Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part One

by Hedy Thalberg James

  “I am very sorry for my unfair behavior towards you, Uncle Franz-Xavier!” a remorseful Philip uttered solemnly, standing close to his parents and extending his hand to Father Christopher.

  “Don't mention it, Philip! And I mean to no one else, ever!”

  ∼

  An elated nun was running toward Dr. Hannes Reinhardt, almost shouting behind her hand. “Father Christopher is awake!”

  He, visibly relieved and already taking fast strides toward a small, bare, private room that was always reserved for the clergy, just answered, “Finally!”

  “Hannes? Can you tell me how I got in here?” Franz-Xavier looked around, his eyes filled with astonishment.

  “I certainly can, brother. I’ve been waiting for more than a week to tell you.”

  “More than a week?” Now Franz-Xavier really sounded exasperated. He tried to sit up, but immediately fell back on his pillow and gave way to the pain with a lamenting, “Ouch!”

  “You have a bad concussion, and I’m afraid we’ll have to keep you here a bit longer, for observation.”

  “Never mind the concussion!” the priest expressed lamely but firmly. “I have to conduct father’s funeral.”

  “That was taken care of four days ago, and everything went very nicely. If one can call it that when you bury a loved one.”

  Trying to sit up again, his eyes bulging in disbelief, Franz-Xavier gulped. “You don’t mean to tell me that you buried Papa without me! I cannot believe it!”

  “You will just have to, as it’s all over. And do try to sit still.”

  The priest uttered a long, sad “no”, but indicated to Hannes that he would follow his orders, since there was nothing he could do about that which had already taken place. Hannes went on to explain. “The night you left our place, you must have wandered off, possibly not knowing or even caring which direction you were taking. A milk cart with an old mule, and a delivery man just as old—who, by the way, was so shaken by the incident that he has not been able to quiet down—had to make an abrupt stop or you would have been a lot worse off than you are. You can appreciate how excited a mule can become when stopped in his tracks!” Hannes smiled at him good-naturedly. “They are not in awe of anything, not even a priest!”

  “When and where did all of this happen?”

  “In the Fasanengasse at about four in the morning! The poor milkman screamed for help, which caused quite a stir. Just about everyone there was awakened and in the street! Finally, two men brought you here in a handcart. They pulled you quite a long way. And, as they assured us, did it gladly! I’m certain that they now have earned themselves a place in heaven!” Hannes added with chagrin.

  “Don’t be so sarcastic, Hannes. I’d like to get their names. The milkman’s too. I’ll pay them a visit to thank them and pledge that they’ll be in my prayers.”

  “If it will make you feel better, you can do that, but Verena and I have already taken care of them with something more substantial than a prayer.”

  “Well, I thank you and Verena, but I will certainly go there myself once I am able to. We all need prayers, Hannes. That reminds me, how is Verena? She must feel quite lost without Papa.”

  “Devastated is more like it! And all of her grief cannot be attributed to Papa’s death either.” Hannes sighed, perturbed. “Philip is once again in love, only this time it seems to be of a more serious nature. And to top it all off, with a Prussian! Of all the stupid things!” He peered at Franz-Xavier, awaiting his reaction.

  “Philip is forever in love with one woman or another, as long as they are beautiful. I can’t remember him not being in love. And it’s always been serious up until the time he met the next one. He seems to need this to exist, as others need a breath of air to sustain them. And who knows, he might be one of those narcissists who feel they need to be surrounded by many women! Forever having to prove their irresistible charms. I’m sure you are aware of that type of behavior. I am, as I hear these problems at confession daily. Vienna has an abundance of these cases, like every other problem this city doesn’t need!”

  “I wonder how much must be blamed on us? Verena feels she may have spent too much time with Stephan. Were we a better son and daughter than father and mother? The thought alone is quite disturbing to us.”

  “Please, stop blaming yourselves. Everything will take care of itself and go its course. You both did your very best, especially with poor Stephan! He really needed help with his many deficiencies. And Verena must have suffered a lot, knowing that she could not have any more children.”

  They both sighed deeply, with Hannes muttering, “And what did we get in return? A monk in a Benedictine abbey. It’s devastated all of us, especially Papa and Robert.”

  “Don’t fret over it so dramatically! It was the best thing that could ever happen to Stephan. I’m sure he’s happy, even if no one else seems to think so,” he answered truthfully and in his defense. “But now I’m anxious to hear about the funeral. Who conducted the services?”

  “Some overfed, over-dressed Bishop. Never seen him before.” He continued with a smirk. “Which doesn’t mean much coming from me. But what does matter is that there was not a dry eye in the long procession! Even the Wertheimers, who, as you may know, are Jewish, came over to me, trying to conceal their teary eyes to praise our Papa as one of the finest human beings they had ever encountered. And meaning it, I know!”

  “Small wonder! Of course, they would! Who else in their right mind would rent a villa in Lindenfels to them? A lot of the Viennese are still upset about that! Even though they are nice and decent, some people just can’t seem to look beyond the fact that they are Jews! But let’s not dwell on this, Hannes. Tell me, what did the Bishop say?” He looked expectantly at him.

  “Whatever a clergyman says at a funeral, unless they were personally involved. The usual ‘dust to dust’ bit. To be honest, I didn’t pay too much attention until the Mayor quoted Shakespeare, saying, ‘Be not afraid of greatness! Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them!’ I could only remember that Papa had an overabundance of this in every meaning of the quotation. And no truer words could have been uttered by anyone! All were in tears, and so moved.”

  “I agree with Shakespeare, the Mayor, as well as you. I guess to get a true picture of what happened, as far as the religious part of the service is concerned, I'd have to ask someone in my parish. I’m sure the Bishop also had a lot of good things to say about him. Certainly, he’s aware of how generous our Papa has been to our Holy Church,” he added thoughtfully. “But now, something else. How soon can I have visitors?”

  “Anytime you feel well enough to receive them. However, may I ask you to let Verena be the first to see you? She needs you now to pour her heart out to. I tried to console her as much as I could,” he said pensively.

  “But of course, Hannes! I’ll only be too happy to see and comfort her in her grief,” Franz-Xavier answered quickly, gratified to be needed.

  “Thank you, brother,” Hannes replied with a soft pat on his red cheek before returning to surgery, certain Franz-Xavier would do his utmost to console Verena. Whether or not it would suffice her needs remained to be seen.

  ∼

  “I cannot believe it! It seems my whole life is falling apart!” Hannes overheard his wife lamenting to Lillian, who apparently was trying her very best to calm her.

  “Franz-Xavier! That idiot! He worries whether that Prussian would be willing to convert from Lutheran to Catholic, just in case of a marriage! Leave it to a stupid priest! If that pitiful creature wasn’t already in the hospital, I’d put him there!” she uttered in true despair. Not giving Lillian a chance to interrupt, she continued. “And now you are taking that Prussian woman’s side too! What’s next, I ask you?” Enraged, she still wouldn’t let Lillian defend herself, and continued her tirade. “That son of ours is even now, as we speak, planning to move out next week! Which, as an after-thought, is just as well, since there seems no room
for a civil conversation with him anyhow. I have never experienced anything like it before!” she fumed. “And Hannes is no help at all! It is as if he liked the idea of Philip moving! Poor Papa, he must be turning over in his grave! All the hopes they had expressed concerning Philip—” Her rage was diminishing to a whine now.

  Lillian finally got a chance to intervene. “Philip is twenty-nine, and quite able and independent enough to live on his own! He’s very hard-working and also concerned about his future.” She paused. “And isn’t it time for him to finally make a commitment? Besides, I don’t know what anyone could do to prevent him from what he desires for his future. Verena, you’d better reconsider, or you’ll probably lose him altogether, too! It’s not good for you to stay so upset and consumed by this rage! My brother, Hannes, is not without feeling, and I know he is suffering as much as you are, only silently,” she added. “I implore you, don’t pour any oil into an already blazing fire!” Lillian tried her most soothing voice. “Look, things could be much worse.”

  Instead of being calmed, Verena jumped up again, irate. “Just tell me, what could be worse than a Prussian countess? Tell me now, Lillian!”

  “Well, for instance, an Austrian fortune seeker, with a large family,” she added, smirking. “What’s more, we are aware of quite a few families that wouldn’t suit you, even if they came from the same background as you! And furthermore, an excellent background is not always a guarantee for a happy marriage. As much as I love Philip, I’d shy away from being his wife. He’ll always do as he pleases! And it’s not going to be an easy life for his future wife, whoever she is.”

  Verena had suddenly become very quiet and was listening intently, hating to have to agree with what Lillian was telling her. “After all,” she thought. “Philip’s ‘the devil may care’ attitude had gotten the best of all his previous close associations with the ladies.”

  Her pensiveness was interrupted by the cheerful entrance of Hannes and Kurt, who were making an announcement. “We just had a brilliant idea! How does a while away from here sound to you, Verena? It’s still too cold in Austria, so how would the south of Italy, or France, or maybe Switzerland sound to you, dearest? We all know that Papa’s death has taken a toll on you.” Hannes put his arm around her. “And we are all trying to help,” Kurt said kindly.

  All three looked at her and expected her quick reply and even quicker decision, as they were accustomed to from her. She looked at them in surprise and answered slowly, but just as kindly, mostly glancing at Hannes for approval. “I shall consider your kind suggestion.”

  “I hate to see you unhappy and falling apart every day. And in spite of what you might think about me, I’m feeling much the same way you are. You know that I have never been one to express my feelings freely. After all the years we have known each other, it should not come as much of a surprise to you!” Kurt replied. Much to the relief of all, she nodded with a smile, linking her arm into his, and walking over to Kurt and Lillian.

  Seeing that peace was once again in the house of Reinhardt, both of the Esslers prepared to leave. Lillian now saw the perfect chance to go ahead and voice her own opinion on the Count’s daughter. “Dear sister, Verena, before I leave, may I be completely honest with you about what I think of the much discussed Prussian girl? It so happens that I, myself, think very highly of her. I first met her at the Opera ball. Her name is Victoria von Wintersberg. She’s not only breathtakingly beautiful, but she has an enormous amount of style, grace, and dignity! As a matter of fact, she reminded me quite a lot of Grandmother Stephany and Louise’s portraits when they were her age. I would even go as far as to say that I think she is a perfect combination of both in many ways. Who knows, maybe Philip has been looking for someone like that all along.”

  “That may be the case, Lillian,” Hannes interceded. “but Philip is by no means Otto Reinhardt! From what I know of him, quite the opposite! And we all know too well that he’s not Papa, and that’s when trouble might start!”

  As always, when Papa’s name was even remotely mentioned, Verena perked up. “I can still see Papa’s alarmed face from many years past when Philip had spoken of a girl he had met in Berlin. I remember his stern look while pleading with Philip never to sully our house with a Prussian!”

  Hannes was embarrassed for having forgotten all about it. “So, once again, it’s Papa’s wish! Even after his death you’d like to fulfill them! Please do not overlook the fact that he had always made room for those certain exceptions to the rule, the Wertheimers being only one example. No one wanted a Jewish family in Lindenfels! Yet Papa let them rent one of the beautiful villas anyway. And I can still recall his few words of wisdom that will forever stay with me. ‘The God I worship doesn’t give a hoot about men’s organized religions and nationalities!’ These words should tell us all something!” Lillian ended her little oratory, halting at and emphasizing the word ‘nationalities’.

  “A Jewish girl would suit me just fine!” Verena surprised them. “And as far as nationality is concerned, there again, you have father’s exception at its finest! He meant everybody except Prussians!” She smiled triumphantly.

  “Our boy, a ‘goy’ among a Jewish family? I can’t believe it! Even though I like the Wertheimers, this is too much!” Hannes smirked.

  Trying to keep all of this at a light and not serious discussion, Kurt quipped, laughing aloud and embracing Verena, “Now remember! The Wertheimer’s were also an exception!” He was still grinning while he and Lillian were making their way to the door.

  ∼

  After another partly sleepless night, Verena told Hannes, “Even though the weather is still a bit cold, I’ve decided on Salzburg. France, Italy, and Switzerland are not much fun when going there without a loved one! I will, of course, take one of the Hanaks with me. Elsa has just turned sixty-two, and I hope she’s up to it and won’t turn me down for health reasons. But then again, the Hanaks have so many loving and suitable offspring.”

  “Their Marlene has never left Vienna. Wouldn’t she make a good companion?”

  “Good idea, Hannes. Now that I have decided, I’m really looking forward to seeing all our old friends again. The Karmas, Nordmanns, and maybe the Rombergs, all with their large families close by, may be just what I need.”

  “That sounds wonderful, Verena. And if you could wait a few days, maybe a couple weeks, I might be able to come after all,” he smiled, encircling her waist with his strong arms.

  She couldn’t have been more ecstatic at his response. She felt very strongly that they needed to remove themselves from this unpleasant and troublesome environment and devote some time to each other without any intrusions. She laughed and said, “You know that it will take me at least two weeks to get things in order. I must see the Wilands at the earliest convenience! Also, Papa’s many foundations may be getting worried about what is going to happen now. I think maybe we should consolidate them into one foundation. What do you think? Is it a good idea, Hannes?”

  “You are the business mind, Verena. I’m sure that you will do what’s best. You’ve been trained to do just that!” He smiled, ready to go to the hospital and do what he was trained to do best. “I’ll have to take a closer look at Franz-Xavier. I’m not quite satisfied with the look of his bruises! Far too much swelling.”

  “Should I come with you, Hannes….and apologize?”

  “It can’t hurt, Verena. Besides, I’m glad you’ll be accompanying me,” he mused, “but I have to keep an eye on Philip too. He came to see me at the hospital, and was extremely upset! It seems the father of that girl, Victoria, had told him in no certain terms never to knock on his door again! Of course, it was bad timing on Philip’s part since the man had just returned from a funeral in Berlin where he had to have his son buried who had been killed in a duel. The boy had only been in his twenties!” Hannes waited in vain for a response from his wife and continued after a short interval. “Something like that must put an enormous strain on a family. I mean, to lose one’s only so
n! As I see it, Philip’s affair may be over before it has even started. He told me of how and when he met her, and also that her father hates the Austrians with the same vehemence as we do the Prussians! The father lost one of his legs in 1866.”

  Verena only shrugged. “You have no concept of how much our son has hurt me in the past few days. Bad timing may be just one of his shortcomings!” she said bitterly, not reacting to Philip’s present situation as stated by Hannes. “He has called me a poor mother, allegedly always giving preference to his younger brother! The accusation in itself is already ridiculous if one considers the two-year difference in their ages. Besides that, he also complained that he got more love from Lillian and Elsa, as well as the rest of the servants, than he had ever received from me! These are only a few of the long list of accusations! And you, you were not spared either. Papa had been more of a father figure to him than you have been, he said! And had it not been for Kurt’s riding and fencing lessons, he would possibly not have grown into a real man! And as if this hadn’t been enough, he then continued with my brother, Alex, on his list of grievances. I was supposedly the most neglectful and indifferent sister anyone could have asked for!”

  “Well, wasn’t that the perfect opportunity for you to show him the stack of letters Alex had written to Clarissa von Walden? You’ve still got them, I’m sure!”

  “Don’t worry, I do! And one day I’ll force him to read them, with all of their horrible lies! I made an attempt to then, but when I told him that even our Papa had cried, he stormed out the door, slamming it behind him, but not before telling me that he was going to move into the villa Uncle Robert had left for him!”

  “Verena, don’t let him hurt you so. That boy should have moved out a long time ago! And yes, Philip is right in feeling that I have not been much of a father to him. I guess I have been too busy to be a father to both of my sons. That is one of the reasons why I am now trying so hard to make it up to him. And I think we should all live by a new rule by which we don’t keep things bottled up inside of us, but rather have it out and taken care of right when things are fresh! From now on, we will all sit down and abide by these rules. With Papa gone forever now, I will have to take over and make our family life a happy one! Nothing else really matters to me, anyhow,” Hannes promised with emphasis.