American Life
Seven happy children and two proud parents walked home with a skip in their steps. They were promptly greeted by Franz.
"How were the schools?"
Before Georg could answer Friedrich did. "They were great. They have the science classes I need to become a research scientist."
"And all of us can learn how to read and speak English better."
"That's terrific Louisa."
"And Franz, Gretl and me like our school rooms. We sit at a big table with little chairs."
"I see your big smile, Maria. You must have liked them too."
"I think all our children will get a fine education. Where are the others?"
"They walked into town. Phillip and Stefan wanted to visit the hardware store again and Katia and Isabel went to that store which sells food. They should be home soon."
"Are you telling me lunch isn't ready?"
"Kurt, it isn't lunch time for another hour and a half!"
"Georg, I saw a bag of apples in the refrigerator. Maybe Kurt would like one to take the edge off his hunger; I'm sure he will still eat a big lunch."
"Can I have one too, Dad?"
"You can Louisa. All of you can have one if you want one."
These weren't large apples but they did relieve the children's hunger until the ladies came home. Franz and Kurt waited for them under the portico. Kurt rushed to them.
"I'm so glad your home."
"Are you hungrier than usual?"
Katia didn't hear an answer; she saw Kurt's larger than normal smile.
"Well, you're not going to have too long to wait. I have a quick meal which I believe will fill your bottomless stomach."
"And Franz, we need to bring to bring this cart back the next time we go the food store; which by the way everyone calls it the A&P store."
"An interesting name, Isabel."
"I believe they are initials for its real name."
"Sounds logical, I'll help you carry these bags to the kitchen so you can fix lunch. It's not only Kurt who was hungry; all the children are. They each had an apple while they waited for you to come home."
The first bag Franz picked up was rather heavy. "Katia, what's in here?"
"Cans of tomato soup; all I need to do is mix the contents with milk and heat it on the stove. Then everyone can add pieces of cooked ham and crackers to their bowl of soup."
"This really sounds good, Katia."
"I think everyone will like it."
In about twenty minutes, the family was seated at the dining room table. Franz placed the large pot of soup at the end of the table. And Katia and Isabel had placed the bowl of ham and the platter of crackers on the dining room table.
As Franz began to serve everyone, Katia told them. "Most people crumble their crackers before adding them to the soup."
The platter of crackers was passed around and everyone did crumble them. Next was the bowl of small ham pieces. Kurt ate a piece before he had added a few to his bowl of soup.
"Ham is really good; it has a sweet salty taste."
After others had eaten a piece, they came to the same conclusion. The meal was consumed quickly and Katia had also bought a bakery cake for dessert. It too was appreciated by everyone; not a slice remained.
They didn't depart the dining room immediately. Isabel began to speak.
"Maria, we also located the town's Catholic church. It's on a side street not far from the A&P store. St. Mary Catholic church has Sunday masses at seven-thirty, nine and eleven."
"Georg, we should plan on attending this Sunday."
"Which time, Maria?"
"She didn't answer, Kurt did.
"Can we attend the first Mass?"
"So you will only be delayed by an hour before you can eat breakfast!"
Again Kurt gave his mom one of his endearing smiles. "Is that okay with everyone?"
Now Maria and Georg both smiled as they saw everyone nod. "And the breakfast casserole can be baking while we're gone." Katia remarked.
It didn't matter to Brigitta when they ate breakfast tomorrow; she had something else on her mind.
"Dad, this house doesn't have any books. Do you think Ball has a library?"
"It probably does."
"Can we find out?"
"I don't see why not. Do all you children want to come with us?"
The other six children nodded and they scurried to the bathroom before they once again paraded down the street in search of a library. Georg and Maria stopped when they came to the street with all the shops.
Georg thought out loud. "Ball must have a city government building. The library may be nearby."
"Do you think it may be by our church?"
"We can certainly look near it, Maria. Katia said it was near the A&P store."
"Yes, and I remember we turned right to go there. Follow us, children."
They hadn't walked far when they saw the A&P store on the other side the street. They crossed the street at the next corner. And as soon as they were near the A&P store they heard voices.
"Georg, those are children's voices."
"They seem to be coming from the street next to the store."
"Maybe they're at our church."
"Could be, Maria. Let's find out."
As the family started down this street the voices got louder and louder. Now they saw them. A group of about twenty boys and girls were having fun playing a game which Louisa recognized.
"Hey, everyone! They're playing Freeze Tag!"
One of the male adults heard her and walked towards them and asked.
"May I help you?"
"We were looking for a library when we heard the children playing."
"Are you the family living in the old Army Chief of Staff home?"
"We are. I'm Georg Trapp and with me are my wife Maria and our seven children."
"Hello, I'm Father Mike. When I play with the children I shed my priest's collar. Will you be attending my church?"
"Yes, my youngest son chose your early Mass so he doesn't have to wait long to have breakfast."
"A growing boy, Georg?"
"He's always been a big eater. Maybe you could help us. We were looking for your town's library."
"It's in our government square which is located three blocks from here. Turn right at the corner; you can't miss them."
"Thank you and we are looking forward to seeing you again on Sunday."
Georg led them back to the main street; walked the three blocks and soon Brigitta asked.
"Is everything in America built with red bricks?"
"I don't know but these building are."
There were three, one named City Hall, another, Courthouse, the last was Margaret Ball Library. It was a one story building with windows around its foundation which they would learn was the basement. And the building had stairs like both of their schools had; they were made from cement.
The lights were on so Georg knew it was open. But Maria spoke first. "When we go inside children; remember to use your quiet voice."
Georg went up the steps first; he held the door open as everyone entered. This was a large room with tables and comfortable reading chairs and tables with lamps. They were immediately greeted.
"Hello and welcome. How may I help you?"
"My ten year old daughter had me find your town's library; she would like to check out a couple of books."
"She will need a library card. I need her name and yours on the application; your other children can register for one too. Here are nine registration applications; I'm sure you and your wife would like one too. You can sit at the tables to complete them; then I'll take you on a tour."
"Very well, it shouldn't take us long."
It didn't. And on the tour they discovered the children's books were in the basement as well as a section labeled Young Adults. The librarian explained.
"Many of our newest residents don't read English well; some begin with children books, then the Young Adult books and soon they can read everything. Take your time and find that special book for you."
"Thank you, we will."
Maria helped Marta and Gretl find a book to read. She found a set of books labeled, Dick and Jane Readers.
Maria discovered they were all books about a brother and sister and their family. Each book was about different things they did, playing, having fun with their dog and many other activities.
"Girls, these books are perfect for you to read; the pictures will help you learn the words in the story."
Maria selected four, Run Spot Run, Fun with Dick and Jane, Rainy Day and Christmas Day.
Soon everyone had a least one book to checkout; Brigitta had three. They returned home to find a cozy spot to read.