New York City

Georg and the children had arrived in New York City several days ago. Georg was quickly able to find an apartment in a neighborhood know as German City. The children were so frightened they had been sleeping on the floor in the hotel room to be near him. This neighborhood had some familiarity; first people spoke German. There was a library and a German Catholic Church; even a small theater and also wonderful restaurants and a market.

Maria had stood on the top deck watching the ship pull into port. The ship was still a long way from the port when she first spotted the buildings; the closer they had gotten she realized how tall and numerous they were. It would have frightened her if she didn't know she was going home with Oscar and Lily. She prayed a prayer of thanks but then sadness came over her. "Will I ever find them in this big city?" She quickly scolded herself, "I must believe God has a plan."

Oscar and Lily were in no hurry to leave the ship; their driver would wait for them. Captain James came to say goodbye. "Good luck Maria, you're in good hands. I wish you every happiness."

"Thank you Captain, you remind me of another Captain I know."

"Who Maria?"

"I doubt you know him, Captain Georg von Trapp."

"I don't know him personally, but I am familiar with the name."

"Thanks for everything, goodbye."

"Last to leave again Oscar; Maria let me help you with your bags."

Maria followed George to Oscar's waiting car. "Thanks again George; maybe we will meet again someday, you never know."

"Welcome home Oscar, Ms. Lily."

"Joseph, please meet Maria, she's staying with us for awhile."

Maria's English was improving. "Nice to meet you."

The ride to downtown New York City didn't take very long. "Joseph, let us out in front, I want Maria to meet Robert. Maria, he is our daytime security guard."

Maria began to realize that Oscar and Lily were very wealthy. Just like in a hotel, a man came and took their bags.

The three of them stepped into an elevator. As soon as it started moving Maria grabbed the handrail and hung on tight.

Lily noticed her. "Take a deep breath Maria, you'll be alright."

The elevator stopped, Maria let out a deep breath. "First time on an elevator Maria?" All Maria could do was nod. "You'll get use to it." Oscar gently touched her shoulder.

Yes, they were in the penthouse apartment but it wasn't ostentatious; it was actually very homey, a little on the country side. Oscar noticed Maria looking around. "Lily grew up on a farm, that's why so many chickens, roosters and other country decorations.

"They're lovely; I grew up on a farm but we were rather poor."

Lily showed her to her bedroom. "Maria, it has its own bathroom. If you're like me, I need a bath after being on the ship; a long warm relaxing bath. We have two hours before dinner."

Maria took her suggestion. She was thankful she had a somewhat fancy dress to wear to dinner and proper shoes. Maria was already thinking ahead, I will need to buy some more clothes soon.

It had been a long day; everyone was ready to get some sleep. Oscar asked; "you will sing for my friend in the morning."

"I told you I would."

"I know Maria; I only wanted to be sure."

"See you in the morning Oscar, good night." Oscar's smile was reassuring that she had made the right decision in coming with them.

Breakfast was provided by room service like in a hotel. Billy Epstein's studio was only a block away, they walked there.

"Hello Oscar, Billy's upstairs sir." The doorman held the door for them.

"Maria, I want you to meet Billy Epstein."

"Hello sir."

"I understand you have a pure voice; no classical training."

"I love to sing; ever since I was a young girl."

"Let's go into the studio so I can hear you." Lily could tell Maria was nervous.

"It's only a room that allows him to hear your voice clearly; sing Edelweiss."

Billy listened attentively. "She has perfect pitch; wonderful phrasing. Are you sure she has had no training?"

"None."

"But Oscar she only sings in German. I'll record her after she learns English. I'm sorry."

"What about Joseph Schubert's Theater in German City?"

"Great idea Oscar."

"Maria, Billy agrees you have an extraordinary voice but he can't record you until you can sing in English. But we have another opportunity. You'll see."

Billy was on his upstairs telephone, "Hi Joe, Billy here; do you still need a singer for the puppet show?"

"Sure do Billy,"

"You need to hear this young woman. Can you come over?"

"Give me ten minutes."

Maria was trying to be positive as she waited.

"Miss Maria, please meet Joseph Schubert."

"Have you ever heard of the song 'The Lonely Goatherd'?"

Maria's smile covered her face, "Yes sir, want me to sing for you?"

"Go ahead, sing."

Maria began with the words high on a hill and ended the verse with the yodel sequence,...ee odl-oo. She took a breath to begin the second verse when she heard.

"Stop – Maria can you work puppets?"

"I sure can." Maria looked at Oscar and Lily.

"Another window just opened."

Georg and the children were out walking in their neighborhood. They stopped in front of Schubert's Theater. Liesl started to read the billboard. "Father, look at the poster; a puppet show, 'The Lonely Goatherd' will begin in two weeks." All the children heard her, "can we go? Please Father, please."

"Of course we can. Friedrich, is the ticket window open?"

"It sure is."

The children heard their father. "Eight tickets please, for the first show on Saturday."

"There will be a reception that day so you get to meet all the performers."

"Thank you, we will be looking forward to it."

All the rest of the way home he heard: "High on a hill was a lonely goatherd, Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo….." The children were singing the song so loud they drew complements from passer-byes. This was the happiest Georg had seen them since they had escaped from Austria.

That evening after the children were in bed, Georg sat and relived the puppet show in his mind. His vision of Maria was crystal clear. That beautiful blue dress that he loved, it was perfect for Maria. Her enthusiasm was captivating. And her beautiful eyes as she looked at him; she was so perfect. He hoped he could watch the performance and hold his emotions.

Maria immediately began two weeks of rehearsals at the theater. Joseph would bring her and sit in the car and wait for her. He usually brought a book along to read while he waited.

After the Captain had bought their tickets, he and the children would walk by the theater often. "Father, that car was there yesterday."

"Yes, you're right Brigitta."

"Is that a driver leaning against the car door?"

"I suppose so Kurt."

They had almost turned the corner when Maria came out of the theater. She looked that way in time to see the two girls before they were out of sight. "What are you looking at Miss Maria?"

"Those two girls that just turned the corner; they remind me of the two girls I took care of this past summer; but I know it's only a resemblance."

Again the Captain and the children were walking home from dinner; "Father there's that car again. I wonder who that woman was that got in."

"Maybe a movie star; is that possible Father?"

"I suppose so Liesl after all we are in New York City."

It was only two days to the first performance and once again as Maria was leaving she saw two children who looked familiar. She hurried to the corner, but when she got there, no one was in sight.

"Miss Maria, are you seeing your children again?"

"Joseph, I have this feeling that they are close by; I can't explain it."

"Well maybe they will be at the performance on Saturday."

"That's a nice thought Joseph. We better go; Lily and Oscar want me to go out to dinner with them."

"Yes, that's right; they did remind me of that before we left."