Notes: Okay you guys here is the part you have been waiting for, what really happened to Georg. I am too lazy to remember when the concentration camps started so bare with me okay?
Ch. 6: Back Home
Maria knew little of what her family had been up to while she was gone. In truth they really had not been up to much. The family had made it on a train successfully to Switzerland. They got off and decided to try to find a remote location, unknown to people so they would not be found. Max failed to realize while he hid them well from the Nazis; he also hid them to well for Maria to find.
About one year had passed since the children had seen Maria and they were beginning to give up all hope of her coming back to them. They went to school and played games with heavy hearts. They felt that the family they were supposed to have just fell apart.
It was difficult for them to move on yet in sadness they did. Though still depressed and sadden they knew they must continue to live. Liesl vowed that one day they would all find Maria again. This made all the children feel better even though Liesl was referring to finding her in heaven at least. Though she kept it to herself Liesl had her doubts about ever seeing Maria again.
All this mourning the von Trapp family did was soon halted when a visitor appeared one night at the door. Marta answered it and was frightened when she saw the man's ragged appearance. She was even more terrified when the man smiled at her lovingly through his long scruffy beard.
"Marta, my child, I haven't seen you in so long." The man said trying to scoop Marta into a hug. Marta screamed and ran to the nearest person who was Brigitta.
"Marta what is it?" Brigitta asked amused seeing her little sister run so fast.
"There was a man at the door. He tried to kidnap me." Marta began. Brigitta called for Max and while she was waiting took a glance over at the door. She looked at the man. Even through his filthy appearance she recognized him right off the bat.
"Father?" She started. He looked over at her.
"Brigitta?" Brigitta lunged forward and ran into his arms.
"Father!" She screamed happily. Tears began to roll down her checks. "I thought you were dead."
"They thought I was too." He answered. There were times I thought I would die, but I knew I had to stay alive for you guys. Now where is Marta, and the rest of them?" Georg asked. Brigitta did not have time to finish as soon the whole family was in the front room hugging there long lost Father. Most of the children were in tears and in utter disbelief.
"Did you beat the Nazis Father?"
"Was this all a trick?"
"Did Max know all along?"
"Was your brother also playing dead?"
"He is getting married now you know."
Questions like this flew back and forth. Soon Max quieted them down. Georg began to speak.
"Children I promise to answer all of your questions, but would you mind if we discuss this over a meal?" The children nodded and Georg smiled. Max suggested that Georg went and got cleaned up. He decided this would be a good idea even if he did not have any urge to leave his children. "Can you tell me one more thing before dinner children?"
The children all nodded their heads.
"Where is Maria?" One by one he watched their smiles completely vanish. He could tell something was not right.
"Maria did not come with us Father. She was supposed to meet us here, but she never came." Was Liesl's reply. Georg's face fell in disgust. Even though he desperately wanted to see his children he also desperately wanted to take Maria in his arms and kiss her more ardently than ever before. He would not have minded if they finally got married the day after he came back. All Georg wanted was to be with her. He had to wait a long year and it was physically and emotionally killing him.
Georg knew that the news of his death had surly reached his family. He did not even want to think of how much that must have hurt Maria. He had prayed for her safely and that she would not think to do something so drastic to end it all. He loved her more than anything and hoped with all his heart that she would find her way back to him.
Later that evening Georg sat down to dinner with his family for the first time in a year. They told him a bit about his bother's wedding and he agreed to go with them to the rehearsal dinner the next day. He decided it would be a good way to get a breath of fresh air. Finally the children came to the question.
"So what happened Father?" Gretl asked still puzzled. With that Georg began to tell what had happened.
"Well I went out just like I said I would to try to help my brother, Michael, out of the horrible stranglehold the Nazis had on him. I did not think it would be so difficult. They had him sentenced to death and I thought that I could sneak in a take him to Austria and be done with it. Unfortunately the Nazis are rather alert so instead of us both leaving I told him to trade places with me since we look much alike. He reluctantly agreed after I told him I was in better condition for beatings than he. So he left and I was a prisoner of the Nazis for a little. Then they eventually found out who I was and sent me to a terrible place. It was like a prison for people they hate. By then I was in terrible shape and they actually presumed I was dead one day. So news got around and I was eventually thrown out because they assumed I was dead. I tried to get back to Austria when I realized you were all here in Switzerland. I also realized that everyone thought I was dead so I went into hiding for a while to make no one suspicious. Then I came back hoping to find all of you here. I have decided we are going to move to America. We can't stay here like this anymore. I don't want you children growing up in this kind of world." Georg stopped and looked at his children.
"That sounds good, but when will we leave Father?" Asked Liesl.
"As soon a possible." Georg replied. "The first available boat."
"But Father what about Maria?" Louisa asked not wanting to leave without her. Georg looked upset at the question.
"Well my dear we will just have to try and find her before then." He answered her unconvincingly.
Though the children were still worried about Maria the night flew by and in the day they drove excitedly to their brothers wedding. They were all so thankful that their Father had not been taken from them. He was really still alive and back home where he belonged.