The Heir

Ch. 1: Skyler

The motel's decrepit coffee maker must be the slowest in Sacramento. I scrutinize the slow drip-drip-drip of coffee, urging it to fill up the flimsy cup.

Running my hand through my hair, I truly regret this morning that I didn't let my brother set me up in one of our hotels. Eric would shudder to know the true state of the accommodations the university chose for me.

This small-chain motel was the closest place to stay near our excavation site; the other research crew members all occupy the neighboring suites on this floor.

We are still a thirty-minute drive out to the site. Everyone on the team has been rotating crews to camp overnight on-site for security. This motel is a slight step above sleeping in the trailer.

Thank god I'm not on overnight watch this weekend.

Not that the weekend means days off, because I'll still be heading out with the team this morning. Hopefully, my coffee is done first.

My jarring ringtone brings me out of my stupor. I grab my cell and quickly lower the ringer volume before answering the video call.

"Hello, Mother."

Mother's forehead fills the screen before she positions her tablet and backs up, squinting. The kitchen back home comes into focus around her. She still has an intimidating aura, even in her pajamas and robe, with her hair loose.

Her face softens before she speaks. "Skyler, I'm so glad you picked up."

It's not as if I've been avoiding her non-existent calls. It was my understanding that we agreed to give each other some space ever since the blowup at my birthday party.

"Aren't you supposed to have your glasses on when using screens?" I remind her.

Her face frumples in pretense. "Oh? Does this count?"

I stare back at her until she gives it up.

"Fine. Goodness, you sound just like Eric."

She exits the screen for a few moments. When she returns, her glasses are in place and no longer squinting. She lifts up a coffee mug, one of her favorites, and takes a sip of the steaming contents.

I glance over at my cup with annoyance as the machine's drips and brewing gargles carry on.

"How is Eric?" I turn back to my phone

"He's fine. He already left for work, but he's the same as ever." She gives a telling shrug.

Last I heard from Eric, he was still disgruntled about agreeing to work with River.

"I see. And is there a purpose to your call?"

"No, no. I just wanted to see how your work is going. I don't want to bother you while you're busy up there."

"Thank you. Work is going well."

"You sound tired, though."

"I am."

"Is the work too difficult?"

I merely shake my head, trying to cover a yawn.

"Well, since I have you," Mother leads, "Maybe I can get the exact date you return. I want to start planning your welcome home party."

"I don't have a return date yet, but another party is the last thing I want. Don't you have anything else you'd like to discuss?" I hint. Perhaps the reason we haven't spoken in two months.

Mother gives a little sigh, straightening her robe before answering. "I suppose you wish to settle the embarrassing little incident from your birthday."