Georg looked up as his heart began to pound. The Untesberg. The mountain was like a beacon calling him home. Home to where he hopefully will find his son. Home to where he wonders if she would possibly come back to.
Glancing at his watch" 8:45 I made good time"
He turns the corner and heads down a street he knows too well. He looks to his left and smiles as he remembers driving down this road on his last trip home from Vienna. He remembers seeing his children hanging along with their governess from the trees that line the street. How long ago that seems. He slowly pulls up to the iron gates. He slowly gets out of the car. Looking through the gates he sadly sees what the war has done. Tattered Nazi flags hang from the front door. Broken windows are everywhere. A large tank sits off to one side. He hasn't the heart to go into the house. Instead he walks to the back. Strangely the back is in good condition. He looks to see if it is still there. Walking across the grass his heart leaps as he sees it. From where he is it looks still in tact. He walks closer and is relieved to see the glass untouched. Opening the glass doors his mind quickly falls back to the night he told her he loved her. Standing in the moonlight he kissed her for the first time. He closes his eyes lost in the memories of that night.
Glancing at his watch he decides to go back to the car. He decides he will come back later after he finds about his son. Taking another look at the house he gets back into the car.
Maria holds Georgs hand as they walk to town. All the children are dressed in their best clothes. The boys all have lederhosen and linen shirts. Their jackets are forest green. The girls all wear matching dirndls.
" You look very handsome Georg" Maria says.
" Reverend Mother says soon I will be old enough for long pants" he says smiling up at Maria. Maria laughs as they arrive at the square.
The choir director calls for the children to get set up for the concert
" Good luck darling" Maria hugs Georg as she watches him run off to join the other children. Maria goes to sit down with Reverend Mother, Sister Margaretta and Sister Berthe. They listen as the children go through an array of different Austrian folk songs.
Georg is surprised to find the streets crowded. He stops and asks a gentlemen what is going on . The man tells him there is a festival in the square. Georg thanks him and continues to head for the abbey. He pulls up in front and approaches the gate. He rings the bell and waits. He sees a young nun approach the gate.
" May I help you? She asks.
" My name is Georg Von Trapp. Is Reverend Mother here? It is very important that I speak to her".
" I'm sorry sir Reverend Mother is in town at the festival. The children are performing there"
" The children. Are they all there? He asks
" Yes, they are giving a concert. They aren't expected back until late afternoon" she says .
"Thank you, I will try and find her at the festival" he says as he goes back to his car.
" Sir I suggest you leave your car her. Parking will be hard to find in town."
Remembering the crowds" Yes thank you sister", Georg says as he starts to walk towards town.
Maria watches the choir director motion for Georg to come forward. Maria watches as he steps up onto the stage. He looks at her and smiles. Maria listens as the orchestra begins. She can't make out the melody at first but as soon as Georg begins to sing her heart pounds. Edelweiss. She listens as his beautiful voice fills the square. Her mind immediately is brought back to the night of the puppet show when The Captain sang the song. She remembers the way he stared at her. She looks up at her son singing so beautifully . She sees so much of his father in him. Especially his eyes.
Georg hears the orchestra playing as he enters the square. He tries to see the stage but there are too many people standing in front of him. He listens and smiles as he hears what song they are playing. He hears the voice of what sounds like a small child. He stands listening to the song.
Maria watches as her son finishes the first verse. He stares at her and motions for her to come forward. At first Maria is reluctant but the crowd and the sisters urge her on. She stands next to her son as he starts the next verse.
Georg hears another voice as he strains to see who is singing. He listens more intently as the song continues. He hears her voice . His eyes become wide and his heart begins to pound.
" My God that sounds like… I must be hearing things " he says as pushes his way through the crowd. The closer he gets the clearer the voice becomes. Frantically he pushes forward. Hearing the last verse he is almost to the front of the stage. As he fights to see, the song ends. People who had been seated rise to their feet to applaud.
Maria curtsies and Georg bows. They leave the stage and go toward the sisters.
Georg finally gets to the front of the stage and frantically looks around.
" Excuse me can you tell me where the person who was singing that song went" Georg asks the choir director.
"I think they went behind the stage. Can I help you? The man asked Georg.
" I hope so. Who was singing Edelweiss? Georg says pointing to the stage.
" A young boy from the orphanage"
"A young boy? I also heard someone else, it sounded like a woman" Georg says to him.
" Ah yes that would be his mother"
" I thought you said he was an orphan" Georg looks at him confused.
" He was until yesterday. Reverend Mother told me that his real mother came from America to find him. They were reunited yesterday. He will be going home with her next week. Georg is a wonderful little boy I will miss him terribly"
" Georg! Did you say Georg? Georg says as he takes hold of the mans shoulders.
" Yes that is the little boys name" the man says becoming a little scared as Georg looks at him.
" Do you know what his mothers name is? Georg asks
" I think Georg told me her name is Maria.
" Oh my God, do you know where they were going? Georg asks as he looks around the square in desperation.
"Georg told me that he and his mother were going get something to eat".
" Thank you " Georg says as he shakes the mans hand vigorously and heads off towards the main part of town.