A Baby and Boyfriends
Introduction
This story is not historically accurate; just like the movie.
In my "Angel," story you will find this conversation after the children had been introduced to Paul when they boarded the ship.
Louisa thinks Paul is cute.
Liesl calls her on it. "I thought you didn't like boys?"
"I do now," was her response.
The family from that story has been living in New London Connecticut. It's close to three years later; Louisa is now 17.
Meeting
The war had already ready been engaged all through out Europe; and the bombing of Britain had already begun. Young Paul has experienced tragedy in his life; both parents were killed in a bombing raid of London.
He had just sailed his last voyage of the American Defender; which was unable to return to Europe. It was much too dangerous for passenger ships to sail the Atlantic anymore.
Paul is now twenty-one, having just recently celebrated his birthday. The crew were very well compensated, so he wasn't poor; he was alone.
He began to pal around with another member of the crew, Charlie. He was only a few years older, but he had naval experience and he spoke English well.
"Come with me Paul, let's take the train to the Naval Base in New London Connecticut, maybe they can use us."
At the train station they were directed to a boarding house; where they could get a cheap room. Charlie bought a paper that night to read the advertisements for employment. Another item attracted his attention, it read: "Georg von Trapp to give a lecture on Naval Operation from the first Great War; open to the public."
"Hey Paul, want to go to a free lecture tomorrow afternoon?"
"Sure, why not? Something to do, whose speaking?"
"A Georg von Trapp, an Austrian emigrant working for the Navy." Paul thought he had heard that name before but at the moment he couldn't recall where.
The next afternoon, Charlie and Paul sat directly in front of Georg; he had an unobstructed view; his face seemed familiar. Paul had met so many people on his summer sails; nothing more about Georg came to his mind.
It wasn't until Georg concluded his lecture with a personal story; did Paul realize why the name was so familiar.
"I owe my being here to a good friend who sent me a wire while I was on my honeymoon with my second wife; this was when the Germans took over Austria. We easily boarded a ship for America. That same friend plus several others were able to get my seven children on a ship within days; the American Defender arrived in the New York City Port only one day after my wife and I had arrived. The US Navy welcomed me into their ranks. We still have a few years remaining until we can become citizens but we have already applied.
"If America is forced to engage in the European war, I know the evil power of the Nazis will be taken down. I see many young men out in the audience – the US Armed Services can use all of you."
Paul whispered to Charlie, "I met his children."
"Where Paul?"
"On one of my first sails when I was seventeen; I was assigned to them because I spoke German. I'm going to speak to him."
Charlie waited near-by as Paul waited patiently for his turn. "Captain, a very inspiring lecture; I need to tell you I met your children on their sail on the American Defender. I can't remember all their names but I do remember Louisa and Kurt, sir."
"Your name young man,"
"Paul Mueller; the children only knew me as Paul."
"We must make plans for you and your friend to come by the house. Things are a little chaotic, my third son was born six weeks ago, but Maria is already up and about. We do have our Austrian cook with us. You might enjoy some familiar foods. Are you coming on base soon?"
"Yes, my friend Charlie and I are looking for some opportunities."
"Your English is not bad. What dialect of German do you speak?"
"I speak Messingsch German."
"Oh, you must be from around Berlin."
"Yes, a long time ago."
"Come by my office, late afternoon is best, here's the address."
"Thank you Captain, Charlie and I will see you soon."
"Very well, good day."
Stepping away from Georg, Paul spoke to Charlie. "Did you hear him?"
"Sounds promising Paul; let's find some dinner."
"Hi sweetheart, did you have a good day?"
"Well if you call feeding Karl every two hours, a good day, I suppose so. I think he's going to take after Kurt."
"Where is my wee son?"
"He's asleep, please don't wake him; he'll only want to eat again. Dinner is ready; I need to eat so he can eat."
"Did I tell you are beautiful?"
"Not since this morning."
"Well you are, how about one of your kisses."
"Mother and Father are kissing again Karl, you better get used to it."
"Now Kurt, please don't wake him until after dinner."
"I won't wake him, I just want to warn Karl, and teach him how to make you blush."
"Kurt, you wouldn't; you little stinker. Georg von Trapp."
"Yes dear."
"What have you been teaching your son?"
"Nothing dear, nothing at all; I smell dinner, shall we Maria," offering her his hand. She rolled her eyes at him.
The family was lingering over dessert. "I had a very good audience at my public lecture this afternoon. Lots of young men in attendance; I put in a plug for recruitment.
"I also had an interesting conversation with a young man named Paul, he's about twenty-one. He was a steward on the American Defender when he was seventeen."
"Paul, with dark wavy hair; brown eyes and about Friedrich's height, not now, but three years ago."
"That's a good description Louisa."
Louisa smiled, "now don't you do to me what you do to Mother."
"What's that Louisa?"
"You know, say things to make her blush."
"Now what makes you think I would do that?"
"Because, I see it in your eyes."
"Well Louisa, you leave me no choice."
"Did you like him three years ago?"
"Mother…"
"Yes, Louisa…"
"Tell him to stop."
"Stop what dear?" Now Maria was enjoying this as much as Georg; but neither could maintain a straight face and soon they and all the children were laughing.
"By the way, I invited him and his friend to come to dinner some time. He's coming to the office to see me soon."
"That's nice Father."
"Glad you think so Louisa."