I really don't care for parties, truth be told. I never cared to be the center of attention and I hate to be phony. That's all one ends up being at a party anyway is phony. A man puts on his best suit while the woman puts on her best dress and by that I mean the tightest, most flashy piece of material that she could find. I would have enjoyed the women way more if it weren't for Elsa on my arm. Then there's the small talk which ultimately leads to politics. I've seen enough years to know that politics will somehow play a role in every group discussion whether or not there is a war at stake. I am waiting for this one with the Nazi's to happen and it's going to hurt; I can't help but feel hurt by the people that are joining in on that sadistic bandwagon of a government Germany has developed for itself. It may be my rightful fear or the fact that I'm getting to be an old man or both but I just can't pretend with those people. The guests could really love me or hate me, I really just did it for Elsa last night.

Well, I guess that's not fair to say; my children encouraged me along with Elsa to throw the bash. How could I deny my baby Gretl her first party? She looked like such a little doll in her dress and so did my other girls. I was so proud to see my sons in their suits, looking like young men. I have seven beautiful children, aren't I so lucky? When I saw them sing their goodnight song, I could have burst with pride and I hope they noticed. Dear children, your father loves you all very much and I hope you all forgive me for being so cold all those years. My pain caused your pain and I can only pray that with time we will all heal together.

Whenever I burst at pride for my children, I look at Maria. For as long as I live I will never be able to repay her for the miracle of her presence. She is a divine woman and she doesn't even know it. She was the "bad" nun at the Abbey but I can honestly say that if she's wrong, I hope no one ever rights her. What scares me about her? She makes me feel things about her that I could never feel about Elsa. Maria is the sun and Elsa is the moon, one couldn't ask for two women more different. Is it possible to love two women at once?

It's only four o'clock in the morning but the damn party has had my mind reeling. I can't sleep so I decide to go downstairs for a little walk to calm down. I make sure I'm quiet because I don't want to wake anyone up. As I reach the bottom of the steps, I hear footsteps that aren't my own. I make a silent dash to where I hear them and realize I'm going to the ballroom. I want to gasp when I find Maria dancing with herself around the room, almost like when I saw her for the first time. I soon realize that she is repeating The Landler Waltz steps that we'd just a short time ago. I have to get out of here before she recognizes me. She looks so content with herself that I don't want to disturb the mood. I make my way to the kitchen in no time to get a glass of water. There would be nobody around and it was out of earshot from the ballroom, perfect!

"Oh, Maria," I say to myself gleefully into my cup. "For the rest of your life, I hope you dance."

Maybe in some small way I did repay her after all?