Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part One

by Hedy Thalberg James

“Did you inform any of her relatives?”

  “Mrs. Eckhardt told us not to,” she sighed.

  “Good. Which hospital?”

  As they answered, he asked the same coachman to take him there at once. Angelina was barely recognizable due to the enormous weight loss. She stretched both her thin arms and embraced him long and heartily. “I am so happy you are back! I just told the doctor a short while ago that it is the first time in twenty-five years that we have been separated.” She smiled proudly.

  “Would I only have known, my dearest...but remember we talked it over.”

  “I know we did, so don’t feel guilty. Please don’t,” she pleaded.

  A doctor entered the room and asked politely for Robert to come with him to his office.

  “So sorry to give you bad news, Mr. Eckhardt. Your wife has cancer of the stomach which has spread already to the lymph nodes. I’d estimate that she has two to three weeks more to live. Therefore, I am very glad you made it back,” Dr. Steiger affirmed with his still strong German accent, showing at least some sympathy.

  “Who brought her to the hospital?” he asked rather clumsily, not knowing what else to say as his body began to shake.

  “A few doctors asked me to take her to my office and thoroughly examine her, as they began to suspect that her constant pain and loss of appetite were not related to her nervous condition. Several of us performed all the tests available and, well—” he finalized in sadness. Seeing Robert with his face buried in his hands, he tried to comfort him. “We keep her on morphine to make it as painless as possible.”

  With a grateful “thank you”, Robert left the room devastated, returning to his wife’s private room where he entered ashen-faced, trying to take her hands in his.

  “I could have explained everything much better Roberto. I am just going to another life...a much better one. Just ask the nuns. I shared twenty-five years of happiness with you, and now I am going to be with Alfonso until we see you again. Just keep on leading the same good life, Roberto, and Jesus will welcome you with open arms.”

  Now he started to weep, pausing from time to time and sputtering, “If only I had the slightest inclination about your condition, I would have never left you for one day, let alone to go to Europe. But I was told my visits would only hinder your recovery...so I thought it was the best time to leave.”

  “I know that, Roberto. I encouraged you to go. I blamed the death of our Alfonso for my loss of weight until the doctors insisted on a thorough examination.”

  “Are you in pain?”

  “Not at all. I get morphine whenever I ask for it, which is as soon as I feel some discomfort.”

  “If I only—” He couldn’t finish the sentence as she put her hand over his.

  Angelina had three weeks more to live, with her Roberto always at her side except for rushing home to change his clothes, visiting his workplace only late at night when his wife was barely conscious. He found himself flanked by his two servants, Helen and Ingmar Kakoonen, but otherwise alone at the gravesite after a short funeral service, having never put Angelina’s name in the obituary section of any newspaper. He took both to a restaurant afterwards, but none of them was very hungry.

  The following months he buried himself in his work, trying hard to lessen his pain, and finding himself all alone he had to forge a plan for his future, as the Pierellies never acknowledged Angelina’s death in any way. He got lots of mail from Vienna. Having written to them of his wife’s untimely death, it prompted even Hannes to write about this mysterious, dreadful disease with no cure in sight. Karl wrote reminding Robert, as he had frequently his mother, that he lost his wife after only four years of marriage. He suggested strongly a visit to Europe, starting with Vienna of course, followed by Paris and any other city he desired. Robert was happy to be invited again and, reading about Karl’s willingness to join him in travels, he vowed to himself he would be there the following year.

  1866

  18

  The Reinhardts had quite a few reasons to be cheerful, aside from the fact that life had returned to normal. Verena and Hannes were expecting a child sometime during the month of July. The newlyweds had also decided not to look quite yet for their own home, but to stay with Karl and Stephany. “Right now, and in my condition, it would be too much on my nerves,” she said, trying to justify her decision, but the truth was, she was not ready to give up her childhood home.

  Her Papa and Grandmother were overjoyed by their decision, as the palace was much too large for them alone. However, they were delighted to hear about their new piece of land in Salzburg’s famous health spa called ‘ISCHL’, acquired to build a chalet to their own liking. Hannes, who was by now one of the youngest and most promising surgeons, was only too happy, because his family understood that he would spend much of his time at the hospital in Vienna.

  Lillian and Kurt Essler also stayed at their family’s country estate in Lindenfels, and were given a large wing for their privacy. In any case, Lillian spent any free time with her horses, learning more about breeding them from their stable master. Evenings were spent with Kurt’s father, as his wife Susanne was with her bottle, calling it her best friend. Anette and Lillian were growing very fond of each other, playing the piano together while Kurt and his father engaged in military talk. Both enjoyed their horses, and Colonel Essler began to notice that Anette had changed her personality considerably. Alex relished being stationed in Venice, but mentioned in every letter how disliked all of Austria was. Whoever was in uniform better never go on any excursion alone! It gave him an opportunity to make some friends, as he was not one to spend his leisure time in military quarters. But he always mentioned how much he was looking forward to spending more time with his family, and his furlough couldn’t come soon enough. He had also started several letters about the Clarissa incident, but threw them away after each reading before mailing them. This was truly a matter which required a heart to heart talk, and he hoped sincerely that he would be forgiven.

  Besides the regular mail from his own family, he received many letters from Anette, which, to his utmost surprise, were interesting, kind, and cheerful! She never gave the slightest hint of love, but only of her enjoyment of the Reinhardts’ double wedding, which many Viennese still talked about. His letters to her, however, were reread twenty times on average and put carefully in a silver box which could be locked like a safe.

  Elsa, having just turned thirty-two, was still Stephany’s most trusted friend, as she proved her unconditional loyalty since the death of her late husband, way beyond her duty as a servant.

  All three women enjoyed walking along the Ringstraβe with all its splendid beautiful mansions and stately public buildings, like the town hall, museums, and libraries, which were to be admired and enjoyed for generations to come. It took quite a few years until the plan was fully completed, and still it had become Vienna’s most visited place of interest because of its different styles of architecture. It brought a smile to Stephany’s face each time, remembering her late father-in-law’s words that one day his grandson Karl would change the layout of the city. But in Karl’s heart, Vienna would never compare to the beauty of Paris.

  Easter Sunday had arrived, and as far as the weather was concerned, the sky was wearing its most radiant and stunning blue. But during the lengthy Easter Mass, the old priest predicted, aside from his regular finger pointing to all his sinful worshippers who were on the road to hell, another stern warning. The momentary blue sky would soon darken as the ‘Prussian devils’ were rattling their swords again, and he prayed especially long prayers that the merciful God would be on Austria’s side this time.

  Karl and George Auersbach, who only attended the large church at Christmas and Easter, as each of them had their own chapel at their castles, listened to those dreadful sermons with unease. Both had sons who chose the military as their profession and fighting an enemy like Prussia was nothing to look forward to.

  “I hope our inexperienced Emperor will not allo
w himself to be maneuvered into it again. Let’s just say our troops are no match for Bismarck’s army! 1859 should have taught him that much!” George uttered to Karl nervously.

  “Not only their army,” Karl replied. “Our outdated old muzzleloaders are no match for their new weapons.”

  “Well, let’s hope that all will change.”

  “The only thing that won’t change,” Karl replied on a lighter note. “is that Robert Eckhardt is coming for at least six months. I am very happy about it.”

  “So am I. He seems to fit in with everyone he meets.”

  “It was my suggestion after the sudden death of his wife. If one thinks about it, within two years he lost everyone he loved.”

  “Poor fellow. What about his in-laws?”

  “To them, he was always an ‘out-law,’ him being an Austrian and them being Italians still at heart.”

  “Say no more! You know the story of my daughter Brigitta. She dated an Italian photographer for two months when his own parents broke it up, and in no uncertain terms either. Yet they live in our country making a good living,” answered George angrily.

  “Speaking of Italy, Prussia has them on their side now. I’ll bet they get Venice back in return. I sincerely hope Alex gets away from there before it’s too late! Colonel Essler will see to it, I’m sure.”

  “Good Lord, yes, he is stationed there. I forgot all about it,” George concluded before departing.

  ∼

  With all the uncertain headlines and gossip, Karl decided to see Colonel Essler, who had just recently transferred from his previous place at the armory to the Ministry of War. “Of all the right places, this was the one,” Karl thought before he entered.

  “I am only at liberty to tell you that Alex is no longer stationed at what we refer to now as ‘Fort Venetia’. At least you know that much, Karl. And by the way, I could get shot if I go any further.”

  “Thanks, Colonel.”

  “I know, Karl. I wish I could help you more as I have Kurt in the military too. And he is all I have. You know that I love Lillian, too. Their marriage is the best.”

  “I hear and feel it each time they come to see us. I am so happy for both of them,” Karl replied as he made his exit. He was sure his son Alex could have gotten a job in Vienna, had he not been such a fanatical soldier, who fought battles since the age of three with tin soldiers!

  Colonel Essler was not too surprised about Karl’s visit, knowing the Reinhardts’ apathy towards any war. “However, Alex never gave a hoot about his family until that fateful day at the wedding. Thanks to my lecture he has changed a great deal, completely unbeknownst to anyone else, including Karl,” the Colonel thought to himself.

  ∼

  Robert arrived from France and took a suite in Le Havre in order to be well rested for his train ride ahead. Though France was not in any danger, nor did it concern itself with any other country’s wars, its enormous hatred for Prussia was well-known. No matter where Robert went there was talk about Prussia’s intentions. “And all that after I just left America which was still bitterly divided over their own Civil War,” he thought. However, he considered himself very lucky to be able to secure a first-class train ticket, which provided him with a plush velvet seat and excellent service. The generously tipped attendant drew the dark curtains, put his occupé sign on the door, and made sure his passenger would enjoy an undisturbed journey to Paris.

  Karl had made it his past-time as of late to visit the train station, anxiously awaiting Robert’s arrival. He had become quite restless since no mail from Alex had arrived over the past few weeks, and discussed it frequently with his family, who were not able to be of much help either.

  The troop movements he encountered at the train station, involving thousands of soldiers in field uniforms, were all volunteers, much too young to realize that Austria also meant serious business. They were elated that Saxony had declared on Austria’s side, but quite unaware that Prussia would have no trouble in getting them out of the way with ease. All in all, it was a case of déjá vu when Karl heard civilians screaming, “Long live the Emperor Maximillian!” and demanding the abdication of Franz-Joseph in favor of his younger brother, who resided in Mexico! Karl remembered vividly, after his arrival in 1848 from Paris, possibly the same masses of people shouting, “Long live Emperor Franz-Joseph!” screaming for the abdication of the poor, feeble Emperor Ferdinand.

  So many events were skipping through his mind when he, like all others present, heard the distant noise of the train come nearer, until the tired old engine came finally to a loud, screeching halt. This time, Karl’s waiting had not been in vain. Robert waved to him and Karl’s rushing and hearty embrace gave the appearance of greeting a long-lost brother.

  “How on earth did you know I would be on this particular train?” Robert asked in his cheerful voice. “And all this horrendous turmoil!”

  “To be truthful, I have come for the last two weeks regularly, knowing that one of these days, you just had to be on the train. I expected lots of re-routing under these circumstances.”

  “None at all! It was Paris to Vienna, right through Switzerland.”

  “You got to see Paris?” Karl asked, elated.

  “Well, I still think we’d better see it together, as I got lost on every other corner! Though I speak some French, we ended up talking only about Prussia, like Austria was not even involved! Some even advised me to stay in France. How bad is it really, Karl?”

  “I am sure you still remember Colonel Essler, and according to his latest report, it’s going to be a short war. And that is exactly what worries me! With Bismarck, it will be only a question of time until all of Germany is united. I am telling you, Robert, we are losing again,” he finished as the coach halted. Stephany, who had been anxiously awaiting Robert’s arrival, was the first one to greet him, followed slowly by a very pregnant Verena. The latter welcomed him warmly, while excusing the absence of her husband, who was still working at the hospital, only paying short visits whenever possible.

  “Please make yourself comfortable anywhere you wish as we get you something to eat,” Stephany insisted, while Karl directed the servants where to put his trunks.

  Robert felt overwhelmed by their profound hospitality as well as their facilitation in handling things. They had the art of putting him immediately at ease, and he felt already as if he were at home. They all avoided mentioning the death of his wife until Robert was ready to bring the subject to pass.

  “Mr. Eckhardt, welcome back to Vienna!” Hannes said upon entering the dining room and embracing his wife, Stephany, and Karl. “Dear family, I apologize, but I have only two hours.”

  “Is that news?” Verena sighed with a smile of an understanding wife.

  “Well, not exactly. There is more. All young men born after 1844 must report to the recruiting center. Austria is fully mobilizing.”

  “Good Lord! After all we have seen at the train station, I felt this must be the Emperors next step. I regret only the plight of our servants. Alex is, after all, a professional,” Karl concluded.

  ∼

  It was July and a day like any other at the Reinhardt household. The occasional exception was Stephany, who was, on any given day, with Elsa at the field hospital, bringing baked goods and any other items they needed for those poor, wounded soldiers. But today, she had planned a short shopping trip for writing paper and pencils. Verena, who usually had Robert at her side, enjoying immensely his stories about America and the peculiar Pierellis, found herself alone and in a great deal of discomfort as the baby kicked mercilessly. Karl, who never missed a day of work, took Robert to his office, showing him all the many drawings for palaces and buildings in the making while the war was still in full swing. This was verified by the many crippled soldiers, while the strictly controlled newspapers wrote only about the smallest victories.

  “What lies! What terrible lies!” Karl fumed to Robert, when two colorfully-dressed officers demanded to see architect Karl Reinhardt
at once. Karl swung around, and at the sight of them went pale and swayed. At their introduction, he was saluted, handed a letter from the Emperor’s army, and saluted again when they left wordlessly. It was soon clear to him when he saw Königsgrätz on the envelope that something had happened to Alex. Reading the letter with Robert standing next to him, a few other colleagues also gathered around, Karl only said, “Imagine that! My son was made Captain of the Emperor’s Cavalry while wounded on the battlefield, and is on the way to Vienna’s field hospital via a Red Cross train. The battlefield being Königsgrätz, of course.” He sighed deeply. “I have been expecting something like this all along. It will depend on how severely he is wounded.” He wanted to say that it was a relief, but refrained from the remark having Robert next to him. With a sincere mumble of “So sorry, Mr. Reinhardt”, he smiled faintly and was ready to leave his office. Arriving at his long driveway they saw Colonel Essler’s coach, Robert surmising that he too must have been informed, and was bringing the news to his family.” Entering, both saw the distressed faces of Stephany and Verena when Colonel Essler came at a fast pace towards Karl and Robert.

  “Karl, I want you to know that I tried until the last moment to talk Alex out of volunteering. I offered him a list of jobs in Vienna,” he confessed.

  “I am aware of that Colonel Essler, but it reminds me of Grandfather’s saying, ‘If you live by the sword, you die by the sword.’ Alex lived for it. Frankly I expected a letter from the Army any day,” he said, still shaking.

  “Take this pill, Papa. We all had one just an hour ago when we heard about it,” Verena pleaded.

  “I will be all right,” he replied, noticing Robert slumped in a chair, his face in his hands. “Come over here, Robert. You have been through a lot worse lately.”

  “We seem to be cursed the same, Karl,” he mumbled when the doorman opened the door for an equally disturbed George Auersbach. He was usually the pillar of strength when tragedy struck, but at this moment, he wobbled slowly to the assembled Reinhardts. “I came here to tell you that Erich has been taken prisoner, then a servant told me about Alex. So here we are again.”