by Ellin Carsta
She turned around once more, glancing at the empty desk chair. Then she withdrew with a heavy heart and softly shut the door.
It was almost half past six when everybody arrived for breakfast. Georg and Robert showed the effects of indulging in alcohol, and their wives’ displeasure was clear.
“I have carefully considered what I shall now say to you,” Elisabeth suddenly spoke, raising her head up high. She paused dramatically. “I shall not return to Cameroon.”
Robert almost spat his coffee back into his cup. He coughed, and the liquid caught in his throat. When he had recomposed himself, he glared at his wife. “What did you say?”
“You heard me correctly. I shall not go back to Cameroon. At least not today,” she replied, qualifying her original statement.
Robert stood up and threw his napkin down beside his plate. “Would you please come with me for a minute?”
“No,” Elisabeth stated firmly. “There is nothing to discuss which other people may not hear.”
Robert threw his wife a withering look. “We need to talk.”
“No. I have too often let myself be controlled by you. My decision is firm.”
Vera looked nervously at Georg, then from Elisabeth to Robert. “Shall we perhaps go to the next room so that the children can have their breakfast in peace?”
Elisabeth sipped some coffee before turning to her daughters. “You two are old enough to decide if you want to go back to Cameroon or stay here with me in Hamburg. As for you, Luise, I know what you will say. And so, Martha, think about it.”
Robert was boiling with rage. “We will all go back to Cameroon, as a family!”
“No. We shall not.”
Robert came around the table and grabbed his wife’s arm. Elisabeth screamed.
“You can lay hands on me as you wish, but it won’t change anything. No one will force me on that ship today, Robert Hansen. No one!”
“Please, Robert, let go of her,” Vera pleaded.
Robert loosened his grip. “I’ve never hurt you, and I will certainly not do so now,” he spat out.
Elisabeth shrugged as if she didn’t care. “Georg, I must ask you as head of the family if you will permit me to continue to live in this house, though my husband is not here.”
Georg looked at Robert.
“Georg won’t deny you anything,” Robert said as he regained his composure. “You are part of the family. Therefore, if you wish to live in this house, you may do so.”
Georg’s relief was obvious. Robert walked around the table again and sat down at his place. “Martha, you heard what your mother said. I know it’s difficult, but we don’t have much time. The ship will be sailing in a little over two hours. Think hard about what you would like, and disregard what your mother or I say. You’re free to decide, but you must decide for yourself.”
Luise looked at her sister anxiously. She was happy her mother’s words had anticipated her decision. On the other hand, she was truly sorry for Martha. She reached for her sister’s hand under the table.
Martha’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t know what to do. Please, Mother, let’s all go back together?”
Her daughter’s “please” left Elisabeth unmoved. She coldly shook her head.
“Father, couldn’t we go on the next ship and stay here a little longer? Then we’d have time to figure things out.” Martha swallowed hard.
Robert hesitated, but he’d made up his mind. “I will leave today for Cameroon,” he declared. “If you wish to come with me, you are welcome. If Luise, or you, or the two of you would like to stay here, I will not be angry with you. But you’ve got to make up your mind yourselves.”
Martha broke into tears, shoved her chair back, and fled the room. She ran up the stairs and slammed the door behind her.
“I’ll go to her,” Frederike offered.
“No, I will,” Vera said, leaving the room.
“Please excuse me.” Robert got to his feet. “I must get my things.”
“Me, too,” Luise hastened to say, and stood up as well.
Georg, Elisabeth, Richard, and Frederike stayed seated. Not one of them touched their breakfast again.
About an hour later Luise gave her suitcase to a boatswain, who carried it on board. She hugged her uncle and aunt, her cousins, and last of all her sister. She could hardly hold back her tears.
“Come anytime later, when you’re ready,” she whispered in her sister’s ear as they embraced.
Martha nodded amid sobs; she couldn’t get a word out.
Robert said goodbye as he took Luise by the arm and boarded the ship. They waved from the rail to the family who had come to see them off. Elisabeth was not among them. Luise was relieved when the ship began to move. She felt that everything would be different from that day on. And she wondered if she would ever return to Hamburg.
Chapter Twelve
Vienna, April 1889
Karl was on pins and needles. They had decided on a private ceremony, but their friends somehow found out, and Karl suspected that some additional surprise or another was inevitable.
Georg’s telegram two days ago had shaken him. He’d never held Elisabeth in particularly high esteem, but he struggled to believe she’d turn against her husband like that. He resolved to write to Robert, offering help and support if the need arose.
For a moment Robert’s circumstances made Karl wonder if marrying Therese was a good idea. He had qualms about getting married at all. What was troubling him the most was whether his feeling for Therese was the kind of romantic love that unites two people in marriage or if it was just close friendship. Therese was a woman the likes of whom he’d never met. She was honest, straightforward, said what she thought, and had a laugh more beautiful than any he’d ever heard. Karl enjoyed every moment they were together, and as a matter of fact, he couldn’t imagine being without Therese for a day in his life. She made him laugh, and he felt at ease in her presence more than with anybody else. But their relationship was completely different from his brothers’ marriages, and given the recent events in Robert’s life, it was to Karl and Therese’s advantage.
He adjusted the bowtie Florentinus had lent him for the occasion. Florentinus was Therese’s witness; Friedhelm, the guitar player, was Karl’s. They went in two carriages to the little chapel where Therese’s parents were waiting. Karl and Friedhelm arrived first, followed a few minutes later by Florentinus and Therese. Karl smiled at his bride. She looked beautiful. Her dress resembled the one she wore to Christmas at her parents’ villa. But this one was set off by contrasting pink ribbons and a pearl necklace he guessed was rather expensive. Karl smiled again, noticing that she’d pinned her hair up loosely, the way he thought was the most beautiful.
Therese and Karl looked at the little chapel where they were about to be married. It wasn’t grand or ostentatious, but Karl thought it possessed a certain charm. Karl offered Therese his arm, and they walked in together.
Margarete came up to Therese. “You could freshen up quickly,” she whispered to her. “Your hair is a little untidy.”
Therese laughed casually. “My hair is perfect, Mother. But thank you for your kindness and concern.”
Margarete arched an eyebrow arrogantly, waiting for Friedrich to take her arm.
“Good day, ladies and gentlemen.” A priest of about sixty approached them. “The Loising bridal couple, I presume?”
“Yes.”
He nodded his welcome to them. “My name is Josef Edlmayr, and I will be officiating.”
“Karl Hansen, and this is my bride, Therese Loising. Good day, Father.”
“If you would follow me, please?”
The priest waited in the chapel entrance until they’d caught up to him. As they entered, the organ started playing.
“This is your last chance to change your mind,” Karl whispered in Therese’s ear.
She looked at him, smiled, and shook her head vigorously.
“As you wish. You’ll have to live with m
e from now on.”
He kissed her on the cheek. They followed the priest leisurely down the red-carpeted aisle to the altar. As the priest reached the altar and turned to them, the few people in attendance took their seats, and the music died away.
Karl listened to the priest’s words as if in a trance. He wasn’t really listening to what the priest said; most of it went over his head. He hadn’t known what to expect for the ceremony, and it could have been a little more solemn, he thought, but Therese had wanted it that way. So he was more startled than sorry when the priest finished and pronounced Karl and Therese Hansen a lawfully married couple.
Therese’s parents were the first to congratulate them, followed by Florentinus and Friedhelm. They thanked the priest and left the chapel. All in all, the whole thing had lasted less than an hour.
“Strange,” Karl remarked as he went out with Therese on his arm. “I remembered my brothers’ weddings differently.”
“How so?”
“More grandiose, I’d say.”
“Presumably your brothers had a proper wedding, that is to say, with friends and relatives and a full church,” Margarete interrupted, having overheard Karl’s words.
“We had a proper wedding, Mother. And we’ll have a larger ceremony when all of Karl’s family can be with us.”
Therese had swung around to speak to her mother and then looked ahead, rolling her eyes. Karl noticed and smiled. They’d discussed planning a celebration for that day but decided against it. Not because they didn’t want to celebrate, but it seemed wrong to do so without Karl’s family. It could wait until later.
“What does the young couple intend to do now?” Florentinus asked.
“Therese would like to drop by the café to see that everything is in order. And then we’ll go to our newly renovated office. But I’m taking my bride out to dinner tonight.”
“You’re going to revert to your daily routine? Are you serious?” Florentinus asked, flabbergasted.
“We just wanted to say, ‘I do,’ for today and celebrate later, as we’ve said,” Karl explained.
At the doorway, Therese suddenly took a step back, seeing a crowd outside that had obviously come for her. They immediately surrounded them, congratulating and hugging her. All her friends were there. Therese hadn’t expected or wanted this, but she was genuinely happy. She was shocked to see her staff among the friends.
“Frieda! If you’re here, who’s minding the café?”
“Nobody.”
Therese’s father came up and faced his daughter. “Forget about a small gathering. A wedding is a matter of immense importance and must be appropriately savored. I’ve taken the liberty of closing your café for the day and leaving a day’s earnings in your register. By the way, that’s an impressive machine, I must say.”
Therese was about to object, but Florentinus shook his head. “Father is absolutely right. You’ve gotten married, and that must be celebrated.”
“And since I assumed you didn’t want a public celebration, I engaged two chefs who’ve prepared delicacies now awaiting you in your café, to be accompanied by a good glass of champagne,” Herr Loising ended his speech.
Was Therese hallucinating, or had a smile just flashed across her father’s face?
Karl shook his father-in-law’s hand. “This is a wonderful surprise! Thank you so very much!” Turning to their friends, he said in a louder voice, “Many thanks to you all! And now let’s celebrate!”
Boisterous cheers resounded, and as if on command the four-passenger carriages Friedrich Loising had ordered pulled up. Thomas drove the first one; it was reserved for Karl and Therese, the only twosome.
They were hardly seated when Karl saw Therese’s teary eyes.
“What’s the matter?” he asked affectionately.
“Oh, nothing. It’s just that my father has never done anything this nice for me. And there are our friends, who ought to be at work, and yet they all came to congratulate us.” She leaned against Karl’s arm. “I’m happy, Karl, happy with all my heart!”
“Me, too.”
Therese looked up at him, and Karl bent his head to kiss her long and tenderly. She snuggled against his arm once more, and they enjoyed their closeness until they reached Therese’s café.
Thomas stepped down from his seat with a groan and opened the door.
“We’ve arrived, Fräulein Therese.” The driver reflected for a second. “But no. You’re no longer Fräulein.” He shook his head. “I don’t know if I can get used to it. I must beg your pardon if I continue to call you Fräulein Therese.”
She took his hand and descended. They had barely reached the door—framed in wood and inlaid with glass in the upper half—when it opened from inside.
“Frau Hansen, Herr Hansen, our best wishes on your wedding day.” Two men in chef’s hats stood on either side of the entrance.
“Thank you very much.” Therese entered her café and was overwhelmed. The tables had been arranged into one long table covered with closely spaced floral arrangements. “It looks splendid!”
Her parents, brother, and Friedhelm had followed her in, and Therese was so overcome that she threw her arms around her father’s neck. “Father, it’s gorgeous. Thank you!”
Her father was surprised. Emotional outbursts and affectionate behavior were not his areas of strength. Yet he enjoyed his daughter’s warm embrace and shared her happiness over his successfully arranged surprise party. Margarete seemed to be about to admonish her daughter, but kept herself in check.
One by one carriages with their friends arrived, and the café filled up. When everyone was seated, four waitresses Friedrich Loising had hired brought in full plates of food. Karl looked around at the people who’d come to celebrate him and his new wife. He thought of his family, whom he missed terribly in that joyous moment. They’d been wrong to not plan a proper celebration, and he already regretted their decision. Karl was all the happier that his father-in-law had taken charge, though he was sure that Florentinus had a hand in it. He was grateful to be able to celebrate with such dear friends.
At first the conversation was cheerful, though somewhat decorous. After the tables were cleared, Friedhelm picked up his guitar and began to play. Margarete’s face displayed equal parts horror and disgust, but her husband applauded and smiled. And so the small celebration that the newlyweds had planned was transformed into a lively party, which Karl and Therese were the first to leave as midnight approached.
Friedrich Loising insisted that they not help to put the café back in order and assured his daughter that in the morning there’d be no trace of the previous night’s event. For the second time in two hours, Therese gave her father a warm hug, this time adding a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Papa. You made today one of the happiest of my life.”
Friedrich Loising gulped noticeably. “And now it’s high time you were home! It’s your wedding night after all, and I’m sure your husband doesn’t want to share it with us any longer.” He gave her a quick wink.
Therese raised herself up on her toes and gave him a kiss on the other cheek. “Thank you!”
“You’ve already said that. Now be off!”
He accompanied them to their carriage, opened the door, and instructed Thomas to take the couple back home and return at once. When they reached Therese’s place, where they would be living from now on, the bride was still beaming.
“What a magnificent day!” she gushed.
Thomas opened the door and helped her down. She raised herself up on her toes and kissed the cheek of her old driver, who couldn’t have been more surprised.
“I’m probably a bit tipsy,” she said with a laugh. “And I do like to kiss too much.”
Karl chuckled when he saw the shock on the driver’s face. “Many thanks, Thomas. I’ll look after my wife from here.”
Karl took Therese by the waist and brought her into the house. They laughed as he helped her up the stairs to her second-floor apartment.
“Fr
au Therese Hansen.” Therese looked around on the stairway. “I’ve never come here as Frau Therese Hansen.”
“Don’t make it harder, Therese Hansen.” Karl steered her around the corner. “Where’s the key?”
“I’ve got it.”
“Wonderful. Where?”
Therese lifted up her handbag. “In there. It’s in there somewhere.” She laughed.
Karl leaned her against the wall, making sure she didn’t lose her footing, and took the key from her bag. “Keep standing,” he admonished her.
“I’ll stand here like a good girl.” She closed her eyes and yawned.
Karl unlocked the door, swooped Therese up in his arms, and carried her across the threshold, to her great delight. She laughed joyfully, but covered her mouth immediately, afraid of disturbing the neighbors.
Karl put her down and led his new wife into the bedroom.
“I bought a new nightgown especially for tonight.”
“Wonderful. Do you think you can get it on all by yourself?”
“Of course. I am a lady!” She fell backward on the bed, and Karl laughed as she struggled to sit up again.
He knelt down before her, slipped off her shoes, and raised her arm so he could reach the clasp on the back of her dress. He carefully loosened it, peeling it off her shoulders. He’d hardly let go of her when she sank back onto the bed. Karl gave a little sigh, then chuckled as he took off her dress, leaving her in her underwear. He turned down the cover, picked up Therese, laid her down with her head on the pillow, and tucked her in.
