Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part Two Read online

  “Well, then Ian McCain will have to keep her just a little longer.”

  “I cannot tell him that.”

  “But he would be the first to understand. We met his lovely wife in New York and from what I understand, they are, after almost thirty years of marriage, still as much in love as the day they met.”

  “She will be here by the beginning of October,” William hastened to add. “And believe me, he is marking his calendar every single day.”

  “One more reason to talk to him about it.”

  “Well, I will see after my return from Salzburg,” he sighed.

  “We may just personally deliver the Doctor’s and the young lady’s letter to her mother. And speaking of mothers, yours seems to be quite taken with Miss Reinhardt.”

  “So I noticed. But then, the Reinhardts make everyone feel at ease.”

  32

  Gromov and Niemev had barely set foot in the castle and were now completely in charge. The routine began to change. Their wives would move to the upper floor and run their own households like in Peter’s place. Not even moved out by now, only just hearing about it, Peter missed them already. They had been excellent company after a hard day’s work.

  Now he had to make plans to bring his wife and children back. Vienna, of course, was not the town they had left. What a difference a year made. It became a town of spying, prostitutes, pimps, and the black market. A shoddy town to say the least. His family would be shocked upon their return home, but Gaby, Victoria, and the children had no intention of coming back until Paul’s return. With Astrid von Walden, no one was ever quite sure. Her house had English soldiers as occupants.

  The McAllisters finally got a rental car. “Taxis are for New York,” they claimed, forgetting that the war had barely ended. Thank God for their dollars. One could have almost anything one wished, although the soldiers had occupation versions called ‘scrips’, but those were dollars nevertheless. Peter told the McAllisters to follow his car to Lindenfels to show them around. They happily agreed, although they had a map at their disposal.

  ∼

  “There is the General and Colonel again,” Peter laughed. “First he had the mansion, now he got upgraded to the master of a castle. God bless him until he and his wife see Russia again.”

  The McAllisters were again in wonderment after descending the car and seeing that beautiful baroque structure. Once more, Gromov met them halfway with a very warm welcome.

  “Lillian is right behind you.”

  “We noticed she is so happy to be back in her old stomping ground,” Isabella replied, giving the happy horse a kiss. Lillian jumped for joy to be in her old environment and Kathryn remarked, “Don’t tell me horses are dumb.” Then the General offered her his arm, ascending to the castle.

  “I have another great surprise waiting,” he said in Russian, and Peter replied, “After the last few days, there shouldn’t be any more left.”

  “You will be happy.”

  Now Peter smiled, looking at Kathryn McAllister. “Sorry, you will see why I cannot talk in English.”

  “I had no idea you spoke Russian too.”

  “Just a little. My niece speaks and writes it fluently.”

  “So my son told me.”

  When they all reached the top of the stairs, the door opened from inside and all six mammoth mustached Scotsmen stood in their gala uniforms playing and singing ‘Scotland the Brave’. It was Gromov and his wounded comrades’ favorite.

  While on the previous Friday nothing was prearranged and it all fell perfectly in order, the Russians didn’t take any chances. They were out to impress the visiting Americans. They formed a large semi-circle behind the musicians with Ian McCain in the middle, surrounded by bemedalled Russian heroes, male or female, the four doctors, and Gromov and Niemev’s wives. One surprise was that the General got four ballet dancers from a theater in Vienna who performed a perfect Scottish jig – with McAllister and the rest of the attendees clapping, while many had tears running down their cheeks. Of course, Kathryn and Isabella, who squeezed each other’s hands, were the most obvious ones. William, trying to get a glimpse of his mother’s reaction, couldn’t help but notice their intertwined hands. He was thrilled, to say the least, as his mother was a woman who only did what she felt like doing.

  “All seems well with the world,” Colonel Niemev said cheerfully, but Gromov and his wife had lost their children and just for a day, they put it in the background.

  The McAllisters were now introduced by the General to everyone and felt it would take them until their arrival home to digest everything going on around them. My Lord, what would their friends say seeing them among so many foreigners? Gromov never overlooked any detail and had English-speaking interpreters next to anyone not speaking Russian. William talked to Dr. Andreas Walden and offered to take a letter to his mother in Salzburg.

  He loved every one of Isabella’s family that he had met, which created a problem to his way of thinking. How would she ever leave them? Of course, her Lillian would be on the boat, but… There were so many ‘ifs’, ‘ands’, and ‘buts’ that his back started to hurt again.

  While Isabella was in the process of hugging and kissing everyone, starting with the Russian doctors and ending with their former servants, Peter and Andreas wondered if they should offer their guests a tour of the castle. But everyone was so busy talking that they decided to wait until after dinner. Most of the interpreters were busy introducing the highly decorated female Russians to the McAllisters and Reinhardts. They were cheerful First Lieutenants. One was a pilot who explained how she avoided the pursuing German planes and their ‘flak’; the other one shook hands with the first American soldiers in Torgau on the Elbe River. “We all drank and danced and were so very happy,” she laughed, while the McAllisters took an interest in their medals, asking the meaning of each one.

  They were all in awe of their bravery and with their courage. Of course, General Gromov had to have the last word, taking over the conversation with great pride. “And while the girls were dancing, we had to do all the fighting,” he laughed mischievously.

  “The only way to go!” Uncle Bill interjected, enjoying himself to the hilt. “If you wouldn’t have fought, they couldn’t have kept on dancing. Right?”

  “Right,” Gromov laughed aloud. “That’s one way to see it.”

  McAllister didn’t have a chance to see the portraits, as dinner was announced by a uniformed servant. To Kathryn’s great astonishment, William offered her his arm.

  “How nice and kind of you, son,” she exclaimed, never expecting this courteous gesture. Somehow, she felt guilty thinking, “If only Don Reed were here.”

  The Reinhardts’ great dining room was incredible and the McAllisters couldn’t think of a place back home which compared to it. “Gosh… I am ready to faint,” Kathryn whispered.

  There was the impressive Chinese silk tapestry, huge crystal chandeliers with small matching wall sconces, and the colossal banquet table. The finest china, crystal, and silverware were a sight to behold. Old liveried male servants were ready to make the guests comfortable on gilded Louis XVI chairs. The Reinhardts had had this finery for as long as the castle had been standing, so Peter only smiled, watching General Gromov and Ian McCain at the head of the table.

  There were thirty-two guests, Isabella counted, and Uncle Peter, Andreas, Theresa, and she were four of the original and indirectly related Reinhardters.

  “If only my ancestors could see it now,” Peter thought.

  Gromov raised his glass of vodka. “Let’s drink to a long-lasting peace and everyone will be our brother and sister.” The Americans and Scots were now convinced he spoke as a Communist and took a sip of that strong alcohol, and let it go at that.

  It was now Ian McCain’s turn and he only replied, “Let’s drink to friendship and your wonderful hospitality.” Gromov translated the compliment and all turned to the General with their heartiest smiles.

  As always, the food was prais
ed with Gromov’s thunderous voice giving the history of ‘his’ castle in English and Russian. The translators had barely an opportunity to get a word in edgewise. But to the McAllisters’ and the Scotsmen’s surprise, he gave the servants credit for all the hard work. Peter and his family were not mentioned at all, possibly because they were, in the present Russians’ eyes, ‘Capitalists’ whose lifestyle was, however, enormously enjoyed.

  Her took it on himself to show the men his smoking room, where brandy would be served, and Isabella lost no time in showing the ladies their parlor with coffee being served.

  “And you also can have tea,” she smiled.

  General Gromov didn’t know this European custom. After noticing his mistake, he entered and apologized. “This is my little stringbean. I love her like a daughter,” he uttered with quivering lips.

  Kathryn was happy to notice that this big authoritative man, who represented, in her eyes, the average Russian officer, had a soft spot after all. His wife, Svetlana, said, “Outside he is steel, but his heart is as soft as cotton.” Well, of anyone, she should know.

  Kathryn reminded herself about the similarities among the Russian women. Not only because all wore a uniform, but not one hairstyle was different from the other. However, she admired their respect towards each other, their kind expressions, and a certain envy when looking at western clothes. Now they felt free to ask about many things and Isabella’s work of translating was considerable. However, she enjoyed it and Kathryn thought again, “What a lovely pair she and Don Reed would have made.”

  Finally, it was time to show and expound on the Reinhardt’s portraits. Gromov and Niemev paid very close attention. Maybe at their next gathering, which would be all Russian, they could joke about all those skinny Capitalists whose castle they now occupy, or praise them as down to earth, hard-working Austrians who risked their lives in order to save many of their people. In time, the Reinhardts would hear about it. After all, their former servants were still and always would be devoted Reinhardters.

  ∼

  Peter and Isabella arrived at their own villa in Lindenfels.

  “What a day! Gromov really worked hard and even went personally to the ‘People’s Theater’ to find four dancers who knew the Scottish jig,” Isabella remarked happily.

  “He pulled a good day off, but so did our servants. Fanny got some liveried men from our neighbors. What a dear."

  “They all ate well for the first time, I was told by many in the kitchen.” She also added, “And Mrs. McAllister goes out of her way to be nice to me. Have you noticed?”

  “Society knows society. But speaking of the McAllisters, their son looked at your portrait like a Catholic at the Virgin Mary.”

  “You may just as well know, we kept looking at each other across the table. It was almost unavoidable. However, I tried to be as discreet as possible and hoped it worked.”

  “Any reason why it should or should not, Isabella?”

  “Because I am sure I have been in love with him since the moment I saw him.”

  “Well, well, well. That is a surprise after telling me that good girls never date any occupation forces.”

  “I was told by you that there are always those exceptions. I like to believe he is one of them.”

  “Isabella, I cannot say I blame you. He is very good looking and comes from a fine family. I looked at the distinguished faces of his father and uncle, never mind his good-looking mother, and I thought to myself that he got the best of both parents.”

  “Of course, there are so many beautiful American girls too, but maybe the war has taught him to look for more than beauty.” Isabella sighed.

  “There were many handsome officers and doctors at the hospital who didn’t suit you either. Just think about it.”

  “True, but most were just ready to take me to bed.”

  “I thought so.” He smiled. “I am happy to hear you feel so secure and have so much self-respect that you enter unblemished into a marriage.”

  “You can be sure of that.”

  “I thought so.” Peter repeated and smiled.

  ∼

  Kathryn and Don decided on a long nap, which was to William and Bill’s liking. Both went in the lobby to talk about the party and Isabella in their own way and without interference or unsolicited advice.

  “At least she looked at me several times today. That is progress already,” William smiled, starting the conversation.

  “Of course, you sat across from her; it was unavoidable.” Uncle Bill returned his smile, but it was his usual sly look.

  “Quite a coincidence if someone considers it was the headmistress, Fanny, who put the cards in place. No Russian woman was able to do it.”

  “Oh, yes.” William tapped on his head. “Languages can be such a barrier in life.” He smiled, thinking of Fanny’s trick. “Mother is amazed at Miss Reinhardt’s knowledge. She told Ian McCain that the girl knows even the Latin names of all flowers.”

  “How old do you think she is?” Uncle Bill asked, curious.

  “Born in 1923. November.”

  “How do you know?”

  “That was the day her father died. Doctor Reinhardt told the Italians.”

  “American Officers,” Uncle Bill corrected. “You may not know it, William, but the Russians also stripped her father’s… I mean Reinhardt’s factories of everything, including the doorknobs. Imagine that.”

  William was flabbergasted. “Who told you?”

  “A servant after a good tip and a few questions.”

  “Well, I tipped Fanny as she is now the main housekeeper. But she promised to share the money with her help. Wait until I get a hold of Feingold after my furlough is over,” William said, furious about hearing that the Reinhardt factories were lost too. They finished their whisky, greeted a few of his friends from his quarters, who had nothing better to do than to drink either, and went upstairs.

  “Well, you two?” Kathryn smiled.

  “We went to the lobby and William ran into a few of his buddies.”

  “My God, don’t tell me you had to shake more hands. Mine still hurt, but I don’t regret it as everyone was very nice. Or at least they tried to be.”

  “Same with our friends in New York, Mother. They don’t love or even like each other but they try to be civil. That’s all one can ask,” William finalized. Kathryn laughed out loud and she didn’t even pay any attention to William’s remark.

  “And what is so funny?” Don asked.

  “That sweet Miss Reinhardt. After some Scotsmen kept winking their eyes at her, she whispered to ask how any girl can kiss such a mammoth mustached fellow. I thought it was so cute of her to tell me that, but it shows how close we have become the last two days.”

  “What roses and horses won’t do for some women,” Don smirked.

  ∼

  They traveled, of course, in the well-reserved First Class compartment and, before the McAllisters even had a chance to show their tickets on the usually over-crowded sleeper night train, William looked at his parents and admitted that he was hopelessly in love with Isabella Reinhardt and would only return to New York if she would be his wife. Otherwise, he would re-enlist and stay in Vienna. End of conversation.

  Kathryn and Don were too stunned to answer, but Bill was prepared. “Congratulations, William. For the first time in your life you made an excellent choice.”

  “Thank you, Uncle Bill and I won’t make the mistake of listening to anyone but myself,” he added very sternly, not leaving any doubt where his parents stood.

  “You got the wrong impression if you think we don’t love that fine young lady,” his father challenged. “But frankly I think she is too good for a man like you.”

  “Well, thanks a lot. However, I am very glad you approve of her.”

  “To me,” Kathryn added solemnly. “she is like a beautiful rosebud, happy and blooming in her own garden, or shall I say environment. If you cut her off the branch or bush, she will wilt in no time.”


  “Well, you didn’t when arriving from Scotland,” William replied firmly.

  “Times were quite different.”

  “They are here, too, or have you forgotten about the war already, Mother?”

  “That’s true,” she conceded. “But she lives quite well. You don’t have the slightest indication of whether she would even consider a man like you.”

  “Then I will just have to find out, won’t I?”

  “Good luck son,” she replied in all honesty. “as I love her.”

  “So I noticed, Mother. It’s possible that for the first time we agree on something.”

  “Count me in too,” his father said seriously. “And don’t tell me it’s the first time we agreed on anything.”

  “I wouldn’t, and you know what I am talking about.”

  Before the late Don Reed became the focus of a lengthy debate again, Uncle Bill, the permanent peacekeeper, suggested they all turn in to get a good night’s rest to be ready for Salzburg. They went to their beds and it was almost time to get up before anyone fell asleep.

  ∼

  Isabella arrived at her temporary office again, greeted heartily by everyone, as she was considered not only beautiful but humble and smart as well. All portraits were hung, furniture put in place without any interference in how the new occupants placed them to their own comfort. So far, she interviewed about two dozen male and female applicants, but either they had Nazi pasts or, as in most cases, their accents in either Russian or English were hard to understand, let alone Russian writing.

  “We may just have to keep you,” Ian McCain laughed. “Are they treating you okay?”

  “Very much okay.” She smiled as she had acquired and also used ‘okay’ quite frequently.

  “I wish you would eat with us,” he stated frankly.

  “I thought you might have many things to discuss among yourselves. After all, it is a headquarters,” she replied simply.

  “Our serious conversations take place during office hours. The lunch and coffee breaks are to relax.”

  “Well then, thank you, General. You are very kind,” Miss Reinhardt said modestly.