Going away
Maria had ran, literally ran from the villa the night of the party; she reached the Abbey safely but she didn't want to ring the bell. She looked through the gate; calling to the sister she saw. "Sister – sister."
"Maria, what are you doing here?"
"Sister Sophia, I don't want to talk, please let me go to my room; I only want to be alone."
The night air had chilled her; she wrapped up in a heavy blanket and cried herself to sleep.
Sister Margareta stood outside her door and could hear the sobs and her wailing in prayer; "help me God please help me."
"Reverend Mother, I'm so worried about Maria; I leave a tray of food outside her door; but she eats very little."
"I'm worried also; I'll give her another day and then I will speak to her."
"Very well Mother."
An aura of sadness hung over the villa; neither the Captain nor the children could imagine what had happened to cause their governess to run away. In a matter of days all that would be forgotten; the Captain had received his telegram from Berlin requesting his services. Elsa had returned to Vienna; she and Georg had ended their relationship.
Maria already knew she would never become a nun; her heart was too confused for the focus and dedication and obedience the vows deserved. Today Maria allowed herself to leave the confines of her room and walk in the courtyard and sometimes to the front gate. Mostly she sat alone in the garden; from there she heard the bell ring.
Sister Margareta saw a gentleman at the gate. "Sir, may I help you?"
"I must speak to the Reverend Mother; it's of utmost importance."
"Come in and wait on the bench. May I tell her your name, sir?
"Max Detweiler."
Max waited patiently.
"Sir, follow me." They walked through the courtyard and up the narrow stairs to the Reverend Mother's office.
"You may go in, sir."
"How may I help you Herr Detweiler?"
"Reverend Mother, are you aware of the presence of German solders in Salzburg?"
"Yes, how does that concern me or the Abbey?"
"Your postulant Maria was living at Captain von Trapp's villa."
That caught the Reverend Mother's attention and she sat up straight; the tone of his voice increased her concern.
"Recently the Captain received a telegram requesting him to accept a commission in the German Navy. Herr Zeller found him in town one afternoon with the children and attempted to take him away right then and there. Herr Zeller made some very un-kind remarks about Maria; I thought Georg was going to fight him right there in the Plaza.
"Surprisingly he allowed him twenty-four hours to find someone to take care of the children. He out-smarted the Germans; they weren't guarding the back of his property that connects directly to the train station. The family simply boarded a train and left the country on their way to America. But word has it that Herr Zeller will come looking for Maria. You must convince her to leave; here is some money to pay for her travel."
"Herr Detweiler, this saddens me deeply; I will talk with my Bishop immediately."
"Good day Reverend Mother, I know the way out."
She knew she didn't have much time; she walked directly to the Bishop's office and requested a meeting.
"Mother Abbess, you look very worried."
"I am Bishop; she shared with him the words of warning from Max."
"I believe the man; I've heard of Herr Zeller, he will come looking for Maria; for the safety of all the sisters you must send Maria on her way. Did Herr Detweiler give you any instructions?"
"Yes, Bishop; it's all written out for her."
"Mother Abbess, please tell Maria every one will be praying for her."
She walked slowly back to the convent side of the Abbey; her only thought was how she was going to tell Maria; knowing how deeply distraught she had been since her return.
The Revered Mother saw her sitting on a bench in the sun. "Maria I need to talk with you privately; walk with me to my office."
Without hesitation Maria walked with her. In her office the two of them sat on the settee under the stained glass window; through which the sunlight entered the room.
"Maria, why did you come back to us? It was very late at night? Did you run away?"
"Yes, but I did leave the Captain a note."
"Tell me what happened." Maria got up and started to pace around the room.
"I was told to leave."
"By who?"
"The Baroness, oh not directly, but that's what she meant. When she and the Captain returned to the villa after they had spent an extended amount of time in Vienna; everything seemed to change. You know how out-spoken I can be."
"Yes, I do."
"The Captain and I had an argument; he dismissed me. But after he heard the children sing everything changed. I helped the children put on a puppet show; he was very pleased but I could tell the Baroness was miffed. Then he sang for us; Mother he looked directly at me. I thought I would melt; but it was wonderful to see him so happy. Later at the party, Max asked me to be his partner for dinner. I went up to my room to change; the Baroness followed me."
"What did she do, Maria?"
"She told me the Captain had affection for me. I was sacred. I told her 'I must leave;' she offered to help me pack; then left in a huff."
"Maria, come sit down." She took her hand. "Maria, did you hear any talk about the Germans that night at the party."
"Yes briefly, from Herr Zeller; he and the Captain had words."
"Maria, I'm sorry to tell you this, Herr Zeller is a very evil man; he almost captured the Captain to take him to Berlin. He had a moment of weakness and he let the Captain return home; he and the children left the villa out the back gate and boarded a train to Italy; they are now on a ship headed to America."
"No, that can't be true. They're gone! I'll never see them again."
"Listen to me Maria; Herr Zeller knows about you; he will come looking for you. He cares nothing about whom he would hurt; not even nuns. Your Captain's friend Max came here this morning and told me. The Bishop and I agree, for the safety of all the sisters, and your own, you must leave the country."
"What do you mean – leave – Mother I can't? Where would I go?"
"Maria, I know you are scared but I also know you would never want to endanger the Abbey or the sisters living here."
"No I wouldn't." Tears ran down her face.
"Max left directions and some money and with your wages from the Captain, you have more than enough for your travels." She took her hand, "come with me dear;" together they went to the door of the office. Sister Margarita was outside it, sitting on the bench.
"Did you find some clothes?"
"Yes, Mother."
"Stay with her until I come down."
Sister Margarita put her arm around her, "Maria I'll help you pack."
Maria continued to sob as they walked to her room. Her mind was in a total state of fright; everything was happening so fast.
"Maria, God never gives us more than we can bear. Remember what Reverend Mother has always told us. God never shuts a door without opening a window."
Maria was still choking back her tears as they looked at the clothes that were laid out on her bed. "Maria, these were left by a wealthy lady; they are very fashionable."
She held them up to Maria; "they're your size." Maria put three dresses and the rest of her belongings into her bag.
"Can you wear any of the shoes?"
Maria tried them on; only one pair fit her. She sat there waiting for the Reverend Mother, oblivious to her surroundings, simply staring at the cross on the wall.
"Maria, read over the directions with me. Sam will drive you to the last train station in Salzburg; buy a ticket to Italy and then change trains to Paris. The last train will take you to Calais where you can take the ferry to London. Max says there is a hotel near-by where you can stay and wait for the ship that will take you to America."
Maria took a deep breath; she was still in a daze. The two women walked out to the car. "Have faith Maria, God is with you."
"Good bye, Mother," the two women embraced and Maria got in the car.
By this time, Georg and the children had been on their ship for several days.
A/N: The idea that Maria must leave the country, comes from another story; one written by "pussycatwithattitude". I contacted her and asked to use her idea; she had put that particular story on hiatus. So I used that idea as part of my story. The rest are all my ideas.