Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part Two Page 32

  Peter, too, had a pleasant surprise from Chris O’Hara, which Victoria felt noteworthy enough to write in her diary. He was apologizing for not knowing who Dr. Crawford W. Long was. He read up immediately upon his arrival only to find out there was a statue in Washington. He was positively the inventor of ether! “But,” he added with humor. “I am only a banker, and should you ever be in need to know all about J. P. Morgan, I am in a position to help you.” Before his departure for America, he left a fine collection of San Francisco ten and twenty-dollar gold coins from the late century, enclosed in a special glass and wooden case with Ingrid Lebrun in Lausanne, knowing she would visit her sister, Astrid, and the Reinhardts too.

  The Reinhardts were aware of Anne’s highly valued ancestry arriving via the Arabella, while Chris O’Hara’s arrived in 1847 during the famous Potato Famine. He was the one they admired most. His brave parents came with six children, had four more in the New World, and each one became a learned and prosperous immigrant at a time when signs in New York windows stated, ‘Irishmen and dogs not allowed on the premises.’

  Chris talked frequently about his loving family and how Anne’s insult hurt him very deeply in front of strangers. So Peter had a fine wooden etching done on a special piece of oak from a young American humorist by the name of Ring Lardner, stating ironically that, ‘The family you come from isn’t as important as the family you are going to have’. Chris O’Hara was as happy as he was proud. Although every bit as Irish as they come, there were no skeletons of drunken Irishman in his closet. It was more than his wife could say.

  Daniella wrote that she was more than happy to live with the O’Haras on Long Island as her own mother showed more interest in how her seamstress made her look and how her hairdresser made her feel. “Never did she ever waste time or money on me.” All the money came from her father and stepfather. Isabella’s surprise from Daniella came in the form of a beautiful painting. She was standing face to face with her Palomino. She was overjoyed and had the frame handmade by a Reinhardt employee, who took great pride to in making something so special for Isabella. The family gave her all the necessities for riding including a leather jacket that matched Lillian’s color.

  Victoria was now too tired to continue with her diary. There was always tomorrow and for one late night, which had turned in to 2:00 in the morning, she had done just fine.

  February 17 was one of their happiest days, for Erika finally gave birth to a baby boy who weighed almost eight pounds, was healthy, and named Hannes Paul Reinhardt. Peter and Erika would make sure that there would always be a Professor Reinhardt at their own hospital in Lindenfels. Victoria was only interested in his health, and expressed the hope that his parents would only guide him once he knew what he wanted. They agreed.

  Gaby and Paul’s baby was due at the end of June. Secretly they hoped for a boy too, but never mentioned it. The baby’s health was their first concern, and Paul was worse than Peter. He took the right wing of their castle with a staff of four at his office so he could check in on Gaby all day long and take her on walks in their beautiful garden. He would also make sure of her proper rest and whatever else Peter advised him and Gaby. Like Erika, she would give birth at their own hospital. It became more and more the wish of women over thirty.

  Gaby would be thirty-four in July while Erika was two years older. Isabella still predicted a boy and, according to her talks with Victoria concerning the Reinhardt family tree, it was Robert who bought and left Philip the factories, which in turn belonged to Paul. Her mother liked the name after hearing the story about it, and both gave Paul the choice of his middle name. No one ever considered a girl except Gaby, who would name her Elisabeth and call her ‘Sissy’ after Austria’s last Empress.

  But when, on June the 21st, Gaby too gave birth to a boy, Paul and Gaby decided between themselves that it would be Robert Maximilian, going back to the eighteenth century. Not only was Paul extremely happy, aside from Gaby as he weighed almost nine pounds, but Isabella jumped for joy. “I finally got a baby brother!” Of course she had to run from the hospital to the horse stable to tell Lillian all about it. Even Lillian neighed, and she told everyone about it who would listen.

  Isabella decided to become a nurse in the operating room. She claimed she was not cut out to be a doctor as she had too many other interests. But she would make an excellent nurse, Peter being a surgeon, her Uncle Andreas a doctor, and his wife Theresa with a diploma as an operation nurse. She would take advantage of their knowledge and study with all of them. She had even forsaken her vacation, like all other Reinhardts, to Switzerland and Salzburg, as Lillian was, as always, badly in need of a companion. Once the horse was up and around, she had shown Isabella how many tricks she had been taught. Anytime she wanted to ride her bareback, she went down on her front feet. Seeing her rider arriving with the saddle, she stood still, expecting to be mounted.

  Both new mothers, Erika and Gaby, would meet in the castle, as Paul once again had the last word on his son, Robert. Every weekend, the Foster clan would drop by, and Lindenfels became a haven for children of any age. The Reinhardts’ castle builder, Albert, the famous architect, and his son, Otto, would have been very proud of their foresight. And their beloved Stephany would have it once again be called ‘the Garden of Eden’.

  The long-suspected and unavoidable finally happened. Germany invaded Poland on September the 1st and the Second World War had begun. Although France and Britain issued an ultimatum for an immediate withdrawal, Hitler refused and, as usual, blamed the other side. Both countries had little choice but to declare war on Germany, along with a few other far away countries like Australia, India, and New Zealand, who were, as far as Hitler was concerned, of little significance. America, however, declared its neutrality. Once more, Victoria tried to remember the First World War, as it was only twenty-five years ago, and was not surprised to find many among the young men marching below singing and showing the same confidence and enthusiasm. After all, they too would be home by Christmas.

  ∼

  Poland was completely unprepared, and the German soldiers were not only well-trained but merciless. Russia would also get involved, as Stalin had secretly made a deal so that he, too, would get his slice of land from Poland. Stalin, like many others, would be fooled into believing all would be over soon. They didn’t know Hitler. The Reinhardts’ place began, once more, to be without young help.

  Their parents cried bitterly, having the war of not too long ago fresh in their memories. But their sons smiled and were convinced they fought to gain a ‘thousand-year long realm’. By the end of September, Poland had a provisional government as Hitler renewed his friendship with Stalin after a swift win. But Poland had two thousand soldiers and ten thousand civilians dead, nevermind the destruction. Their prisoners were now marching towards Germany and towards the ‘New Ostmark’.

  When Isabella heard at her school that soldiers were rounding up horses, as the war may still not be completely over and the German troops needed, aside from hundreds of cars and trucks, thousands of horses to support their new undertaking, she almost fainted. No way would they take any of their Lippizaner thoroughbreds or, God forbid, her prized possession, Lillian. She rushed home, completely out of breath, and in a condition which worried even the servants, as she usually made her entrance with a big smile. But not this time.

  “Mother!’ she cried. “The soldiers will take our horses! I was told that in school by a girl whose parents’ horses are gone!”

  “Isabella, please catch your breath. Papa and Rupert already thought about it and have made the necessary arrangements. They didn’t even tell me of their plans, so if asked by a Nazi, I could never give any other answer than ‘I don’t know’.” Her sigh of relief was quite obvious. “And as for your horse, Isabella, Papa will try to do something about some of the many entrances and have your Lillian hidden safely in the castle. How does that sound to you?” Once more, she put her hand in front of her mouth and cried. “Isabella, you have to lea
rn to cry properly, if you have to show your emotions that way.”

  “Is there any other?”

  “Control, dear child. I am surprised the schools in Lausanne or Aunt Ingrid didn’t teach you better.”

  “They did.”

  “They did?” Gaby asked doubtfully.

  “Yes, but I failed, and I think it’s the only subject I ever failed.”

  “Well, then. I like to think as you get older and more mature, the problem will solve itself.”

  ∼

  She was permitted to hold her little baby brother and Gaby told her, while searching for Isabella’s own baby photo of 1923, that she looked exactly like Robert.

  “Mother, will you have another one?”

  “Of course, if it is possible.” Isabella smiled, very pleased about it. “You, of course, will think of a name again.”

  “Only if you would like it.”

  “Well, I have a secret for you if it’s a girl.”

  “I will not interfere, Mother, because I think Isabella is a beautiful name.”

  “I think so too,” Paul replied, coming from his office almost next door, kissing his wife, his daughter, and taking his son from Isabella.

  Her horse story was discussed, and her Papa got a few extra hugs and kisses for his idea about hiding Lillian, whom she was about to ride. Arriving at the stable, she saw quite a few empty places among the Arabians. She knew, for the moment, those Lippizaners would be safe.

  1940

  25

  Rupert Foster was never happy about his so-called promotion from an Austrian police Captain to one in the Gestapo of the Ostmark. The Polish war was behind Germany, but he knew Hitler had plans for more conquests with the war factories in full swing and the training of new recruits in full force. There was no sign that, with only one occupied Poland, Hitler would be satisfied. All of Europe awaited their fate, as rumors were spreading that France would be next. Between the Reinhardts, they called the invasion of Poland a calculated robbery. So far, the first prisoners went mostly to Germany, but the New Ostmark was not far behind.

  Paul received a few elderly men who had possibly fought during the First World War. They were supposed to replace his young skilled workers who now wore a uniform. It would be a joke if it all wasn’t so very sad.

  Little Hannes Paul was one year old. Peter and Erika were so happy, and they hoped for an addition soon. They wouldn’t worry about a son anymore; a healthy girl would do just fine. It became quite a nice celebration with Gisela’s children making the biggest fuss over him. He had quite a few handmade toys that he couldn’t as yet figure out until he found himself on a rocking horse. ‘With love from Isabella’, of course.

  Wilma Foster came with a hand-knitted outfit. “She never puts her needles down since Rupert married a Reinhardt.”

  Looking around, Victoria agreed, seeing all the grandchildren in handmades. “If Mama weren’t so happy while working, I would make sure she would be left without wool!”

  “And live miserably, my dear child?”

  Victoria never understood, after all those years, how much love they had for each other. She always felt Gisela thought of Wilma Foster as her own mother.

  Isabella had, of course, a name for the yet unborn baby. “Richard for a boy and Raphaela for a girl.”

  ∼

  When her little brother Robert was one year old and had the very same party with the very same guests, it was the day France officially surrendered to Germany. The signing took place in a railway car in Compiegne; the exact car and place where Germany surrendered twenty-two years previously. It was the sweetest revenge Hitler and his staff had experienced so far. He made sure all his Generals took notice of the erected granite plate of 1918.

  The newspapers wrote every day of more victories, while the radio constantly played Germany’s march, only to be interrupted by more triumphs. The song, “Today we own Germany and tomorrow the whole wide world” became a daily creed. Nothing could stop their brilliant Führer, especially after the loss of Dunkirk by the British. Italy declared it would fight on the side of Germany, and as long as they didn’t oppose Hitler’s planned conquests, that was good enough for the Germans. Italians were not to be trusted, as many still remembered the previous war.

  This time, the Reinhardts’ factories, fields and vineyards were worked by prisoners from many lands, except for the horse stable. No one had met Isabella’s approval, and the stable master had little choice but to agree. Those chores fell on a few kind Reinhardters who were too old to go to war, not unlike some of their horses who were left behind.

  Isabella had the same busy schedule which included an early morning breakfast in the kitchen with Rosa, who was of Czechoslovakian descent. The Reinhardts considered her the most trustworthy servant. Then Isabella went to feed, stroke, and talk to her Lillian, rushed to school, ate lunch with Uncle Peter whenever possible at the hospital, and started her work with old patients until it was time to leave. Supper was taken with Mother, Papa, and the baby. All went for a walk to the stables, with Isabella riding, while Paul, Gaby and little Robert continued their walk.

  On any given warm evening she would do her homework next to the horse, then rush to her ballet lesson, play the piano, take a bath and start the next day all over again. Saturday evening was reserved for her parents, as Papa always made plans to take his ladies somewhere. It was the highlight of the week for all three.

  ∼

  Several letters arrived from South Africa, and Adam van Dreesen was furious that Germany, in order to reach France, occupied Belgium, Holland, and Luxemburg on the way. His parents, although so far safe, were beside themselves. He enclosed for Paul and Peter a note reminding them of those immortal words from a British statesman in the eighteenth century that ‘the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing’. He underlined ‘good men’ and ‘nothing’. Peter and Paul wholeheartedly agreed, but couldn’t state that in any letter to the van Dreesens, knowing that South Africa had declared war on Germany and the mail might be censored.

  A letter also arrived from Ingrid Lebrun who was now a widow, traveling with her Swiss passport between Vienna and Baden-Baden and, after long soul searching, decided that Lausanne was the place to be. She decided against Locarno, as the loud and lively Rosattis were not quite to her liking. However, she did visit Lucas’ parents from time to time, who lived near the town with more subdued relatives.

  Irene had written several letters to Ingrid asking her to secure a visa, as the Swiss consulate was swamped with people. Ingrid never replied, knowing it would only cause problems. Now Irene’s old wealthy husband was bedridden, and she had no choice but to stay in France. Irene, with her fluent German, had free rein to date German officers. He was from Berlin, promised her a marriage after several enjoyable nights, and helped to dissolve her short-lived marriage. The new government, although pretending to be anti-German, was only too glad to oblige a German Major. Her former French husband took up with his nurse, to whom he left all his money.

  ∼

  Erika gave birth to a girl on July the 4th, which was Gaby’s birthday too. It was a double celebration and Erika and Peter decided on ‘Victoria Charlotte’.

  Isabella was distracted as she fell in love with one of the young Wilands, who was on furlough after becoming a certified pilot, flying a Messerschmitt 109. The Wilands gave a party in his honor, and no party was complete without some Reinhardts. It was Isabella’s first time to be invited to the Wilands, although the older generation came frequently to the Reinhardts. Gone were those times when Lindenfels was one large family. Now, distrust and fear had taken over since Hitler took Austria and turned it into a totalitarian state, where one could be on the way to one of those concentration camps in a hurry for any opposition to the present regime.

  Nicolaus Wiland, called Nico since his return from his study in France, was an extremely intelligent and good-looking young man. Even more so in uniform, Peter and Paul thought, but that
was the norm.

  Of course, a Reinhardt would be a good catch in any case, but Isabella was one through her mother’s marriage. Lindenfels was still laughing about a Reinhardt-von Walden union, since everyone knew the history. And the rumor was that Paul was extremely jealous of Gaby, having his office right in the palace where he could keep an eye on her day and night. Some went even so far as to pity her for being a prisoner in her own place.

  Among the older generation, the subject was war, though very carefully worded. The young ones believed that peace would be here soon, as they practically walked through every country. They got their enemies by air, sea, or cannons, but they got them.

  Of course, the conversation wouldn’t be complete without Lillian. Nico wanted to see the horse before his departure the following week. However, he wanted to see Isabella sooner… like to a movie on Saturday night.

  She would have to ask her parents, and Nico felt that with him being a Wiland, there would be no opposition. He was not known for making the rounds. To most girls he was a bore, talking constantly about flying and the First World War aces. Not exactly what a young girl likes to hear.

  The old and middle-aged group talked about the disappearing Jews, especially their former stores and the new owners. Although they only knew from hearsay that the Wertheims were safe in America, they missed the stores of Mandelbaum, Friedmann, and Feinstein, as they had good quality and most merchandise came from France or England.

  “Mother, don’t forget the many bankers like Herzig and Kohn who practically stole the poor population’s money.”