The performance

The day of the first performance finally arrived. Georg did not expect the children to be up so early but they were. They even had had a hard time going to sleep; they were so excited about the puppet show. All morning long he heard, "is it time to go Father?"

They left the apartment way before the performance would begin; they were much too antsy to sit around and wait. As they walked towards the theater they saw a young woman enter the theater followed by an older couple and another man.

"Father, is that the same woman we saw get in that car one day?"

"I'm not sure Friedrich." He wasn't about to tell him he had caught a glimpse of the woman's light red strawberry colored hair. He told himself, "Georg it's not going to be that easy."

There was still an hour before the doors would open; they walked around stopping to get a treat at a small café. When they returned they were first in line to get in. They took seats in the fourth row. Gretl had the seat next to her father; she would probably sit on his lap during the performance. Marta was next to Liesl.

A clown opened the show, doing all the things clowns do to make people laugh. Next there was a very talented juggler who performed all sorts of complicated tricks and right before the puppet show some acrobats went flying across the stage.

The children heard, "Are you ready for the main event?"

"Ready Herr Schubert."

"Let the show begin."

Children's voices started singing first, but a quiet adult voice could be heard singing softly in the background. Georg sat up straighter trying to hear that voice.

The next verse was all Maria's. Now Georg was almost absolutely positive that voice belonged to Maria, but he kept it to himself. Liesl was also listening attentively to that voice; she only shook her head trying to clear her mind.

The audience stood applauding loudly. Herr Schubert reappeared; "Everyone is invited backstage to meet all the performers."

"Are we going Father?"

"Of course children."

Liesl came and stood by her father. "Did you think one of the voices sounded like Fräulein Maria?"

He simply answered her in a matter of fact tone. "It was very similar Liesl."

The family made their way backstage; everyone was talking about the performance. The older children were telling the others; "I had a hard time not singing along."

Maria heard their voices; turned and saw them. Quickly, before they saw her she stepped back into the hall. "Lily,"

"What is it Maria?"

"You won't believe this, they're here."

"Your Captain and the children?"

"Yes."

"Any Baroness, Maria?"

"I didn't see her. What if he doesn't want to see me?"

"Do you really think that Maria? You stay here, we have a few minutes. I'll talk to him."

Lily was genuine. "Sir, are these all your children?"

"Yes madam, they are."

"Children, did you enjoy the show?"

"Very much, we know that song, it was hard not to sing along."

"Will we meet all the performers? One voice sounded so much like someone we know." Liesl and Georg smiled together.

"Yes, everyone will be out soon. Let me go hurry them along."

"Maria, I think they know; at least the Captain and the oldest girl. Just be yourself, greet everyone."

Maria was overflowing of nervous excitement; she was trying her best to hold her emotions so she tried to act nonchalant. Several children came up to her and asked. "Was that you yodeling?"

"Yes, children I learned how from a mountain singer in Austria when I was a teenager." Her voice traveled. The von Trapps all stopped and stared.

Liesl broke the spell, "Fräulein Maria," she ran to her and held her hands. "I knew that had to be you singing. All of us have been praying we would find you."

In seconds she was surrounded by all the children; Louisa gave her a hug from one side and Brigitta on the other. She tousled the boy's hair. And then bent down and gave Marta and Gretl each a special hug and kiss. Looking up she couldn't help but notice the big smile on the Captain's face. He offered her his hand to help her stand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss – not releasing it, he continued to hold it with both of his.

No words were spoken; their eyes spoke volumes. His were so intense and his gaze so compelling; just like after they had danced the Laendler. This time these emotions didn't scare Maria, Lily had talked with her; but still she couldn't speak.

Georg knew exactly what he was feeling; he didn't want to scare Maria; he had learned from Max the reason why she ran away from the villa and returned to the Abbey. Now was not the time to say anything.

Lily stood near-by and watched them. She knew exactly what was happening but she too knew it was not the time. She decided to rescue them.

Lily touched Maria's arm. "Lily, please meet Captain von Trapp and his children, Liesl, Friedrich, Louisa, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta and Gretl."

"I've heard so much about each of you. Oscar and I will go home. Joseph will come back for you Maria. Where can he pick her up?"

"My apartment, 124 Third Avenue,"

"Around ten, is that too late?"

"No that's fine."

As Lily left the questions began. "Fräulein, did Uncle Max get the money to you?"

"Yes, Liesl he did."

"Were you as scared as we were?" Louisa asked.

"Very much children, but I prayed. I knew God had a plan, I had to trust Him."

Brigitta asked. "Who was that woman we met?"

"I met her and her husband on the ship."

"Enough questions for now; shall we have dinner at our favorite restaurant?"

"Fräulein, you can have your favorite dessert, Chocolate tart."

"Hummmn, that sounds so good."

Marta and Gretl clung to her hands as if she might disappear. Maria and Georg both kept avoiding direct eye contact, although Maria did notice that his smile had never left his face.

"Here we are Maria, our favorite restaurant."

"Georg, I see you have a guest."

"Yes, Charlie, please meet Maria."

"She escaped Austria just like we did. Can you believe it, Mr. Charlie we found her performing at the puppet show?"

"Is that right Friedrich; how fortunate. That must have been quite a surprise."

"It was Charlie; we'll have our usual meal. What do you want Maria?"

"I'll have whatever everyone else is having."

Georg and Maria were sitting at opposite ends of the table, just like at the villa. "Maria will you say grace please."

"Heavenly Father, thank you for providing a way for us to meet; now bless this food to nourish our bodies; so we may serve you. Amen."

It was after the children's bedtime when they got to the apartment. "Can Fräulein Maria come say goodnight?"

"Of course she can, follow me Maria." In each bedroom they both said goodnight to seven very happy children.

Georg and Maria were finally alone; they had about an hour to talk.

"Maria, I never had the opportunity to thank you properly for showing me how to be a father again."

"It wasn't me Captain, God showed you how. May I ask?"

"About Elsa?"

"Yes."

"After you left, I realized I didn't love her. I knew I had to tell her. She perceived what I was about to say and made up a story that she needed someone who needed her money and said goodbye.

"I was going to come to the Abbey to see you or at least give you a letter, but the telegram from Berlin came before I had a chance. I ignored it; I had no idea others knew; although I was making plans to leave Austria.

"I tried to act normal with the children. We were in the Plaza when Herr Zeller saw me. I don't know why he gave me a day. Maybe that was God at work, I'll never know.

"I spent that day getting ready; I took all our valuables. My money was in a London bank, thank goodness. I got the money to Max for you. You already know the rest of the story. I prayed the whole time we were traveling that you would leave."

"God has been at work; opening windows for you and me."

"What do you mean?"

"Reverend Mother always told us; 'when a door closes; God opens a window.' My travel was like that. Meeting Oscar and Lily is just one example."

"Is he the famous songwriter?"

"He is. His friend wouldn't record me until I could sing in English; so he contacted the puppet theater; another opened window."

Georg looked at his watch. "It almost ten Maria, let's wait for your ride on the porch. You know the children will want to see the puppet show many more times."

"I know, there's Joseph, here's my address Captain. Good night and thank you for dinner."

"Goodnight Maria, see you soon." He stood there watching the car drive away remembering Maria's words about God opening windows. All he said to himself was, "thank you God."

Lily was waiting for her. "Well…"

"We talked. He realized after I left that he didn't love the Baroness, but she's the one who left. The children made it all seem like nothing had happened."

"Will you see them again?"

"Yes, at the theater; they plan to come for all the performances."

When Georg and the children attended all of the remaining performances; they always sat in the same seats and the look-a-like family ate at the same restaurant. They would go back to the apartment; after the children were in bed they would talk until Joseph picked her up.

Their conversations stayed on only safe subjects like telling each other about their travels.

"I was scared to death Captain when the Reverend Mother told me I must leave; and then again when soldiers boarded the train just before we were in Italy. They were looking for you Captain."

"What did you do?"

"I pretended to be asleep and acted startled when the young soldier opened the door; he apologized and then they left. I seemed to hold my breath until we were in Italy."

"I'm not surprised they were still looking for us, they're a desperate bunch."

"After I was on the ship, I felt safe and secure, I don't know why. I sang in a talent show; that's where I met Oscar and Lily. I prayed every day for your safety."

"While on the ship I tried to make it fun for the children; we spent a lot of time in the game room. At the hotel I bought a newspaper and that's where I read about this apartment; it was a godsend; it gave the children a familiar setting."

Georg laughed. "Liesl and I have even started cooking breakfast; the owner of the market has been most helpful."

"You cook Captain?"

"Don't laugh Maria; I'm a navy man, I do know my way around a galley." Their eyes met again; but neither was ready to share their feelings.

After several meetings, Lily asked Maria. "Has he said anything yet?"

"I know he's always looking at me. I can feel his eyes. He seems so cautious."

"And you Maria."

"I want so much to tell him how I feel."

"It will happen soon Maria, when you least expect it."

"You really think so?"

"I do."