Duty Calls

After lunch that Sunday, Georg told the group about his call to duty.

"After you children are in school tomorrow an officer from America's navy is coming to take me to their nation's capital. It's only a short drive from here. There I will learn how I can help them."

"Papa, what do you think you will do?"

"Friedrich, I really don't know. Mister Geist thinks my past experience in the Austrio-Hungarian Navy has given me knowledge I can share."

"Will you be gone all day?"

"Yes Martha, but I'm sure I'll be home in time for dinner. Does everyone else have plans for tomorrow?"

Abraham was first to speak. "I plan on visiting the synagogue to talk with Rabbi Jacob Weiss about how I may best serve the congregation."

Samuel was next. "David and I are expecting a local farmer to visit us and teach us the nuances of farming in Virginia."

And Naomi added. "Sarah and I are expecting a woman to come teach us how to use the washing machine. I think everyone has clothes they need washed."

She saw heads nod before she continued. "Peter, can you locate some rope for the clothesline. Our clothes will dry so much quicker than in the basement. I'm amazed at how much warmer it is here than it would be in Austria in February."

"I can. I'll have it up in time for your first load of clothes."

With their activities set for the next day, the group spent a quiet afternoon and evening together. And soon the tall clock in the corner played its melodious tune and the hands on its face told them it was eight o'clock.

Maria had noticed two very sleepy little girls. "Everyone, it's Marta and Gretl's bedtime. And you older children have a big day tomorrow, you should think about going to bed soon."

She left the room with them and Georg was thinking. She even thinks like a mother. He was a papa; it went up to say goodnight to them.

He found the girls already in their beds listening to Maria read a story. They were almost asleep when he kissed them. Together they quietly left the room and went to say goodnight to the other children.

They were in various stages of getting ready for bed. Brigitta was already in bed reading her library book. Georg reminded her not to read too long. Louisa told him. "I'll remind her after I finish packing my book bag. I'm really looking forward to my classes. The sooner we go to sleep the quicker morning will come."

"Yes, that's true. Goodnight, girls."

"Goodnight Papa and Maria."

In the boys' room, they heard similar acclamations of excitement and were given a similar reminder of needing a good night's sleep. And last they visited Liesl.

She was more mature in her excitement. "Papa, I'm ready to live the American dream. My possibilities are endless."

"That's true. And tomorrow you can begin to learn about those possibilities. Try not stay awake too long, you need sleep too."

"I won't. Good night."

After leaving her room Maria asked. "Are you excited about your meeting tomorrow?"

"I am, but I learned how to fall asleep quickly on board the submarine and how to fully wake when the alarm sounded that an enemy vessel had been spotted."

"Was your submarine ever in danger of being torpedoed?"

"A couple of times but my crew was able to turn in time for it to miss us. War is not pretty; you realize it's either them or you. You learn to live with the danger."

"We better get some sleep too, Georg. I think your children will be awake very early for their first day of school."

"You're probably right. Goodnight Maria."

"Goodnight Georg.

Georg smiled as he watched her walk to her room. He would thank God for having met each other.

And it was as Maria had predicted. Almost before sunrise the children's voices could be heard in the hallway. She also heard Georg's voice.

"Please be quiet. Marta and Gretl need more sleep than you do. Let's go downstairs; you can talk there."

Georg's warning had come too late; Maria heard.

"Marta, you can knock on Maria's door."

"I don't want to wake her."

Maria decided to surprise them; she opened her door. "Did Kurt's shouting wake you?"

"It did Maria. Can you fix our hair?"

"Of course I can."

Marta's long brown hair was held away from her face with a large hairclip. Gretl's sandy blond hair was braided in one braid; it was tied off with a thin piece of yellow ribbon.

Now they were ready to join the others. Their appearance downstairs caused Georg to say.

"See boys, your shouting and loud talking did wake your sisters."

Martha rescued them. "Since everyone is downstairs, you can have breakfast early. Mary and I got up early to make pancake batter. You can pretend this is a restaurant; you can bring you plate to the kitchen. We found two griddles to use. The first pancakes are ready to be served.

"As I serve them, Mary will pour more batter and you can eat until you are full."

The family did eat until they were full; the men and the two boys had four or more. The young women and girls were satisfied with two or three. Their breakfast meal was complimented with crispy fried bacon and pears in a bowl topped with shredded cheese.

And Kurt could be heard saying. "This should last me until lunch time."

"I hope so. You had more pancakes than papa."

"He's still growing Louisa; I'm not. Are my high school children ready to walk to school?"

"I packed my book bag last night."

"I did too, Papa." Liesl added.

Georg looked at his watch. "It's seven-fifteen. You should leave here in few minutes. You don't want to be late on your first day."

"No we don't."

They both hurried off to use the bathroom. The other children said goodbye and watched them disappear into the canopy of trees.

Maria told the other three. "You don't have long to wait before it's time to walk to your school. You should use the bathroom one more time."

They did and now stood close to their front door ready to leave. "Papa, we know the way. You don't need to come with us."

"Alright, you may."

Georg and Maria stood there like any proud parents who witnessed their children mature before their eyes.

Maria broke the spell by asking. "What time are you expecting your ride?"

"I was told a Commander Charlie Madison would come for me by ten o'clock. Are you going to begin school for the girls soon?"

"Yes, they need to get into the routine of going to school. Let me remind them to use the bathroom before we go there. My lesson plans call for recess time around nine-thirty."

"I can't believe you wrote lesson plans for them."

"No matter the circumstances, a good teacher always prepares lesson plans."

"Then they can see me leave. Sarah pressed the wrinkles out of my dress shirt and ironed in a firmer crease in my suit pants. While you begin their school day, I'll finish dressing."

Georg turned quickly to hide his smile; he was beginning to believe his emotions were real. And after the girls used the bathroom, they followed Maria to their school room.