She hurries to open the door to her apartment. She picks up the phone hoping the caller has not hung up.
"Hello?
"Maria it's Joseph. I have some good news. We can leave tonight. I was able to get all the paperwork we need faster than I thought. Can you be ready?
"Joseph I have been ready for 6 years. What time is our flight?
"It leaves at nine o'clock. I will pick you up at seven-thirty.
"Thank you Joseph I will be waiting."
Maria hangs up the phone. She calls the school and arranges for a substitute teacher to take her classes. Her mind is spinning at the thought of going back to Austria. A familiar feeling rises within her. She thinks of the Captain. What a glorious miracle it would be if he were to see the article and realize Georg is his son. She knows it is next to impossible but there is hope no matter how slim. She is filled with anticipation as she packs for a journey back to her past and maybe her future.
-
She sees the fasten seat belt light go on and reaches down. Her hands shake as she fastens her belt.Joseph notices her hands.
" Maria are you all right?
" Yes I'm a little nervous .I have never flown before".
" Would you like to hold my hand?
" No I think I will be fine" Maria laughs. She closes her eyes as she feels the plane start to move. She lets out a sigh of relief as the plane lifts off the ground.
-
Georg sits in his hotel room waiting for word from the State Department. He never thought it would be this difficult toget the papers he needs. He was told it would have been easier but he was not an American citizen and that was what was holding things up.Getting back into Austria was going to be easy but it was getting him and the boy back into the states that was proving difficult. His plane was to leave the next day at noon and he is worried that he won't be able to leave.
The phone rings and Georg jumps to answer it.
"Hello.Yes this is he.Yes I know where that is.I can pick up my documents at 10am tomorrow.Yes that is wonderful. Thank you very much". Georg hangs up the phone and immediately calls home.He tells Liesl he will be leaving tomorrow and he will try and keep in touch with her. He tries to sleep but all he can see is Marias face. He finally falls asleep and jumps when he hears the phone ring.
" Hello. Yes thank you. I will be checking out at 8am please have my bill ready. Georg hangs up the phone and goes to take his shower. He dresses and finishes packing. He hails a cab and heads to the airport.
Georg relaxes as he feels the plane take off.
Maria looks out the window of the plane.
" Oh look Joseph, the alps. We must be close to Austria. The mountains are so beautiful from up here".
" Yes we should be landing in Vienna in about an hour. I have arranged for a car to take us to Salzburg" . Maria feels the plane start to descend. Soon she sees Vienna. Sadly she sees the toll the war has taken on the beautiful city. They land and she is anxious to get to Salzburg. They put their luggage into the car and soon they are on their way.
Traveling through the countryside the remnants of the war still exist. The beautiful landscape still exists but shells of blown up tanks are everywhere. Tears find their way into her eyes and slowly they fall down her cheeks. Joseph looks over at her and touches her hand.
"I know it's hard. But they are slowly rebuilding Europe. War is a terrible thing but it's over now and it's time for the healing to begin."
" I know the war is over but to see my country so ravaged. I feel as if I abandoned my child and my country because of my fear" .
"No Maria you know what the Nazis were capable of. The whole world knows of the horrors of the concentration camps. If you had stayed you and your son could have been taken there. No you were right to leave"
"I pray you are right. I just hope my son will forgive me."
Marias heart begins to pound as she sees a familiar site. The Hohensalzburg Fortress looming over Salzburg. The car winds down the main road that leads in to the city. She sees the Salzach, the river that flows through Salzburg. Her heart pounds faster as she sees the the belltower of Nonnberg Abbey. Memories flood her mind as she sees all the familiar sites of Salzburg. To her great dismay she discovers that the Cathedral sustained major damage.
The car pulls up to the front of the Abbey and Maria immediately gets out. Joseph asks the driver to take their luggage to the hotel. He watches as Maria slowly walks to the gate. Maria reaches up and pulls the cord for the bell. She waits and watches for one of the nuns to come to the gate. She sees a nun approaching but she can't see her face. She hears the jingle of the keys as the nun gets closer.
Maria sees the nuns face and smiles as she recognizes her. Sister Margaretta. The nun look up and stops. Maria is the first to speak
"Sister Margaretta. It's me ,Maria." She watches as the nun gasps and quickly opens the gate. Maria embraces her as Sister Margaretta hugs her back. Releasing her Sister Margaretta looks at Maria and takes her face in her hands.
"Maria it's really you.It's a miracle".Sister Margaretta notices Joseph standing next to Maria.
"Mr.Brickman you have returned. You brought Maria here?
"Yes Sister. You see the pictures that I took of the children were put on the cover of a magazine in America. I wrote an article about some of the children. Maria happened to see and read the article about the children.
" Sister Margaretta I saw the picture of the children and saw the boy. I read the article. Is he my son? Is the boy named Georg my son? Maria looks at Sister Margaretta, her eyes fill with tears. Sister Margaretta pulls Maria to her and whispers " Yes Maria it is him"
Joseph watches as the two woman embrace too emotional to let go of each other. He stands waiting until they let go of each other.
"Come Maria, Reverend Mother will want to see you. Mr. Brickman, please, you come too". They follow her and wait while she knocks on the Reverend Mothers door.
" Ave" Reverend Mother says from behind the door. The door opens and they follow Sister Margaretta in.
" Reverend Mother I….." Before she can finish Reverend Mother sees Maria.
"Maria! she gasps. You've come home" Reverend Mother rushes to Maria and embraces her.
" Reverend Mother. Oh how I've missed you" Maria says as she holds her tighter.
"Maria I have a surprise for you. Your son is here"
"Yes Mother I know. I am living in America now. That is where I met Mr.Brickman. I understand you know each other"
"Yes, hello again Joseph" Reverend Mother takes his hand.
"Hello Mother it is nice to see you again" Joseph says as he shakes her hand.
"You see Mother as I told Sister Margaretta, Joseph wrote this article for an American magazine. I happened upon the article and put things together. I contacted Joseph and here I am. Or should I say we"
"God truly works miracles. He has brought you back to us and has reunited you with your son."
"Reverend Mother can I see him? Maria asks.
"Of course. The children have just finished dinner and they are in the gardens" Reverend Mother says as she opens her door.
Maria walks quickly through the corridor leading into the gardens. Joseph, Reverend Mother, and Sister Margaretta follow close behind. Maria opens the iron gate and walks into the gardens. Scanning the area her eyes search for him. She looks over at the fish pond and her heart leaps as she recognizes him immediately.
The boy is playing with a wood boat. She watches as he pushes it through the water. Her eyes fill with tears. He is more beautiful than she imagined.
"Maria do you want me to call him over here? Reverend Mother asks.
"No, I would like a few minutes to compose myself. I will go to him in a couple of minutes" Maria wipes her eyes and slowly walks over to the little boy.
Bending down she begins to speak " Hello, my name is Maria. Did you make that boat?
He looks up at her and she smiles. " Hello my name is Georg. "Yes with some help from Sister Berthe. "Would you like to sail my boat. I am the Captain and you can be my first officer"
Looking at him she is overwhelmed at how much he looks like his father. His eyes are Georgs, a blind man could see the resemblance. Maria reaches to him and touches his head. He looks up at her and smiles. Maria sits on the stone ledge that surrounds the pond. Sister Margaretta, Joseph and Reverend Mother watch as mother and son get reacquainted. They watch as Maria and young Georg talk and laugh.
The sky begins to darken and thunder can be heard. Sister Margaretta calls the children.
"Children I am afraid it is time to go in. It looks like we are in for a storm. Gather your toys and get ready for bed"
"Fraulein Maria can you walk me to my room. I don't like thunderstorms"
"Of course darling" she says taking his hand in hers. He leads her to his room. Maria recognizes it immediately. It's her old room. She watches as he changes into his pajamas.
"Fraulein will you stay until I fall asleep?
"Of course" she says as she pulls the cover of his bed down. He jumps into bed and she covers him with the blanket.
Sitting down next to him she begins to softly sing. She watches as his eyes flutter and begin to close. She softly caresses his head as she finishes her song. She starts to leave when a clap of thunder causes Georg to jump into her arms. She comforts him and starts to sing again. Her eyes close and she is transported back in time. She remembers him as a infant. She would sing the same song to him. She opens her eyes and looks down at her son. Making sure he is fast asleep she puts him gently under his blanket and tenderly kisses him goodnight.
Walking down the corridor she sees Reverend Mother.
"Mother I need to ask you some questions about Georg"
"Of course Maria. Let's go to my office" Once in Reverend Mothers office Maria begins.
"Does Georg know he was adopted"
"Yes Maria. I told him a few months ago. He asked why he was here. He does not remember his adopted parents that well as he was only 3 when they were killed. They did love him Maria. They were good people."
"Did you tell him about me?
"I told him that his real mother loved him more than life itself. I told him you gave him to us so that he would be safe. He did ask if you would ever come back for him?
" What did you tell him Mother"
"I told him when God closes a door….
"He opens a window... Maria answers. Mother I have come back for him. I want to take him back to America with me. Joseph helped me get the necessary papers.
"I am so happy for you and Georg. When do you want to tell him that you are his real mother?
"I want to spend a couple of days with him. He needs some time to get to know me. The last thing I want to do is upset him. Tomorrow I would like to take him up to my mountain. Maybe have a picnic. I will pick him up at 10am if that is all right with you"
"That sounds fine. I will have him ready for you" Reverend Mother puts her hand on Marias shoulder.
Maria have you ever heard from Captain Von Trapp?
" No Mother. Actually I am hoping that God will grant me another miracle and The Captain will see the article also"
" You never know Maria miracles happen everyday"
Maria says goodbye to everyone. Joseph and her go to the hotel to have dinner and get some much needed rest.
-
Georg watches as the plane begins to descend. He is concerned as they are not anywhere near Vienna. He is about to ask the stewardess what is going on when he hears the Captain.
"My apologies ladies and gentlemen but we are being told that Vienna airport is fogged in and we can't land. We will be landing tin London and we will wait until the fog lifts before we can take off again"
The plane lands and the passengers are instructed to wait in the gate area until they can board.
An hour goes by and Georg grows more impatient. Finding a airline representative Georg walks over to him
" Excuse me but do you know how much longer we will have to wait. It is imperative that I get to Salzburg."
" I'm sorry sir. The fog is very bad and it would be too dangerous to land in Vienna. We just got word that they have grounded all flights for 24 hours. I suggest you find a hotel room and as soon as we are able to leave the airline will get in touch with you"
Georg shakes his head frustrated at the delay. Realizing he has no choice he decides to stay at the airport until they are able to leave. He gives his name to the airlines and finds a seat.