Chapter 12
"Well, Marta, what do you want to do now?" Maria asked as they walked
away from the store. Marta thought for a moment. "Can we have lunch now?
I'm starving!" Marta asked. Maria laughed. "Of course, darling! This is your
day today." Marta curiously said, "I thought it was YOUR day today. It is
your birthday today, after all." Maria smiled and said, "Darling I thank you
for your concern, but I'm happy if you are happy." "Ok, Fraulein Maria. Can
we eat now?" Chuckling, Maria said, "Certainly. Why don't we go to that
restaurant." As a birthday present, Maria had gotten some money from the
Captain and the children. Marta smiled excitedly. "Ok!" She pulled Maria's
hand to the restaurant. Maria cried, "Woah, slow down partner!" Marta
grinned sheepishly. "Sorry." "It's ok." Maria said, "Why don't we both just
hurry now?" They both took off to the restaurant.
Meanwhile, back at the house…
"Father, I'm bored!" "Father, I'm hungry!" "Father, Frederick keeps on
bothering me!" Cries from everywhere gave the Captain a headache. In less
than a few hours, the children grew bored. How did Maria do this?
"Children, please! Can't you all calm down? We'll have lunch in a second. I
just have to go to my study to call someone regarding my party." Heads
immediately popped up. "What party?" "What are you talking about?" The
captain pretended to be surprised. "What? Don't you remember? I told you
all about it." "No you didn't," Louisa argued. The other children agreed.
"yeah!" The captain suppressed a smile. "Alright, Alright. I didn't tell you
about it. I wanted it to be a surprise, but then I forgot that I didn't tell you,
when you all were overwhelming me." He looked pointedly at the older
children. They looked sheepish. "So, about the party. I was thinking that
since it's almost Leisl's birthday, and its about time she got presented to
society, Leisl deserves a party of her own. So, I made some arrangements for
a ball on Leisl's birthday." The children gasped. Leisl's face was one of
complete joy. "Really, father? I'm ready to be presented to society?" Leisl
breathed. The Captain nodded, smiling. "You're growing up." Leisl went up
to her father and gave him a huge hug. "Thank you." Leisl whispered.
"You're welcome." He whispered back. "Now, who wants lunch? I'll call
later." "Me!" Was the children's answer. Laughing, the happy family went
to lunch.
Back at the restaurant:
"Marta, do you like your food?" Maria asked. They had ordered their food
and were now gobbling it up. "Yes, Fraulein. Thank you." Marta beamed.
Maria smiled. They continued eating their lunch, in silence until Maria said,
"Marta, do you ever feel left out with Gretl or your other siblings?"
Maria had meant to ask this question for a long time. She just never had the
opportunity to, because there was always a disruption. She knew, from
previous experience, that shy children could sometimes feel overshadowed
by other people less timid. Now, as she looked at Marta, her face changed.
"Marta?" Maria gently urged. Marta looked down, fiddling with her fingers.
Finally, she said, "yes, Fraulein Maria." A tear fell down on her face as she
spoke. Maria's heart ached to see a little girl whom she grew to love like her
own. Getting up, she went over to the girl, and wrapped her arms around her
in a comforting hug. Marta began sobbing uncontrollably. Maria just held
her, whispering words of comfort to her. After a while, Marta's crying
stopped. Maria asked, "Do you want to talk about it?" Marta was quiet for a
moment. After that, she let it all out. "Oh, Fraulein. It seems like no matter
how hard I try, I'll always be different from Liesl and Frederick, and Louisa
and Kurt, and Brigitta and Gretl. Even you, Fraulein! They all pay attention
to Gretl, but they hardly do to me! Sure, they ask me what I want, and Liesl
takes my hand when I hardly can keep up, but it seems like they care about
Gretl more than me! Like one time, when we went bike riding, I was a little
behind everyone else, and everyone just kept on telling me to hurry up! But
then when Gretl had trouble keeping up with us, they just laughed and pulled
her along." Marta started to look teary again. Maria put her arm around
Marta. "Oh, Marta! I'm SO sorry. I should have paid more attention to you.
It's just that Gretl is the youngest, and she can't take care of herself like you
can." Startled, Marta said, " she can't?" Smiling, Maria said, "no! But YOU
can!" Slowly, Marta said, "I guess I can. Gretl always seems to have trouble
putting on her dresses." She grinned. Laughing, Maria said, "That's true.
But, Marta, don't EVER feel like your brothers and sisters care about Gretl
more than you. I think that they sometimes forget that you're still little, and
that you need attention, like Gretl does. They think you're so big already,
and mature for your age that you'll be able to fend for yourself!" Marta
looked at Fraulein Maria with her big brown eyes. "Do you really think so,
Fraulein?" She asked. Giving Marta a kiss on the cheek, she said, "I know
so! Now, how about we go back to the house, hmm? They're all probably
wondering where we are!" Nodding happily, Marta got up, and together,
hand in hand, left for the house.