Leaving the villa
Today was Thursday, the children would go back to school on Tuesday; Maria had put it off as long as she could. She needed to talk to the Captain. After the children were in bed she found him in his study. His door was open. He was writing in his journal. Maria waited for him to finish.
"Captain Sir,"
"Hi Maria."
"May I speak with you?"
"I'm sure I already know the subject. Can't I talk you out of leaving?"
"May I sit?"
Of course – "
"You know very well I must leave. When I went with Frau Schmidt and the children into town – nothing was said, but I could feel their eyes."
"It's none of their business."
"You and I know that, we can't take a chance. Father Martin has offered me a position at the church."
"Doing what Maria?"
Smiling broadly, "Choir director – "
"That means you will still see the children."
"That's right Captain."
"Where will you live?"
"There's a house close to the rectory that is owned by parishioners; they have a detached cottage on their property. The owners have given it to the church."
Now it was Georg's turn to smile, "I know the owners."
"You do?"
"Yes Maria, Audrey and Ralph Bittinger, a navy friend."
"See Captain, God had it all planned. I thought I would move on Monday; the children will be able to come with me and see where I live."
"I have a feeling the whole house will come."
"That's fine. I need to get some sleep sir. The children and I have a busy day tomorrow."
"Busy day Maria?"
"No more questions Captain."
"Okay Maria, goodnight."
"Goodnight sir," she tried to hide her smile.
"Good morning children, you seem mighty happy for only having a few more days of summer vacation."
"No questions Father."
"Seems, I heard those words from Maria last night."
"You did Captain. Now please go on to work."
Georg couldn't imagine what was going on; he thought about it all the way into town.
As soon as he was gone, "okay children, up to the drawing room. Does everyone have their ideas?"
"Friedrich, please get the big basket of material and Liesl, can you stir the paints?" Their clay pots and animals were painted; the birthday cards made.
"After lunch, it's cake making and then singing practice. We need to be done before five, I don't want your Father to come home and find us covered in flour."
Stefan was on watch. "He's coming, remember he uses the kitchen door."
Everyone gathered by the door. "Welcome home Captain, today is your special day."
"My special day – "
"May I take your satchel?" Maria handed it to Friedrich.
"Now let me have you coat," draping it over a chair.
"Now let me tie this over your eyes. Can you see anything Captain?"
"No Maria."
"Okay girls, take your father's hands – walk slowly." They walked him up and down the great hall trying to confuse him. Finally they entered the ballroom, decorated with balloons and streamers and a "King's" chair.
"There's a chair behind you Captain, please sit."
"Okay children on three; one, two, three." Maria removed the blindfold.
"Surprise Father, it's your Birthday party."
"My Birthday – "
"Yes Father, we know it's Tuesday but we start school that day so today's your day."
Georg opened each present giving the giver a kiss or a hug. Dinner was his favorite meal topped off by the special cake. "Did you children decorate the cake?"
"We made it too; we had a lot of fun."
They sat in the sitting room where the children sang their new songs. "Thank you everyone – you keep wonderful surprises; especially your new songs."
Maria had waited as long as she could to tell the children she would be moving. It was Sunday afternoon; Georg was catching up on some correspondence. Maria was alone with them in the sitting room. "Children, I need to tell you something."
"What, Maria."
"Well," taking a deep breath she continued, "you know school starts on Tuesday; that means I will have nothing to do all day long. Father Martin has asked me to be the choir director."
"That's wonderful Maria. You will still live with us."
"No Louisa, the time has come for me to get a place of my own." Gretl and Marta started to cry; the others were teary-eyed. Maria moved to where the little girls were sitting; she put her arms around both of them.
"Please don't be sad. I'm not going to be far away. I'll be living in a cottage up the street from the church. You see, I need to be close-by so the organist and I can work together. You are going to be in the children's choir?"
"Yes, but that is only once a week."
"That's true Kurt; but you can stop on your way home from school. Tomorrow I'll show you where I will live."
"It still won't be the same."
"I know, but it's necessary."
"What does that mean Maria?"
"Oh, Louisa, it's adult talk; let's go outside and play games. Marta I believe it is your turn to choose the first game."
"Hide and seek Maria." Playing games seemed to take the children's minds off the fact that Maria would be moving; there was giggles and laughter from all of them.
Maria was up early to pack – she too was sad. She truly loved this family, it felt like home. She continued to remind herself it was the right thing to do.
The children found her just as she had closed her bag. "Can we sing with you?"
"Okay everyone, up on the bed. What shall we sing?"
"My Favorite Things; Climb Every Mountain – "
Maria looked up; Georg was leaning against the door frame listening. "That's a beautiful song. I was sent by Katia. Breakfast is getting cold."
"Sorry Captain we lost tract of the time."
The children went on ahead. Maria and the Captain came down the stairs together. "Are you walking to the church?"
"I thought we would sing on the way; maybe that might make it easier on everyone."
As Georg had predicted, everyone came with them. Stefan and Phillip carried her bags; Maria held Gretl and Marta's hands as usual. And yes they did sing. They passed the church; Maria took them down the road a short distance. A path took them around the back; she released the rope that held the gate closed.
"This is my new home."
"It's so small."
"Yes, but it's just for me." She unlocked the door, the cottage was larger than they thought; a nice sitting room that even had a piano; a small kitchen and a large bedroom and bathroom.
"See children, it's just like the Goldilocks said. "It's just right.'"
"You're funny Maria."
In a moment they heard voices – "Georg, Maria – "
"Ralph, so good to see you."
"Hello Audrey,"
"Maria, everyone came."
"Yes, everyone; you know Katia and Frau Schmidt; Stefan and Phillip work outside and keep everything beautiful."
"Maria, the telephone is working now. Georg, here's the number."
Maria walked them out to the road and watched them walk away. The children walked backwards and kept waiving until they rounded the bend in the road. Audrey had stayed with her. "Are you alright Maria?"
"I too am sad; I'm going to miss not seeing them everyday."
"You'll see them everyday, just not all day long."
"That's what I told the children. I guess I should have told myself." They walked back to the cottage together.
"Remember Maria, Ralph and I are right here. Don't ever hesitate if you need us – promise."
"I promise, goodnight Audrey."
"Goodnight Maria."
Maria found her bags in the bedroom; she took a few minutes to put her things away. Then, wondered into the kitchen to fix a cup of tea. To her surprise she found a fully stocked kitchen. The refrigerator held a couple of small bowls of prepared food, as well as milk and juice.
Maria also found a cookie can sitting on the counter with a note on top. "Enjoy Maria; don't worry about running out of cookies I plan to fill it once a week, Katia."
She laughed as she took one; she knows me so well.
Maria passed the evening away playing a few simple tunes on the piano. It had been a long time ago that she had played. Her foster mother heard her trying to play when she was seven and sat down with her and had taught her a few chords. Tonight she even surprised herself; she was able to start to plan for the choirs.
The next afternoon Maria heard the children long before they opened the gate to her cottage. She walked to meet them. They ran to her, giving her a group hug that practically knocked her over. "Children, I'm so glad to see you. How was school?"
"It was fine Maria, all my classmates returned; we had the best time telling everyone about meeting you."
Is that right Louisa? How about you Gretl? This was your very first day of school."
"I made new friends today Maria; Samuel and Rita."
"Wonderful Gretl; everyone want cookies?"
"You have cookies Maria?'
"Yes, Katie left me a can filled to the top and promised to refill it once a week. Is your Father going to stop and pick you up on his way home?"
Before they could answer, he came up the path towards the cottage. "Hello Captain, the children told me they had a good day in school. We were just going inside to have one of Katia's delicious cookies."
"Only one children, I don't want you to spoil your dinner."
"Here's one for you Captain, I don't think it will spoil your dinner."
"What are you having for dinner Maria?"
"Some kind soul left me some choices in my refrigerator; all I need to do is re-heat one of them. They exchanged smiles; she knew he had asked Katia to supply her with meals.
"Now remember children, tomorrow you have choir practice. I have some new songs for you to learn."
"We can hardly wait Maria. See you tomorrow."
"Goodbye children, Captain."
"Goodbye Maria."
Maria and the children along with six others had a productive practice. They were ready to sing a new song on Sunday. There were so many adults who wanted to sing for Maria she divided them into two groups, one for the older adults and another for the young adults.
Father Marten came by on Thursday after the young adults had practiced. "I never expected this many people wanted to sing in a choir?"
"It's wonderful, Father. You've probably heard the old saying, "singing is like praying twice."
Yes, St. Augustine thought God would hear it better as a song."
The weather in Austria in late September is often referred to as their "Indian Summer." Georg wanted to take full advantage of it; he had planned a picnic. The children and Maria were waiting outside after choir practice. "Maria you will join us for a picnic Saturday."
"You know I will Captain. Where's the picnic spot?
"It's on the other side of the lake."
"And how do we get there?"
"In the rowboat Maria, why do you seem so surprised?"
"I've never been in a boat sir; in fact your lake is the first large body of water I had ever seen."
"Where did you live?"
"A farm on the side of a mountain; the only body of water we had was a small stream where we got our water."
"Do you know how to swim?"
"No Captain." The children stood there listening to the conversation.
"Then I must warn the children not to rock the boat."
"Children, you wouldn't do that, would you?"
"No Maria, Father's teasing you." Maria suddenly noticed the twinkle in his eyes.
"Maria, I'll tell you a secret."
"What Brigitta?"
"Whenever you see the twinkle, it means he's up to no good."
"Who told you that?"
"Gromi." The Captain roared in laughter.
Again their eyes engaged and they had that thought. "I'll send Franz for you, 10AM Saturday."
"I'll be ready and waiting."
Georg had the food loaded and was waiting for everyone. "What took so long?"
"I needed to find Maria my extra pair of sandals, Father."
"Thank you Liesl, I forgot she needed them. Alright, now tell me the most important rule."
Altogether, he heard, "do not stand up while the boat is moving."
"That's right, now let's get aboard." The children systematically boarded the boat. Georg helped Liesl then placed Gretl beside her; at the other end were Friedrich and Marta. "Maria, you and Louisa can share the next bench." Kurt and Brigitta were right behind their Father.
Georg took the oar and pushed them away from the dock. He started to sing an old sailor song he knew; the children also knew it. Maria was soon able to sing along with the chorus. "You sing very well Captain."
"Not as well as you."
"I beg to differ sir; you have a fine baritone voice."
"If you say so, Maria."
The Captain beached the boat on the other side of the lake. "Maria, our feet are going to get wet; but the water won't hurt our sandals." Cautiously, the family got out of the boat. Georg and the boys grabbed the baskets of food. The park had picnic tables and a fire pit.
While the Captain and the boys started a fire for the meat, Maria and the girls set the table and put out all the other food and drinks. Except for dessert, which they would save for later, every morsel of food had been eaten.
"Children, I don't think I've ever seen all of you clean your plates."
"We love picnics Maria, the food tastes better."
"I don't know about that Kurt but it was mighty tasty."
For the next hour or so they played. The boys and their Father climbed into the tree house. "I dare you to come up here Louisa."
"Kurt you'll see I can do it." It may have taken her longer but she climbed the rope ladder to the top. Maria, Brigitta and Liesl were on the swings; Marta and Gretl the see-saw.
After the tree house residents climbed down, everyone walked across the street to the Carousal; tickets only cost five cents. The boys were acting silly, telling their horse, giddy-up. Maria was humming a calliope musical tune.
The afternoon was over way too soon, but it was late, they needed to get back. The boat was loaded with the empty baskets. Everyone was in their same seats. Georg pushed the boat away from the beach before jumping in. The boat drifted out into the deeper water.
Row, row your boat could be heard all over the lake. The Captain carefully docked the boat. He helped the children ashore. Georg stepped into the boat to gather the baskets just as Maria stood up. The boat rocked significantly. Maria's balance was thrown off. She went overboard, screaming, "No, no."
Georg dropped the baskets and jumped into the water after Maria. He scooped her up and started to carry her ashore. "Captain, I can walk. It's not deep."
"Now Maria, what kind of sailor would I be if I didn't rescue a woman who went overboard?"
"Maria, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Your father is playing the role of a chivalrous sailor."
Frau Schmidt saw them from the top of the stairs. "What happened, Louisa?"
"Maria fell overboard."
"Is she hurt?"
"No, Father is being a chivalrous sailor."
"Captain, please put me down."
"Here you go Maria, dry land."
"Thank you Captain you're quite gallant."
"Maria, come with me, you can get a bath. I'm sure something of Liesl's will fit you." After getting into dry clothes, Maria joined everyone on the veranda. The evening was too lovely to stay inside. Katia served them dinner out there.
"I had a lovely time, I need to get home. The adult choir is singing for the 7:30 Mass. After all this fresh air I will sleep like a baby."
"Father, may I go with you when you drive Maria home?"
"Sure Louisa, I'll drive the car around front." Everyone stood on the steps waiting for the car. "Okay everyone; see you in the morning with your best voices."
"Good night Maria," they waved until the car was out of sight. Louisa and the Captain made sure Maria was in the cottage safely and heard the lock click.
"Thank you father; this was a wonderful day."
"Yes, Louisa it was." Now if I could only remember where did I first see her?