I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT YOU, TEDDY
One evening Mother invited us to dine at her new home in Brentwood, the one Paul had given her. He was very complimentary on the way she arranged her lovely furniture, her choice of color schemes, and her excellent dinner. Driving home he said, “Your mother is a remarkable woman, and so attractive. People half her age would be thrilled to have her youthful figure.”
On arriving home I looked through the day’s mail. Then I rushed to Paul’s room, carrying a letter from Hans Hasl, my accompanist in Rome. Hurriedly, I tore the envelope open and we read:
Augsburg, 18 January 1950
Bavaria, Germany
My dear Teddy:
When I received your Christmas card I could hardly believe my eyes! You wrote: “I hope you remember me.” Teddy, how could I forget you? About two years ago I read about your making a success with your voice, but surprised you were also in the water business. I kept the article in my “top secret” box.
Today, in the Paris Herald I read the following: “Wife of American oil man J. Paul Getty—Theodora Lynch, accompanied by Forrest Tucker and Carmen Cavallero and his orchestra, today planed from Hollywood to Hereford, Texas and in ceremonies at the Jim Hill Hotel, Miss Lynch was made Honorary Mayor of Hereford for her outstanding efforts to promote the City through her Hereford Water Company. Later, as honored guest of the City she rode with the Mayor and other officials in the parade honoring—“Hereford Texas—Town Without a Toothache!”
To bring you up to date about me. First—I shall never forget the last time I saw you—that day when those SS Agents came to arrest me at your apartment and they ordered you to—“sing—if you’re a singer!” I was so proud of you—you gave them a magnificent performance of Otello. I will never forget either, how fearful I was that they would put me to death. I was afraid for you too, but I was helpless. They “escorted” me to the German border, where the Gestapo picked me up. I was under house arrest.
In 1944, I met Lorranianes “a gang of resistance.” I was with them helping and awaiting the arrival of the Americans.
The SS used bloodhounds to catch us. Some of my friends were caught and executed. I was lucky. I had that day gone to the Church and hid in the loft.
When the Allied Forces arrived, I offered my services to them. Just last year I gave three concerts in Stuttgart and one in Ausburg. I am now conducting.
Tons of love from your old friend,
Hans
P.S. Please write to me.