The Heir

Welcome Home

"Thank you for meeting me Sophie." I took a seat in the plush leather chair across from Mr. Fredrickson. "Can I get you some water? Or coffee?"

"No thank you. I'm fine." I said as I crossed my pantyhose covered legs, intertwining my fingers together across my knee, pulling it towards my chest. I watched Mr. Fredrickson as he unbuttoned his brown suit jacket, sitting down in his chair. He cleared his throat before as he opened a folder in the middle of his desk.

"Alright, so, this." He slid a piece of paper across the desk at me. "This is Mr. Evans' last will. Like I said before, he has left you everything. Now, normally, these things would get stuck in probate, but it seems Mr. Evans was one step ahead of everyone. He paid off his home and had the documents drawn up to sign them over to you. His bank accounts were also all prepared to be transferred to you, and you were added as the sole beneficiary to his retirement accounts. His vehicle was paid in full, and the title was also already prepared to be transferred to your name. It seems Mr. Evans was a very well prepared man."

I took the documents, one at a time, in my shaky fingers. I was holding back tears as I thought about Professor Evans leaving me everything he possessed. I knew we meant a lot to each other, but I suppose I didn't realize just how much.

"All I need from you is your signature on everything. The title company will have to file the transfer as soon as your signature is on the papers, but that shouldn't take a week. They will mail you the new documents for the home. As for the car, I will notarize your signature and you can take it to the DMV today. The bank accounts are a little more difficult. You were added as a beneficiary. You will need to take them Mr. Evans death records, and this paper. Once that's done they will remove his name and get you all set up. I do apologize for how much work this will be for you." He smiled brightly at me as he handed me a pen, sliding a brilliant white paper at me.

"First things first. The home."

It took about an hour to get all of the documents signed. Mr. Fredrickson was very patient with me and took the time to explain each paper and what I was signing. He happily answered all of my questions and was very warm when he presented me with the keys to my new home. This was to be my first home. I had lived in apartments my entire adult life, only renting. I had never experienced the joys of being a homeowner, or having to endure the home buying process. I was thankful that Mr. Fredrickson was as knowledgeable as he was. I rushed back to work, trying to not be late for my next class.

My lunch break was spent sitting at the DMV. I didn't want to wait to get the paperwork done. I was still in shock from everything, and was just going through the motions. It was one less thing I had to worry about. Mr. Fredrickson was able to get the retirement money released to me, and transferred to my account. I had decided I was going to come down Professor Evans' accounts, and bring it to my Bank. I didn't want to worry about multiple accounts. I knew he wasn't a rich man, but he was definitely well off. More so than I. He had been teaching for most of his life. Not having any family he was able to save most of his money. Being a big history buff, you would think he would travel, but he never did. He always said it was one of his biggest regrets. I think his biggest regret, however, was not having a family. He always stressed to me how important it was that I find a man and settle down. He never liked to go places alone, which was why I accompanied him to dinner a lot. He didn't like to cook because it was just him. Most nights he ate TV dinners. Going out made him eat good meals. If we didn't go out, I would stop by with a home cooked meal for him. I looked out for him as much as he looked out for me. I believe that had he had a wife, someone to enjoy things with, he would have traveled. I would see the way he would stare at couples when we were out. His eyes always had a longing look to them. Like he had missed out on something he desperately wanted. I never asked him why he never got married, or if there was anyone special in his life. I never felt like that was a topic I was privy to know. Even though it killed me that I didn't know.

Finally it was my turn. I walked up to the window and placed the car title on the counter.

"I just need to have this registered in my name." The friendly older woman carefully examined the title to the car.

"Wow. That's a nice car." She smiled at me as she began typing on her keyboard. I hadn't paid much attention to the car on the title. Professor Evans drove a small, 90's sedan. It wasn't anything to be envious about. I craned my neck, straining my eyes as I tried to read the title, upside-down.

"Woah!" I gasped as I read the title. The woman stared at me from above her glasses.

"Are you alright?" She questioned.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I just…um…can't believe I actually bought this car. I'm still in shock." I lied. The title revealed that I was now the proud owner of a 2021 Mercedes G class SUV. I had told Professor Evans that I had always wanted one of those. We had seen one in the parking lot of a restaurant we had been at. I was practically drooling as I peeked in the windows at it. I can still remember his laugh as he watched me invade the vehicle's privacy. He had told me one day I would have one. I suppose he was right. I had no idea that he even owned one of these.

I signed some forms and wrote a check to cover the registration costs, and was soon on my way. I couldn't help but pause as I walked over to my plain, grey Kia Stinger. I can't believe that I was the proud owner of a G class. I squealed as I jumped up and down, bursting with excitement. I looked up to the cloud-covered sky.

"Thank you, Dale." I whispered. I felt the warmth of the sun beat down on me through the clouds. It's rays surrounding me and wrapping me in comfort. I could feel Dale looking down at me, smiling upon my happiness. Even in death he was still taking care of me.

The rest of the school week felt like a lifetime. I hadn't visited his house yet. I was dying to though. I really wanted to see my new car. I had been to Dale's house plenty of times, but had only ever been in the main living areas. His home was quite large, and in a very nice part of town. It was a beautiful brick, two story home. There were two bright white columns out front and a large semi circular driveway. The entire property was fenced off with black, iron fencing. Brick pillars sat on either end of the electric gates. The pillars were topped with gorgeous, colonial lights. The grass leading up to the front of the house was luscious green and well manicured. Even the bushes in front of the house had been well taken care of.

I often wondered how Dale was able to afford a house this nice. It didn't seem to fit in with his professor's salary. I never asked him what he made, and he never offered. I knew, either way, his house was well out of his salary range.

I pulled up to the keypad in front of the gate. I entered the code Dale had given me. He wanted to make sure I could always get into his house, in the event something had happened to him. I didn't have a key to his house, until now anyway, but I always knew where he kept the spare key. I never used it. I never needed too. The gate roared to life, rolling out of the way of my car, allowing me entrance to my new home. I crept up the driveway, noticing Dale's plain sedan parked in the driveway. It was weird to be here, knowing Dale won't be greeting me with his warm smile and bear hug. My eyes began to tear up at the thought of being in his home alone.

"Well, I suppose it's my home now. I said aloud as I parked behind Dale's car in the driveway. I stood on the front steps, staring at the beautiful black front door, the golden door knockers glaring at me. Usually, I would reach out and grab one, feeling their cool, smooth texture as I pounded them against the door. But not today. Today, I used the key. I held it in my hand, sighing as I forced it into the keyhole.

'Welcome home.' I heard, uttered in Dale's voice.