More Exploring

Before Sunday came, Franz took a telephone call.

Franz, this is John Knox. May I speak to Georg please?

"Certainly, let me find him."

It took him a few seconds; he was out on the terrace with the children and Maria. He looked up as he saw Franz enter the room.

"You have a phone call, sir. It's John."

Georg hurried there; Maria came too.

He picked up the receiver. "Hello John, this is Georg."

Are you beginning to get settled?

"Yes we are. The children visited their schools; we found the shopping district, our church and the library. I'm anxious to learn how I can help your government."

Great, you will be picked up around eight on Monday and returned home by six.

"I'll be ready and waiting outside."

Goodbyes were said and the call ended. "I know you're happy to be working for the American government."

"I am, Maria. I'm still not sure how I can help."

"Remember what Davy told you. You commanded a diverse crew. America is made up of immigrants from many countries. You may be asked to help the navy officers learn how to make the men under their command function as a team."

"You may be right."

The couple was asked a question by Louisa. "Do you think there's a playground nearby?"

"I don't know." Georg answered.

"Maybe there's one near the elementary school." Maria stated before she continued. "There must be a place where the children have recess."

"You may be right. Louisa, go tell the others to get ready to leave and we'll go see if your mom is correct."

"Yes, I'll tell them to hurry too."

The others were as eager as Louisa to find a playground; they were ready in a few minutes. Georg and Maria led them back towards the elementary school.

"Maria, if there is a playground, I think we'll find it behind the school."

"You may be right. Let's walk on the sidewalk; it may lead us there."

"Children, follow us around to the back of the school."

All of them walked quickly and soon the playground was in front of them. They saw a fairly big piece of land with all kinds of playground equipment. There were three sets of swings; each one had four swings which hung a different lengths. Maria was attracted to a swing which had a chair on it.

She took Georg's hand to investigate it. "Who do you think this is for?"

He looked at it carefully. "Maybe it's for a baby who's old enough to sit alone. This bar gives the baby something to hold on to."

"Interesting, maybe one day we'll get to use it."

"You're not trying to tell me something. Are you?"

"No darling, but some day I hope to tell you I'm with child."

The couple shared a kiss while no one was looking at them and then walked in promenade position as they strolled around the playground.

They also saw three slides; each one was a different length. In addition, there was a playground Merry-go-round, a set of climbing bars, a pole with a large ball hanging from the top and a structure which was circular and also had bars to climb on it.

They stayed there all afternoon; Kurt reminded them it must be time for dinner; he was hungry. So were the others. And when they arrived there, Katia told them dinner would be severed in thirty minutes.

After dinner everyone was occupied; Brigitta was reading her book, the little girls had found coloring pages and crayons. Liesl and Louisa were working on a puzzle. Friedrich found a science book on one of the shelves. Kurt had found an erector set and was building a tower.

Even Isabel had brought her needlework to do. The men were discussing their garden. And Georg and Maria sat close on a small sofa as they were content to sit there admiring this happy scene.

And since they were going to the early Mass in morning, the children didn't complain about going to bed. And the others didn't stay there long either; all of them followed Georg and Maria as they left for the master suite. Where, perhaps, a baby might be conceived. Only time would tell!

When Sunday morning came, everyone was ready to leave for the seven-thirty Mass. And Katia reminded them. "The breakfast casserole is in the oven. The biscuits have risen and only take about twelve minutes to bake. So, Kurt, breakfast will be served shortly after we get home."

He smiled at her as they left for the church. When they arrived, they were surprised to see so many other families who came to this Mass. And as they were leaving, a man spoke to Georg.

"Pardon sir. Are you Captain von Trapp?"

"Yes I am."

"I'm Paul Adams. I recognized you from your picture in the Washington Post Newspaper. It was attached to an article about your escape from Austria. Is it really true that many Austrians support Hitler's desire to unite Austria and Germany into one nation again?"

"Sadly it is, Paul. Did the article mention the name Herr Zeller or Baroness Elsa Schraeder?"

"It did Captain. Did you know the Baroness was a German spy?" Paul saw him nod.

"My butler saw her leave the villa. That information told me to leave immediately. We hurried out the kitchen door for the train station behind the pasture for the cows. Luckily a train to Italy was there. I worried that some of the Austrian sympathizers might be at the last stop in Austria. They weren't. We made it safely to Rome where we boarded a cruise ship to come here.

"Your government accepted us as immigrants; and your navy has requested my services."

"Then I'll see you at the navy building in Washington DC. I'm the yeoman for Admiral Healey."

"Good to talk with you Paul. My family is anxious to return home; breakfast is waiting for us. I see my youngest son is already walking towards home. I better catch up to them."

And Paul was thinking. I know his wife isn't the children mother but his children act like she is. Paul's face had a pleasant smile as he watched them walk away.

And Kurt's pace had all of them walking fast to keep up with him. He and Katia arrived and went inside. She immediately removed the casserole from the oven and put in the tray of biscuits.

When Franz arrived, he sat two pitchers on the buffet; one with juice, the other full of milk. The coffee was kept hot on a warming element. Then the hot casserole was placed on trivets.

Everyone had used the bathroom and washed their hands and took their seats. Maria said the blessing. As soon as she finished, Franz began to serve.

The children all remembered what Maria had suggested they do help it cool faster. They and the adults all cut into their serving. Soon everyone had taken a small bite and found their serving cool enough to continue eating it.

The biscuits along with butter and jams were also passed around the table. Kurt had eaten two when he finally said. "I'm full."

And Louisa teased. "You should be! You ate more than dad did."

"I'm growing. I need more food."

And his parents just looked at each other and tried not to laugh.