A Story of Love, Loss and Adventure
Synopsis – This story is set just after Georg and Maria's blissful wedding. It travels through their honeymoon period where they travel to France. Whilst away the state of their home town is worsening without them knowing. They return only to find there is no choice but to move. Not without a tragedy and a struggle - will they find happiness somewhere new?
Chapter 4 – Unwelcome Visitors
The eerie atmosphere surrounding the Von Trapps oozed throughout the house. All of the Von Trapps were aware of this change that was slowly starting to impact them, but had no way of knowing when it was going to take over and change their lives, indefinitely. With both Maria and Georg in Paris enjoying their new married bliss, Max was put in charge of the children. He took this opportunity to enhance their singing and get them known around the town, despite the negative connotations surrounding the Anschluss. He wanted to do it to somehow cover the talk of the town and keep the children happy without raising questions. To his disappointment Liesl and Frederick knew of this movement, and were fully aware that the consequences were deadly to a lot of people. They also knew that their father may be a victim of Herr Zeller's and Hitler's movements. They tried to keep smiling, wishing for their new mother and their father to return to Austria safely. Max walked them through town regularly, and they were often found in a hall, singing and Max was there supporting them as if he were their own father. He beamed with fondness for all of these children as if they were all his own.
"My darlings you all sound truly wonderful!" He gloated as they continued to sing in harmony.
Their faces radiated happiness and a glow as they continued to sing. It only made Max think back to before Maria had arrived and how formal everything was. No music, no dancing. The house was creepily silent, and just echoed with the whistles. He was quite happy that as Maria made her way into their life, the whistle somehow disappeared. The children seemed more content and happy with their life and that father and child relationship was soon back where it belonged in the heart of the house. After A Couple of hours rehearsing a set list of songs to perform at a folk festival that Max had entered them into they started to show signs of tiredness, and more importantly, hunger. The little ones were the first to air their opinions on this matter.
"Uncle Max, can we go and find somewhere to eat, my tummy keeps making noises?" Marta asked with a wide eyed look on her face.
"Me too Uncle Max, can we find somewhere that makes the best apple strudel, Fraulein Maria tells us it is one of her favorite things to eat!" The children looked on with a chorus of replies to Gretl's request.
Holding his hands up in defeat Max submitted and agreed to their request; they had worked for a good two hours, and deserved a little treat. They ventured into town, and found a little café that had Apple Strudel advertised in the window.
"Look, look I found it!" Shouted Gretl in excitement, and being the first to run to the window.
"It looks delicious!" Kurt said as he gazed at it through the window.
"Well why are we staring at it from outside, get in, and we can actually taste it!" Max said as he shooed them into the doorway.
As they all sat down in the very rustic old fashioned café, a lady approached and greeted them.
"Can we possibly have enough Apple Strudel to share between eight of us? Thank you."
"My, what a lot of portions, I will let the cook know she has a popular item on the menu!" She replied and just as she was about to ring the order through Gretl spoke up.
"It is our Fraulein's favorite food she sings about it all of the time, it makes her very happy!" She beamed with utter excitement.
"Ah well I am very glad, it is a tradition here in this café, and is a popular choice - anything else for you Sir?" As Max shook his head in response, the woman retreated to order the Strudel for the hungry youngsters.
As the younger children chatted away, Max noticed how distant Liesl had been, he had some idea it was to do with the current situation but had no way of approaching her about the subject without upsetting her.
"Anything on your mind in particular Liesl?" She shook her head slightly and looked out of the window facing the now, calm town, but soon to be changed forever.
"It is so peaceful…for now." She muttered as she still glared into the distance. "It is not fair… how can they justify changing so much? Max stared at her for a second and realized she was becoming a grown woman and understood the world for what it was. She was smart and knew the consequences of the new movement.
He shook his head in defeat, as he too could not understand the moral behind the movement. "It will all work out in the end Liesl, and as a bird once told me, we just have to wait for the sun to come out, it always does." He said as he smiled at Liesl stroking her hand and bringing her into an embrace.
As the lady returned she had enough plates for them all and dished out equal portions of the amazingly good Apple Strudel, the smell lingered in their noses, and they just inhaled the beautiful delicious smell and stared for a moment. Their eyes grew wide and smiles spread across their faces.
"Well, tuck in!" Max bellowed, and that they did, not rising for a breath.
Time passed and Max suggested that they make their way home to rest as their parents would be home in a couple of days.
"Can we make them some gifts Uncle Max please! Please!" Gretl pleaded. Max nodded whilst he stood behind them as they exited the café.
As they arrived back home Max noticed two cars parked by the manor entrance. They couldn't have returned already? Who did the vehicles belong too?
Entering the house it was still quiet, and Frau Schmidt walked towards them welcoming them. She looked concerned and somewhat afraid. Max silently nodded towards Liesl to take the children upstairs. She obeyed knowing not to question Max. He walked into the study to find Herr Zeller sitting behind the desk which the Captain always occupies. He sat, whilst two guards stood beside him. His back was turned and Max coughed to make his presence known.
"Herr Detweiler… I've been expecting you." He spat with an acid tone to his voice still with his back turned.
"And to what do I owe this pleasure?" He said sarcastically.
Zeller spun around in the chair rising up and placing his fists onto the table. He stared into the eyes of Max for what seemed a long time. They exchanged similar glares before one of them spoke up.
"Nice place…" He spat slyly as he ran his fingers across the desk, slowly approaching Max.
Max responded by looking around at the amazing architecture and nodded in response.
"The old woman let me in; she was quite persistent - reminds me of that Fraulein a little…" He said as he smirked at Max.
"I have sent numerous telegrams to the Captain and he dares to defy me, and not respond and return to his post in the Third Reich." He looked on at Max who was simply shocked by his outburst.
"In case you hadn't noticed Herr Zeller, the Captain is on his honeymoon - I am pretty sure you are a mere thought in his mind at this moment." He bit back at Zeller who frowned upon his reply.
"You mean to tell me he has not been in touch with his beloved children… all of this time?" Max shook his head and dismissed his thought.
"Such nice children – imagine if anything were to happen to them, he would come running back - Hmm?" He advanced towards the entrance to the study and glanced to the stairway the children earlier occupied. Max was startled by his revelation and stood on guard at the door he would never forgive himself if anything were to happen to the children.
"I will show myself out." He ushered for his men to follow him out of the doors and left in his vehicle. Max was shook by Zeller's words – he rushed up the staircase to head count every child and to make sure they were all okay. They were all sound asleep. What did he mean by that statement?
TBC
Hello, sorry for the long update, I have been soooo busy traveling and working in the USA but I am back in the UK now and can devote some time to these stories. Thanks to those who have stuck around it means a lot. There is more coming, and just FYI – it gets extremely sad! SORRY