Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part Two Page 15

  “Well, those two boys don’t.”

  “That’s not my problem. My party was free and what they do with their—”

  Abbe’s father entered nervously, interrupting the conversation. “Why did you call me to hurry over?”

  “Your son and my son are owed money and the policeman at the von Waldens will give it back.”

  “You have to be a little more specific than that, as I haven’t the faintest idea what you are talking about.”

  “Bertram von Walden borrowed their money for their Paris vacation, and I had to call the von Waldens who are being investigated by the police. Don’t you get it now?”

  “If Abbe is so stupid and loans some guy money who is unreliable, then he has to stay in Vienna! Period! I am not his bank.”

  It was Sam’s turn again, seeing that Abbe’s father, though a banker, had a simple solution. “I am leaving because your boys’ money is not my problem. And if the police come to me, I’ll tell them the same. Damn that party!” Without a good-bye, he left.

  “That fellow goes back to America soon the way I see it, he fits in the ‘roaring twenties.’”

  “They swim in money.” Herbert finally opened his mouth.

  “I’d like to know from anyone of you two, who is Breuner?” The old Koch knew, but only shrugged his shoulders.

  “We go there, at times, for breakfast and meet some of our school buddies,” said Herbert.

  “It’s a café like many others,” Abbe continued.

  “And I guess that’s where the von Walden boy hangs out. Someone quite reliable from Lindenfels told me that he is not only in the black market but also a pimp.”

  “We didn’t know that,” Abbe objected, and his father knew at once that he was lying.

  “The von Waldens are friends with the Wertheims. Those two may have known each other from there,” Herbert answered.

  “No way. That von Walden woman said he hasn’t lived with them for more than ten years.”

  “Sam invited everyone to his party.”

  “Then how come the policeman will have to investigate further because the von Walden girl had something in her drink, and passed out, ending up in the hospital?"”

  “How would you know?”

  “There were about 60 to 70 people there.”

  Both Abbe Kochs were ready to leave, as the situation got on the old man’s nerves. After all, he visited Breuners from time to time, with his wife always claiming a health spa was the only thing she ever needed. It’s a clean and secretive establishment and he was not the only one who went there. Also, the girls are regularly checked for any kind of venereal disease. It’s not Blumenfeld’s place to question him. But then again, money was all he ever cared about. “Next time you make me come that far, be sure it’s important!” he said in a huff, and both left annoyed.

  “Well, I tell you this much, Herbert. I am going to get to the bottom of all this. If it takes me a year or two, who the hell cares? I got time.”

  10

  Lucas, with Gaby proudly on his arm, and Andreas left for Lausanne. Astrid and Hermine were waving, glad that at least her two children would be spared the next two months, as Rupert never told her anything until they were gone. He had promised to visit the first day after his off-duty hours, but although she loved Rupert, she was not looking forward to what he had to say.

  “Sorry to be late,” he uttered at this arrival. “but I met those three boys at Breuner’s, gave them their money and hope never to see or hear anything about the whole affair again.” He gave a short description of the trip, some carefully selected reasons why they took the trip to Steyr, and then the change of trains in Grein with Bertram’s disappearance, who promised to be right back.

  “God only knows how everything was planned down to the last detail,” Astrid replied. “And to think he sold his sister to the highest bidder. Of course, Sam would have liked her as well as other fellows, but with this money there are lots of good-looking, blue-eyed blondes to be had. I’ll bet it was Bertram who talked him into it.” She paused for a moment and asked how to go about getting a warrant without half of Vienna knowing it.

  “I will take care of that too, as he has to be reported missing,” he said calmly, knowing it would be only a formality.

  “How did your sweet and kind parents react?”

  “Like you. Astonished and sad, as they treated him like my brother.”

  “Rupert, if there is money left, give it to them. I am sure he lived there almost rent-free, and if he owes them, I will pay. I am not poor. My money is in Switzerland and I am only too happy to repay.”

  “There is nothing to repay. I kept what was left. With that feisty Blumenfeld, we may even need a lawyer. Otherwise, I’ll give some to my parents and I’ll keep the rest.”

  “Great. Did you know Lucas asked me for Gaby’s hand in marriage?”

  “No, but I felt that he had her on his mind all along.”

  “How strange. No one was surprised but me. Even Andreas suspected it for a long time. Like my late husband used to say, I always have to be told things, as I never see them, let alone suspect them. Gaby and Bertram are the best examples, though I shouldn’t use both names in the same sentence”. All in all, Rupert said only the things he felt she ought to know so she could defend Gaby’s honor. “Yes, Sam, Herbert, and Abbe gave Bertram money for Gaby. Each one wanted her, but Sam wanted her first, being convinced she was a virgin. While on the train, he confessed things that I was completely unaware of, like being a pimp at Breuners. He had never planned to return to Vienna, but changed his name just in case. He disappeared in Grein with lots of money in his jacket and pants.”

  “It was always a habit of his, even when he left for the war. I got it mailed back from the military, including his civilian clothes,” she replied.

  Rupert skipped the story with Verena Reinhardt, knowing how close she felt with the young ones.

  “You know, Rupert, I shouldn’t be too surprised if those few communists who planned to come to Grein for the rally gave him a good beating, took the money, and left him there. Most of them are gangsters and rogues. I wouldn’t be shocked if they threw him in the Vortex.” Rupert only gulped, thinking that perhaps she was not that naïve, after all. “Whatever they did, he had it coming. He possibly lied and cheated them like he did all of us.”

  “Hard to say,” he replied somberly. “As long as our friendship doesn’t suffer.”

  “Never on our part Rupert. You tried your best to make a decent human being out of him… aside from saving his life during the war. My late husband always knew he was a hopeless case.”

  Rupert embraced her and promised to bring his parents. She smiled and hoped he would keep his word.

  ∼

  When a telegram arrived with news that Gaby had become engaged and all the details would follow via mail, she felt very happy for more than one reason. Lucas loved her and would do anything to be a good husband, provider, and father, should, God willing, some children arrive.

  And as for her future in-laws, they had loved Gaby as long as they had known her. Astrid would, when the time came, take a train to Lausanne and take a large amount of money out to give her daughter a proper dowry, especially now, when she had proved to be a very strong girl who could take life as it is, not as it should be. But right after the return from her prayer meeting, she would write to Ingrid and Henry a letter of apology. She left it up to Gaby and Lucas to tell them about Bertram. Mostly she wondered about Ingrid’s reaction about the forthcoming marriage, as she paid for all her many, many lessons in every field available, seeing her as a pianist. But then again, Lucas Rosatti, with the exception of skating, did all those things too. Now they can do them together. Also, her Latin and many other subjects would come in handy, after all, she would be a doctor’s wife with lots of friends to entertain. Lucas should not only be in love, but also proud of her and the way she saw it, they had a lot in common.

  She was ashamed to admit it, but Bertram being
out of their life was nothing but a blessing. One of the sisters at her prayer meeting set her straight once she told her the pathetic story.

  The Wertheims returned from France and gave Astrid a call to see if she would like to meet her husband’s family from New York as they planned to leave in a month. Naturally, she was happy to see them all again. “The Silvermans will be here too, so it should be a nice little party,” Ida Wertheim added delightedly.

  Not a word about Sam’s party was mentioned, only the beauty of France, the many castles on the Loire, and their upcoming three weeks’ travel to Austria, with a return to America via Le Havre. Sam was extremely nice to Astrid and all seemed to be very happy about Gaby’s and Lucas’ engagement.

  “You have a very nice and beautiful daughter who is marrying a fine doctor,” Sam declared, and all Astrid could think of was that he was not far off from his other lying friends, never mind Bertram who topped them all; and as strange as it seems, he was never mentioned.

  Victoria and Philip Reinhardt and their family had also returned home. Astrid told Victoria all the latest gossip, and about Gaby’s engagement and how happy she was about it. “At least I have one nice thing to look forward to. Also, Andreas will be back, and I hope Peter and he will stay friends, as Mr. Blumenfeld speaks very ill of Gaby to protect his own lying son.”

  “Just let him try with me. You know Philip’s mother was one of his best patrons, and you know how much she had to say about the von Waldens. I heard it over and over again, despite Philip’s strong opposition,” Victoria confided.

  “I miss Anette so very much,” Astrid said, tears rolling down her cheek.

  “No more than I do.” Victoria replied. “The children have their own friends, and my husband and I are just not enough for each other.” Astrid was told he had a mistress by no other than Ida Wertheim, who knew that girl, as she was no older than twenty-two. But she never let on and said only, “My work at the Wertheims’ and my church in the evening are the only things I look forward to.”

  “At least you have something,” Victoria answered before she departed.

  She found Paul pacing up and down the large hallway— a habit he acquired from his father, Victoria thought— and asked him why he was so nervous. He had just returned from purchasing a hat at Blumenfeld’s, and lo and behold Richard Blumenfeld himself was at the store taking inventory. It didn’t take him long to talk about his poor, unjustly accused son who refused to be seduced by the drunken von Walden girl, who, by the way, asked several low moral guys for the money in advance, then got so drunk that someone had to call an ambulance, which took her out on a stretcher to the nearest hospital to have her stomach pumped. “I got this all first-hand from my son, who left the moment the party got out of hand. God, I am so proud of this boy. Of course, I called that von Walden woman to get for Herbert’s friend the money back, so they could all start their vacation to Paris. Poor boys didn’t know any better.” He took a deep breath and continued. “Would you believe the police were already there to investigate?”

  “I am not surprised at anything, though the lady and her son are very nice.”

  “The world is deceiving, Mr. Reinhardt, just like your late grandmother told me,” he smiled. “Give my best to your family,” he said by way of dismissal, glad to have gotten a new customer.

  Paul repeated the story word for word to his astonished mother, but appeared worried when he promised to warn Peter about Andreas’ friendship, as those messy rumors were all over town. “Like I always said, she was an ugly brat years ago, and now she is an ugly harlot who prefers to make her rounds at parties.”

  Victoria only listened, but would set the record straight at the dinner table. Blumenfeld was known to repeat anything, especially about people like the von Waldens. She knew Verena brought quite a few stories back, though she hated gossip. But he had the most fashionable hats in town, so people came back to him as he stayed mostly at his main store in the elegant first district. Paul felt elated and somehow vindicated, as he still had not forgiven her for his broken ankle, let alone missing the game.

  “Well son, you have it all wrong. We’ll discuss it at the dinner table, as I have all the facts.”

  He only gave her a cynical smile. “I imagine you went to see Mrs. Astrid von Walden and the lady told you that ugly brat’s side of the story.”

  “No, Paul. She told the truth, because she doesn’t have to protect anyone. That so-called ugly brat is one of the most beautiful girls in Vienna and has gotten engaged to Dr. Lucas Rosatti.”

  “She is getting married to a doctor? The poor man will be sorry, that’s all I can say. Peter mentioned him frequently in his letters to me. He must be very nice, but will have to find it out the hard way.”

  At the dinner table, Victoria asked her son to repeat exactly what he had told her.

  “It’s a pleasure,” he replied. Victoria had never heard him repeat a story, no matter who told him something, but this was a von Walden, and she saw all of Verena’s teaching coming through. She noticed Peter tried to interrupt him, especially when he went on about her being ugly and her loose morals, but told him he would get his chance. Philip was the most uncomfortable, expecting Bertram’s entrance any moment.

  But then came Victoria’s turn. All listened, including Paul, who knew his mother never tolerated any interruptions. Peter and Paul looked astonished when told that Astrid had a warrant for Bertram’s arrest should he ever dare to return to Vienna.

  “She is a very strict woman,” said Philip, feeling very relieved. Peter was almost pale with fury, while listening to Paul’s story, knowing Blumenfeld quite well.

  “I think we should take the hat seller to court for slander. How about it mother?”

  “Before we do, I’ll pay him a visit and set him straight about his lying son.”

  “Make sure he and Abbe Koch are present.”

  “Yes, and I shall pay Mrs. Wertheim a visit. They are just as innocent as the von Waldens.”

  “And as for Gaby, my dear brother, she is not only the most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on, but was innocently talked into going to a party by her devious stepbrother, Bertram. I know her, Dr. Lucas Rosatti, and Andreas better than you do. And if I see or hear another derogatory look or remark about them, you’ll find yourself in the hospital. And I mean it, brother! You are no better than Blumenfeld, who is known to be a gossip.”

  “Paul does not gossip.” Philip jumped to his defense. “It just happens to be a von Walden, and my late mother did quite a good job on him.”

  “Ha! Grandmother didn’t even know that Bertram von Walden was known as ‘Bertie the pimp’.”

  “Quiet!” yelled Victoria. “I will not permit such language at the table.”

  “Sorry, Mother. I am only wondering why we end up in an upheaval each time the von Walden name is mentioned.”

  “Because Gaby got the best of you, and no one has ever since,” Philip smiled, relieved.

  As expected, Astrid and Ingrid made up again about their differences pertaining to her new religion, with a solemn promise on Astrid’s part never to talk about it to strangers, or for that matter to any devoted Catholic again. Uncle Henry, who never interfered to begin with, only remarked that her poor sister had not much else to look forward to, and like so many other people, it was their only comfort, as her many prayer meetings replaced a much-needed social life.

  The Rosattis and Lebruns were overjoyed at their son’s wedding plans, as Lucas wouldn’t be happy until Gaby became his wife. The date was November the 7th with an extended honeymoon in the Bernese Alps for skiing. A luxurious hotel in Gstaad, known for being the meeting place of the old and newly rich was chosen, in appreciation for having their wedding in Locarno among all the Rosattis’ relatives, who proclaimed it their personal holiday. There was this fine young Dr. Rosatti, the very first in the family to carry not only a title, but walking down the red carpet with his most astonishingly beautiful wife on his arm, leaving most of them gaspi
ng and others envious. Many of the Rosattis’ marriages were arranged by the forever meddling parents, thinking more of money and property than their love for each other. But as long as they were fruitful in bringing a large brood of children to this world, very little thought of happiness was given.

  Astrid and Andreas were extremely elated, being convinced that theirs was a marriage of undying love. If Ingrid was somewhat disappointed that her beloved niece was now a wife instead of a pianist, bowing from the podium of any concert hall taking her applause, she never mentioned it. Also, those many lessons from tennis to horseback jumping, skiing, and Latin were not wasted, as Lucas participated in everything himself. Skating was another story. It was the sport she loved the most, but Ingrid knew, in time, she would get her way from a man who trusted her and loved her unconditionally. Henry, too, gave in reluctantly. It didn’t matter as she always ended up on the ice rink anyway.

  Lucas felt like the luckiest man on earth and while he was convinced that Gaby loved him in the kindest way and would be a loyal wife, his way of loving her would possibly never be reciprocated. Be that as it may, he was willing to wait. By observing many married couples, he knew that their children would bring them much closer.

  1923

  11

  By March, she knew she was pregnant, and both were ecstatic and waiting anxiously for the month of September. They decided to stay in the temporary apartment overlooking a park with a large playground. Lucas knew how hard Gaby would work to make the place beautiful, and felt that in her condition, it would be too strenuous were they to move. After all, their present living quarters were only a short walking distance from their families who shared their newfound bliss.

  Alfredo and Lucas went to Germany to purchase a Daimler, as the transportation to his hospital consisted of twice changing the tram, and the waiting time made him uneasy, as he could never be at Gaby’s side quickly enough. The German car raised quite a few eyebrows. Many had not forgiven Germany’s prolonged war quite yet, however, no one else produced a better car anywhere in Europe and they put all the criticism aside, feeling that a big part of jealousy played even a larger role. There were not too many cars, let alone a Daimler, in Lausanne.