walls were painted a fair white. Her desk and bookshelves were made out of fine wood. She used old suitcases as a coffee table and had A leather sofa and a matching chair. The walls were decorated with the world map and photos of her with her patients. Somehow it made me feel at home. She's obviously good with people. She can't be older than twenty-four and she has had more than thirty-three patients on her walls. I went and took my seat on the comfortable sofa. I noticed the fireplace was lit as well. This isn't how he imagined therapy at all. On the coffee table were two picture frames. One with Maria and a dog and the other with her and presumably her fiancé. He was about the same length as her and wore a tailored suit. The door opened and in came Maria;a smile plastered on her face.
"Before we start may I offer you some tea or coffee, water or juice perhaps ?" she asked while making her way towards her desk.
"I'm fine thank you."
"Alright then, we can start. Would you mind if I record our sessions Mr. VonTrapp?" she asked sweetly while making her way over to the chair beside the sofa.
"Actually yes I would mind. I don't need anyone else knowing what we are talking about." he said it perhaps a little too harshly but the thought of their conversations not being confidential made him apprehensive.
"Mr. VonTrapp I assure you the recordings are for my ears only, they help me later on in our sessions."
"Very well then but if they were to get out there will be consequences."
"Of course Mr. VonTrapp. Now, please lie down so that we can begin our session."
"And why do I have to lie down ? I'm not here to take a nap Frauline."
"Lying down helps establish a relaxed state of the patient. Also, it gets weary when someone stares at me for 45 minutes, 6 hours a day. Now would you please lie down Mr. VonTrapp."
Reluctantly Georg lied down. He had to admit he liked the fact that she didn't take any nonsense. A few minutes were spent in utter silence and it was beginning to annoy Georg.
"Why are you not asking me any deep, probing,almost uncomfortable questions ?"
"Well I, prefer my patients to start the talking before I ask those deep, probing questions." she said with a smile.
"I see. Well um, I don't really know how to begin." he hated how idiotic his voice sounded.
"Why don't you start by telling me why you have come to see me." it wasn't a question.
"I have been struggling with the death of a loved one and a very good friend recommended you."
He tried his best to smile as he looked at her. She nodded for him to continue.
"She was my favorite person. She was my wife for seventeen years but also my best friend. We lost her to scarlet fever three years ago..." his explanation was cut short.
"We?"
"If you would let me finish talking you would know that I have children-seven children, and they are..."
"Seven children!" Maria couldn't help herself.
"STOP THAT!" Georg lost his temper and it's exactly what he was afraid of.
"Can't you understand how this works? I talk and you listen." he said as he got up from the sofa.
"What was I thinking coming to a twelve year old for help." he spat his words like venom.
"Now I have heard quite enough! As I see it Mr. VonTrapp you have two options. You can either get out of my office and refuse my help or you can calm down and lie back down on the damn sofa so that I can help you !"
The both of them just stared at each other. This is not at all how he pictured things going. Reluctantly he lied back down on the sofa.
"How did the two of you meet ?" Maria asked, immediately acting like nothing had happened.
"I was only a boy. Maybe a man when I first saw her. I was visiting a friend when I saw her walking home one day after school. She had this walk that made her stand out from all her friends. She walked with an air of poise and confidence and at that moment I knew I was going to marry her."
He had to admit it felt good sharing their story with someone.
"Is that crazy ?"
"I don't think so."
"At the time I was seeing a lady who my mother had set me up with. Lena Müller-she was fun to look at but it took one family dinner to realize we didn't have anything to talk about. It didn't last long." he said starting to calm down now.
"Makes sense."
"How so ?"
"Well you can't be with someone when you're in love with someone else." she said sounding almost sad.
"Yes exactly." He let out a long sigh.
"I'm sorry I lashed out at you earlier. I find these things hard."
"It's perfectly fine Mr. VonTrapp. I'm used to anger." Immediately he wondered what she had meant by that.
The door of her office suddenly swung open and in came the man from the picture on her coffee table with the dog as well.
"Hello my sweetheart, how are you. Have you had your breakfast yet. Did you have a good walk."
It was amazing how her mood shifted when she saw her dog. He immediately went to her when the door opened. He smiled when the dog started licking her face in hello.
"Oh come now Maria don't let the dog do that. What if you get sick ?" He almost sounded angry at her.
"Actually, dogs saliva has great healing properties. Do you remember when you fell last spring he used to lick your wound and it healed perfectly."
"Yes I remember but I don't remember asking you for a lesson about dogs. Now get up and don't let the dog near your face."
"Of course, I'm sorry." He turned towards me.
"The woman's a scholar. Jakob Weiss." he extended his hands towards Georg with a smirk.
"Georg VonTrapp." reluctantly he shook the man's hand. "Mr. VonTrapp, your 45 minutes are up."
"Oh yes of course it is, thank you for seeing my today Frauline."
"Oh, it's Maria please. Will I be seeing you again Mr. VonTrapp?"
"I'll think about it and I'll call your front desk. Thank you again for today it was nice to meet you."
"Bye now." said Jakob almost smirking at Georg.
X
"So will you be seeing her again ?" asked Max his curiosity getting the best of him.
"I think so. At first I was apprehensive but there is something about her that I find comforting."
"Yes, she's amazing. She cured me of my nightmares and eventually while I was seeing her the flashbacks stopped. She might not seem like much, but she's amazing."
"Except for one flaw. She has horrible taste in men."
The two men chuckled.
"I'm sensing you met Jakob. He sure is something different. He's a General Practice Lawyer. His father before him as well. Now his father was one of the best. Jakob followed in his father's footsteps but without the glory." explained Max.
"How did he ever end up with Maria as a partner? They seem like polar opposites."
"That my friend is a very good question."
X
Later that night Georg lay in his bed, trying to figure out why his mind was occupied with Maria and how lovely her eyes were but how sad they seemed. Who was he kidding. Going back was probably not the best idea.
xxx
《 I'm not very good at introductory chapters but stay with me on this one. Please, Read and Review. 》