Georg waits impatiently for someone to come to the reservations desk. He turns his head to see if anyone is coming and flinches as a sharp pain shoots down his back. Sleeping on a hard bench is not advisable he decides. Frustrated by the fact that he still can't get to Vienna he begins to pace back and forth. Finally he sees a representative come to the desk.
"Excuse me but do you have any idea when the plane for Vienna can leave? Georg asks.
"I'm sorry sir but the airport in Vienna is still fogged in. The pilot is hoping to take off as soon as he gets clearance. I will make an announcement when we are about to board.
Thank you is all Georg can say as he goes to the window. Looking up at the sky all he can do is pray. Pray that he gets to Salzburg. Pray that his son is still there.
Maria walks out of the hotel room and heads toward the abbey. The sun is shining . It's a perfect day for a picnic she thinks to herself as she turns the corner. Walking up the gravel road leading to the abbey she can't help but remember her past. Salzburg has not changed in the last 6 years. Yes some of the buildings have been damaged by bombs but for the most part the city has remained the same. She's home. She's finally home. She rings the bell for the abbey and waits patiently for one of the sisters to come to the gate.
She hears someone running and looks up to see little Georg rushing towards her. Not far behind him is Sister Berthe. Maria laughs as she watches the nun as she tries to keep up with the boy.
"Georg slow down before you fall"she calls to him. Maria laughs as she can't help but think her son must remind Sister Berthe of her. Many times Maria would be reprimanded by Sister Berthe for running in the abbey.
" Fraulein Maria, are we really going on a picnic? Reverend Mother told me you were taking me up to the Untesberg. I've always wanted to go up there but Reverend Mother said it was too dangerous"
Maria watches as Sister Berthe finally catches up to him.
" Yes Georg I asked Reverend Mother last night if I could take you. Are you ready to go? Maria asks him.
" Yes all I have to get is my ball"he says as he runs back towards the abbey courtyard.
Maria smiles as she watches him. Maria turns and gives Sister Berthe a warm embrace. The two had become close when Maria had come back to the abbey. Sister Berthe had been the one who helped her deliver Georg.
" Maria my child it is so good to have you back. We all hoped and prayed that you would come back one day"
Breaking their connection Maria laughs "I see my son is keeping you busy.
"Yes he is a handful at times but I guess he keeps us young. He reminds me of someone else who used to run around in this abbey . You know he has your smile and your appetite"she laughs as they head to the courtyard.
They meet Sister Margaretta.
" Maria we had Sister Sophia make you and Georg some lunch" Sister Margaretta says handing Maria a picnic basket Before Maria could thank her little Georg comes around the corner.
"I'm ready. Let's go " he says taking Marias hand and pulling her to the abbey gate.
" Georg say goodbye to the sisters" Maria says as she waves to the nuns. Georg waves as they head out the gate. Maria walks with him through the streets of Salzburg. They stop to see the horses in the square.
"Fraulein tomorrow we are having a festival in the square. I am going to sing along with my other school friends. I get to sing a song all by myself. Can you come? All the sisters are coming"
" Of course I will come. What song are you going to sing?
" I am not telling. I want to surprise you."
They head out of the city and to the small train that will take them up the mountain. Georg looks out the window of the train as it slowly makes it way up the mountain. Finally reaching the top Georg is the first one off the train.
"Look Fraulein Maria. Look at how high-up are."
Maria gathers their things and the two set off to find a place to have their picnic. They settle for a sunny spot near a small creek.
Georg runs to his knapsack and pulls out his boat. Laying on his stomach he places the small boat in the water. Maria sits beside him and watches ash plays.
" Sometimes I pretend that I am a sea Captain. I sail around the world. I fight pirates and Nazis"
"Oh Georg hasn't there been enough fighting. The war is over. The Nazis can't hurt us anymore
"The Nazis are the reason my mother,my real mother had to leave me" Georg says sadly
"Georg how do you know that?
"Well one night I had a nightmare and I went to find Reverend Mother. I overheard her and Sister Margaretta talking about my mother.Her nameis Maria,just like yours. I heard them say my mother had to leave Austria because the Nazis were looking for her. She didn't take me because she was afraid that if she was caught they might hurt me"
" Did they say why the Nazis were looking for her?
" Sister Margaretta said that my father was an important man and that he had escaped. She said the Nazis thought my mother might know where he went"
"Georg what do you know about your mother"
" Not a lot. Sister Margaretta says I have her smile and her voice.
Georg would you like it if your mother came back for you. I mean if she wanted you back. To take you back to where she lives"
Georg says nothing.
"Georg did you hear me?
Georg stands up and goes to Maria. Looking her in the eyes he smiles at her.
"I know now that Sister Margaretta was right I do have your smile" Georg says as he smiles wider.
"How long have you known? Maria asks him as her eyes fill with tears.
"I knew you were my mother the first time I saw you"
"But how?
"Reverend Mother had a picture of you from the paper the night Ioverheadthem talking. She left it on her desk and I saw it. It was an old picture. The date on the paper was from 1939"
" Are you mad at me for leaving you? Please understand it was the hardest thing I have ever done. I thought you had been adopted. I went to America.I have just learned that you were at the abbey.I saw the article Mr. Brickman wrote. I saw your picture and read the article. When I realized it was you I found Mr.Brickman and he helped me come back to get you.That is if you want me?
Without saying a word Georg stands up and goes to Maria. He looks into her glistening eyes and puts his arms around her neck. Maria sighs and immediately wraps her arms around him. Tears fall silently from her eyes as she feels years of want and need wash away. Georg is the first to pull from their embrace. He reaches out and wipes a tear from her cheek.
"Where is my father? "What happened to him?
Maria knew this time would come but she didn't think it would be this soon. Drawing in a deep breath she begins " I loved your father very much. He was a Captain of a submarine during World War 1.He was a proud man who loved his country very much. Reverend Mother told me that The Nazis wanted him to command a submarine for them. I know he hated the Nazis and everything they stood for soI guess he escaped rather than work with them".
"Do you know wherehe is now? Georg asks
"No he left with his other children before I had a chance to tell him about you.
" He hasother children?
"Yes 2 boys and 5 girls.I was their governess
"Oh.
"I'm sorry Georg. I wish I had more answers for you"
"It's all right Frau…I mean mother.
"Do you want to go back to America with me? Maria asks Georg
Georg looks at Maria and asks "Can I bring my toys?
Maria picks Georg up and holds him "Of course. You can take anything you want
Maria hugs him and he kisses her cheek.
" Are you hungry? She asks him. He shakes his head yes and they both sit down and enjoy a hearty lunch.
" Attention ladies and gentleman Flight 224 to Vienna will be departing at 7:00pm. We should arrive in Vienna at 10:00pm.
"Finally"Georg says as he gets his things together. Not too much longer he says to himself.