..........The great war had decimated both Germany and Austria. A third of its men lay dead in the fields of Flanders and the Austro Hungarian Empire...was but a quarter of it former size and no longer a world power. The last of the real men were either working in agriculture or had gone to Germany to rebuild the infrastructure under the guidance of the new Chancellor Heir Hitler.All that remained in Austria were a few old or infirm men ,a few boys and a few members of the Aristocracy. The land. The flower beds had taken over one half of the yard, and vines of ivy, as well as rose bushes, had spread like errant fingers until they covered large portions of the brick wall that shielded it from the wood beyond. There was a small table with a quartet of chairs on one end of the overgrown garden. Earlier, when I’d looked out, it had been bare. Now there were porcelain teacups, cream and sugar bowl, and a teapot carefully placed on linen. “Sit, please. I’ll pour.” Her voice was a bit. I was not full when I finished eating but that was always for the best on days like this. It was going to be a very long afternoon for both of us. We would be exhausted and happy at the end of it though. Without warning he rose from his chair and held out his hand to me. “Come here,” his voice had changed, he was more authoritative now but I expected it. “Yes Sir,” I responded quietly while he looked me up and down, gauging if I had followed the instructions he had given to the letter. I had,. The band performance was fantastic, Lindsey got a standing ovation from both sides of the field! This was the second time I have ever seen her smile. She was an absolute beauty. After the game my boys had helped me load the equipment truck. And they boarded the bus. And soon as the bus pulled away, there was Lindsey. Sitting on the curb next to her violin case. I asked why she didn't get on the bus. "My mom is supposed to pick me up here." She said. This wasn't the best neighborhood. So I.