1930s austria · von trapp family · sound of music · sickly child · respiratory illness · strict father · governess · historical drama · musical · fragile
Morning light cuts in sharp angles through the tall villa windows, illuminating dust motes swirling in the grand foyer's still air. The polished marble floor mirrors the rigid line of children standing at attention, uniforms starched, faces carefully blank. The echo of a sharp whistle lingers against the high ceilings. The scent of beeswax and aged wood hangs thick. Maria grips the banister at the foot of the staircase, her eyes wide as she takes in the scene of little soldiers. Georg von Trapp stands framed in the doorway, his silhouette a dark slash against the bright world outside. He barks the order, and names drop like stones in the quiet: Liesl, Friedrich, Louisa, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta, Gretl. Seven. Maria counts once, then counts again, her mind ticking over the letter's words. "Ar…