An Evening at the Theater

After Liesl bows out from a 'date' with her father, Maria reluctantly agrees to accompany Georg to the theater. The car ride and a dark theater foster unexpected intimacy.

Chapter 1: Date with the Captain

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"You must help me get ready, Fraulein Maria! I can't decide what to wear this evening!" Liesl moved frenetically as she pulled dress after dress out of her closet. Maria had not often seen Liesl in such a state, even for the emotional 16-year-old.

"Liesl, perhaps you should slow down a bit and catch your breath. Now, where is your father taking you?" Maria attempted to calm the girl, speaking in a quiet, composed voice.

"Why, to see a performance of Henry V, of course! Father says I'll understand the play better if I see it performed. He says Shakespeare wrote for the stage. Imagine, I'll be going to the theater, just like all of the grand ladies. It's my first time, you know. What do you think of this one?" Liesl asked, holding up a full-length green dress.

Maria frowned slightly. Liesl was overexcited, her eyes too bright. She tried to get the girl to focus.

"Henry V…is that the play you and your father have been discussing? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with it; we don't read very much Shakespeare at the abbey." In truth, Maria had read none of Shakespeare plays. The abbey's library contained none of his works.

"Yes. Father wanted me to read something other than the romantic tragedies. I just remembered that the green dress doesn't quite fit me; it hasn't been altered. Perhaps I should wear this dress instead. Or this one. What do you think, Fraulein Maria?"

"All of your dresses are quite lovely, Liesl. I'm sure that any them would be adequate. After all, this is less about your clothing than it is about you and your father sharing the same interest, isn't it?"

"Yes, of course, but it's my first time going to the theater! I know, I'll try them on, and then we can decide." Liesl took an armful of dresses with her into the bathroom. Maria sighed; she had no particular interest in fashion, but she wanted to support Liesl. She was also concerned about the girl's overexcitement. It had led to painful migraines in the past.

After half an hour of trying on dresses and noting that Liesl was no closer to making a decision, Maria was relieved to hear a knock at the door. Perhaps it was Frau Schmidt; she might have more luck in convincing Liesl to choose a dress.

"Liesl? Are you almost ready? We must leave in 20 minutes if we hope to arrive at the theater in time for the performance."

Maria froze when she heard the Captain's voice. Liesl was in the bathroom. Maria would have to open the door and face him. She had been feeling uneasy in his company lately. There were times when he seemed to look at her differently, with so much intensity that she found herself having trouble breathing. She told herself she was being ridiculous, that she was imagining things, that she was simply unused to being around men. But telling herself that over and over again didn't change how tense she felt around him.

Maria, bracing herself, walked to the door and opened it. The Captain looked surprised to see her. He said nothing at first, and she thought she saw the beginning of that intense gaze when he noticed her fidgeting and he cleared his throat.

"Where is Liesl?" His voice sounded almost curt.

"She's in the bathroom trying on dresses. She can't decide what to wear. She's rather overexcited, I'm afraid." Maria was about to express her concern about the girl when she heard Liesl emerging from the bathroom. She turned to look at her and was dismayed by what she saw. Liesl's face was pale and Maria could read pain in her eyes.

"Liesl, are you all right?" Maria asked, alarmed, already knowing what was wrong with the girl.

"Oh, Father, I'm so sorry!" Liesl began to cry. Her father walked over to her quickly and led her to a chair. He sat her down and knelt beside her, looking at her eyes.

"You've developed a migraine, haven't you? Oh, Liesl…" Georg sounded troubled. He did not like to see any of his children in pain.

"I won't be able to go with you to the theater, Father. I was so looking forward to my first trip to the theater." Liesl sounded so forlorn that Maria's heart broke for the girl; it was just as she'd feared.

"Don't worry, pet. There will be many evenings at the theater for you. But for tonight, you'll need to sleep off the migraine. I'll have Frau Schmidt prepare some of that soup that always seems to help. Then it's straight to bed for you."

Maria marveled at the tenderness in the Captain's voice. Not long ago, she would not have imagined that he could be so gentle. He had changed, softened in the time she had known him. It was almost endearing. Endearing? Where had that thought come from? she wondered.

"Yes, Frau Schmidt's soup sounds wonderful. But, Father, you mustn't miss the performance. Maybe…yes, you could take Fraulein Maria with you! Oh Father, I would hate it if you missed the performance because of me. I know how much you love Shakespeare's plays. Please, Fraulein Maria, please go with Father in my place," Liesl begged.

Maria was stunned. She couldn't possibly go to the theater with the Captain. It was just, well, it was unthinkable!

"Liesl, I think I should stay here and take care of you. It wouldn't be right to leave you alone." Maria was honestly concerned for Liesl, but she was also looking for a reason to turn down the girl's suggestion.

"I'm going to sleep as soon as I've had my soup. There's nothing for you to do here. Please go with Father to the theater. Father, convince her to go with you." Maria was surprised by Liesl's persistence but supposed it came from her generous nature.

"Oh, Liesl, I don't think…" Maria began to reply, when the Captain looked at her and she suddenly couldn't speak. She couldn't read his expression, but she felt ensnared by it all the same.

"If it would make Liesl happy…" the Captain said softly. Maria was taken aback. Was he just trying to please Liesl or was it possible that he really wanted her to accompany him to the theater?

"I…I've nothing appropriate to wear." Maria felt foolish. She had been so recently frustrated with the importance Liesl placed on choosing the perfect dress. She knew she was using clothing as an excuse. But the thought of being alone with the Captain, of going with him to the theater as though they were…

"You can wear the green dress I showed you. I told you it doesn't fit me, but I think it would fit you perfectly. It seems just right for your build."

Liesl's mention of Maria's build seemed to draw the Captain's eyes to her figure for a moment before he quickly averted his gaze. Maria blushed; she'd noticed his quick glance. The Captain stood abruptly.

"I'll speak to Frau Schmidt about the soup. Fraulein Maria, I will meet you downstairs in 15 minutes. Sweet dreams, Liesl. I know you'll be yourself again in the morning." The Captain kissed Liesl's forehead and left the room. Maria stared after him, forgetting where she was. What had just happened?

"Hurry, Fraulein Maria. You don't have much time," urged Liesl.

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Maria made her way down the stairs, clutching at the banister nervously. Liesl had been right, the green dress fit her perfectly, and although she was not aware of it, the dress set off her hair and eyes beautifully. Maria wondered for the tenth time how she had gotten herself into this situation. But Liesl had been so insistent that Maria had found it difficult to say no; she didn't want to disappoint her, especially when she wasn't feeling well. And the Captain had seemed to want to go, hadn't he? She didn't want to ruin his evening by making him have to cancel his plans.

When she was halfway down the stairway and turned on the landing, Maria noticed the Captain standing at the foot of the stairs. His back was turned to her. She slowed as she approached, beginning to feel the restlessness that was becoming all too familiar when she was in the Captain's presence. She swallowed, trying to push down the nerves. What did she have to be nervous about? She reminded herself that she was merely standing in for the Captain's daughter.

The Captain turned, presumably having heard her footsteps. He stood very still, his face almost hard. She hesitated, then continued down the stairs. His eyes never left her as she made her way down the final steps. The Captain still had that strange expression on his face.

"Is something wrong, Captain?" Maria asked breathlessly.

"No, nothing," the Captain replied after a moment, his voice sounding gruff. He opened the door and gestured for her to precede him out. "Shall we?"

"Yes, Captain." There was no turning back now.

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