Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part Two Read online

  “William, I will make it a very beautiful home, and at the same time a very comfortable house for all of us,” she promised on the way home.

  “As long as you are always there to greet me when I open the door,” he beamed, delighted.

  She placed in her mind all the furniture which had arrived from Vienna in the meantime, some of William’s favorites and those from Switzerland, the pieces they had loved and selected together. After all, the house had twenty-five rooms.

  Don and Kathryn were in their own car and she commented that she could hear Ann Leitner already saying, “My houses have at least forty rooms each and some of my friends have more than that.”

  “Isabell with her exquisite taste will make a showcase out of it and be the envy of many,” Don retorted.

  ∼

  Ann Leitner returned from her four-month stay in Europe and Frank was quite upset about it. She started with Vienna, staying at Hotel Bristol, visited the Reinhardts and von Waldens several times, telling them everything in detail, including how much they love Isabell. Off she went for two months to Switzerland, revisiting her daughter’s school and Aunt Ingrid. She had a long list of places she always wanted to see with her ex-husband, Chris O’Hara, who constantly declined. Now, on her own, she did as she pleased.

  Finally, she went to Salzburg to see Gaby and Victoria Reinhardt. They insisted she stay with them, as most refugees had returned to Vienna. As always, she felt very jealous of Gaby’s beauty, telling her she hadn’t changed a bit and she must have a secret she was not willing to share. She only smiled.

  Together they visited many places, attended concerts, and talked again about family matters. By the middle of October, she finally left via plane. She only saw Germany from the air and had no feelings of bitterness or love. But during the long flight, she had to admit that something between Frank and her was gone. She didn’t miss him even to share some of the beauty and good times she encountered all over.

  Now in December, she was ready to go to her large place in Palm Beach and kept pondering if it was a good idea to leave him alone that much. He just turned fifty and looked great. But so far, he didn’t mind so she would see about his reaction once she returned.

  “Why don’t you just move to Europe?” he greeted her in a sour mood.

  “For the first time since 1938, I enjoyed myself and you make me feel like I committed a crime.”

  “What do you mean ‘enjoyed yourself’? You do in every place, all year round.”

  “I cannot help it if you prefer the New York Stock Exchange to family life.” They had her suitcases brought to his car and drove wordlessly to Scarsdale.

  She called Daniella right away, explaining Frank’s behavior at her arrival. Her daughter was not surprised, knowing he had an affair with a young woman whose husband wouldn’t give her a divorce. He told Daniella to never mention it, that it was a big secret. He just didn’t seem to care anymore. Also, his two sons from his first marriage spent the summer with him and there were many times he regretted he had fallen in love so very frequently. There was also a time when Ann was the one who made his life worth living, but at the moment he felt like she did nothing.

  “Mother, you may have to work on your marriage if you’d like to keep him.”

  “What are you trying to tell me?”

  “Nothing that cannot wait. I am glad you are back, but this time you stayed much too long.”

  “Frank never minded previously.”

  “Mother, you have been married barely five years and the places you’ve been to in the past he could always reach you whenever he felt like it. That alone made him feel better. But four months in Europe?”

  “I had such a good time it felt like four weeks … or even less.”

  “Sleep on it for a night, and tomorrow we are going to see Isabell and William’s new house. It’s a beauty.”

  “Glad to hear it. I’ll see you for lunch.” Both hung up simultaneously.

  ∼

  They called William’s house and, of course, it was all right to come. His parents and uncle would be there too, and once again, there would be so much to talk about. A very pregnant Isabell greeted Ann and Daniella and her husband first, waiting for the in-laws to arrive shortly. Ann loved their newly purchased ‘castle’ and was informed that only part of the furniture had been placed.

  “Never mind, Isabell. I just love the layout and everything about it. And those huge oak trees will give plenty of needed shade.”

  “My in-laws had an air-cooling system installed and it helps a great deal. The summer heat was something else,” Isabell half lamented when the McAllisters and William arrived. It was the usual ‘long time not to see you’ greeting, but Ann was not the usual Ann. The McAllisters heard via Daniella about Frank’s affair, but as always, they kept quiet. Isabell was dying to hear all about her loved ones, but nothing at all had changed. According to her Papa’s letter, he would be home soon.

  “Those Russians,” Bill said angrily. “have kept him far longer than promised.” But he changed his tone quickly, thinking it would upset all of them.

  It was now Ann’s turn to complain about Frank’s unusual behavior. But if she expected any sympathy, she was wrong.

  “If my Kathryn were to leave me alone one month just to have a good time by herself, I’d tell her where to go,” Don said very seriously.

  Kathryn rolled her eyes looking at Ann, who replied, “Don, I asked him frequently on the phone and he never gave any indication. You know our marriage, Don. We always did what we liked.”

  “Then I would refrain from calling it a marriage, Ann,” Don finalized. Everyone knew how he felt about a commitment and no one answered him. Ann gave Isabell a worried look, but she only smiled and said, “My Papa didn’t even let mother go shopping by herself. A servant always had to be with her and he always wanted to know for how long.”

  “And your mother?”

  “I have a feeling she liked it because it told her how much he loved her. He was very, very jealous.”

  “Well, I couldn’t live with a man like that. I need my freedom.”

  “You may just get it Ann,” Uncle Bill said smiling. “You cannot always have it your way.”

  Ann had enough and, promising to see them later, she left to see Frank.

  ∼

  Isabell, however, was disappointed, never expecting the conversation to end so abruptly. But it was just Ann, and she looked quite worried. After all, her marriage was at stake.

  Frank’s mood had not changed when she entered their house. He admitted quite light-heartedly to his affair. Ann was stunned. “Well, Ann, we can continue with each one does as he or she pleases, or we can get a divorce,” he smirked. “It’s all up to you. While you were gone, I took an apartment around the corner from Wall Street, so I don’t have to travel so far.”

  “Well, since you have a so-called ‘seat’ on the stock exchange, I often wondered if there was a ‘bed’ available too.”

  He laughed out loud. “Got to make money… it’s the only thing we both like.”

  “Alright, if that’s the way you feel about it, we may just continue our lifestyle.”

  “I thought you might like it,” he smiled, offering her a drink.

  “I, for one, never cheated on you, Frank.”

  “So what if you did? It wouldn’t change a thing as long as we both do as we please.”

  She unpacked her suitcases with the help of her maid, whom she had well before her marriage to Chris O’Hara. Since Frank left after their drink, she confided in her, knowing it would never be repeated. Esther knew about it all along, but never let on. She only listened and advised her to stick it out.

  She returned to Daniella, only to be told she was still at the ‘young McAllisters’, as they were known by now. She had no choice but to return to them, and since she was always one of Kathryn’s best friends, to tell her the truth. And as always, Kathryn only listened and never gave a reply. All of her friends still loved Chris
O’Hara.

  She finally had a chance to talk with Daniella and Isabell. Barbara was getting the ‘baby room’ spruced up and one had the feeling that she was happier than anybody in the family. Ann, seeing her only briefly, noticed a big change in her; new hairstyle and lighter color was only one thing. Less makeup and a very elegant appearance may just get her a new and better husband. Ann was one of those women who never could imagine living alone.

  “Will you have an open house this year?” she asked Isabell after her stories about her family had ended.

  “Of course. We have an open house just before Christmas.”

  “Baby and all?”

  “Scott and the McAllister clan will be here and I hope everyone we invite will be here, too.”

  “Got a nanny?”

  “Barbara,” she answered. “And I couldn’t ask for a better one.”

  “I agree. She needs to get over Steve.”

  “Mother, Barbara didn’t grieve very long. We think it’s rather a burden off her shoulders,” Daniella smiled.

  She left again and promised to bring the still unpacked presents from the Reinhardts and Aunt Ingrid the following day.

  ∼

  On November 23, which was Isabell’s birthday, Scott Gregory gave his first loud scream at five in the morning. William had taken her the previous evening to St. Vincent Hospital the moment she felt the first labor pains. She was barely nine hours in labor, but to the McAllister clan, who had assembled in the meantime, it was an eternity. The baby was healthy, and Isabell, very much to the delight of Kathryn and Barbara, followed all instructions of her gynecologist. Bottle feeding and circumcision were highly recommended. Also, no wrapping in a bunting, and on the third day she was released. She was forced to walk the very next day. Her thoughts were momentarily with Vienna and the Reinhardts. She would refrain from writing any details, especially about the circumcision. Their friends would swear little Scott was a Jew. And yet, they raised little Karl Otto as a Christian.

  Once at home, the stream of visitors with gifts was endless. Many hand-crocheted and knitted items had arrived from Austria and Switzerland, keeping Scott warm until he started school. The McAllisters were now settled in their new ‘castle’, and it was unanimous that it was the most beautifully decorated place by anyone’s standard. Isabell and William only cared about the well-being of their son, who became the center of the McAllister clan.

  ∼

  The first Christmas in her newly adopted country was beyond Isabell’s expectations. It was not only for the abundance of gifts and the festive celebrations, but for the genuine love from all the McAllisters, knowing by now their heartfelt sincerity. The New Year would be celebrated with family only, as the holidays proved to be quite hectic, but very happy. Everyone was delighted, especially William, who could never spend enough time with Isabell and their little son.

  Barbara became the sister Isabell never had, and the McAllister family was astonished at Barbara’s new attitude towards everyone, including their friends. Somehow, they felt life had come full circle.

  As for Kathryn, who still grieved for her late son Don Reed, Isabell tried to convince her that Don was happy for their arrangement in heaven. Peace and love became the order of the day and William felt it was his contribution for choosing a wife he could love until death separated them.

  1947

  39

  For all of Europe it was quite a different story, the exceptions being only a few small neutral countries who had been to Hitler’s advantage as Germany stored many valuable treasures and gold bars. Hungry people in cold homes were still the norm, unless they had some goods left for the black market. Ration cards mostly served the purpose of being able to wait in lines, not always getting the items to which one was entitled. Of course, the bombing and plundering had stopped, and rape became a rarity. But quite a few strictly raised Catholic women gave birth to Russian babies, not even remembering the fathers’ faces.

  The Russian sector was known to be the worst, as there were absolutely no supplies for their troops as well as the Russian people who went back home. German P.O.W.s died by the thousands on a daily basis for the lack of food and shortage of any kind of medical supplies. It was no different from previous wars, where the conqueror lived free off the land, no matter how meager the portions.

  The American zone of upper Austria and Salzburg, with its countless refuges, was a different matter. Most East Germans had not only lost their land, but there were no young males, as they were either dead or missing in action. They all felt lucky to be alive and far away from the Russians. Thanks to their strong constitutions and iron will, they were able to walk with their families for weeks on end, living on handouts from kind peasants, and sleeping in overcrowded barns. The American Red Cross and some religious charities were a welcome sight. They supplied the refugees with necessary items, including clothes, and arranged for shelters and healthcare.

  As for the Reinhardts, the family consisted, at present, only of Victoria, Gaby, Robert and little Karl, who were, as always, the exception to the rule. They not only still lived in Salzburg at the late Verena’s favorite home, “the Villa Karl”, but were fortunate to share the spacious home with an American chaplain and his large family. As usual, children have no language barrier and played very well together.

  ∼

  Gaby spent New Year’s Day, 1947 reminiscing about her first encounter with Paul, which was exactly ten years before. It seemed like yesterday, yet it was so long ago. She was deep in her thoughts when the phone rang, it was Isabell calling from America.

  “Happy New Year, Mother! I hope you know it’s been ten years since a very handsome man called me, Miss.”

  “The same to you, sweetheart, but this call is nothing short of what I would consider mental telepathy! I was sitting here with a cup of coffee thinking about the very same thing.”

  The phone was handed from one member to the next of Gaby’s loving family. Even little Scott was joining in with a loud cry, causing everyone to laugh. Doubtless, he was wet or hungry. No one was in a hurry to hang up, but Kathryn was most anxious to tell Gaby how much they were looking forward to seeing them again. As the baby would only be seven months old, they would not take him on such a long trip. The younger family members would come the following year. Don McAllister took the phone from his wife, inquiring about the flow of mail from Russia. He asked if she had enough connections to get uncensored letters.

  She happily replied, “Yes.” She couldn’t wait for Paul’s return.

  It was finally William’s turn to speak. He assured Gaby that they had had a marvelous Christmas, all due to her daughter and the new baby, Scott, who had brought them nothing but joy.

  ∼

  Gaby’s high spirits and great joy were somewhat dampened upon entering Victoria’s bedroom. Victoria complained about her sleepless night due to the noisy New Year celebration. But then again, she was seventy-seven and usually in a state of depression. Like many of her contemporaries, she had lost many family members and close friends who were very dear to her.

  She did not interrupt or contradict her, but let her lament over past times. As usual, it started with her daughter, Gisela, and all the Fosters, who were killed in the war; then came Elizabeth in South Africa, who always ended her letters with the unreasonable accusation that it was the Reinhardts’ greed that had made them stay in Nazi Germany and now it was payday for all of them. After that came the discourse about the fact that, with all of their so-called possessions, they had only a few rooms for their own comfort. Most of their property was in the Russian sector, which left only the palace in Vienna’s first district for the Americans.

  “I wonder how many rooms they will give us. Which brings me to the chalet in Ischl’s health spa. Who did you say lives there?” It was a question repeatedly asked.

  “The former mayor of the town! You remember him. He lost his sickly wife in the concentration camp and both of his sons are still missing,” Gaby sadly replied.


  “So he lives there all alone?” Victoria asked with a twinge of envy.

  “Heavens no, Mama! He has at least six or more Americans with him. He told me how well he eats thanks to them. He was like all the rest, only skin covering bones, but very glad to be alive coming from the concentration camp.”

  Victoria gave a deep sigh, stopping to feel sorry for herself.

  “Mama, while you were dozing off, Isabell and her family called. The elderly McAllisters promised a visit this year!” Gaby stated elatedly.

  “Without Isabell and my first great-grandchild, it’s not really a visit.” Victoria emphasized, conveniently forgetting that Isabell was her grandchild only through her son’s marriage.

  Gaby was convinced that only one thing would make her feel better and she was quite sure she could include herself and her son as well. “What do you think of my suggestion to return by early spring to Vienna?”

  Victoria’s face lit up. “Are you serious, Gaby?”

  “Of course, Mama! I realize that all of our friends will call us crazy, to say the least, because we are so fortunate to have a place in one of the most beautiful cities.” Gaby smiled.

  “We need our family more than a city and friends, as much as I treasure both,” Victoria said solemnly. “Besides, Paul may show up one of these days” she said looking heavenwards, knowing how much Gaby missed him. “There is no chance he could come to us. You know how long Peter has been waiting to get a visa.”

  “True,” Gaby acknowledged, “so let’s surprise them all, weather permitting that is.”

  ∼

  When it came to the weather, the Reinhardts lost the status of being the exception. There was no choice but to sit out the harsh winter. But then again, it was a blessing to be in the American sector with heated homes. Peter’s long overdue visa was granted and the big surprise the Reinhardts had planned was therefore reversed, but no one cared. He had four working days at his disposal, which gave him time to greet a few of their friends, who could in no way understand their departure to the Russian sector.