Johann shook Randolf’s hand and they went their separate ways, Johann and Rissy to the gate area and Randolf back to the car. Rissy always loved watching the planes land and take off. “I’d like to be able to fly.” She said while watching the planes. Johann responded, “Perhaps soon.” “What is that supposed to mean? I meant not inside a plane, silly.” “I understood that perfectly well Meine Liebe.” “Johann, you know I’ve never been able to do anything but float for short distances no matter how hard I’ve tried.” “Never think you cannot do something just because it hasn’t happened, if you say you can’t then you cut yourself short. Who knows; one day you may find what has been missing to obtain your goal.” “That’s getting deep, Mister.” “You mean a deep mental exercise?” “What else did you think? Oh I forgot you are not knowledgeable about some of our idioms. Perhaps you may need to teach me some of yours sometime so that I don’t make a faux pas.” With a laugh he replied. “I guess they would confuse you as much as yours do me.” They both smiled. It was finally time to board the plane. Rissy had never been in first class before and remained excited for about the first hour and then she settled down seeing nothing but ocean for that long. She finally fell asleep now that her energy had decreased and Johann was glad because he could get some rest now or at least he thought he could. A little boy came trouncing up the aisle and then back again for at least another hour. Johann had half a mind to frighten the little brat, but instead he watched the child and found out where his parents were. He was glad to see that the child had two parents but something needed to be done. He got up and walked to where they were sitting and encouraged them to please control their child. They became upset and said that their child had their permission to run up and down the aisle. Johann tried to explain that he was trying to get some rest to no avail. This is one of the main reasons he hates to fly. He went back to his seat and sat still unable to rest because of the child and he was not the only one. Other passengers were complaining but the attendants were not able to get the parents to make the child stay seated and due to recent issues with airlines and passengers, there was not much that could be done. The demon ran by Johann once more and he had had it with this kid. When he came back by Johann stopped him and smiled. That’s all it took; the child ran to his parents and cried and would not move out of his mother’s lap. The father came up to Johann and asked him what he did to frighten his little angel of a son. Johann just smiled again and the father went back to his seat and remained quiet for the rest of the flight. The attendant asked Johann what he had done and as pleasant as he could be he responded. “I only smiled at them.” He smiled but the attendant did not see anything that would have scared the two passengers and no one else cared what he had done; they were just glad that they could now enjoy the rest of the flight. Rissy awoke about the time they touched down in Frankfort. She was excited but not to the extent that she had been at the beginning of the trip. Hans picked them up in the estate car and drove them through Weilmünster and they stopped at the marketplace while Hans went to find petrol for the old Audi. Rissy found some clothes and enjoyed talking to some of the local people who spoke English or who would at least bother to speak to her. She was able to catch two old women point and say something about “Der Todesengel und sein Hexe” and thought she understood that. “The angel and his witch, what is that about?” she asked. “It’s just two old women Rissy, forget about it.” “No I won’t forget about it. They say I’m a witch; how could they know?” “They know nothing, Rissy. They think I’m a Todesengel.” “What’s that?” “We’ll talk about it later. I promise. Let’s get home; we still have a long drive ahead of us.” Rissy reluctantly let go of the conversation.
They drove high up where they could overlook Möttauer Teich and there up ahead was a magnificent home. He helped Rissy out of the car and then he took a key out of his pocket and opened the door, before turning to her and saying, “Open your eyes and look around, Rissy. Welcome home.” Looking in the place was clean and immaculate the staff was there waiting to greet them. The walls were lined with portraits. Some with a woman, separate ones of a man, and others of them together. There was a large ornate painting on the ceiling of the entry. To the right was a large elegantly curved stairway. To the left of the entrance was a room that was closed off. “Enter Rissy and tell me what you see. Look with open heart, mind, and eyes.” Rissy forgot about the conversation in the town as she looked around. Johann watched Rissy move through the foyer. He was afraid that perhaps he should not have brought her here just yet, but it was too late to reconsider. He wondered if she could see how she was touching the marble and looking at the staircase. When she quickly removed her hand as though lightning had captured her, he knew that the memories would come soon. He saw her eyes grow bright and could sense the memories trying to force their way back. He placed his arm around her and softly kissed her cheek.
“Tell me my darling, what does your heart say about this house? Who are these people in the paintings?” He paused for a moment or two and continued. “Rissy, listen to everything around you. Look at the paintings. Allow the scent of this house to enter you. Do not fear my dear lady. Explore anywhere your heart desires, except this one room. You will find what is in there soon enough. You are nowhere near ready to deal with that room. We are going to stay here for awhile. I think you will find that upstairs there is a bedroom most familiar to you, with its own bath and hot water. Heidi has placed your clothes in the closets as well.” He kissed her cheek. “Dinner will be served in a few minutes, so I am going upstairs to wash up. Please join me in the dining room in fifteen minutes.” He dismissed himself, and went to his room. After he finished washing up he descended the staircase, noticing that Rissy had moved deeper into the house. He smiled, glad that she is curious enough to have a look around.
He entered the dining room and looked around. It had been ages since he had eaten here. He noticed that the servants had polished the silver bell. It appeared to be begging to be rung. He waited patiently for Rissy to enter and join him. He hoped that she would hurry. The smell of the roasted goose was divine. He saw the wine that had been chosen and could not believe that his dear servants had been so thoughtful. He would need to increase their pay.
To him the people who cared for the house were family. Rarely did he eat in the dining room unless they and their families joined him, and during those times he prepared the meals. He decided that he would visit the families in the morning, and leave the house wide open to Rissy. The staff was given the day off, and had been told that Rissy was allowed to go wherever she desired except for the room off the foyer. He had never allowed anyone in there, and was not about to do so now.
Rissy had found her room, but wondered how she knew where it was without ever having been in the house before. It was decorated in a style though a little outdated, that fit her sense of style. She went in the bath to clean up. The fixtures were old but elegant and worked as though they were new. The Egyptian cotton towels were so soft she almost lost track of time and then hurried downstairs to the dining room.
When Rissy entered the dining room Johann’s heart stopped. His eyes flashed brightly as so many memories flooded him catching him off guard. He had not seen her spirit in that dress in so long. Her hair was pulled up as it had been ages ago and he had to chuckle a bit when he noticed a few wild tresses, which was so familiar it made him feel more at home with her there. His heart began beating in a quick pace and his soul sang. He tried to hide his excitement from her. Her slight curtsey showed him that she still remembered how to be a lady. He wondered if she had realized what she had done. It was nice to see her curtsey. This was the woman that had fought with him lovingly for so long. In each life she had done so. For a moment he thought he saw the diamond and emerald necklace around her neck, but upon looking again he noticed that it was not there. He had always kept it in the jewelry box on top of the armoire but she had not yet found it. Composing himself, he moved towards her. Taking her hand in his, he bowed to her, lifted her hand gently kissing it, all the while his green eyes focused on those lovely hazel hues. “I am happy that you have decided to join me for dinner. I hope that I am not being too forward in mentioning that you are one of the loveliest ladies that I have ever laid eyes upon. So, Rissy do not apologize for my wait, it was well worth it. Please sit and enjoy this meal with me.” He pulled out a chair for her. He leaned down and smelled her hair, enjoying the fragrance before returning to his place.
Johann
