The Two Ships Meet

Georg's voice didn't waver but Maria could tell he was concerned when he told her.

"I don't want to tell the children about the next ship first thing this morning. I don't want them to worry."

"Do you think we can keep it a secret?"

"As long as we act normal we should be able to hide our knowledge from them, even Brigitta."

"Where did she get her sixth sense of intuition?"

"I don't know but she definitely has it."

Uncontrollable laughter filled their quarters. And before leaving there, Georg drew Maria close to him.

"A kiss or two should help us change our personalities to be more reserved."

"I'll never turn down a kiss from my husband."

"You are special."

And neither wanted to break their embrace but they did. They walked hand in hand to the big room with the bunkbeds. There they found everyone awake. And Franz had returned from the dining room. He reported what he learned.

"Breakfast is ready. This morning it's served as a buffet. I'm sure there will be something everyone likes. Arthur is waiting for us there."

And Maria whispered to Georg. "I'm sure Kurt is more than pleased. He won't need to ask for second helpings."

And Georg firmly squeezed her hand to keep from laughing. They were last to leave this room. And Kurt was already sitting with a plate full of food by the time they arrived in the dining room. And they weren't surprised when he returned to the buffet table; but he wasn't the only child to do so.

Gretl had asked. "Frau Schmidt, can I get another pastry?"

"Of course you may."

And Marta asked the same and followed Gretl there.

Soon Georg noticed everyone had stopped eating. He stood to speak to them.

"I'd like to return to the game room. I want to teach your mother how to play Backgammon."

"We want to play games too, Father." Marta told him.

"Then follow me." Arthur announced.

As soon as they arrived, Georg found the table with a Backgammon game on it. The others played a board game, others card games and a couple were working on a jig-saw puzzle. Everyone was so engaged. Maria's voice startled them.

"Now you tell me you were the submarine's Backgammon champion after you have won three games in a row."

Everyone heard Franz laugh; he of course knew of Georg's accomplishment.

"Maria, you're not the first person he's beaten several times before telling them he was the Backgammon champion on the submarine. He's beaten me more than once."

Now everyone was laughing. And Arthur told the group. "You've been having so much fun, it's already lunch time."

And Kurt whisper to Louisa. "I thought it was; my stomach is about to grumble."

His sister replied. "I'm hungry too. Let's get in line behind Arthur."

They did and the others were right behind them. When they arrived, they found each place already had a plate of food. On each plate was a sandwich and a few potato chips. And Arthur told them.

"This is a traditional lunch meal found in the pubs of London. Each sandwich has slices of roasted chicken, a couple of strips of smoked bacon with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. There are extra sandwiches if anyone needs more to quench their hunger."

Maria and Georg shared smiles. They were both thinking that Kurt would be one to ask for a second. He did. But he and Louisa shared a sandwich. Georg and the other men also shared another sandwich.

When Arthur saw that everyone had finished eating, he told them. "We're going back to the game room to view a movie."

"A real movie," Louisa asked.

"Yes, it's a silent film with English subtitles. The movie is so engaging, sometimes you don't have time to read them."

They discovered this movie, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, held them spellbound by its reality which was made possible with its innovative use of special effects, location photography, large sets, exotic costumes, sailing ships, and what appeared to be a real submarine.

Not even Georg could answer the children's question. "How did they make this movie?"

Arthur couldn't tell them either. They were still talking about it when Captain Davy found them.

"Everyone, are you ready for your next adventure?"

"Where are we going, Captain Davy?"

"I'll let your father tell you."

Brigitta and her father's eyes caught. Georg stood to tell them.

"Children, I didn't want to worry you by telling you our final destination. We're going to America. Your father couldn't stay in Europe. The new leader of Germany wanted me for his new navy; he was going to try again to capture me. I had to leave and I wasn't going to leave anyone behind.

"Bishop Howard helped plan our escape. He told us that God has plans for us in America. What they are we don't know now but Father Wasner would tell you God will reveal them in ways which may surprise us.

"There's an American ship anchored in the ocean. Captain Davy will pull up beside it. We will board it using a rope-bridge."

Georg was interrupted by Louisa. "What kind of bridge Father?"

"A bridge made from heavy ropes and wooden planks. That same heavy rope has been woven to make sides for it. Please don't be frightened. It really is safe."

Now it was Captain Davy's turn to reassure them.

"Your Father is correct. My mates and the American sailors know how to attach the bridge to both ships and make it very secure. You can watch them."

Marta wasn't so confident. "It still sounds scary to me."

"Your mother told me that too when I told her and the other adults about it. Don't worry sweetie, you and Gretl will both walk across it with an adult. And I'll hold her mother's hand."

"And Marta I can tell you what I told your father today. I won't be scared because he will be holding my hand. You shouldn't be sacred either."

And now everyone heard Max. "I can hold both of your hands and we will walk over it together."

"I like that idea Uncle Max."

"I thought you might Gretl."

And in a very short time, the two ships were both anchored with only about four feet between them. Captain Davy sent his first mate to tell Arthur they could return to the top deck to watch the rope-bridge being attached to his ship.

When they arrived there, everyone could hear the crew on the American ship.

"Ahoy, mates. Are you ready to receive the rope bridge?"

The mates answered. "We are."

The American sailors had already secured the bridge to the side of their ship by using the steel pegs on the edge of the ship. Now they watched as the American sailor tossed the rope bridge towards the British ship. The mate on the British ship grabbed it and with the help of another mate they secured it to similar pegs on their ship; then they pulled the rope bridge taunt so it no longer wiggled.

Again Marta spoke. "I'm glad it's not very long."

"I think everyone is." Georg reassured her. "We need to go pack our things. We'll have dinner on the American ship."

By the time the family returned, all the trunks and Maria's guitar were already on the American ship. Only their personal bags needed to be taken there. Franz, Stefan and Phillip carried them across the rope-bridge to the sailors waiting to take them to their quarters.

And Max had hold of Marta and Gretl's hands; he followed the men across the rope-bridge. And Marta announced as they boarded the American ship.

"That wasn't scary at all Father."

"Good to hear. Now I'll walk with your mother so she won't be scared."

Maria humored her husband by holding his hand extra tight. And Kurt was right behind them; everyone else followed him.

And once Captain Davy was told his passengers were safely aboard the American ship, he had his crew release the rope bridge from his ship. It didn't dangle very long on the side of the American ship, the USS Columbia, before its crew pulled it on board to stow for future use.

And now an American sailor addressed Georg. "Sir, I'm Petty Officer Mike. I'm assigned to you until we dock in America."

"Please to meet you Mike. I'm Georg."

"Very well, Georg, tell your group to follow me."

Everyone was huddled around Georg, still he had to speak loudly to be heard; the ship was already under way and its engines were quite loud.

"Everyone, please follow this officer."

Mike spoke to Georg while they were walking. "We're going to use the freight elevator to go below. It's much quicker and safer than using ladders."

All the children were very excited so riding in an elevator didn't scare them. It only took them to the first deck; all the extra quarters for them were there. There wasn't a large room for everyone to be together. Instead they were split up into groups of two.

Isabel had Gretl with her while Marta would sleep with Katia. The boys slept in bunkbeds. And even Liesl, Louisa and Brigitta shared a room with bunkbeds. The others all had officer's rooms with a big bed, including Maria and Georg.

And the parents were told. "A sailor will be posted in the area at all times; you need not fear that the children might try and go exploring."

Maria answered him. "Thank you, a couple of my children are very inquisitive."

And Georg smiled. He was pleased Maria had called them her children and also because he agreed with her.

And then before Kurt could ask, Mike told them. "Follow me; dinner is waiting for you in the ship's mess-hall."

Maria whispered. "I assume that's a dining room."

"You are correct, my dear."

The mess-hall had long tables with chairs. And as soon as everyone sat, the mess-hall staff served bowls of tomato soup with cheese sprinkled on top. When the staff saw most had finished their soup, they served the main dish. And Katia asked.

"Is this Wiener Schnitzel?"

"It is, Miss. We have a German immigrant as our chef. But you can see he has added to the meal; sailors need a lot of food. He always serves it with a large serving of rice, a half of a Hubbard Squash and finely cut up cabbage with a mayonnaise dressing which Americans call Cole-slaw."

"That's good sir. I don't believe anyone will go away hungry."

"You will also have desert. And beverages of milk, tea and coffee are available for you."

And Katie was correct. Even Kurt said he was full.

And after dinner, Mike gave them a quick tour of the ship. This ship had all the same rooms the British ship had had. And Mike waited with them in the chapel while Father Wasner prayed with them. He heard them sing a hymn even he knew. And he commented.

"Georg, everyone, including the children, sings very well."

"Maria discovered the children's talent; they know all kinds of songs."

"Maybe they can sing for American Military men. There are many famous American singers who do. They may even be able to travel with them to overseas bases where they put on variety shows."

"I'll look into it, Mike; after we find a home."

Maria wondered if her husband would allow it. He had been adamant that the children don't sing in public. She didn't dwell on her thoughts.

Even Mike noticed the children were dragging their feet. "I know you've had a long exciting day. As my mom used to tell me, you need to go to bed before you fall asleep standing up."

And Maria fully agreed with his mom. "You're right. Marta and Gretl are almost ready to do exactly that. Come with me, girls; I'll help you get ready for bed."

The others wouldn't admit they were sleepy but they were; they followed Maria. And the adults said goodnight too. Georg was waiting for Maria in their quarters.

"I know what you've been thinking."

"I thought you might."

"We've been given an opportunity to live in a country where everyone can pursue their dreams. Everyone has a chance to be president if they desire to be. And everyone can sing in public because there are no rules prohibiting it. If the opportunity comes for the children to sing for the military men, I won't say no."

"And you realize who is going to be the happiest."

"Max is. I'm sure he will be totally immersed in American music very soon after we are settled."

"And all of this is the window God opened for us after a door was shut. It's important that we embrace what we find when we step through that window to America."

"You are special. May I take my special girl to bed?"

"My kiss will be my answer."

And the couple fulfilled the scripture again. They slept like babies; that was until they heard voices.

"The children are awake."

"Awake and very vocal too. We better get dressed; the sailor may have a hard time keeping them in the passageway."

The sailor guarding the passageway saw their door open; he spoke immediately. "I've been told by more than one of them, they're hungry."

"We can't have that; you can lead us to the mess-hall."

"Most certainly sir."

Mike met them there. "Charlie, you're released from duty. I'll be with them the remainder of the day."