A New Day

Bright and early the next day, Georg said goodbye to Elsa as she left in the car with Franz. He would stay at the train station until the train for Vienna arrived. When it did. Franz took her two bags from the trunk and placed them on the train. An attendant took them to her compartment. Then he watched the train leave.

He returned to the car mumbling. "I so glad she's gone. Something about her bothers me."

When he arrived back at the villa, he found Georg. "The Baroness is on her way to Vienna."

"Thanks Franz, I'm waiting for my children to come down with their Fräulein."

"They really are happy since she returned."

"They certainly are. I wonder what her plans are for after their lessons."

"Something fun, I'm sure."

Maria had woke as if she had heard the Abbey bells ring. She immediately sat up and threw her legs over the side of the bed. Then she remembered where she was. But knowing she was in her governess room at the villa didn't stop her from praying the morning prayers and singing one of the morning hymns.

And then like yesterday morning she heard voices outside her door. She had no idea Georg's voice was one of them. She quickly opened her door. She saw him.

"So Captain, you were aiding your children in waking me!"

"I suppose I was."

"Are you the hungry one this morning?"

"Not really, I heard my children and decided to join them."

Franz inquired after they were seated around the table. "Georg, how long will Elsa be in Vienna?"

"I don't really know. I do know there are several bridal stores; she'll probably look in all of them for her gown."

Georg noticed discreet smiles between Liesl and Louisa; he was sure they meant they were happy with his comment.

After another delicious and filling breakfast, Georg inquired again.

"Fräulein, do you have lessons planned for today?"

"Not for this morning. Captain, we're in the rainy season. The children would like to ride their bikes before the rain comes."

"Mind if I come with you?"

"Of course not, you're always welcome to join us. I was planning on riding to the plaza and back; it will probably take us a good hour. Marta doesn't pedal very fast and I of course have a passenger."

Her answer didn't mean she didn't wonder about his engagement to the Baroness. She did and was terribly confused.

Georg had a reason for coming along; he knew there were many Nazi sympathizers in Salzburg. They worried him.

"While everyone gets ready, I'll alert Phillip to have our bikes ready for us."

He quickly left the villa to find him. He found him outside by the shed.

"Good morning Georg. Do you need something?"

The children want to go on a bike ride; I'm going with them."

"Are you worried about something?"

"Yes, Nazi sympathizers; I know they're here."

"So do I."

The children's voices told them both they had exited the villa. And their voices became louder as they ran to their father.

Immediately Gretl asked. "Father, could you teach me how to ride a bike?"

"First, I would need to buy you a smaller bike so your feet can touch the pedals comfortably."

He didn't tell her when because the coming Anschluss would change everything.

"Thank you, Father. Now you need to put me in my seat on Fräulein Maria's bike."

"I can do that."

And Georg discovered it was absolutely necessary he buy her a bike. Gretl was already too big for the seat; her knees were almost resting on her chest.

With Gretl in her seat and the others with one foot on a pedal they were ready to ride down the lane. It took them by the pasture with the horses; there they went left towards Salzburg. Even the boys didn't pedal very fast; they had a nice enjoyable ride to the plaza. They stopped and rested before returning home. And Georg was relieved he saw no one who seemed suspicious.

They welcomed Katia's pitchers of lemonade; it wasn't pink. Pink lemonade reminded her of the day Georg had announced to his children Elsa would be their new mother. She and Isabel both had thought she was not the motherly type. They were both extremely happy she had returned to Vienna.

The clouds gathered before lunch time. The children didn't mind starting on their lessons. Maria had them do a few simple assignments before Katia had lunch prepared. And after lunch they had to finish the book they were reading and write a book report.

Their father joined them in the classroom as each one read their report. Afterwards Kurt asked.

"Can we play Freeze Tag in the ballroom?"

"Is this a new game Fräulein?"

"It is Captain; it's a good way to play tag inside. Your children love to play it."

"Father, you can play too. If the It person touches you, you must freeze where you are. After everyone is frozen, another person becomes It. We don't always play it until everyone has had a turn to be It."

"Louisa, I think I'll sit and watch this time. I'll enjoy all the fun you are having."

He watched as the It child made statutes of their siblings; each one froze in an awkward position. Georg smiled and laughed. And also thought. They're really happy because Elsa isn't here and so am I.

Maria had sat too; she was on the opposite of the room and also held a thought. This engagement of the captain and the Baroness is really strange. The captain seems so happy she's not here.

And both of them heard Kurt. "I hope Katia serves dinner soon."

And Louisa agreed. "I'm as hungry as Kurt."

And Georg made a statement too. "Since two children are hungry, I'll go see if dinner is almost ready."

"So the children's hunger made you hungry too Captain."

"I must not tell a lie Fräulein. I am."

Georg walked away; no one saw his big smile. When he returned, he clapped his hands together and said.

"Dinner is ready."

Seven children ran to get ready. The captain followed hurriedly. Kurt once again gave his short crisp grace before they began to devour the food.

For Kurt, Louisa and the captain it took second helpings to finally fill them. Maria had a comment.

"You need to be calm and quiet and let your food digest."

"Can we sing Fräulein Maria?"

Maria didn't answer Brigitta. Georg did.

"Wonderful idea." He again smiled at Maria.

And Maria continued to wonder about his engagement to the Baroness. She put it out of her mind as the children sang for their father. He gave applause after each song.

An hour had passed; it was the children's bedtime. Reluctantly they said goodnight to their father and went up to bed with Maria. Georg followed shortly after writing another entry in his journal.

I wonder how much longer I need to keep my secret.