Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part Two Page 42

  ∼

  The McAllisters, after their early morning arrival and taxi to the Hotel Elisabeth, needed to take a long nap. William slept even longer than his tired family. His starving parents went into the dining room for something to eat and then for a walk. Afterwards, they encountered William in his room wearing pajamas and a housecoat.

  “Don’t tell me you are not hungry?” his father inquired.

  “No. I live on love,” he jested.

  “That far already!”

  “Yep!”

  “I think we should give the Reinhardts here a call and see what is up,” his father suggested. “Maybe we should put our letters in the mailbox.”

  “I will call and take the letters there as promised,” William replied.

  “When? Today is already shot.”

  “All you do is try to get out of taking them to her family, especially since I told you about my feelings for Isabella.”

  “That is one way to see it,” said Kathryn.

  “Well, Mother, you know little about my determination,” he tossed back at her as he left the room. He went to the lobby to use the phone as the one in his room was out of order.

  Erika Reinhardt answered with a friendly hello, and William lost no time in telling her who he was and why he was calling. Elated, she gave the phone to Gaby, who seemed beside herself.

  “Why not this evening? We have no plans at all and we would love to talk about our family.”

  William returned his room and informed his family. “It was as I expected it to be. I see them tonight at my convenience. So there!” he said self-assuredly.

  “Will you have to take a taxi?”

  “No. I love to walk through the park.”

  “You know where they live?”

  “I was stationed here for four months and if you people would have bothered to look at the return address on my letters you would know it too.”

  ∼

  He arrived at the arranged time and Gaby and Erika greeted him fondly. Taking a fast glance at those two smiling and excited women, he felt Gaby was positively the better looking one, with Erika being more lively and outgoing. To him, Gaby was Isabella only as a blonde with blue eyes, otherwise they had the same features and smile. But he was astonished how, having a daughter aged twenty-two, she could look not much over thirty.

  He noticed children playing and running, along with Irish setters, a pony behind a carriage, and a few elderly people watching him from a distance. Once more, he entered a beautiful entrance hall, with hand-carved and painted furniture befitting the spacious ‘Villa Karl’. Of course, the servants brought wine and fruit juice. They would read the letters later, but had a thousand questions. Would he mind staying for a while, or better yet come again?

  He told them his circumstances, their arrival and departure, but made up his mind that his parents and uncle could do very well without him for a day or two.

  “I’ll be happy to come anytime.”

  The next day was Sunday and he just had to tell them about his experience of last Sunday with the Russians in the castle.

  Their own Sunday was always spent in Ischl because the chalet was in the hills and Erika’s, along with their friends’ children had a better time there and schools were re-opening the following Monday. Why did his family cut their trip so short? Scotland was the reason. The Reinhardts understood as they had not seen their homeland for years. William related to his family the invitation, and being curious and having nothing better planned for Thursday, they agreed to a little ‘Kaffeeklatsch’. That much German all the McAllisters knew from their years back in Austria. Once more, the handshaking began, not only with Reinhardts’ relatives, but all other refugees who refused to return until the following spring. Erika and her two children were the exception, departing the following month. And Gaby would wait until her husband came back. Somehow, William was glad that his mother had ample opportunity to hear that there was not one family who had not lost anyone, aside from many houses either bombed or occupied by one of the four liberators.

  ∼

  Once again, they had no choice but to take a flight to London over the many bombed towns of Germany, which appeared like heaps of rubble, without a word of sympathy from Kathryn or Don. Only Uncle Bill remarked that he wondered how many cities Don Reed helped to flatten.

  Kathryn replied only that her son did his duty like millions of others and Don added that the Nazis asked for it by being blind, deaf, arrogant, and merciless. “Just remember the Cathedral of St. Stephan in Vienna.”

  They saw London from the air and, of course, had tears of compassion. They changed to a smaller plane for Edinburgh. It was the same all over again, tired, sleepy, and hungry. Only the Scotsmen with their bagpipes greeting every plane in their customary kilts gave the McAllisters the lift they desperately needed.

  After a few days, William returned to Salzburg as he had promised Gaby Reinhardt. There were many letters waiting for William to take back, and he was happy to oblige since he wanted to talk to Gaby alone. They met in the health spa of Ischl at the famous Café Zauner, also one of his family’s ‘must visits’ before the war. No fine pastry on display, but with dollars, those assortments of delicious pieces arrived like magic.

  “I am in possession of dollars too,” Gaby smiled after William gave his order.

  “Glad to hear it,” he smiled and paid.

  His mother told him to take a look at her diamond, as she had never seen anything like it. Last time he had other things on his mind, like the large family and the cozy surroundings. Even his father and uncle were chastised for overlooking this huge ring.

  It didn’t take William long to come right to the reason for their meeting, which had to take place away from her large family and friends. But it also didn’t take Gaby Reinhardt very long to figure out why. Somehow, she even expected it. In many ways, he reminded her of Paul. Aside from being tall, he had a strong build which left no doubt he was also a sportsman. And while he was blond-haired and blue-eyed like herself, he had in every other way the same striking handsome features of Paul’s face. Even the deep commanding voice, and the way he lit and held his pipe awakened her memories. He also came from an old and proud cultured family and Gaby couldn’t help but overhear Kathryn’s explanation of how much emphasis she put on manners, education, and breeding. Just like a Reinhardt! For her daughter, she couldn’t think of a better choice.

  The moment he started to tell her that the very day he saw Isabella sleeping in the pantry he fell in love with her right then and there, loving her everyday more if such a thing was possible, she pursed her lips, took his hand across the small table and started with her own story about her Paul. After a long stroll on the esplanade of the River Traun, and across from the famous composer, Franc Lehar’s, house, they found a bench to sit on and conclude their conversation.

  “So, you see Major McAllister, if you wanted anyone to understand about ‘love at first sight’, you have just spoken to an expert.”

  “Now all I need is to get the lady in question, which will take quite some effort. However, I will never give up.”

  Would she be willing to leave her family? Again the option of re-enlistment was brought up. And religion? He was a devout Protestant and she possibly a devout Catholic.

  “I would have changed my religion to Jewish if it was my husband who asked me,” she smiled calmly. “Since there is only one God and you are an Episcopalian which, as I recall, is the Church of England, well, who am I to say anything? After all, you are going to marry my daughter, not me.”

  “Good Lord… if she only will have me.”

  “I hope so. You will have to ask her for a date. That should tell you more.”

  “I thank you with all my heart, Mrs. Reinhardt. If Isabella says yes, we will marry in Salzburg. I am so happy she has dual citizenship. With Switzerland we never were at war,” he said excitedly, and both parted as good friends already.

  Gaby didn’t find it necessary to tell her
family about William’s proposal until she heard it officially from Isabella. She could already hear Victoria’s opposition, although she liked him and the McAllisters. She would be very upset about the persistence and haste, comparing it to her own husband. However, neither Isabella nor she herself would have stayed married to a man like Philip.

  Paul’s last letter, which was always addressed from some Russian engineer to General Boris Gromov to guarantee speedy delivery, much less not tossed in the garbage right in their Post Office, which happened whenever a very abused or former POW sorted the letters, had given her not much hope, as he said that it might take until 1947, but he was very well treated, as always, and there was nothing to worry about.

  ∼

  The sleeper train became rather a joke now, as William was once more unable to sleep. So he decided to sort the last two weeks out. Since the arrival of his parents, it had been nothing short of a whirlwind that stopped just a few hours ago. Now he started to wonder if Sheila Brown got a hold of Isabella and told her about their bedroom affairs. He wouldn’t put it past her, but she knew he never loved her to begin with. But how will he be judged by Isabella? Maybe she would even refuse a date with him.

  It was barely seven in the morning when he arrived. Vienna looked gloomy with a gray sky and possible rain on the way. Since it was Saturday, he expected his roommates to still be asleep as it was an ‘off duty’ day. However, Ian McCain was a different story. He woke up with the roosters. But then again, according to his own calculation, his wife Betty might be here today. William decided to go to sleep, as he was awfully tired.

  When he awoke, several of his comrades had returned from their day’s work. It was three in the afternoon and he was told that at the new Colonel Gardener’s insistence, Saturday was like any other working day until the office was in ship-shape.

  “It’s only until Ian McCain is back and he wants to impress him,” said one of his roommates. The other news was that Sheila Brown was dating a divorced Lieutenant Colonel she had known in Italy.

  “Good for her!” William smiled, feeling quite good about it. “Is there still someone in the office?”

  “Sure. Only we got finished early with our assignment.”

  “Well then, I shall go in and take a look.” He also wondered if he was still the General’s aide.

  He was surprised at his warm welcome from Phil Feingold. Never mind those two Italian spaghetti clowns. They were overjoyed, claiming it was just not the same without the whole clique being together. William was somehow glad to belong to a clique. Now he was ready for Lindenfels.

  ∼

  A servant greeted him and Peter, nearby, recognized William’s voice at once. “How nice of you to pay us a visit,” he said, and showed him the way to his study. “All the Russians are in the castle and seem to be quite happy.”

  “One would hope so,” William smirked rather cynically.

  “Isabella is sleeping,” Peter said after noticing the stack of letters with hers on the top. “Good God, my family made a mail carrier out of you!”

  “I offered, Doctor,” he smiled. “May I ask if Miss Reinhardt is still working in the office?”

  “Oh, yes. So far, she, or let’s say the Americans, had not much luck. If once in a while someone appears qualified, then they belonged at one time or another to the Nazi party and General McCain won’t stand for it.”

  William looked relieved. “Quite different from General Patton who rides horseback and fences with them. And he is forgiven for it because he considers the Germans excellent soldiers. To him, that means everything.” Peter only nodded.

  William talked about his family in Salzburg and how much he enjoyed the time with them. Also, his wife, Erika, and the children could not wait to be a whole family again.

  “I plan to get my wife and children in about two to three weeks.”

  “Wonderful! I have to tell you in all honesty, you have a very loving and out-of-the-ordinary family.” Now that he had all the family in Salzburg behind him, he may just as well ask if he could take Isabella to a play, concert, or any other event that would please her.

  “She is old enough, for one thing, and I doubt if she would listen to any of my objections, providing there were any.”

  “Well that’s what her mother told me. I might just go a step further and tell you all of it,” he stammered.

  “I am listening, Major.”

  “I asked for her hand in marriage and Mrs. Reinhardt smiled, telling me about her and her husband, which was also a ‘love at first sight’ love story.”

  “There is no one in town who doesn’t know about it, as it involved two feuding families.”

  “So she told me.”

  “Well, if your intentions are this serious, who am I to object?”

  “Dead serious, Doctor Reinhardt, and I have thought about it day and night since the first time I saw her. But I feel I am asking too much to ask her to let go of her family. Her horse, Lillian, of course would be on the ship with us.”

  “Now you are talking. You can come for a visit on a yearly basis. It’s peacetime, so no one has to worry about being shot at. Like I said, it’s up to both of you.

  William thanked him by shaking both hands wordlessly. He was too moved to talk.

  ∼

  Entering his house, which was referred to as ‘quarters’, an officer said, “So good to see you. The General asked that you get in touch with him immediately. He is at home.” William was jubilant. Now he could talk with the General about his private affair. His wife Betty greeted him, with Ian McCain standing behind her grinning happily.

  “Good God,” William thought instantly. “The photo Ian McCain carries around in his wallet must be twenty years old. Maybe to him she hasn’t changed.”

  “I met your wonderful parents in New York and we had the best time,” she said fondly in her soft voice and southern accent.

  “I hear about you daily, Mrs. McCain,” William replied truthfully and could see why the General was crazy about his ‘Honey’.

  “Listen, William, we have a lot to discuss as many things have changed. But before I get into any details, I invite you to join a few of us for a musical evening in Vienna. We took the liberty and got an extra ticket, knowing how much you like Strauss, Lehar, and Lanner.”

  “That’s great, General. I had no other plans and frankly, I need something like that. I have seen it advertised but just having arrived I didn’t know what plans anyone had.”

  “It starts at eight and my wife and I plan to take you to Kreindl’s pastry shop’.”

  “No way! I’ll take both of you to the Hotel Imperial and that’s an order!” an elated William jested, as always, when both were alone. Both agreed happily, as his ‘Honey’ had never seen the Hotel Imperial.

  ∼

  With make-up and a beautiful dress, she was an entirely different Betty, McAllister thought, thinking of Isabella who looked beautiful no matter what she wore. She was in awe of the beautiful entrance hall and William told them about his parents taking the Reinhardts for dinner. However, having been raised to never be a name dropper, he never mentioned that he knew the owners.

  “I hear your parents used to come here before the war,” and dozens of other questions had to be answered until they finally departed. They were now at the Volkstheater, which William referred to in English as the ‘People’s Theater’, one of the largest and undamaged ones in Vienna. Again, she liked it and William had little choice but to compare the General’s marriage to his parents. What ‘his Honey’ liked, he loved and glowed about happily, just as his father did with Kathryn.

  William encountered Captains Torelli and Respini standing next to Phil Feingold. Things had changed. The General, now with his new Colonels, with whom he had little in common, and the three laughing Captains were now separated. Playing it safe, he joined the three laughing buddies … or his clique, as they called it. They talked about his trip to Salzburg, sharing many memories in different places, bars, an
d Sheila’s new love when Joel muttered awestruck, “Don’t turn around too obviously, William, but look who is walking up the stairs with her entourage of doctors.”

  It was Isabella, Peter, Andreas, and Theresa, who got four tickets from the Russians, who had decided not to attend. However, the Reinhardts and von Waldens were overjoyed at the opportunity. But no one was more delighted than the Major, who had just seen Peter. There came the happy family with their arms linked together and William only heard Betty McCain exclaim, “Aren’t those the people we met yesterday at your office?”

  “Two of them are,” Ian McCain replied, equally surprised, and the introductions started all over again as Dr. Andreas von Walden and his wife, Theresa, were introduced. The two Colonels knew Isabella, of course, and tried to smile amicably.

  Betty couldn’t help but admire her royal blue velvet suit with an off-white lace blouse and a perfectly matching headband with a tiny veil covering her forehead. Her pumps and handbag were black patent leather, giving her the appearance of a model ready to show a new design.

  “You look stunning, Miss Reinhardt,” Betty McCain complimented sincerely. “We have to get together as I need help with my wardrobe. You know I plan to stay for at least a year and visit every place possible.” Isabella was pleased at her offer and told her she felt honored.

  “No German General’s wife would be that kind to a former enemy,” Isabella thought when she encountered William’s stare.

  Oh, Major McAllister. Thank you so much for bringing the letters to my uncle. I am so sorry I was sleeping, but I had a change from the night shift.”

  “Well, until two hours ago we had no idea we would be here,” Peter interrupted. “Gromov sent a messenger and asked us if we could use the tickets.”

  “Major McAllister,” Isabella said as formally as possible. “I am so sorry I missed you this afternoon. I would like to ask you a few questions about my family too. Uncle Peter, of course, was mostly interested about his wife and children, which is only natural,” she emphasized strongly. “but I’d like to hear about my mother, little brothers, and the grandmothers of course.”