A Time to Retreat

Maria remained completely silent on the car ride from the villa to the abbey. Though she did not know Max well, and was not ready to give him complete trust and confidence after knowing him for less than an hour, the young woman greatly appreciated all he had done; not only for all he had done for her at the villa, but also because he now remained silent, seeming to understand her wish to not talk at all.

Max knew the town pretty well, and was able to find the abbey without relative difficulty. Looking at the familiar building, Maria couldn't deny the relief she felt to be here again, as well as a feeling of sadness and nervousness about facing the sisters, especially the Reverend Mother. Already she could see the annoyance and exasperation in Sister Berthe's eyes that she came back, and the disappointment in the Reverend Mother's eyes when she heard she was back. But what else could she have done?

Both Max and Maria got out of the car. He retrieved her carpetbag from the trunk and handed it to her.

An awkward moment of silence followed. Finally, Maria spoke as earnestly as she could in her state, "Herr Dettweiler, I barely know you, either, but I will never forget the kindness you have shown me."

"It was the least I could do, Fraulein," replied Max, waving away her words. "I wish I could do more for you, but the sad truth is that I am not the one who should be doing any of this."

His words hit Maria and she hung her head, her hands gripping the carpetbag handles tightly.

Max continued. "I swear to you, Fraulein, he's never been like this before. I don't know what's caused him to break like this, but don't think I won't find out."

"He is your friend, you must do what you must," said Maria tonelessly, not lifting her head. "Please don't apologize for something that is not your fault…I just wish I could understand what I ever did to make him think…"

Her voice had gotten quieter and more unsteady as she spoke until she couldn't continue any further; a tear drop from her eye to her left thumb knuckle. She ignored it. But Max saw it, and his anger and disappointment with his old friend deepened. If it took all night, he would pound the reason out of Georg and get it into his thick skull that he needed to beg this woman's forgiveness. Just so the poor thing can have some peace.

Another uncomfortable moment of silence followed before Max spoke in the kindest voice he could to her. "Is there anything you want me to say to…anybody when I get back?" He said 'anybody' but both knew whom he really meant.

Maria gave a deep, shaky sigh to regain a level voice. "Tell the children that I will always love them, that this does not mean I am leaving their lives, and that they are more than welcome to write or visit any time they like. Tell Ellen – Frau Schmidt, I mean – that I will write to her, explaining everything, in due time."

"Would you prefer me to tell her?" asked Max.

As they had left the villa, Frau Schmidt had come across them and, safe to say, she was surprised. Max had taken charge and asked her to, if the Captain or the children, asked for her, she would say that Maria was resting in her room and does not want to be disturbed. Max had no doubt, in his mind, that Georg would listen and have his children heed to that, especially after what he had done. Maria had then hugged Frau Schmidt good-bye and apologized, thanked her and said she would write soon. The housekeeper could do nothing but nod and let them go.

In response, Maria nodded. "I would appreciate that."

Behind them, the church bell in the steeple chimed five times, turning their heads. Maria turned back to Max and offered her hand, which he took. "Thank you again, Herr Dettweiler."

"It was no trouble, Fraulein," said Max, squeezing her hand. "And if ever you need anything, let me know."

Maria nodded, let go of his hand, and walked to the gates of the abbey. Max waited until a nun had answered her ring and let her inside before getting back in the car.

On the drive back to the villa, Max was dreading seeing the looks on the children's faces when they found out she was gone. Of course he would not tell them just why she had left – it would make them look on their father with fear and anger in new levels, just when he had managed to reconcile with them.

Max gasped then groaned as he realized he had forgotten something: why had he not told the young Fraulein about Georg's change of heart? It was, after all, what she had wanted all along, and why she had argued with him to the point of breaking. He'd been so focused on what Georg had done to her that he'd completely forgotten about what had happened between him and the children. Thoughts of just getting her out of there were dominant in his mind. And it wasn't just for the sake of getting her away from Georg, but getting her away from Elsa.

He knew now what she had seen from the window, and he knew the aristocrat well enough to know that she had fallen hard for Georg. Elsa would be deeply hurt and deeply angry. But Max thought that, because she had become attached to Georg and did not want to lose him, she would take out all of her anger on Maria, despite her innocence in the entire matter.

Yes, it's best that Maria is not here anymore, Max thought as he pulled the car up to the villa. He knew the children would be devastated, but he had no doubt that they would continue their relationship with Maria, if they loved each other as much as had been implied. They would also undoubtedly tell her about their father's change of heart, so his guilt about not telling Maria lessened somewhat.

The first person he ran into upon entering the house was Frau Schmidt, who immediately went to him, her eyes burning for answers. He led her into an empty room and told her all that had happened with Maria and the Captain.

Frau Schmidt clasped a hand over her mouth at the end. "Oh, my goodness…" she murmured. "The poor thing…what on Earth am I going to tell her? They've asked their father three times if she could come down."

Max sighed. "Don't worry, I will take care of that. It's nearly time to get ready for dinner, isn't it?"

"Yes, it will be served in an hour," replied Frau Schmidt.

"All right," said Max, determining he had enough time. Seeing the worried look on Frau Schmidt's face, he gave her a comforting pat on the arm. "Do not worry, Frau Schmidt. She is in a safe place now; she'll be all right." The last four words he spoke in the dear hope that would be true. And, by God, he would do everything he could to make that happen.

Frau Schmidt nodded, gave a brief smile and hurried to the kitchen. She and Maria had grown to be close friends over the past six weeks. The first thing she would do once her work was done tonight would be to right the poor girl a letter offering any help she could.

Max looked in the parlor for the family he had left, but he did not find anyone in there. Hearing the faint sound of a commotion outside, Max walked towards the back door. Opening it, Max saw a heartwarming sight: Georg playing a ball game with his seven children. Max knew his friend had a natural competitive streak, and it seemed his children had inherited that as well. It was very amusing to watch the eight of them.

Then his focus shifted to Elsa, who was sitting by herself at the white wicker table, ignoring a cup of tea sitting before her. The gaze of the older woman was fixed on the water to the right, and the expression on her face was hard as marble.

Max brought her attention to him by placing a warm hand on her shoulder. She did not jump but jerked a little, immediately turning to give him a carefree smile, but her eyes betrayed her.

"How are you?" asked Max kindly. After all, it was not only Maria that Georg was hurting in his actions.

"Oh, I'm as fair as a flower," said Elsa neutrally. "Where have you been hiding, I'd have thought you would want to watch Georg make a fool of himself."

If Max had not known her as well as he did, he would not have heard the iced tinge in her voice. Remembering that she did not know he knew what she had witnessed, he merely chuckled and patted her shoulder before stepping to the stone steps.

He clapped his hands and grabbed the attention of the Von Trapps, who barely paused in their game to look at him. Instantly, he was old Uncle Max for the children. "Our dear housekeeper has reminded me that we have now just under an hour before dinner is served. Georg, don't you think it's time the children tidy themselves up and wash for that?"

And Georg laughed. For a moment, Max forgot everything. It had been so long since he'd heard Georg genuinely laugh, or even smile. His oldest friend really was changing, and for the better. Max suddenly felt hope that things would be all right for everybody.

Then he remembered what he had to do in order to bring that about, and that meant very, very tough love.

"All right, children, you heard your sometimes-smart uncle," said Georg, setting Gretl on the ground, whom he had been holding. "Head inside and polish yourselves up."

"Sounds like a good idea to me," Max heard Elsa say conspiratorially to herself as she got up and headed inside.

"Can I wake Fraulein Maria up so she can fix my hair?" asked Gretl to her father.

Immediately he said, "No, dear, ask your sisters to help you and Marta. Just let Fraulein Maria rest for as long as she wants."

Hearing him say that reminded Max again of what had to be done. After he watched the children rush past him and into the house, he fell into step with Georg and steered him towards his study.

"Max, what –"

"We need to talk. Now."