Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part Two Read online

  “I’ll help you anyway I can,” Paul promised solemnly. “As our mothers used to say, things have a way of working out. I cannot wait to see my mother’s face,” Paul smiled happily.

  “And mine.”

  “If I may suggest a little change,” interrupted a serious Rupert. “Why don’t I ask my father to give you away? Though he considers Gisela a daughter, she had at our wedding her own father.”

  Gisela was in tears looking at Paul. “He knows so much about you.”

  “And possibly cannot stand me.”

  “You know better than that, Paul.”

  “Just kidding.”

  “What a great day! Let’s open a bottle of something,” Erika suggested, getting up and making her rounds kissing everybody, starting with Gaby. Rupert got kisses left and right; after all, he deserved them. A servant brought a bottle of wine and they all toasted each other. The moment Astrid and Victoria heard about it, they kept the phone lines tied up. Some friends were happy, some extremely surprised, some disappointed, but no one was happier than Aunt Ingrid and no one more enraged than Irene. She just had to warn Gaby before it was too late. Once more, a call to Erika’s home was therefore necessary. “Gaby!” she screamed, after Erika heard her demanding voice and passed off the phone. “Is this a joke or what? Alain tells me that an ecstatic Ingrid told him you are marrying Paul Reinhardt.”

  “Yes, he asked me a few days ago and I accepted.”

  “You cannot be that desperate. He is an impotent wife abuser! I was married to this heartless monster until my dear father died, because he didn’t believe in divorce.”

  “But he believed in mistresses,” Gaby interrupted.

  “Well, to each his own.”

  “That’s what I am saying, Irene. If my marriage had caused me to suffer that much, I would have divorced the man, never mind the opinion of my father.”

  “You surprise me again, Gaby. But coming back to Paul, please don’t marry him.”

  No sooner had they hung up, than Irene called Paul at his factory. She was very short and repeated that he was nothing but an impotent wife abuser.

  “One more call to Vienna and I’ll pay a visit to the Professor in Lausanne. And don’t think for a moment I’d go back on my word,” he replied. Irene hung up, threw herself over her bed and cried.

  The very moment Paul told his mother that Gaby and he planned to get engaged at Christmas, she went to her jewelry chest and looked through all that was in there for the first time in years. Since Philip’s suicide, she wore, with rare exceptions, a few of her favorite things which she kept in a box. Now was as good a time as any to start giving away some of her inherited and accumulated things, putting the many little boxes on display and letting each one choose to her own liking. It would make a joyful Christmas day when she would have all her relatives there. Of course, there was Elisabeth, who abhorred anything large, be it diamonds or other stones unless Adam gave them to her. And he, in turn, made sure it was befitting for a missionary wife. But she had three daughters who might be delighted.

  So far, Gisela had received, for every special occasion, a piece of the beautiful gems but there was always a question of whether or not Rupert would approve. He had seen them as family heirlooms, his parents never owning nor caring for such things, of course. But Gisela had two daughters too.

  Erika had a taste for pearls. She had to dress up frequently for the sake of their parties and always took the advice of Victoria.

  Now it was up to Gaby, Isabella, and Paul, should he have a family. While going through everything carefully, she also found Stephany’s priceless collection of necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, and pins. And among them, she found Verena’s 52-carat diamond ring that she never wore because Hannes thought it too large for her small hands. But Gaby had long, slender fingers, just where a ring like this belongs. Victoria couldn’t help but think back to when Philip presented her with one for her engagement. How happy she was and how little she knew then.

  “Paul, I got the pear-shaped one, and also a scalloped necklace with it. This is the finest ring and I want you to give it to Gaby for the engagement.” Like his father in 1895, he asked the same question. “Are you sure you want me to have it?”

  “Who else is there? Thank God, Irene never got even one pin from me.”

  “Mother, she left behind the engagement ring and whatever else I gave her before our marriage in a box.”

  “Really?”

  “The ring was only ten carats and she expected more.”

  “Well, maybe her new love will come up with one better than ten,” she laughed.

  Paul, now in possession of the gem, told his mother about Irene’s second phone call, and also that she had harassed Gaby with the same lie.

  “Poor thing. She never will believe her.”

  “I was thinking, why don’t I give her the ring a few days early. Christmas will have so much activity and all will be lost in the noise. At the same time, I don’t like to take the joy away from the young Dreesens, who will have Christmas in Vienna for the first time.”

  “I think this is very thoughtful. Why not tomorrow as we all go to see the Nutcracker,” she smiled. “Peter and Erika are coming as well, so there is your opportunity.”

  “Great! It’s just a week before and she will be so surprised at the beauty of it.”

  “And for Christmas, you give her the rest of the matching diamonds. She will be the only one who can wear them as they should be worn. I shouldn’t say this, but with me fading away, there is only Gaby.”

  “Don’t forget Isabella.”

  “How can I? But she is still too young for certain pieces. What a fortune Otto spent on Stephany alone! Then there were Lillian Essler, Anette and Verena who also cared very little. And as for me, I would have traded everything in for a faithful husband,” she sighed.

  “And I made a mistake in choosing the wrong wife,” Paul grimaced.

  “And she could possibly have ended up with everything. But now she has a tight-fisted professor!” laughed Victoria. “And don’t forget his mother. Astrid described her well to me.”

  “Was anything said about my engagement?” Paul wondered.

  “Yes, but I wouldn’t let your head swell up, Paul,” she smiled.

  Gaby was playing the piano when a servant let Paul in. Somehow, she was sure he had gone with the family to see the ballet. “Why didn’t you go, Paul?”

  “This is my first opportunity to be with you alone since our visit at the hospital. Don’t stop playing, please. I love to hear the piano.”

  “Well then, I may just as well give you an earful.”

  “You would have made a fine pianist, aside from being beautiful.”

  “Possibly, but I’d rather have Isabella.”

  “Yes, one just cannot have everything. Like me, for instance.”

  “You had your share of sorrows.”

  “Gone. Gone forever, unless you’ve changed your mind about marrying me.”

  “Why on earth would I do that?” Gaby queried.

  “Irene’s lies.” Paul frowned.

  “I know that she is simply jealous, or she wouldn’t have called. Next time, I’ll tell her ever so proudly, ‘You got what I didn’t want, and I got what you couldn’t have!’” He laughed.

  “But I imagine there are quite a few men that I could tell the same thing, Gaby.”

  “And more women, Paul. Don’t sell yourself short. I will be the envy of Vienna,” she smiled, stroking his cheek with the back of her hand.

  “You took your wedding ring off,” he said, elated, taking her hand and kissing it.

  “I thought I might just as well give my finger a rest since I get one next week from you.”

  “Wrong,” he smirked, reaching in his jacket. “We… but mostly I, decided to give you the ring today. I didn’t buy it, as it is a family heirloom, possibly never worn and stored for years for the right Mrs. Reinhardt.”

  “Oh my!” she exclaimed, enraptured. �
��I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”

  “To tell you the truth, neither have I,” he said, looking at her astonished face, taking it between his two hands and kissing her with the ring on her lap. “You meant the diamond, Gaby, but I meant you.”

  “Please put it on my finger, Paul. Make it the happiest day of my life.”

  “Gladly. The ring was made for your hand.”

  “Paul, as much as I love and treasure this, any ring would have been perfect.”

  “I know that, Gaby,” he whispered, embracing her and kissing her again. “It’s the happiest day of my life, too,” he said, visibly moved. “You are permitted to cry,” he said in a quivering voice. “providing they are tears of joy.”

  Now Gaby put his face very close and returned his barrage of kisses. “If only my leg was not in this long cast, I would sit on your lap, Paul.”

  “That can be arranged,” he replied lifting her up and carrying her to their comfortable couch.

  ∼

  He had left before Erika and his brother returned, but Gaby was wide awake and still on the couch when both entered.

  “I don’t know why, but I thought you would be in bed by now,” Erika mused.

  “I would have, but look,” she said with her arm stretched out. “Just look at this. It’s my engagement ring.”

  “Congratulations, Gaby!” cried both ecstatically.

  “Three months and I am a Mrs. Reinhardt too!”

  “It may be even earlier than that, providing you want all the family together. Adam wants to leave right after New Year’s.”

  “Oh, God, why?”

  “Too many Nazi demonstrations. He is afraid of being a foreigner.”

  “That bad?”

  “To him it is. Don’t forget, he has his five children here. He will travel to Holland to see his family and be on his way,” Peter announced.

  “And Elisabeth, along with her family?”

  “She said yes to everything. Adam’s word is the law.”

  “But they will come tomorrow for dinner. You will like them,” Erika said fondly. “Gaby, I am so happy for both of you. And I know that ring is an heirloom like mine. A dozen years ago, I had the chance to choose from a large selection with Peter insisting on this one.”

  “I have always looked at yours, as it sparkles so brilliantly, though I told Paul I would have been happy with anything.”

  “Well, your shape was not for my hand, though mine is over twenty carats.”

  “Good heavens!”

  “But like you said, anything would have done for me too.” They embraced each other with their usual goodnight wishes, Erika supporting Gaby who, with her two crutches, went in her bedroom, staring at her large ring for hours before she finally went to sleep.

  ∼

  Arriving at home, Elisabeth and Adam discussed with Victoria their early departure due to those openly demonstrating brownshirts. Victoria looked disappointed. “Since 1865, the Reinhardts have never held a wedding with all the family together. And as far as those demonstrations are concerned, they are mostly illiterate fanatics with very little else to do. It certainly will pass.”

  “It will not pass, Mrs. Reinhardt. I read Hitler’s book that he wrote while in prison and his plans are very clear. He will get Austria one way or another. That evil demon will stop at nothing. Just think of the Russian Revolution which started twenty years ago.”

  “Right you are, Adam, but we are not Russia.”

  “You mentioned illiterate fanatics; between that and being without work and hungry, they will always look for a so-called leader, never mind the false promises.”

  “But will you think about it, Adam? Gaby’s cast may be removed by year’s end, and the way Paul feels, he would get married the same day. Today he gave her the engagement ring while all of us went to the theater.”

  “Great!” Elisabeth exclaimed.

  “I cannot wait to meet her,” Adam said. “after hearing endlessly what my wife refers to as his ‘bedtime stories’. I guess I am anxious too.”

  All the van Dreesens were quite taken with Gaby’s beauty and her gentleness. Even Adam, who only dated dark-haired girls, with Elisabeth being his first choice of brain and beauty, had black hair like all the Reinhardts. But Gaby was something else altogether. “Now I understand Paul completely,” he whispered to his wife.

  No one made any fuss about the exquisite diamond and Gaby felt they must have seen bigger ones. After all, South Africa was the country for it.

  The children had the best table manners but lacked personality. Each one had a rather long face, uneven features, and light-blond hair with watery eyes. Not a trace of Elisabeth’s beauty, of whom Victoria stated that she looked better at forty-one than when she left at eighteen for Berlin. But all in all, they were a pleasant and happy family. Politics were never mentioned, as she had twice mentioned Erika’s dilemma with her repugnant father and the hate he had declared against the Reinhardts. Otherwise, it was an uneventful evening!

  ∼

  Isabella, along with Daniella, arrived with several large suitcases and skis, feeling extremely happy. They were met by Paul and his big sled four days before Christmas, planning to stay with Astrid. Isabella embraced Paul and said, “Soon I will be able to call you ‘Papa’.”

  “Yes, and I will have to leave ‘Miss’ out completely,” he smiled.

  “This is my best friend, Daniella, and so far she has had three fathers, liking not one of them,” said Isabella, who was in her glory about all she heard from her mother. As far as she was concerned, her greatest wish had come true.

  Despite a few changes on Christmas Eve due to Paul’s engagement to Gaby, Isabella and Daniella spent the day with Astrid, but had the traditional meal with the Reinhardts. And Astrid decided to have dinner with Andreas’ family, whom she enjoyed more than holding a conversation with Adam, who tried to convert her to Lutheranism.

  ∼

  Christmas Day was the most wonderful time for Victoria and everyone else present. But somehow, she felt it would be the last one where all her loved ones were together. Even Rupert’s parents came, and Gisela talked her in to taking a few conservative pieces of jewelry. Gaby was able to walk with a cane and looked as beautiful as always in a hand-embroidered dark blue dress. Her gifts were many and she trembled at the thought of them. Isabella and Daniella were included too, but Gaby made the selection since neither one of them knew about value, but like the largest stones. Elisabeth gave her own girls a lesson concerning the many Tourmalines which came from America. Their colors were exquisite and each of her girls showed great interest. Adam was engrossed with Paul and Gaby, so it was the perfect opportunity to let her three daughters take whatever they wished. Victoria made it very clear that whatever was on the table could be taken by anybody. She put out for Gaby and Isabella many priceless scalloped necklaces of marquise-shaped diamonds, be it sapphire, Burmese rubies, or emeralds. She gave Astrid a natural, black south sea pearl necklace with matching ring and earrings, and the latter spent most of the evening crying and admiring her treasure. Her son Andreas got a rare pocket watch and Therese had the choice of anything on the table.

  Victoria helped Isabella and even Daniella to pick out a few good gems despite Gaby’s objection. Daniella had a passion for earrings and Isabella for bracelets. Since Andreas’ in-laws didn’t come, claiming the family was too large, Victoria, with the help of Therese, made sure they would get their share too.

  The evening ended with more good music, food and wine, and Elisabeth’s girls begged Isabella and Daniella, as well as Rupert’s children, to skate. “After all,” Elisabeth replied. “once we are back home, no more skating.”

  The girls were only too happy to comply, Rupert’s girls being in awe of those two Swiss-trained girls. “Mother, when Isabella is our relative, can you ask her to teach us?”

  “You have to ask her yourself,” she said in reply. Gaby, overhearing their plea, told Gisela once the cast is off a week, she would
be on the ice again and they soon would skate like Isabella and her friend, as she would be their coach.

  “I told you,” Gisela smiled. “You know Gaby, the Swiss schools also taught them to be very humble. I like that.”

  “My God, Gisela! You, being one of the Reinhardts, talks to me about modest and humble? You are all the best examples of it.”

  “Thank you, Gaby and welcome to the Reinhardts,” she smiled sweetly.

  Everyone left for home in the best of spirits, having celebrated the best Christmas Day ever. Each one carried many gifts including priceless ones from Victoria’s collection. Austria was about to change, and not for the better either.

  1938

  22

  Gaby’s and Paul’s wedding date was set for March 22, exactly a week before Easter. They would honeymoon in Switzerland, and at the same time take care of her little place, possibly letting Susanne live there so they could visit anytime at their own convenience. Isabella didn’t even have to think about leaving school, but promised to finish the full term until July.

  Adam and family were already packed to leave, warning each one over and over again to do the same. Things went back to normal. Erika and Peter moved back in with Victoria as they promised her. She would never live in the mansion without one of her children being with her. Servants were, nowadays, not the same as in the good old days. Aside from that, she was told by Rosa, the cook, that there were many quarrels among them involving politics. Being very well informed on what had happened since Hitler and his followers took over Germany, many of them among his infamous Gestapo, she refrained from any interference.

  Gaby, with her cast off, stayed with her mother, but both made many visits to Victoria or the Fosters, young and old, as well as Andreas and wife. Peter prohibited her strictly from staying at the skating rink and Paul agreed. Erika was there to go for walks, weather permitting, and talking mostly about the forthcoming wedding. For Gaby, the time went fast, for Paul at a snail’s pace. He made sure he would see her once a day, no matter where. His workload was quite heavy. He had to instruct his engineers about many details in order to have an extended honeymoon beginning in Switzerland, followed by Italy and France.