Traveling

Sam was the caretaker; he never had much to say. He and Maria rode in silence. Maria watched out the window as they left the confines of the Abbey; then turned and glanced out the back window until she saw the Abbey disappear from view. Reality sunk in – she had left the place she had called home for two years; knowing she would never return.

She didn't want to cry in front of Sam but the tears fell anyway; hiding her face in her hands she tried her best to choke them back. She repeated the words of the Reverend Mother, "God will open a window," over and over again brought her some solace.

But it was when she visualized the Captain's face when he had sung Edelweiss that she let out a deep breath and smiled. Her thoughts were interrupted.

"Maria, we're here."

He went in with her and watched as she bought her ticket and then waited with her. It wasn't long until they heard "train to Tyrol boarding on platform eight."

He offered Maria his hand as she stepped on the steps of the train; then handed her guitar to her. "Maria, everyone is praying for you. Be safe."

"Good bye Sam, tell the Reverend Mother I'll write to her."

She found a seat in a compartment by herself; she hoped no one would sit beside her and they didn't. The train left the station and picked up speed making for very smooth ride.

In an unusual moment of a pleasant memory, she smiled and remembered. The only other time I was on a train was when I was born. She had been told she had arrived before her mother could meet her father in Vienna. "Now I'm leaving this country on a train." She whispered.

Her thoughts again drifted to the Captain and the children; they were on this very same train. She took in a deep breath and it seemed she could almost smell his scent; like she had during their dance.

Maria felt the train slow; she read the station sign, Trent. She was sure this was the last station in Austria before crossing the border into Italy. Suddenly she heard loud voices.

"Sergeant, the von Trapp family is not on this train."

The sergeant gave his orders, "check every compartment men."

"Oh no, what should I do?" She had been napping; so she rested her head on her rolled up shawl and leaned against the window, pretending to be asleep. She acted startled when the soldier opened her compartment door.

"Sorry Fräulein didn't mean to scare you."

"Come on men, let's get off, they're not on this train."

Maria seemed to hold her breath until the train began to move again. The rest of the way she prayed. "God just let me get to Italy." It wasn't very long until she heard the conductor announced; "Tyrol with connections to Paris."

There she stood, on the platform; a small bag with its strap over her chest; her guitar in one hand, her carpet bag in the other. Neither was heavy only a little awkward; she had to be careful not to hit anyone with her guitar as she walked to the ticket window.

"One ticket to Paris, please."

"Only one Fräulein?"

"That's right." she smiled at the man.

"One hour on platform two Fräulein." She thanked the man and walked away looking for a place to get something to eat.

She found a vendor selling fruit and juice and sat near platform two and ate. Soon she heard the station master's announcement; "train to Paris now boarding."

Only a few people boarded this train; she was able to find a single compartment. Her carpet bag and guitar fit nicely under the seat. For now she sat and stared out the window. This train would arrive in Paris in the early morning.

The ticket master came through with a porter distributing blankets. She gratefully accepted it and then slept on and off through the night.

Before daylight she felt the train slowing; the conductor announced in three languages; "next stop Paris." The next part of her journey was a short train ride to Calais and then a ferry to London. She checked into the hotel where she slept from exhaustion until early in the morning; at least she was rested.

Maria dressed and walked down the stairs to the lobby. The first thing she noticed was the ticket office for the passenger ships; it wasn't open yet. She walked down the street and found a café and had a small breakfast. As she walked back she saw a church on the next corner; hoping it would be open she walked to it.

The door opened; the church was rather dark being lit entirely by candles. She went inside and sat on the last pew. A caretaker acknowledged her presence as he continued to dust the pews. She knelt and said the Morning Prayers; she didn't need her prayer book she knew them by heart; then her mind wandered.

She visualized the face of each of the children and of course of the Captain. She prayed quietly.

"Will I ever see them again God? Please God please; keep all of us safe."

As much as she tried not to; tears still welled in her eyes as she walked away from the church.

By the time she returned to the hotel the ticket office was open; she stood in line to purchase her ticket; again the salesperson was surprised she was traveling alone. The agent asked her in German; "Fräulein, I need your full name for the passenger list."

"Maria Kutschera."

"Please spell your last name," she smiled as she spelled it for him. Then he went on to tell her. "The ship is in port; boarding begins at noon; it will depart at two in the afternoon. It's only four blocks Fräulein. It's a nice walk if you do not have too many bags. A taxi will take you there for only a few coins."

She had more than enough time to pack and refresh herself. After checking out of the hotel she walked the four blocks; easily managing her bags and guitar.

The longer she stood there; the group grew quite large; several were people she had seen in the hotel. Soon the rope was taken down and they started to walk across the bridge.

Last night when Sam had returned to the Abbey, he spoke to the Reverend Mother, telling her that Maria would write to her.

That day the Abbey had a visitor, Herr Zeller. He was angrier than heck; he couldn't believe it. After searching every room of the Abbey, Maria was nowhere to be found. He knew he was in trouble with Berlin for letting the Captain escape and now no Fräulein to use as a hostage. Max had left the area before Herr Zeller went looking for him.