The Last Heir

Chapter I

The bushes surrounding the Victorian farmhouse had just started to bud during the start of the summer season. Silently, Thomas gazes out the second-story window of his late grandfather's study. He quietly admires the crisp green lawn and the acres of woodland that were soon to be his. Thomas soon notices the sharp glare of sun hitting a windshield of a dark green sedan. His eyes following the car as it travels up the long driveway. Reaching the tall three-story farmhouse on the small hill, an older gentleman opens the driver's side door, walking to the trunk of his car pulling out a dark leather briefcase. My lawyer slams the trunk shut pushing the alarm button on his car keys, the old man looks up at the old farmhouse before walking up the cobblestone path.

Thomas walks down the two flights of stairs, just as he reaches the bottom step the older gentleman rings the doorbell. He hurriedly walks to the door, taking a deep breath before opening the door. Awkwardly he opened the white victorian looking door to reveal the old man. "Hello Thomas," Jim huffs as he walks past me. "I've come by to finish up the last pieces of paperwork. I just need you to sign the papers and the deed to your grandparent's house will be yours, and the money your parents put away for you in a trust will be available to you by the end of the month. You are about to become a very wealthy man." Thomas chuckles softly, saying "I wouldn't call that being wealthy just damn lucky." Jim replies, "Well your family was really looking out for you bud."

Jim took a look around the large dining room of the house and sighed, "Take care of the house Thomas. Your grandparents left you a real gem." Jim turned to look over at the young man, nothing but hope in his dull hazel eyes. " I would have killed to have a beautiful house like this at your age." After a short moment of reminiscing of all the times, he spent over here with Thomas's grandparents he spoke up. Teasingly, he asks Thomas "What's next for you? Get ya self a woman or two? Make this place a real bachelor-pad." After a short pause, Thomas clears his throat awkwardly replying to the absurd questions. "Not sure Jim." Thomas let out an awkward chuckle, then continued. "Keeping my options open I guess. Maybe moving back out to the city. There's nothing left here for me sadly. I've spent most of my life living with my grandparents. I guess you can say it's finally time to leave the nest." Thomas runs his hand through his messy beard trying to finish the conversation up quickly so that Jim would leave him alone. While this man was sort of a friend, Thomas would much rather be alone in his sanctuary.

Quickly Jim piped up, always wanting to help. "I'll stop by a few times of the year to check up on the house, See what needs to be repaired after the winter months. Whenever something goes wrong, I'll be sure to call you."Jim picks up his brief case off of the laminate flooring. "Oh and Thomas?" He waits a moment for the young boy to turn his attention towards him again. "I hope you find what you're looking for out there in the city. When you're ready and you find yourself you'll come home with stories to tell." Turning away from Thomas, Jim waddled out the front door, leaving Thomas to listen to the creaking of the old lonely home once again.

Thomas turns around walks into the living room picking up the cups, watching the last glimpse of Jim's car disappear around the corner of the tree line. Thomas takes a deep breath before walking down the small hallway leading to the kitchen. Placing the dirty cups into the kitchen sink noticing the small pile of dirty dishes, thinking he should really start to clean the dishes, that had been left in the sink a few days. Thomas turns on the tap testing the water before plugging the sink, kneeling down opening the cupboard below the sink picking up the lavender dish soap his grandmother loved. Squirting a few drops of soap into the hot water swishing the bubbles around. leaning against the marble kitchen counter admiring the field through the kitchen window. Listening to the birds chirping as they fly by. Remembering when he used to wash dishes with his grandmother after supper when he was a young lad.

Letting the sink fill up more than halfway before turning the tap off. Pulling open the drawer next to the sick grabbing a bright green dishcloth tossing it into the sink. Rolling up his sleeves a bit before continuing to wash the few dishes that were in the sink. The smell of the lavender soap filling his nose, a small smile across his lips as he finished up the dishes. By the time he finished the dishes it was early afternoon, he wasn't feeling quite hungry yet so he decided to go into town and grab a bite to eat. Drying his hands with a floral pattern dish towel. Walking down the small hallway to the coat closet Thomas grabs his light grey jacket slips it on, quickly jogging upstairs to his bedroom to grab his car keys. Walking through the upstairs bedroom and bathroom turning off any lights that are still on. With a small smile and a short breath he slowly walks downstairs taking a quick glance around at the dusty photos on the wall, before opening the front door and locking it behind him.