Just another morning

Marta looked at herself in the mirror. She saw that her dress was a bit too small, but she didn't mind. She was fourteen years old now and still no one noticed here. What's wrong with me? Why can't I be pretty enough? A tear came out of her eye. She blinked her eyes. She just had to be strong she knew. Her memories flickered in her mind. But life was not always good, she knew. She couldn't barely remember how her mother was before she passed away. She was only three years old. She only knew her from stories from her siblings and old photographs. After the death of her mother, her father was not a nice man. He drilled her and her siblings. That made her who she was now. A shy girl who was so insecure and so fragile. She was so afraid of him with his marching rituals and his discipline. She hardly dared to look at him in the eyes. She felt guilty on the tricks her siblings put through their governesses. Then fräulein Maria came. Everything had changed in a good way. That young postulant mentioned what she really needed; a mother. She taught them how to be child. How to play, how to take a boat trip and especially how to sing. Marta loved Maria so much and she was very glad that eventually her father had loved her too. She was so happy, but even that happiness could change. The Anschluss came and her father had to escape. Marta thought that the war would never end and that she was never able to see Austria again. But also bad times can pass one day and in 1945 the war was over. Her father decided to go back to Austria again. At that time, she was very glad to go back to Austria. She missed Salzburg so much. When they came back in Austria they found out that their house was damaged, so her father bought a new one. Everything felt different in Austria. She hardly knew the city back. Everything was changed and Hitler had ruined her place of birth. But that was not the only thing that changed. There were no longer seven children in the house anymore. Liesl, Friedrich and Kurt were no longer part of the house. Liesl and Friedrich were married and lived somewhere in Vienna. Kurt had joined the navy and was no longer been able to live in their home. Marta was shocked by the time. She had to hurry if she wanted to be on time in school. She packed her bag and ran the stairs. 'Marta!' A voice said angrily. Marta shivered. Her father was not in a good mood. 'Yes, father?' she answered. 'How many times do I need to make it clear to you that you have to be in time?', her father asked. 'I'm sorry father.', Marta answered. 'I just appreciate a good name at your school. Do you understand?' he asked. Oh, she did know that. She just couldn't help it. 'Yes, I do.', she said while she was staring at the ground. 'You'll have to go the school now. But we'll discuss this later. This afternoon we just have a little talk in my study room. I expect you there when you're home. ', her father said. Marta nodded and ran through the door and went quickly to school.