Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part Two Read online

  “We have Americans in our first district and, of course, our home is used as an office; but we have been promised some kind of space!” he emphasized.

  A very nervous Victoria and Gaby approached the border, relying completely on Peter’s mediocre Russian and hoping his skills would do the trick. To their great surprise, it did. The Russians welcomed them into their zone, asking Peter why so many Austrians were not returning. It helped that Peter’s passport stated his name as Doctor Peter Reinhardt, as no matter how illiterate a Russian, they did admire knowledge. Since the Russians search through the long train would take hours, one poker-faced but ever so kind soldier offered the fragile Victoria a chair. He assured Peter that his malnourished family would fare better in Vienna. Peter had to suppress his smile, wondering if the soldier lived in a dream world. Everything offered to the Reinhardts, be it chewing gum or crackers, came from America and were well known to them. One had the distinct feeling that the border guards were oblivious to the strained relationship as the kind GIs shared their rations.

  After more than five hours of waiting, the stationmaster finally gave the signal to move. The occupants were visibly relieved. The Russian guards were looking through the train for former Nazi bosses as they had been tipped off in advance. The seven they had in custody looked stunned, as they were convinced that they had only done their duty as German officers and therefore had done nothing wrong.

  ∼

  It was a very festive welcome in their former palace, which was being used as American Headquarters. General McCain and his wife had the table set, not unlike Gromov and Niemec. Of course, every dish and candelabra had belonged to the Reinhardts; but they were pleased to find their belongings still there. Their former servants were overjoyed to see them and embraced them lovingly. The General’s “Honey” had found during her stay in Austria that the Austrians were an emotional race. Four large rooms on the third floor were put to the Reinhardts’ disposal along with unlimited access to the kitchen. All were overjoyed, but Victoria had her own thoughts regarding the present arrangement which she kept to herself. On one of her bad days, Peter reminded his mother kindly but firmly that she was a German and that it was an Austrian who had started the war with Germany’s help. Her feelings regarding their situation were never again mentioned.

  ∼

  Thanks to a cheerful letter from Isabell, Victoria had a big job ahead of her and her family couldn’t be happier as boredom was always a problem for her. She was asked to rewrite the Reinhardt diaries from the old-style German alphabet to the new, modern one. Isabell, who was educated in Switzerland, was never taught that style.

  “Just imagine, Gaby” she said enthusiastically. “The children of my very own daughter, Elizabeth, only know their father’s family tree. It’s unforgivable!”

  Gaby only nodded in agreement, though she wondered how much of the entire truth would be written; the long-standing Reinhardt – von Walden feud, Christina’s death at the hand of two homosexual military officers, and never mind Victoria’s own womanizing husband’s suicide. She would never dare ask. Besides, it was wonderful that Victoria felt needed.

  ∼

  Gaby kept very busy visiting her own family and old friends of the Reinhardts, as Victoria could not be persuaded to leave her writing table. Her mother, Astrid, had arrived early just to be with her religious sisters. Somehow, Gaby was relieved, as her mother never made any other demands. Depression was foreign to Astrid and she found solace in her prayers. Her brother, Andreas, and his lovely wife, Theresa, had just welcomed a baby girl named Raphaela. Astrid abhorred the name, but kept mum. She consoled herself that the baby was healthy and brought such happiness to her parents. In time, Gaby began to tire of her visits to former friends as they were quite envious of her going to Salzburg before the onslaught of the detestable Russian hordes. Somehow, they forgot the Germany’s occupation of almost all of Europe and their many atrocities, including imprisoning any German who disagreed with Hitler’s policies. To avoid disagreements, she would change the subject to the poor refugees.

  ∼

  Summer arrived along with the three elderly McAllisters. Ann Leitner would come two weeks later when her divorce from Frank was final. It seemed both enjoyed single life better. The young McAllisters would take a trip to the Adirondack Mountains, which neither Isabell nor Daniella had ever seen. Of course, Barbara came along, ostensibly as company for baby Scott, but then the chalet belonged to her too. Tom would come later if time permitted. Both families had become very close.

  Many Americans chose Austria or Germany for vacations if one of their family members were stationed there. Large parts of Europe were still in rubble. However, the American sectors tended to be less damaged. The McAllisters and McCains went to every reopened theater that played their favorite musicals, except the Opera House, which was totally destroyed.

  In October, the McAllisters and Ann departed with the promise to come again the following year with the younger family members. They were exhausted from visiting so many countries, including Scotland. They thought of the old Proverb— it’s nice to visit, but twice as nice to go home. However, they enjoyed their time with the Reinhardts, Astrid, Andreas, his wife and new baby, but above all with the McCains, who planned to return to America the next year to retire in Scarsdale.

  For the Reinhardts, life went on as usual.

  40

  The Russians were well known to be unpredictable and this time was no exception. An austere looking Commissar entered the room unannounced. The place was strictly reserved for eight Austrian engineers and just as many Russian apprentices, who he considered Russia’s future scientists. He declared solemnly how proud his great leader, Joseph Stalin, was with their accomplishments for their great nation Russia, which would one day rule the world.

  One could hear the loud heartbeats of every Austrian as they never knew what his next sentence would bring. But this time, he walked calmly to the visibly nervous group and strongly shook each one’s hand while remarking in all honesty, “I hope your time has been most pleasant here in our great country, although I assume you missed your families.” He was aware how much Russia still suffered. But a Commissar was taught never to complain if he didn’t want a transfer to Siberia. It was something to be avoided at any cost. He walked back and forth, protruding his chest which was full of well-deserved medals. He turned abruptly around and requested that all should follow him. “Now what?” was the question on everyone’s mind as they glanced at one another, but did as they were told. They came to a large room which was badly in need of paint and full of clothes on labeled hangers. Their hearts beat so loudly that even the Commissar could hear them. He turned around and smiled faintly, remembering for a moment his own ordeal of many years ago.

  “We kept your clothes in mothballs” he remarked. “You Austrians have possibly never heard of this procedure, but we’ve used it in our country for quite a while now.”

  They suppressed their smiles as Paul Reinhardt innocently asked, “What for, Commissar?”

  “There you have it,” he replied, completely misunderstanding Paul’s question. “to keep your suits from any permanent damage!”

  Their greatest wish was now confirmed. They would go home! After so many delays on a monthly basis, they would finally be going home. There was nothing else to do but to embrace each other while the smiling Commissar watched with satisfaction.

  “Get dressed and leave your working clothes here” he said as he handed them some money. “Take it, you earned it! It’s for the long journey home.” While looking at a calendar he continued. “It’s the 18th of October, and the way I see it, you should be home within the next two to three weeks. My comrades will bring you to Odessa and give you security so no one will mistake you for fleeing P.O.W.s. Also, our rubles will pay for food and drinks. Now it’s time to leave.”

  While each Austrian abstained from an embrace, they all shook the Commissar’s hand vigorously while thanking him again and again. He
appeared to be quite pleased, knowing each prisoner’s background and education status. At his stern command, two elderly truck drivers entered, and the Commissar followed his departing engineers to a freshly painted truck that had the most uncomfortable newly built seats of thick wooden planks. Of course, the Commissar remarked that it showed progress in transportation. To the Austrians, the two-hour drive was just short of torture as they took most turns standing up. The train station in Odessa was a welcome sight. The driver had strict orders to find comfortable accommodations for the long train ride to Romania. Once there, they would have to fend for themselves. Each one spoke Russian, having had the privilege to study with other educated P.O.W.s. The trip had many detours and delays, but it afforded them the opportunity to see the still bombed out bridges and railways which German P.O.W.s were rebuilding. Many of these P.O.W.s would never live to see their homes.

  While on the train for sixteen days, Paul Reinhardt, like the rest of the homeward bound crew, had much time to reflect on the past and look with some apprehension to the future. The past, no matter how painful, was behind them. But six out of eight engineers knew their families were in the Russian sector. If anything was worth having, it was the good knowledge of their language.

  ∼

  They arrived to a snowy day on November 3rd, having made so many diversions and, at times, waiting for hours in unheated train stations. They encountered hateful stares, and therefore spoke little and only in Russian. With their suits still in good order, they were mistaken for Russian diplomats, but in most places, there was not much love for diplomats either. All were overjoyed to arrive in southern Austria which was occupied by the very aloof English occupation forces. Their passports were quickly perused as the British soldiers could not decipher the Russian paperwork. Besides, the soldiers had no love for former Austrians or Germans, though no one could blame them.

  Paul, like all the others, had a beard, a suit that smelled from long days on smoke filled trains, and had not had a bath in weeks. Regardless of their lack of hygiene, they hugged each other, smiling as they exchanged addresses and promises to keep in touch. Russian soldiers were visible everywhere, and it was as if they were still in the Motherland. They crossed the city by way of the old, loud, jingling tram and thought it a welcoming sound. Some could not wait to reach the American sector, but Paul remained in the Russian sector, as he wanted to see his brother, Peter, first to get cleaned up and borrow a suit. Peter stilled lived in the Russian sector.

  Their old servant, Selma, opened the door and let out a big scream, “Frau Doctor, look who is here!”

  “Paul, oh my God, Paul!” an equally shocked Erika cried loudly. “I don’t believe it!”

  “You’d better not get too close because I smell like a skunk! I need a bath, a shave and some of my brother’s warm clothes. The early snowfall in Austria, while delightful, is rather a surprise. We had none on our long trip home and I was not prepared for the cold with only this suit to wear.” Paul laughed as Erika embraced him anyway.

  “What does it matter? You made it home and many others will not!” she exclaimed, as she led him to the bathroom.

  Forty-five minutes later, he was still shaving his heavy beard when he recognized his brother’s hurried footsteps. He smiled as his brother, out of breath, exclaimed, “Paul, there were times when I had little hope of ever seeing your face again!”

  “But my letters via our mutual Russian confidants were always quite accurate,” Paul replied.

  “Sure, especially when you wrote about the many delays due to a shortage of supplies. You should see your factories! Nothing left but the walls,” Peter blurted.

  “I will rebuild, again, Peter! Many others will be unable to do that,” he replied, as he finished shaving and gave his brother a hearty hug. “How about my family? Dear Gaby and the boys? And Mother?”

  “All are well, having adapted to living in only a few rooms; but they are most anxious for your return! By the way, Isabell made you not only a grandfather, but a beloved Austrian hero to her new family.

  “I know.” He smiled as he thought about his connection to Isabell. At times, it took months to get word of her due to dire risks for those involved, but it was always well worth the wait.

  They were interrupted with word that dinner was on the table and for the first time in more than two years, Paul ate a hearty Austrian meal. He was surrounded by beloved servants, a teary-eyed Erika, and a cheerful Peter, all awaiting the children’s arrival home from school. He questioned them about the best way to surprise Gaby, the boys, and of course, his mother. Victoria would be the most surprised, as she had become quite negative since the loss of her daughter, Gisela, her family, and her husband’s parents.

  “I can hardly wait to see Gaby and the boys!” he exclaimed as he finally finished his meal.

  “So, what keeps you, Paul?” Erika wondered.

  “My nerves,” Paul replied a bit sheepishly.

  “You are kidding,” Erika teased.

  “Far from it. My stomach is tied in knots,” he replied seriously, as he worried whether Gaby still loved him as she had before he was taken away. Although he had had no indication from her letters to think otherwise, a nagging fear was always in the back of his mind.

  “Well then, you had better leave soon or she will never forgive you! If Peter had not come straight to me, and I mean beard, clothes, and all, I don’t know what I would have done to him,” Erika acknowledged as she expressed the woman’s viewpoint.

  “I will tell Gaby that I was a former arrogant man, who developed an inferiority complex, and I know she will understand,” he replied, smiling. Peter gave him a nod, reassuring his brother that he would have done the very same thing.

  Paul asked his brother to drop him off. Before entering his former home, now the American Headquarters, he spoke with the American MPs guarding the place. With a sly, “Welcome home, sir” they let him pass and enter the house. A sergeant motioned for one of the maids, who at the first sight of the visitor, was also ready to scream. Paul held his finger in front of his mouth, whispering to her about his planned surprise.

  “Your wife just finished lunch and is ready to meet one of your sons, while the other is still with his teacher. You will be so surprised at his sounds!” she said in a hushed voice. She stood outside the dining room hoping to hear Gaby’s reaction to the visitor.

  Paul smiled a bit nervously as he knocked on the door. “Ready for a snowball fight, Mrs. Rein—” but never finished the sentence.

  A shocked Gaby shrieked, “Paul!” as she ran towards him and fell into his arms. They kissed and hugged each other for a long while before he held her away and remarked how she looked as young and beautiful as the first time he saw her in Locarno!

  “You are in desperate need of eyeglasses,” she teased, but was overjoyed with the compliment. In her eyes, he was still the most handsome man she had ever known, and she lost no time in telling him.

  “Good God, we lost so many years of our lives to separation, Gaby. Now let’s do our utmost while we grow old together!”

  She agreed. Tearfully, she kissed him and remarked “They must have treated you quite well, Paul. You haven’t changed a bit since you left.”

  “They did, but you should have seen me before I went to Peter’s house for a bath, shave and a change of clothes. Never mind that I smelled literally like a skunk!”

  Gaby laughed. “It wouldn’t have mattered to me, Paul. The most important thing is that you are home to stay!” Tears flowed as she held his hand and walked with him to his mother’s room. Knocking, they entered without waiting for an answer.

  “You know, Gaby, I just gave Elisabeth a piece of my mind! She wrote in her last letter again that Vienna is a murky city full of spies and gangsters!” she muttered, quite disturbed as she turned to face Gaby.

  “I hope she excluded me,” Paul laughed, as Victoria almost jumped out of her chair.

  “I don’t believe it! It’s you!” she cried joyfully.
“You know, I gave up many times, but Gaby kept me going.” He embraced her, thinking how fragile her body and looks were, and wondered what had happened to the beautiful woman of only a few years ago.

  “We have four rooms to call our own,” she said clumsily, sitting down, still in a happy state of shock.

  “Which are three more rooms than most families have where I have just come from! Mother, by the time I get through with some of my stories, you will never complain again.”

  Suddenly, the door flew open as Paul’s son, Robert, rushed into the room and yelled, “I heard…” At the sight of his father he hurled himself into his arms and they hugged each other tightly.

  “Mother, you forgot to meet me for a snowball fight!”

  “Well, you can see why, Robert.” She beamed with joy at her family.

  “Can you not think of anything else, Mrs. Reinhardt? I thought things would have changed in ten years, eleven months, three days…”

  “And six hours,” Gaby quickly finished, knowing how each one remembered.

  “I got my father home!” Robert yelled, and then remembered, “Where is Karl?”

  “With his teacher. Let’s wait a bit as he will get very excited and stop his lessons! Paul, you will be so surprised with his progress.”

  “You told me in every letter” he acknowledged. He kept his arms around his son and elaborated on how tall and grown up he had become. As Paul looked around his mother’s room, he noticed the large display of photos, including some of Isabell with her husband and baby. “She is just as beautiful as her mother,” he said as he held the photo up. “Except she has black hair.”

  Robert interrupted as Karl made his entrance. On seeing his father, he mustered the loudest shrill ever, and ran full towards his arms. He stopped abruptly to make his ‘I love you’ sign.

  Paul’s family was together again.

  EPILOGUE

  1948 - 1955

  May 15, 1955, dawned as a beautiful Sunday morning. The Reinhardt and von Walden families were among the many thousands of Viennese on the lawn of the city’s famous landmark, the Upper Belvedere, awaiting an important announcement from the former Chief of Austria—”Austria is Free!” Astonishing as it seems, it was the first proposal the Soviet Union made – all foreign troops should be withdrawn, providing Austria remains permanently neutral and never joins any military alliance. The Austrian Chief was surrounded by other Austrian dignitaries and the four foreign ministers of Russia, England, France, and America. They stood together on the balcony, waving to a cheering crowd. America sent their highly esteemed Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles, who enjoyed great popularity among the people. The Reinhardts and von Waldens were elated, and Paul solemnly declared that without America’s intervention, many Europeans would be forced to speak German. Countless Americans had died to ensure Europe’s freedom. All wholeheartedly agreed with him, as they, like many others, had suffered through the long war and its aftermath.