Day of Duty

Laughter is contagious; Georg and Maria were soon laughing along with the others. It stopped soon and Liesl asked.

"I know Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest. We need to do something to help it go by faster."

"Liesl, God doesn't want Sunday to be somber. We can still have fun. After the dishes are washed and put away, we can walk into town. There we can look in all the stores' windows and find the ones where we can buy clothes. And we can even stop at the playground and you can play on all the playground equipment."

"That's wonderful, Mom. Louisa and I can even help dry the dishes and put them away."

It was not only the two girls who helped; all the children did by carrying their own dirty dishes to the kitchen. With many hands helping, the dishes were soon washed and put away. After a trip to the bathroom, they were lined up at the home's front door ready to leave.

Only the children and their parents went for this walk. Liesl and Louisa both had a good look at dresses American children wore. Then they stopped at the playground where they saw other children also playing on all the equipment.

Brigitta, being not the least bit shy, spoke to a girl standing near her. "Hello, do you attend the elementary school?"

"Yes I do. My name is Rosemarie."

"I'm Brigitta. I'll be going there too."

"What grade will you be in?"

"I think it will be the sixth grade with my brother Kurt."

"That's my grade too. I'll introduce you to all my friends. I hear my dad telling the others it's time to leave." The two girls parted and Brigitta ran to her parents.

"I met one of my classmates. She told me she would introduce me to her friends."

"That was nice of her."

"Yes, and now I'm really anxious for school to start."

"That day isn't far away; it will be here before you know it."

"I hope so, Dad."

Brigitta ran off to the swings where both Louisa and Kurt were pumping their swings so high the chains bent when they were at the apex of the swing. Brigitta wasn't able to get hers that high; still she had fun.

They had played for about an hour before walking home. Everyone was grateful for a large glass of lemonade; which they consumed before finding quiet things to do. After lunch, they either read their library book or played a board game they found in a closet. And after dinner they sang together. Their last song was the one which reunited the children with their dad; The Sound of Music.

"Beautiful children! It's time for bed. Your mom and I will be up to kiss you goodnight."

With the children asleep all snug in their beds, the couple entered the master suite to once again enjoy marital pleasure.

Geog woke very early that Monday; he tired to slip out of bed without waking Maria. She too was awake.

"Are you excited about going to the navy building today?"

"I am darling. Their questions should be interesting. I'm sure I will tell our escape story at least once."

"You probably will. I'll say the morning prayers while I wait for you to shower and shave."

Georg gave his wife a tender kiss before heading for the bathroom. And Maria did pray the morning prayers. She added one of her own.

Father in heaven grant my husband, Georg, wisdom of words to help the government of this nation find ways to protect it from the force of evil which has filled the nations of the Old World. And in time help them to be free of this evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power and glory. Amen. Maria concluded with the Sign of the Cross.

Now she flung her legs over the side of the bed and rose to her feet to stretch. Georg came from the bathroom in his underwear. He dressed while Maria took a bath.

By this time, others were awake too. They both heard voices of excitement. They left the master suite hand in hand.

"Marta and Gretl, you're both dressed."

They both giggled before Brigitta spoke. "I helped them mom. All of us are excited about shopping today."

"We need to have breakfast first."

"Yes Kurt we know."

"There's a lot of time between now and when the shops open. Your dad needs to eat too; his ride to the navy building is expected by eight o'clock."

Katia was prepared. She had made a large pot of oatmeal with nuts. She told them. "Sit down; the bowls of fruit are at each place. Franz will bring the pot to the dining room; he can serve you as you finish the fruit. I made more than enough; you can eat until you are full."

After Maria said the blessing, everyone began to eat. Georg was first to finish. "I'm going up to get ready to leave. You should be finished soon and you can stand outside and wait with me."

Everyone stood there; Katia and Isabel had left the dishes on the table; they could be washed later.

A few minutes before eight, Georg's car arrived. And to his surprise, the man he had met at church was the driver.

"Good morning Paul."

"And good morning to you too, Georg. Since I live in Ball, Admiral Healey asked me to come here and bring you to the navy building."

"I was told you will have a car for your use. We will leave at the same time; you can follow me to be sure you know your way home."

"I think I already know how but it's a good idea for me to follow you the first time."

After hugs for the children and a sweet kiss for Maria, Georg took his seat in the car and Paul drove away. Katia and Isabel returned to kitchen to wash the dishes; Maria went upstairs to straighten the bed linens on all the beds. The children were reading their library books.