Georg and the Navy

The children were now anxious for their dad to come home. All of them wanted to show him their new clothes. It was shortly before five o'clock when they decided to sit on the steps of the porch to wait for him.

Franz and Maria found them there. "Looks like Georg will have quite a welcoming when he gets here."

"Yes. I'm anxious to see him too. Kurt, where are you going?"

"To see if I can see dad's car coming."

"Don't go too far!"

"I won't."

Kurt didn't need to go very far before he saw two cars approaching the house. He ran back there. He shouted.

"He's coming!"

Now everyone ran to the portico as Paul drove his car through it so Georg could park behind him. Both men exited their car and the children surrounded their dad.

"What a welcome! Thank you. Let me greet your mom."

Maria got a quick kiss and a whisper. "I'll greet you properly later." She smiled.

Paul had stepped out of his car. "Children, you dad is going to be a big help to the United States Navy. I'll see you on Sunday at church. You can meet my children."

Georg and Paul shook hands before Paul left. And Maria received a proper kiss. And Georg whispered. "You'll get many more kisses later tonight."

"I can hardly wait." Maria whispered to her husband.

The children didn't whisper; Gretl spoke louder than usual. "Daddy, mommy bought Marta and me American dresses for school."

"I'm sure you can also wear them for church. Did everyone find clothes they liked?"

"We did Dad. They're also suitable for church. Tell us about your day."

"I will after dinner. I have lots to tell everyone."

There was very little talking during dinner; everyone wanted to learn more about this place called Washington DC.

The furniture in their living room had been arranged so everyone had a comfortable seat to see and hear each other as they shared their day.

Georg began. "First, I'm going to tell you a little about the United States Capital. The District of Columbia is a small piece of land which was bought by the First President of the United States, George Washington, while the nation's capital was located in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

"He hired a Frenchman to design the small city. His design is very different from anything I have ever seen. The names of some streets are letters of the alphabet and others are names of many of the states which, like Virginia, make up the country known as the United States of America.

"The house where the president lives is on a hill at one end of the city; and at the other end is the nation's Capital Building where all the official business of nation takes place. I will work in another large building located nearby. It even has its own restaurant.

"There are also two monuments in the same vicinity and two museums. I was told many schools visit them during springtime when the Cherry Trees are in blossom."

"Dad, this is really exciting to know. I hope our schools will visit them."

"I have a feeling they do, Friedrich."

And a little girl asked again. "Now can I show you our new dresses?"

"Of course, you can, Gretl."

Gretl and Marta both led him upstairs and directly to their room. Their dresses were still on their beds.

"The lady at the store told us these kinds of dresses are what all the girls our age will be wearing to school."

"That's good to know. Did you your sisters get dresses they liked?"

"Yes, in a different store. Kurt and Friedrich's clothes are also what boys wear to their schools."

Everyone else had come upstairs. Franz had locked the portico door and turned out all the lights. Maria helped the girls changed into their nightgowns. Georg checked on the other children; each had told him they would turn their light off soon.

Maria had read the girls a story and they were both asleep before she finished. Again she left their bedroom door open and met Georg in their room. He was in the process of hanging his suit in the closet.

He turned and immediately brought Maria close for one of those special kisses which was the beginning of sharing marital union. Their passion had left them breathless. Once again, after their hearts slowed, they put on their nightclothes and opened their bedroom door.

And they slept soundly until the sun once again filled their bedroom with sunlight. Georg's navy habit had him out of bed heading for the bathroom; and then Maria took her turn there.

She closed their door and once again the newlyweds shared themselves. They laid there and caught their breath. Soon they heard a voice; it belonged to Franz.

"Kurt, I doubt breakfast is ready."

"Can we go find out?"

"Come with me. Maybe Katia has squeezed some oranges for juice and you can have a glass to take the edge off your hunger."

And Maria said. "I better get dressed. The others will probably be awake soon."

She was correct. All but Marta and Gretl were awake. She was sure their voices would soon wake them; and they did.

After the girls were dressed, Maria took all of them downstairs. Katia had juice waiting for them too.

Meanwhile, Georg was getting ready for the day. It caused him to think. I'm going to need a few more shirts and underwear. I suppose on Saturday I'll need to go shopping.

His first beverage wasn't juice; it was coffee. Another habit left from his navy days.

He teased his children. "Thank you for waking me so early. Now I won't need to drive very fast."

All of them giggled before Georg asked them. "What are you going to do today?"

"I want to go play on the playground again. Maybe we will meet some of our classmates there."

"Good idea Kurt. I'll be ready to leave in a few minutes; you can come outside with me."

Georg carried his old navy satchel; another item he had found that the seminarians had packed for him. After hugs and kisses from the children and a romantic kiss for Maria, he got in the car and drove away. Everyone watched until they could no longer see it.

"Children, I'm going to help Isabel straighten all the bed linens."

"Louisa and I are going to the kitchen and help Katia."

"I'm sure she will appreciate your help."

"Mom, can Kurt and I help in the garden?"

"What will you do?"

Stefan answered. "They're going to prepare little signs for the rows; sprouting seeds all look similar. And then they can help us plant the remainder of the strawberry plants we bought; we should have berries in about three weeks."

With everyone occupied, the morning went by fast. After lunch they went to the playground. And there they did meet other children who would be their classmates.

They read a book until Maria told them. "We should go outside and wait for your dad."

"Is it really time for him to come home?"

"It is Brigitta."

And once again their dad had a welcome home party under the portico. Life in America was very good.