Chapter 4

Resolutions

            For a moment, Elsa and Georg stood on the veranda, each one thinking about his confession.  She didn't quite know how to react. After all that she had done and all the things she had said, Maria still won, without even trying.  Elsa was unaccustomed to losing.

            "Tell me something, Georg," she started slowly. "When did everything change?"

            Sighing, he took her hands in his. "I never meant to hurt you, Elsa.  Please believe that."

            "Of course you didn't, dear," she said. "You're incapable of it."

            He released his gentle hold on her hands and stepped away, examining her.  "The plans you made were with another man:  the man who escaped to Vienna whenever things got too difficult for him at home.  Now, I've seen what life is, and I want to cherish it.  I wished at first that you could be a part of this life I've rediscovered, but it's clear that you cannot be.  You deserve someone who fits what you need.  I regret that I am not that person."

            She looked thoughtful.  "I've noticed that you've become a different person when you're here.  You said so yourself the day we arrived.  You obviously wanted to make me a part of your life then, only a few months ago.  What happened?"

            The Captain was quiet for a minute, unable to voice his private revelations just yet. 

            "Well?" she asked.

            "My eyes were opened," he admitted.

            "I see," she said quietly, looking down.

            "Please forgive me," he said, continuing to look at her. "I never intended for this to happen."

            The Baroness was quiet for a long time.  When she finally looked back at him, he wasn't sure to be relieved or ashamed at the lack of tears in her eyes.  "I hope you're happy, Georg," she said with what sounded like bitter sincerity.  "That's all I ever wanted.  If she can make you happier than I could, then I wish you both the best."

            "Elsa, I -"

            "Georg," she interrupted.  "I thought we could have been good for each other.  We got along so well in Vienna and then out here for a little while.  But you're right: you're a different person.  I thought I could love you no matter what, but I can't love someone who does not love me.  You're a good man, and all I ever wanted was for you to be happy."

She leaned over and kissed his cheek, adding, "Go, find your Fraulein." She smiled with dignified defeat and gracefully walked into the house.

            "Uncle Max!" Gretl exclaimed as she bounded up the stairs, running into the man's waiting arms. 

            "Where's Father?" Friedrich asked as he ascended the stairs.  Max noted, with a note of amusement, that none of the children carried any berries, nor were their hands colored.

            "He's gone out on a personal matter," Max said absently.  "He said to eat without him."

            "Why didn't he ask you to go?" Louisa challenged.

            "He wanted me to be here when you returned."

            "Where's the Baroness?" Kurt asked, not hiding his happiness at her absence.

            "I don't know," Max answered enigmatically.  He knew he wasn't the one to tell them Elsa had left over an hour ago.  He noted their hopeful faces. 

            "Where did you say father was again?" Liesl asked casually.

            Max knew her tricks.  He practically taught them to her himself.  "I believe he went berry picking."

            And with that, he was gone, leaving the children utterly dumbfounded.

            "What do you think he meant by that?" Kurt asked with indignation.  "We did mean to go berry picking."

            "Yeah," Louisa joined in.  "It's not our fault that the best places are across town, and we got sidetracked."

            "We didn't do anything wrong," Brigitta insisted. "All we wanted to do was speak with her."

            "Do you think she'll come to see us after she becomes a nun?" Marta asked, hopeful for anything.

            The others remained silent, not liking that prospect at all.

            Sister Berthe silently walked towards the front gate, as another tug of the cord produced another ring of the bell.

            Probably some poor souls looking for clothing or food, she thought with compassion.  Or maybe a new young postulant hopeful...

            The person on the other side was the last one she expected.

            "Hello," Captain von Trapp asked, somewhat anxiously.  "I'm here to inquire after Maria, whom you had sent to be a governess for my children.  Where is she?"