Son of the Kaiser ! ...Really?

Deland, Florida Late summer, 1972 The old man grinned broadly, exposing his yellowed teeth. His dark eyes gleamed with merriment at what he was about to say. His daughters watched and waited. They’d made the hurried trip to Florida at the request of the manager of the hotel residence where their father had lived for many years. That courteous, but insistent gentleman had claimed he could no longer be responsible for Mr. Winkler’s safety. “He’s taken to wandering off, ma’am,” the softly slurred southern voice had explained over the crackle of the phone, “It’s several times now that someone has had to bring him back. Fortunately the neighborhood restaurant people know where he belongs.” Pauline and Gloria arrived, three days later, hot and tired, in no mood to be berated for Paul Charles Winkler’s idiosyncrasies. The urbane middle-aged manager had greeted them, conducted them to his office, offered them cold drinks and smiled ruefully before beginning his report. “Apparently while on his daily walk your father is in the habit of entering one or another of our nearby eating establishments. I hear he takes a seat and orders coffee, then asks to be shown to the kitchen where he chastises the cooks for some discrepancy or other -- the cup is dirty or the coffee is cold…he seems to think he is the man in charge. In most cases the staff will humor him but lately he has become too loud and a bit of a bother. They’ve had to encourage him to leave on a number of occasions. Unfortunately, I’m sorry to have to say, once out on the street the old gentleman appears to forget how to get back here. Forgive me, but I must tell you that when this occurs Mr. Winkler more often than not demonstrates some considerable degree of agitation and becomes belligerent.” He’d paused, noticing the women exchange a long suffering glance. The setting sun seen through the curtained window of the small room cast long shadows across the well-worn furnishings. He’d been manager here for many years now and felt he’d seen it all. The elderly population presented him with an on-going variety of problems, but he could not in good conscience allow this eccentric although often charming ninety-plus year-old man to continue to wander around the streets of Deland on his own. “I’m not surprised, about the belligerence that is.” Pauline had said, sighing. “We’ll go up to see him now. He does know we are coming, doesn’t he?” “Yes, yes, if course, I’ve explained that to him several times over the last few days. He seems quite pleased.” The two sisters had risen slowly, murmuring their thanks. “We’ll see what we can do. You must know after all these years that he can be autocratic and stubborn. He will not come with us readily no matter what we offer him.” The manager nodded while bowing them out the door. He had nothing more to say for the moment. Watching the women make their way to the staircase he sighed as well. “Good luck to you,” he mumbled, adding under his breath, he’s your problem now. As the sound of their high heels clicking on the polished floor faded, he turned back into his office easing his door closed. If he was lucky they would take the old fellow out for dinner and relieve him of any more worries about him for the rest of this day at least. The women faced their father now in the privacy of his room. Gloria wrinkled her nose at the musty smell. Everything looked clean and neat, but despite the small fan whirring away on the table in front of the window, the cramped space seemed too warm. He’d made them coffee on the hot plate and rummaged through the cupboard hanging above the sink for what was left of some crumbled coffee cake. Gloria felt a tear sting her eye, remembering the many times he and her sister had visited from New York City bearing coffee and cake. She knew he maintained a frugal diet when alone but he never failed to bring the coffee and cake when he came. Pauline was questioning him now, perturbed by the hotel man’s remarks. “Dad, what possesses you to go into these local restaurant kitchens and complain about the way they do things?” He looked aggrieved and glared. “One must always keep up appearances and make sure things are done properly! Dirty dishes are inexcusable no matter how humble the establishment. We have standards to uphold!” “But Dad,” Gloria offered softly, “those are not your establishments. You’ve been retired from the business for a very long time. I agree that where food is prepared and served cleanliness is important, but it’s not your place to inspect other people’s kitchens. If something is not to your liking just get up and leave.” Meanwhile Pauline was attempting to help him into his jacket so they could go for something more to eat. He fussed and slapped her hand away. “I can do that!” He said testily. Drawing himself up straighter Paul squared his shoulders, “You should not forget, we must always uphold our standards. It is important.” His face convulsed. “Those places may not be mine but standards must be met.” He glared at his daughters and then allowed a small smile to tug at the corners of his mouth. His eyes twinkled. “I’ve never told you this before, but it is time you knew.” He paused for effect. Taking a deep breath, the ninety-three-year-old man proudly announced. “I am after all the illegitimate son of the Kaiser! What that makes you I really don’t know.” Both women choked back the hysterical laughter that rose in their throats. Pauline frowned, “You’ve got to be kidding!” Gloria giggled, sinking down into the overstuffed chair behind her. “Dad, did you hear what you just said?” “Of course, I heard what I said,” He chuckled. “If you’ve got the time when we come back, sit down, it’s a very long story.”