A visitor
Sunday came and the Captain watched as his children took their places on the altar stairs and sang the song they had prepared. The first verse was sung as he had heard; all in one voice.
The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never.
I nothing lack if I am his,
and he is mine forever.
But the second verse was sung in three part harmony.
And so through all the length of days,
thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house forever.
Father Martin listened with pleasure; he had an idea, he would talk to Maria later.
When the service was over, the complements never stopped coming.
Frau Schmidt reminded the children. Do you remember what I told you the day you came back from Gromi's?" They smiled; Louisa spoke for them all; "that we sounded like professionals."
"That's right and today is living proof."
The walk home was full of chit-chat. "Maria, I still don't know how you did it."
"You know what I told you before; they inherited their talent."
"Maybe so but you need to take some credit."
"Only a little sir."
The next afternoon Georg left work a little early; as soon as he turned onto the lane he spotted a man walking only a few meters ahead. He slowly drove up beside him. The man looked towards the car and smiled in recognition of his presence.
"Good day sir, we don't get many strangers out this way. May I help you?"
"I'm looking for the von Trapp villa."
Georg tried not to act alarmed. He decided to be forthright with the man. "I'm Captain von Trapp and you sir?"
"Karl Kutschera." Of course the last name registered with Georg.
"Do you have a reason to visit my home?"
"I've been told Maria Kutschera is staying there." Karl could see Georg become defensive.
"Sir, allow me to explain. I'm Maria's brother."
"Brother, but you're so much older."
"Yes, we share the same father but different mothers."
"How did you know she was here?"
"I read about your altercation at the Whitehead residence with Alfred Reimer in the newspaper. I recognized his name as Maria's guardian. I called Bobby and he told me the whole story."
"So you know Bobby?"
"Yes, sir, we've worked on several projects together over the years. I'm an engineer."
"Will Maria be happy to see you?"
"I think she will. I hold no grudges against our father anymore. My mother died in a carriage accident and I was sent to live with a relative. When I was 10 he married Maria's mother; I was angry – I wanted a father-son relationship. I think it will be a real surprise; it's been several years since we have seen each other."
"Get in Karl; it's only a short ride."
Georg pulled around to the back, hoping not to run into Maria right away.
"Who do I hear Captain?"
"My children, Maria has them playing games."
I hear a lot of voices."
"I have seven children Karl; they love your sister."
They stepped into the kitchen; no one was there. He took Karl to his study. "Karl you can sit in here. I'll find Maria."
"Father, you're home early."
"A little, you sounded like you were having a lot of fun."
"We always have fun with Maria."
"I need to borrow her."
"Sure Father, we can finish the game."
"What do you need Captain?"
"I have someone who wants to meet you."
"Meet me – here?"
They stepped into his study. "Maria I want you to meet - ."
"Karl, oh my gosh."
"Hello Maria," he kissed her cheek.
"I'll let you two talk, I'll go be with the children. Please stay for dinner Karl."
"Maria, you look so happy."
"I am Karl. How did you find me?"
"The captain's altercation with Alfred was in the paper; and I know Bobby Whitehead. You need to know he'll never bother you again; he died in jail. The doctor's report listed effects of alcohol as cause of death. He was found dead on his bunk."
"I can't say I'm surprised. There were many times that he would sleep for days in his chair, after his drinking binges."
"What were you doing at the Whitehead villa?"
"I ran away from Alfred soon after I turned 21." She told him her story; sleeping in the tree; dropping from the branch practically on top of the gardener. "After Bobby checked my story with the police captain, Alice asked me to stay. The Captain asked me to come back with them."
"The Captain told me his children really like you. What are you going to do when school starts?"
"I don't know yet." She took a deep breath.
"Excuse me – Maria."
"Hi Louisa, please meet my brother Karl."
"Hi Louisa."
"Father told us you came to see Maria."
"Is everything alright Maria?"
"Everything is fine. You and the others should get cleaned up, dinner is soon."
"I just wanted to tell Karl, we are all glad Maria has a brother."
"Thank you Louisa."
"Okay Louisa, you need to get cleaned up too. You had quite a surprise Maria?"
"Yes Captain, but a very nice one."
"Karl, are you staying in town?"
"Yes, at the Bristol."
"Why don't you stay here? Franz can drive you into town and pick up your things."
"Please Karl."
"Of course I will, thank you Captain."
The next day Karl found Maria in one of the sitting rooms, she was reading during the children's reading hour. "May I join you Maria?"
"Sure Karl, what do you have?"
"You're not going to believe this; some things of father's were found when they started to renovate the apartment building."
"What kind of things?"
"Let me show you. This is a letter he never sent to me." He read… "After Gusti (Maria's mother) died I wanted to find you. I knew you were bitter. I'm sorry Karl… I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me."
"There's one for you too."
Maria read. "Maria you were so young when your Mother died, I had to ask Anika to care for you. I know she raised your right. You were polite and tried to be a good daughter but I didn't understand a small girl's mind. I'm sorry Maria. I thought about you often even when I traveled to forget your mother. I know you will grow into a lovely woman, with the same love in your heart for some man who will also love you. My heart is weak, I may not be here when you do but I will see you from heaven."
Tears flowed down her face just as the children appeared. "Maria, are you alright?"
She tried to compose herself; wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "Yes, children, Karl found some things of our father's; it's rather overwhelming. Do you want to see what is in the box?"
"Can we Maria?"
"Of course."
It wasn't a fancy box; it was a man's box. Karl knew what it contained but he didn't let on.
"Look at all the pictures."
"Who are they Maria?"
"This is my father; a couple of him. My mother – "
"You look just like her."
"You think?"
"I think so too children."
"My baby pictures –"
"Have you told them Maria?"
"Told us what Uncle Karl?"
"Maria was born on a train, on her mother's way back to Vienna after visiting her parents. Maria was in a hurry to be born; the conductor delivered her. He had had experience, his wife and he had five children and he was present for all their births."
"What else is in there Maria?"
"Here's a small baby book my mother kept."
"How much did you weigh?"
"Let me see, six pounds two ounces. Do you children know how much you weighed at birth?"
"Gromi has all our books, but I remember Kurt's."
"How much, Louisa?"
"Eight pounds!"
"Now I know why he likes to eat."
"Maria, of course he likes to eat, he's a boy."
"I know Karl, Kurt knows I love to tease him."
"Anything else Maria?"
"More pictures, even some of you Karl. Did you know they were here?"
"Yes, Maria, I looked."
"There you are, it was so quiet in here I thought nobody was home."
"Hello Captain, Karl brought me some things from our father; lots of pictures."
Karl stayed a few days; Maria and the children walked him to the train station the day he left.
"Promise to write Karl, everyone will write to you."
"I will Maria, thanks for everything. Bye children."
"Good bye Uncle Karl." They watched as the train left the station before they headed back to the villa.
After Karl left, the children had a little more than a week before school started. This was the time that was dedicated to getting them ready for school. One would have thought there would be a lot of hand-me-downs, but the children's spacing really didn't allow for it. Maria and Frau Schmidt took the children into town three times before they had each child ready for school.
Shoes, dresses, short pants and long pants; jackets, sweaters and coats were bought. On two occasions Georg was able to arrange his schedule to take them to lunch. He had a favorite café. The owner had a large room in the back where he always seated the family.
Angelo was Italian; he had stayed in Austria after the Great War. The people of Salzburg had a liking for Italian dishes; the von Trapp family was among them. Small dishes of baked lasagna were prepared for lunch; this was the children's favorite.
"Captain, this was a treat. I've never had Italian food before; I really enjoyed it, thank you."
"We thank you too Father; you know we love Angelo's lasagna."
A soft chocolate covered biscotti was served for dessert; with milk for the children and coffee for the adults. Georg returned to his office; the others caught the bus home. It let them off at the end of the lane; they easily managed the short walk even with their purchases.
