Sunshine on a Cloudy Day
A/N: Please read and REVIEW!! Reviews make my day (Okay, I'm aware that I sound very losery right now, so I'll shut up and let you read)
DISCLAIMER: Anything you recognize, I don't own. Title belongs to "My Girl" by The Temptations, yada yada yada.
~*~
As Maria sat down at the table, Max and the Baroness picked up their forks in anticipation of the meal.
The Captain cleared his throat yet again and said,
"We have made it a custom to say grace before our meals." The children were already holding hands, their heads bowed.
"I didn't know you had become so religious, Georg," said Max - his first words the whole meal. The Baroness sniggered quietly until the Captain gave her a reprimanding glare.
"While Maria lives under this roof, we will continue to say grace before every meal and I will not have you mocking our religious observances."
Max and the Baroness sheepishly took hold of the children's hands and bowed their heads. Maria could see the children sneaking delighted glances at each other.
"For the food we are about to eat may the Lord make us truly thankful." A chain of Amens responded to the Captain's short and unsentimental prayer.
Maria stared at the Captain, marveling over the fact that he had remembered the small incantation from her first night at the Von Trapp house.
~*~
After breakfast, the children all headed upstairs to change into their play clothes. Maria had suggested they go bike riding and they were all eagerly anticipating the activity. Maria followed the children up the steps to change from her meal clothes into a more durable dress.
"A word, Maria," the Baroness called to her. The children stopped to look at Maria questioningly.
"Go ahead, children, I'll only be a minute." The children continued up the steps slowly, eyeing the Baroness suspiciously.
"Yes? Is there something you wanted?" asked Maria, nervously.
"Actually, there is," replied the Baroness quite nonchalantly, "I'd prefer it if you ate in the kitchen from now on. I've discussed it with Georg and he seemed to agree that it was a good idea."
Maria could feel the lump building up in her throat, but she refused to give the Baroness the satisfaction of seeing her cry.
"Very well, then," she said quietly, "but I would have thought that a respected Baroness such as yourself would have more to worry about than where the governess eats her meals."
Maria turned her back on the Baroness and trudged up the staircase, tears threatening to fall down her cheeks. She didn't dare look at the Baroness. She was scared what would happen. Oh, what would happen? Had the Captain really said that Maria should eat in the kitchen with the servants?
She closed the door to her bedroom quietly behind her just as the first tear slid down her cheek.
Please tell me what you think!! I need all the advice I can get!