Their Home
Home is a lovely word. It's defined as a dwelling place offering security and happiness. It's the starting place of hopes and dreams; a place where a person's story begins. And a home can be filled with people who define themselves as a family.
That is how this group of people felt. They were now very anxious to see the building made of bricks and mortar which would become their home.
The route the bus driver took was through the center of town. On either side of the streets were shops of all kinds. They saw signs which read; Ladies Dress Shop, Shoe Store, Tailor Shop, Music Store, Bookstore, Austrian Restaurant, Grocery Store and others.
Brigitta saw something else. "Papa, did that sign say Public Library?"
"I believe it did."
"Do you like to read, young lady?"
"I do sir."
"All your papa needs to do is take you there and you can get a library card so you can check out books. That's true for all of you."
As they continued on this street Abraham exclaimed. "There's our synagogue." And a few seconds later. "Georg, I see a Lutheran Church."
And Elizabeth added. "There's a Catholic Church on this side of the street."
And Mister Geist continued. "This small town also has an Episcopal Church, a Baptist and a Presbyterian Church. It's truly an ecumenical city."
Maria saw something else. "Mister Geist, is that a school building I see?"
"It is Maria. This town has two schools: one for kindergarten through eighth grade, the other is for grades nine through twelve."
The bus had passed them both before turning right into a grove of trees. When the bus emerged from the trees everyone had a clear view of an extremely huge mansion. It had a very large portico which was mounted on four large white columns. The house was a muted pink color.
"Papa, is this our home?"
"It must be, Liesl. The bus is stopping in front of it."
Raymond stood. "Yes, this is your home. Georg, I happen to know that several of your Jewish friends have been housekeepers, maintenance men and two have cooked in restaurants. You won't need to find anyone to fill those positions."
"Abraham, you've been keeping secrets."
"I never thought to tell you. And besides Maria, Elizabeth and Ruth are also teachers."
"Our schools are always looking for good teachers. Now it's time to go inside your new home."
Everyone hurried off the bus; even Marta and Gretl ran to be with Brigitta. Georg and Maria were last. Georg knew this was his opportunity to speak with her.
"Maria, I have a request. Will you teach Marta and Gretl at home instead of being a teacher at the school? Gretl isn't old enough to go to school; she and Marta are inseparable. They became that way after Agathe died. Sending Marta to school would leave Gretl all alone; she might withdraw like she did for weeks after her mother's death."
"They're precious girls; I want them to stay happy. Georg, I'd be more than happy to be their teacher. We better catch up to the others; they're waiting for us at the front door."
Georg breathed a sigh of relief as Maria hurried on the walkway to the front door. His long stride quickly had him standing with everyone."
"Georg, we decided. You should be the first to enter."
"Alright I will. But Abraham, I want you right behind me."
Georg's hand was around the door's fancy handle and his thumb released the latch. The door opened into a small room with a large opening at the other end. Georg walked into the room so Abraham and the others could enter.
"Papa, this is beautiful."
"Yes Liesl, it is."
And Raymond added. "The entire house looks the same. The builder probably got his ideas from manor houses in England. I've always admired the two staircases with the bridge between them. Before we go upstairs to the bedrooms, let me show you the first floor."
The house was divided by the staircases. On the left they discovered a huge dining room with enough chairs for everyone. A door at the other end opened into a large kitchen.
Martha exclaimed. "Mary and I have never cooked in a space this large. It even has a table in it."
"Martha, at least we won't run into each other carrying a hot pot of soup."
"That's true. Mister Geist, tell us what's behind each door."
"The one with the window opens to your backyard. There's a lot of land between you and the next house; you would need to walk a mile to find it. There's even a playground back there. The other you should open Mary."
"Okay I will."
She was tentative. Once she opened it she saw stairs and a light switch. After flicking it on she asked. "What's down there?"
"It a big room called a basement. We can all go down there."
They did. They discovered a room for coal, a large space to hang clothes in the winter or on rainy days and a cold room full of apples and fruits in jars. And next to the wall was a modern washing machine.
"Naomi, you and Sarah have been housekeepers before."
"Yes, but neither of us have operated a washing machine before."
"I know someone who will come teach you. Now who are the maintenance men in the group?"
Samuel, David and Peter all raised their hands. Peter told him. "We also like to grow our own vegetables. Is there someone who can teach us about farming in America?"
"Yes, a farmer I know will come teach you all you need to know."
"And Abraham, I know you have plans on visiting the Rabbi at the town's synagogue."
"That's correct. I was a lay leader at the synagogue in Vienna. I want to offer the Rabbi my services."
"And everyone can help Maria with Georg's children. He'll soon be leaving every day to help America's navy. Now let us go find your bedrooms."
This house had more bedrooms then they needed. Maria's room was close to the room Marta and Gretl had claimed. Everyone hurriedly went back downstairs to retrieve their bag. Now they took time to put their clothes in a wardrobe or a dresser drawer.
Raymond and Georg had a few moments alone while they waited for everyone. "Georg, the navy is anxious to meet you. On Monday of next week a car will come for you. Commander Charlie Madison will bring you to the navy building in my nation's capital, Washington.
"The entire area is not a state but rather it's a district. Its full name is Washington District of Columbia or simply Washington D.C. All the business of the federal government takes place there."
"I can't thank your government enough for this opportunity. When I decided to leave Austria, I prayed for God to be with me. Everything that happened; meeting Maria and then her friends and having a chance to help your navy are answers to my prayers."
"God is all knowing. It says in the Bible to trust in the Lord as the biblical Abraham did. But God doesn't give us eyes to see the future; he gives us wisdom. The wisdom of our government officials has them worried about this man Adolph Hitler. We may be an ocean away from Europe but they feel his evil ideas are going to cause another world war to begin which may be greater than the last one.
"We need to believe in the saying, Good will always conquer evil."
Maria had seen Georg and Mr. Geist talking; she made everyone wait until they finished. Georg saw her.
"Maria, is everyone ready to go back downstairs."
"Yes. Your children want to go outside and explore the backyard."
"Great idea, I need to take my leave now. My President is anxious to know you are all getting comfortable in America."
It was outside in the front of the mansion where Georg and Raymond shook hands before he drove off for Washington, D.C.
