Hanz's hand flew out and smacked Maria's cheek with great force. Maria lost
her balance and fell down on the floor, instinctly her hand moving to her
sore cheek. She sat and cringed, afraid for what might happen next. But to
her luck, nothing came. Hanz was still shouting and threw everything he
could get in his hands. Maria held her tears back. She didn't want him to
see he had gotten to her, she wanted to stay strong until she was alone.
She came home with her basket and the money that was left. Then she put it on the table. Immediately she moved over to cook him something for lunch. She was late, again, and if she didn't hurry, she would get in trouble. But it was too late. A minute later Hanz walked in, furious about the second meal that wasn't there for him that day. His hand lashed out and now she sat there, her cheek hurting as much as her shoulder.
After he had thrown everything there was and he was all shouted out, he moved back outside. Maria was sure he would stay away until dinner, therefore she had a few hours for herself. As soon as he had walked out, Maria couldn't hold her tears back any longer. She wondered what she had ever done to deserve a life like this. But soon she stopped with crying since she heard a door opening. She was wishing so hard it wouldn't be him.
Georg was too concerned to leave Maria alone with that bully. He couldn't help it. Even if he had promised her, he just was taken over by his feeling. Soon he had reached Maria's house. He knew they're doors weren't locked. None of the doors in their village were locked. So he grabbed the handle and walked in as fast as he could. Maria would probably be in the kitchen, otherwise in her room. He ran through the hallway into the kitchen. He searched around and finally spotted her, all huddled up against the wall, her face drenched with tears.
Maria saw Georg walking in, relief overwhelming her. She got up and he ran over to her. Immediately he embraced her. Maria started crying again.
"Listen Maria, you can't stay here! You were right, if you will stay here, he'll get you killed!"
Maria couldn't say anything, her throat was dry and she was taken over by emotions. The only thing she could think about, was how safe she was that moment, in Georg's arms. Then Maria parted from him. She ran upstairs to her room and a minute later she stood back in front of Georg with a little bag made of a handkerchief. She handed it over to him.
"Please keep this at your house. It's all the money I've saved up from doing our musical act, chores and little things for people. I know it's safe with you. He searches my room frequently for money or things I hold back from him ... I might need this some day."
Her voice sounded raspy and hoarse due to the crying. Georg took it in and put it safely away in his pocket.
"Maria, come with me, you can stay at our house."
"I can't." She said desperately. There was nothing she wanted to do more, but she couldn't. "He'll find me soon enough!"
"But you said he didn't do anything in other people's presence. He won't hurt you!"
"He will, because he'll know I told you and you'll be in trouble as well!"
She moved over to the sink and drank some water. Then she turned herself back to Georg.
"But then you'll have me and Dad, we won't let him hurt you!"
Suddenly they heard a door close. Panicked, Maria ran over to Georg and pushed him through the back door.
"Don't come back today! Please." Maria pleaded while her eyes were still glittering due to her tears.
Georg shook his head and ran away. Afterwards Maria went to her room. She had still 2 hours to begin with dinner, so in the meanwhile she decided to read a book, something her uncle wouldn't get mad about. Reading was about the only thing she was allowed to. No singing, no laughing, no cheeriness and if she did, she would feel his hands in her face. Hanz had never liked her, even when his wife was still alive. But at least he had ignored her, now if he was mad, Maria would be the centre of his attention.
The next day, she was up in time. His breakfast was sitting there when he came in, and Maria came away without new pain. Of course Hanz didn't want his reputation to be ruined in the village, where people knew him as a well man who was known by nearly everyone, so if he wanted to keep it that way, he had to give Maria some time for her own outside the house, therefore people couldn't get suspicious.
Maria had been under her uncle's and aunt's custody since she was 6. Then as her aunt had died when she was 12, she had been living this miserable life. After so long, she had learned how to react when she was with others to keep appearances, if she didn't, her uncle would find out and make up for it later. Meanwhile he told those who Maria had tried to talk to, that she had done something wrong like breaking glasses and things and that he only did those things to punish her, which every parent or guardian understood of course.
She sat at the table, eating her own breakfast. To Hanz's great dismay, he started talking to Maria.
"You can go out today."
Maria glanced up. She heard the anger and hate in his voice.
"Even during lunch." He continued grumbling. "You are here back at 4! If not, then I'll make your life so miserable ..." He took Maria's left hand that was laying on the table next to her plate and pinched it hard. "... you wish you weren't born. Understood?!"
Maria flinched a little as she felt how tight his grip around her arm was, so hard, it even hurt. But she nodded quietly, glad she could stay away from him for so long. He loosened her arm and continued eating his breakfast. As soon as Maria had finished hers, she went away. Outside, she greeted people who walked by and even managed to put a little smile on her face. She walked straightaway to Georg's house. Because Maria was a close friend to Georg, she went there a lot, and Georg's parents always loved it when she came to visit. She walked to the back, where they were sitting on their terrace.
"Good morning Mr and Mrs Von Trapp."
"Good morning dear. Georg is upstairs."
"Thank you." She replied polite before walking into the house and proceeding her way upstairs. There she found him sitting in his room, while playing the guitar. Maria stood still at the door, just listening at his music, especially now when he began to sing. She stood there for nearly 10 minutes when he had finally noticed her.
"Maria." He exclaimed cheerfully which she replied with a smile. He was just happy she was there, with him, away from the danger for a little while.
Georg patted on the space next to him on his bed where she quickly sat down afterwards.
"So how are you now." He asked carefully, still concerned.
"I'm alright. He hasn't done anything since you found me yesterday. I'm just glad I could come here for a little while."
Georg laid his arm carefully around Maria's waist and pulled her closer to him.
"That makes two of us. So, up for some music?"
"Most definitely!" She replied joyfully.
When Georg didn't know about this, Maria had given the excuse she couldn't sing at home, because it reminded her uncle to much of her aunt and she didn't want him to be sad, therefore they always sang and played on the guitar in Georg's room or outside, in the hills. Now Georg knew better. And he knew how much Maria loved singing, besides, she had an angelic voice, so he thought this might cheer them up.
Georg started playing the guitar again and Maria's voice filled the room. It was an enormous relief to sing again. Music freed her spirit. Georg was the second voice. As the song was almost over, Mrs Von Trapp entered the room. She too kept quiet until the song had ended. Every time she walked in as those two were making music, her heart filled with joy and every time she couldn't resist to smile genuinely. It was her idea for the two to give monthly little concerts for the whole town. And because Mrs Von Trapp had asked Hanz, Maria was allowed to.
"Beautiful ..." Mrs Von Trapp's voice trailed away, still relishing the heavenly music that filled the room a minute ago. Then as she came back, she looked up at Maria. "Will you be staying here for lunch, Maria?"
"Yes Mum, she is." Georg filled in for her.
"Wonderful." She smiled at the two. Then she left the room.
"Maria, will you come with me? I want to go outside today, to that little meadow up in to the hills filled with daffodils and lilacs."
Maria's face brightened up just by hearing that wonderful spot.
"Of course I will! That is if we will be back at 3:30 just to be sure. I have to be back home at 4."
"That will be no problem. We'll just leave sooner here. I'll ask Mum if she wants to pack us a picnic."
He jumped up from his bed, grabbed Maria's hand and hurried downstairs with Maria right behind him. They didn't have to search very long, Mrs Von Trapp was standing in the kitchen.
"Mum, Maria and I were thinking of going to the hills today. But we have to leave pretty early. I was wondering--"
"If I could get your basket ready." She continued. Immediately she smiled warmly, as Maria was used to, which told Georg she said yes.
"You're the best!" Georg replied while he gave her a kiss on the cheek.
She came home with her basket and the money that was left. Then she put it on the table. Immediately she moved over to cook him something for lunch. She was late, again, and if she didn't hurry, she would get in trouble. But it was too late. A minute later Hanz walked in, furious about the second meal that wasn't there for him that day. His hand lashed out and now she sat there, her cheek hurting as much as her shoulder.
After he had thrown everything there was and he was all shouted out, he moved back outside. Maria was sure he would stay away until dinner, therefore she had a few hours for herself. As soon as he had walked out, Maria couldn't hold her tears back any longer. She wondered what she had ever done to deserve a life like this. But soon she stopped with crying since she heard a door opening. She was wishing so hard it wouldn't be him.
Georg was too concerned to leave Maria alone with that bully. He couldn't help it. Even if he had promised her, he just was taken over by his feeling. Soon he had reached Maria's house. He knew they're doors weren't locked. None of the doors in their village were locked. So he grabbed the handle and walked in as fast as he could. Maria would probably be in the kitchen, otherwise in her room. He ran through the hallway into the kitchen. He searched around and finally spotted her, all huddled up against the wall, her face drenched with tears.
Maria saw Georg walking in, relief overwhelming her. She got up and he ran over to her. Immediately he embraced her. Maria started crying again.
"Listen Maria, you can't stay here! You were right, if you will stay here, he'll get you killed!"
Maria couldn't say anything, her throat was dry and she was taken over by emotions. The only thing she could think about, was how safe she was that moment, in Georg's arms. Then Maria parted from him. She ran upstairs to her room and a minute later she stood back in front of Georg with a little bag made of a handkerchief. She handed it over to him.
"Please keep this at your house. It's all the money I've saved up from doing our musical act, chores and little things for people. I know it's safe with you. He searches my room frequently for money or things I hold back from him ... I might need this some day."
Her voice sounded raspy and hoarse due to the crying. Georg took it in and put it safely away in his pocket.
"Maria, come with me, you can stay at our house."
"I can't." She said desperately. There was nothing she wanted to do more, but she couldn't. "He'll find me soon enough!"
"But you said he didn't do anything in other people's presence. He won't hurt you!"
"He will, because he'll know I told you and you'll be in trouble as well!"
She moved over to the sink and drank some water. Then she turned herself back to Georg.
"But then you'll have me and Dad, we won't let him hurt you!"
Suddenly they heard a door close. Panicked, Maria ran over to Georg and pushed him through the back door.
"Don't come back today! Please." Maria pleaded while her eyes were still glittering due to her tears.
Georg shook his head and ran away. Afterwards Maria went to her room. She had still 2 hours to begin with dinner, so in the meanwhile she decided to read a book, something her uncle wouldn't get mad about. Reading was about the only thing she was allowed to. No singing, no laughing, no cheeriness and if she did, she would feel his hands in her face. Hanz had never liked her, even when his wife was still alive. But at least he had ignored her, now if he was mad, Maria would be the centre of his attention.
The next day, she was up in time. His breakfast was sitting there when he came in, and Maria came away without new pain. Of course Hanz didn't want his reputation to be ruined in the village, where people knew him as a well man who was known by nearly everyone, so if he wanted to keep it that way, he had to give Maria some time for her own outside the house, therefore people couldn't get suspicious.
Maria had been under her uncle's and aunt's custody since she was 6. Then as her aunt had died when she was 12, she had been living this miserable life. After so long, she had learned how to react when she was with others to keep appearances, if she didn't, her uncle would find out and make up for it later. Meanwhile he told those who Maria had tried to talk to, that she had done something wrong like breaking glasses and things and that he only did those things to punish her, which every parent or guardian understood of course.
She sat at the table, eating her own breakfast. To Hanz's great dismay, he started talking to Maria.
"You can go out today."
Maria glanced up. She heard the anger and hate in his voice.
"Even during lunch." He continued grumbling. "You are here back at 4! If not, then I'll make your life so miserable ..." He took Maria's left hand that was laying on the table next to her plate and pinched it hard. "... you wish you weren't born. Understood?!"
Maria flinched a little as she felt how tight his grip around her arm was, so hard, it even hurt. But she nodded quietly, glad she could stay away from him for so long. He loosened her arm and continued eating his breakfast. As soon as Maria had finished hers, she went away. Outside, she greeted people who walked by and even managed to put a little smile on her face. She walked straightaway to Georg's house. Because Maria was a close friend to Georg, she went there a lot, and Georg's parents always loved it when she came to visit. She walked to the back, where they were sitting on their terrace.
"Good morning Mr and Mrs Von Trapp."
"Good morning dear. Georg is upstairs."
"Thank you." She replied polite before walking into the house and proceeding her way upstairs. There she found him sitting in his room, while playing the guitar. Maria stood still at the door, just listening at his music, especially now when he began to sing. She stood there for nearly 10 minutes when he had finally noticed her.
"Maria." He exclaimed cheerfully which she replied with a smile. He was just happy she was there, with him, away from the danger for a little while.
Georg patted on the space next to him on his bed where she quickly sat down afterwards.
"So how are you now." He asked carefully, still concerned.
"I'm alright. He hasn't done anything since you found me yesterday. I'm just glad I could come here for a little while."
Georg laid his arm carefully around Maria's waist and pulled her closer to him.
"That makes two of us. So, up for some music?"
"Most definitely!" She replied joyfully.
When Georg didn't know about this, Maria had given the excuse she couldn't sing at home, because it reminded her uncle to much of her aunt and she didn't want him to be sad, therefore they always sang and played on the guitar in Georg's room or outside, in the hills. Now Georg knew better. And he knew how much Maria loved singing, besides, she had an angelic voice, so he thought this might cheer them up.
Georg started playing the guitar again and Maria's voice filled the room. It was an enormous relief to sing again. Music freed her spirit. Georg was the second voice. As the song was almost over, Mrs Von Trapp entered the room. She too kept quiet until the song had ended. Every time she walked in as those two were making music, her heart filled with joy and every time she couldn't resist to smile genuinely. It was her idea for the two to give monthly little concerts for the whole town. And because Mrs Von Trapp had asked Hanz, Maria was allowed to.
"Beautiful ..." Mrs Von Trapp's voice trailed away, still relishing the heavenly music that filled the room a minute ago. Then as she came back, she looked up at Maria. "Will you be staying here for lunch, Maria?"
"Yes Mum, she is." Georg filled in for her.
"Wonderful." She smiled at the two. Then she left the room.
"Maria, will you come with me? I want to go outside today, to that little meadow up in to the hills filled with daffodils and lilacs."
Maria's face brightened up just by hearing that wonderful spot.
"Of course I will! That is if we will be back at 3:30 just to be sure. I have to be back home at 4."
"That will be no problem. We'll just leave sooner here. I'll ask Mum if she wants to pack us a picnic."
He jumped up from his bed, grabbed Maria's hand and hurried downstairs with Maria right behind him. They didn't have to search very long, Mrs Von Trapp was standing in the kitchen.
"Mum, Maria and I were thinking of going to the hills today. But we have to leave pretty early. I was wondering--"
"If I could get your basket ready." She continued. Immediately she smiled warmly, as Maria was used to, which told Georg she said yes.
"You're the best!" Georg replied while he gave her a kiss on the cheek.