1
After two years of teaching missionary kids on a remote island in the South Pacific, Meredith Cardwell was ripe for change. But suddenly on her own in Vienna, she knew she was in over her head. Not because of language challenges—she’d hoped her slight grasp of high school German might be helpful—but because the sounds and smells and busyness of this bustling metropolis was a shock to her system. Wasn’t Vienna supposed to be elegant, timeless, charming? The European mecca of art, intelligence, music? Instead of feeling charmed, she felt suffocated by the stench of diesel fumes.
She’d heard that people who’d lived in Papua New Guinea for a year or more typically experienced culture shock, but she’d imagined herself immune. Except that her head was spinning and her pulse was racing as she stood outside the crowded train station. It was a late Friday afternoon in mid-June and perhaps not the ideal time for travelers. Getting from the international airport via train hadn’t been that much of a challenge, thanks to the airport information desk. But standing outside the Wien Haptbahnhof at this hour was a bit overwhelming. Okay, thatwas an understatement. It was downright horrifying. And lonely. Although how she could feel lonely in such a populated place defied reason.
Despite herself, she missed David. Wasn’t he supposed to be with her here in Europe? Hadn’t that been the plan? She and David had gone to Papua New Guinea together after graduating college with education degrees. They’d decided to volunteer for two years with a mission organization, teach school, and tour the world together. And to tie the knot there. That had been David’s idea. A way to get married without their families turning their wedding into a three-ring circus, like they’d witnessed happening to their friends.
After their two years were finished, they’d planned to tour Europe on their return trip to the States. Yet she was alone in Vienna, and despite that it had been more than a year since David had bailed on her, her broken heart felt fresh and new once again.Don’t be a baby, she silently chided herself as she clutched her carryon bag handle.David was a jerk, and you know it. Good riddance.Holding her head higher, she looked around, trying to decide whether to take a taxi or use the metro to reach the hostel in the center of the city. Her plan was to lodge there for three days while exploring this historic city before boarding the train for Salzburg. She’d already mapped out her entire European tour. She had a Eurail pass zipped safely into an inner pocket of her backpack, along with her passport, traveler’s checks, and return air ticket back to the States. She’d read several books—the internet had been sketchy where she’d lived in Papua New Guinea—and everything had seemed doable and straightforward. Until now. Now it was overwhelming, and she was starting to feel slightly dazed and dizzy.
“Hello there.”
Meredith turned to see a sweet-faced older woman smiling at her.
“Oh, hello.” Meredith smiled back, taking in the woman’s stylish gray hair, expensive looking clothes, and Louis Vuitton luggage.
“I’m waiting for my car,” the woman told her. “Traffic is awful at this hour.”
“I’ll say.” Meredith peered more closely at the woman. “Are you American?”
“No, dear. Not anymore. I married an Austrian. Goodness, almost thirty years ago.” She adjusted her sunglasses and looked to where cars and taxis were lined up and waiting. “Oh, good, I see my car down there.” She pointed.
“Lucky you.” Meredith tried not to feel envious.
“Is your ride on its way?” the woman asked with concern.
“I just arrived and was deciding on whether to use a taxi or—”
“Goodness, no. You’ll never get a taxi right now. Why don’t we give you a lift?” She waved to a dark sedan pulling to the curb in front of them.
“But it’s too much trouble.”
“Nonsense. My driver won’t care. And I certainly don’t.”
“Well, I...” Meredith was torn. The offer was tempting, but she didn’t even know this woman. However, she seemed harmless enough. And quite friendly. And she spoke English. “If you don’t mind, I’d like that.” She slid a strap of her heavy backpack off her shoulder, which was starting to throb. She’d tried to travel light with just her carryon and backpack, but she’d packed in a lot. Some of which she might unload at the hostel.
“Not at all.” The woman spoke in rapid German to the driver, whose name seemed to be Hans and who was loading the Vuitton luggage into the trunk. She instructed Hans to help with Meredith’s things too and just like that, he relieved Meredith of her tightly packed roller-bag and heavy backpack.
“Now, let’s get comfortable and just relax.” The woman waved Meredith toward the sedan’s opened back door. As Meredithslid onto the sleek leather seat, she took in the car’s luxurious interior. Nothing like this in Papua New Guinea. In fact, she’d never been inside a car this luxurious before. Not surprising since she and her schoolteacher dad had never been exactly wealthy.
“Now you can tell me all about yourself and why you’re in Vienna.” The old woman grasped Meredith’s hand, giving it a warm squeeze. “But first let me introduce myself. I am Louise Von Pentz. You may call me Louise.”
“I’m Meredith Cardwell, but friends call me Meri.”
“Meri.” She smiled. “I like it. Lovely name for a lovely girl. Please, tell Hans where we are taking you.”
Meredith repeated the name of the hostel, and Hans nodded as if he understood then carefully pulled out into traffic. As he skillfully navigated what appeared to be Viennese rush hour, stopping again and again, Meredith told her about teaching school in Papua New Guinea. Louise seemed to find this fascinating, telling her about her own father who’d been stationed there in World War II.
“Of course, he hated it,” Louise explained. “But I’m sure it’s changed a lot since then.” She kicked off her shoes with a relieved sigh. “Ah, much better. I’ve been on my feet too much today.”
“Mine are swollen from the flight,” Meredith admitted. But she didn’t want to remove her shoes.
“Hans?” Louise called up to the front. “Where is my Pellegrino?”
He said something that sounded apologetic, and Louise frowned then turned to Meredith. “Are you as parched as I am after standing out in the sun?”
Meredith nodded, and Louise instructed Hans to stop somewhere for drinks to go. “I know a sweet little spot with the best coffee in Vienna.”
“I love iced coffee,” Meredith told her.
