Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part One

by Hedy Thalberg James

  “Thanks, Alex. I am glad you made it, even though you missed the ceremony,” he replied mechanically, ignoring Alex’s well-chosen words. “An apology for his behavior was well overdue,” Hannes thought, before saying it aloud to Verena as Alex went to look for Kurt and Lillian. “He should have apologized to you, Verena.”

  “He did, Hannes. He said I look beautiful.”

  “But you do, my dearest.”

  “Never to my brother,” she whispered, seeing more guests coming their way.

  “Lillian and Kurt. Let me congratulate you both on your marriage. And Kurt, let me welcome you into our family as my brother-in-law,” he emphasized strongly. After all, just minutes ago the Colonel had reminded him that it is now Reinhardt-Essler.

  “Thank you, Alex. Happy we will be.” Lillian smiled, surprised at his unusual behavior.

  “I must see Father Christopher now. I will be back later,” he said, when he was once more interrupted by Kurt’s sister.

  “Alex!” she said quite loudly. “My father was very reluctant in pointing you out to me when I asked him if you were the Alex from my childhood who played war games at our place.”

  “Yes, I am,” he smiled.

  “Do I seem too frank in addressing you first?”

  “Not at all since we are family now.” He finally recognized her.

  “Then may I still call you Alex?”

  “Please do Anette.”

  “I am referred to as ‘Anette the difficult’.”

  “Well, you must recall that my reputation has always been much the same.”

  “It’s less problematic for a man, though. I’m not even able to catch a fly!”

  “Don’t shortchange yourself. You must be exaggerating, Anette!” He returned her friendly smile and had to admit that this was her only beautiful feature, and while not exactly ugly, she was a far cry from ever being beautiful.

  “Too tall….too thin….mousy hair, a large prominent nose, and those small, watery blue eyes….and much too direct! One just did not talk that way! But maybe she’s a lot of fun to be with, something I need badly today!” he concluded.

  “Let’s go and have something to eat. I’ve already seen and tasted some of this food, and it’s some of the best I’ve encountered in ages! Just take a look around you! Your family has put on the most extravagant spread!” she praised as they were entering the main hall, Anette still clinging to him with no intention of letting him go. All adjoining doors had been opened, and one could see long banquet tables arranged to seat all of the more than seven hundred guests.

  “I know of no other family who would be able to do this!” she uttered excitedly, impressed by the splendor and size of the rooms in front of them.

  “You might be right. There are very few! But this demonstrates the great foresight of my forefathers.”

  “Rather clairvoyant, I would venture! And good Lord! Breathtakingly beautiful Sevres china on every table, and look, even the place cards have been hand-painted. Roses on one and forget-me-nots on others!” she exclaimed. “How delightful and thoughtful! And Lillian isn’t even a born Reinhardt!”

  “That should not make any difference!” he replied, interrupting her chatter, thinking that neither was his father born a Reinhardt. “But I have noticed that all this has been coordinated with my sisters’ favorite flowers!”

  “And that is how it should be!” she mused, touching the silken, shimmering tablecloth of one of the enormously long tables, that had also been coordinated with white satin on taffeta in pink and blue and white. “So very French!” she said, her face still glowing in wonderment.

  “So I have noticed! Just like my sisters’ beautiful gowns. I don’t remember, have I mentioned that?”

  “I’m sure you have,” she soothed.

  They also observed the tiny garlands of roses and forget-me-nots adorning the tables and napkin rings, which was something they had never seen before. Alex thought, “Lord, if they had to do seven hundred of these….” then continued aloud. “I would hate to think of what shape our servants’ hands are in, not to mention all the things they must have had to do in addition, baking, cooking and such, all these little details, and all so perfect!” he sighed.

  “I’ve heard my father mention often how shrewd and capable the Reinhardts were in treating their staff, and that none of the servants ever wanted to leave them.”

  “The Colonel really said that?” Alex replied, surprised.

  “Would I have mentioned it otherwise? What are you doubting, Alex von Dorn? My sanity, capability to remember, or my truthfulness?” she joked.

  “None of the above, Anette. I’m just overwhelmed by so much frankness!”

  “Now you be frank with me. Isn’t it all I can call my best trait?” she asked very earnestly, not expecting any flattery, still looking around and taking in all of the beauty of this ‘fairy tale castle’, thinking in dismay about what her wedding would look like, should there ever be one.

  Alex felt a light tapping on his shoulder. “Mr. Alex Reinhardt. Do you remember me?” Mother Superior looked at his surprised face.

  “But of course! You are Mother Superior! Please forgive me for not recognizing you immediately. I’ve had such a trying day.”

  “Doubtlessly brought on by the long travel.”

  “Ah, yes. May I introduce Anette von Essler to you? One of our newly acquired family members,” he hastened to add.

  “Oh, yes! Baroness Essler,” the nun acknowledged, certain that this child was not his partner of choice.

  Anette only nodded with an almost inaudible murmur.

  “May I in turn introduce you to some of our ‘work of art’ and love? I call it ours, because your gracious family let us handle the arrangements.”

  “And all under your supervision, I suppose?”

  She smiled at Alex’s remark in admiration.

  “This is heavenly!” Anette shrieked in delight, clapping her hands enthusiastically, as they had arrived in the huge formal gardens after making their way through rows of arches and climbing roses.

  Alex, who had so far only looked around in disbelief, shook his head. “This is unbelievable!”

  Innumerable little tables had been set up for four persons each. Garlands of roses and forget-me-nots had been carefully attached to the snowy white tablecloths that reached to the floor. Little gaslights that were surrounded by flowers glittered in the sunshine, waiting for darkness to set in in order to be lit.

  “We ran out of forget-me-nots. I’m sure our city has too,” Mother Superior gestured casually, “since I had decided on napkin rings with natural flowers.”

  “So it was your orphans who did all the tedious work, after all?”

  “Only partly. A day only has so many hours! Your servants shared vigorously in the work….days and late nights….and gladly, mind you, especially for this occasion.”

  “I am truly happy I had the opportunity to be here,” Alex said sincerely, thinking of how close he had come to spoiling all of this. “It would be worth any punishment the Colonel has in store for me,” he considered.

  “The evening will be even more enjoyable for a man like you. A lot of entertainment with waltzes and polkas to dance to, I understand. Nothing as formal as before.”

  “Possibly a very long night!” he affirmed with pride.

  “Indeed, Mr. Reinhardt. Of course, some may have to leave earlier. But most will probably stay until after midnight. Your family has quite a few overnight guests, since the festivities will go on until the day of Corpus Christi. Then, many guests will have to attend their children or grandchildren’s confirmation. You see, everything has been carefully planned and taken into consideration.”

  Unnoticed by either, Anette had left quietly, leery of sweet-talking nuns, of which she had seen enough as far as she was concerned. Several expulsions from different schools had taught her that much, if nothing else.

  “There you are, my son.” Karl had been anxiously searching for Alex, and no
w put an arm lightly around his son’s shoulders.

  “Mother Superior and I had a nice chat, Papa. I have inspected everything!” he said jestingly. “But really, Papa. It’s admirable, what with all the work and love that went into these beautiful decorations as far as the eye can see.”

  Karl had never felt so jubilant about his son as at this moment, sure that he had finally acquired an appreciation for the beautiful, his eyes not only on his military profession. Neither one of them, however, were aware of what Mother Superior’s feelings were. It had taken years of practice and discipline not to let the tears flow upon the first time seeing her son Karl and her grandson Alex together, and what’s more, to have each of them by her side. “Dear Lord, thank you,” she thought. “No one could ask for anything more.” Aloud she told Alex, “I just realized that I called you Mr. Reinhardt instead of First-Lieutenant. Ignoring one’s title is inexcusable!”

  “Not at our house!” Karl interrupted her with a laugh, trying to console her. “Quite the contrary, in fact. Whether or not you’ve heard, we believe in less formality.”

  She smiled, appreciating his attempt. “I still saw the lad who, only a few years past, had visited our orphanage and enjoyed the company of Franz-Xavier and Hannes. There I go again, calling everyone by their first names! It’s hard to get used to that. All have grown up and become Dr. Reinhardt and Father Christopher.”

  “I can only agree wholeheartedly. Somehow, it hurts to let go.”

  “A parent’s incurable illness.”

  “Ah, yes, Mother Superior. I have been wanting to thank you and the children for all the beautiful work you have done for us.”

  “Only a small token of our appreciation for the benefits we have received over the years from you,” she replied warmly, lightly waving and pretending to leave to inspect the table settings. “Pretending!” she thought, taking a seat in this opulent and well-groomed garden. “All the guests will elaborate on how beautiful the flower beds in full bloom had been—all of the roses, and whatever else was colorful, but not on an upright and sturdy evergreen which endured all types of weather, never breaking. That would not be commented on and probably simply because no one had noticed it in the first place. Strange,” she thought to herself again. “now I’m comparing myself to an evergreen!” She was, however, secretly wishing she could, only for a short time, be one of those roses. A faint smile spread over her face. “At least I have become something.” During her lifetime, she had encountered so many dull and listless faces, which by calling them weeds would even be kindness. Getting up, she gave the corner of a well-manicured boxwood a kind stroke and left the garden, still wearing her smile. “After all, Mother Superior, formerly Karoline….formerly….well that was a different story entirely. But as mother and grandmother, I have many things to smile about.”

  “Mother Superior! We are to sing now and have been looking for you! We have to get ready!” the excited children called to her.

  “Oh, yes children!” She beamed happily. “What a fine day!”

  “What a great woman. Good looking too. Why would anyone like her want to be a nun? Or for that matter, a priest. Not that I want to compare Franz-Xavier’s looks with hers!” Alex wondered.

  “For the same reason you have joined the military! Some serve the Lord, some their country. Same duty, different goals!” Karl explained.

  “I guess you are right, Papa,” Alex answered with a positive tone in his voice, walking right alongside his father, expecting more of the guests to come over to praise the splendor.

  “My son, Alex. First-Lieutenant of the cavalry!” was all Karl allowed himself in the introduction. As far as he was concerned, the name von Dorn had been acquired by Alex for the purpose of joining the military, nothing more and nothing less. Alex, after being reprimanded by Colonel Essler, had vowed to himself that he would deliver a congenial speech, if only for the purpose of saying thanks to his family and the servants for all their efforts in making this day a most memorable one for all, including himself. He had overheard his grandmother’s explicit orders to keep all speeches as short as possible, and also permitting only three of the Reinhardt and three of the Essler family to do so. All who had heard her proclamation felt relieved, knowing that there would be dozens of friends and relatives eagerly waiting to lift their glasses and never wanting to stop talking, remembering so many weddings and so many speakers, longwindedly boring everyone to death, their stomachs hungering for food, and their eyes halfway closed, almost asleep.

  Seating had also been arranged in perfect order with the Reinhardt’s and the Essler’s tables right next to each other, but nevertheless separately arranged and dressed in the themes of the brides’ gowns. Karl and Stephany Reinhardt, each flanking one side of the bride and groom who were at the head of the table, presided over it all. Next to Karl, Alex, who at the last minute had swapped places with one of the Rombergs, so as to sit closer to his sister, which delighted the whole family. Thereafter, the Romberg family intermixed with the Wilands, and a very single Therese Kraus, who had left Bruno years ago and had decided not to miss the wedding, forsaking a trip to Italy. She had been taking care of her parents for years until their deaths, and was now considered to be the perfect aunt to the Romberg and Auersbach children, spending weeks at a time with each family. Madeleine Nordmann and her family were sitting close by at Stephany’s side, who was sitting next to Hannes, right after Father Christopher, Archbishop Rastner, and Father Hugo, who had wiggled themselves into the midst of all. Hannes, who at times had his squabbles with Father Christopher as far as religion was concerned, but otherwise was on good terms with him, kept quiet about what he thought about religion and rites as well as the overweight and over-dressed hypocrite, considering that the wedding ceremony had gone ‘unblemished’. The high mass was also being praised by all, so he took into consideration that all his attendants and their parents were very devout Catholics as well, who would defend their faith quite fiercely.

  No one knew exactly why, but one could hear a pin drop when Alex was raising his glass of champagne, congratulating the brides and grooms in all sincerity, and thanking all concerned for making this such a happy affair. Looking over at the Essler table and seeing Kurt and Lillian, aghast at what they were hearing, he also decided to mention that it was Lillian who had made the arrangements for the sumptuous nine course dinner, while his other sister, Verena, had taken the responsibility of designing all of the beautiful gowns, jokingly warning Hannes and Kurt to watch out for the household expenses coming at them. He soon had everyone laughing uproariously and applauding his short and eloquent speech.

  Stephany, Karl, and all the family members who had known Alex to be a rather egotistical child, were moved by this change, and for openly acknowledging Lillian as his sister. Hannes and Franz-Xavier, although never very close to him, had always been addressed as brother by him from the moment they set foot in the Reinhardt household.

  Just as with the Archbishop and Father Hugo at the Reinhardt table, General Hauser and his wife had found a way to squeeze themselves in between the close family members of the Esslers, who would not have dared rebuke a man of his standing for his breach of etiquette. But there he was, all decked out in the most colorful uniform the Empire had to offer, looking like a performer in a first-class circus, rather than a dignified cavalry officer. His chest was full of undeservedly acquired medals, and again, Hannes got himself lost in his private thoughts, this time about the military.

  Mrs. Hauser was also overdressed in a bright orange gown, her fat face gracefully covered by a huge ostrich-feather hat, completing the picture of Mr. And Mrs. General Hauser on their day away from the garrison. It was just too true what Lillian had whispered to Hannes at the first sight of them. “Mrs. General Hauser looks like a clownish circus horse!” She withheld this remark from Kurt for fear of hurting his feelings, him being so proud of his beautiful Arabians.

  “Dear Lord! Please make it short and painless!” was the thought on all of
the guests minds. But after toasting the newlyweds, thanking the Reinhardts for mentioning the bravery of his officers, Captain Kurt Essler and Alex von Dorn-Reinhardt, who had yet to prove their bravery in battle, were in Hannes’ thoughts again. The guests were listening to his speech in tolerance. He finally ended it with what he thought was a joke by calling the castle the ‘Reinhardts’ farmhouse’ from which Lindenfels had risen.

  “If anyone gets up to make another speech, I’ll go to the kitchen to eat,” the permanently hungry Archbishop whispered to Father Hugo, who, as always, agreed with his superior wholeheartedly.

  Once more, the General lifted his glass, received the hoped-for applause while his wife was reaching for her spoon, and herewith saved all from a further outpouring of platitudes. It had been a long day and a long evening, and it promised to be a very long night which would stretch into the morning hours.

  Only His Eminence, Archbishop Rastner, had left quietly and unnoticed, when finally all was eaten that he could stand, giving Father Hugo and Father Christopher permission to stay as long as they liked. They were indirectly Reinhardters on such an occasion, and directly, the leader of the flock mostly strained to be on the best of terms with the Reinhardts, knowing on which side his bread was buttered, and thoroughly enjoying the contributions that were flowing into the church from their immense wealth.

  General Hauser’s booming voice could still be heard, now even more, having a few drinks under his girth, as he kept on congratulating the newlyweds again and again.

  “Just look at him, Papa! That giant of a man looks as if they had first laced him into a corset, and squeezed him into a uniform afterwards!” Hannes whispered to a grinning Karl.

  “Yes, a General from head to toe, and at our wedding! I would say the silk sash and the dress sword are the only things about him that remind me of a General!” Karl replied sarcastically, both still watching Hauser shaking hands with the guests, preferring those in uniform as they honored him with a spirited salute and a clicking of their heels.