Inheritance

Chapter 13

"Everything will be alright, Sasha. Come here." I rose from my seat at the soft calling of his voice, instantly falling into my uncle's cradled arms.

"The flight is at 11pm, so take some time to clear your mind. In the end, I'm sure you'll make the choice that is best for you. I love you." He tucked his head over my chin, and I was reminded of the warmth that emitted from the man who would always be a father to me.

"Ok." 

~~~

It was 10:55pm, and I had made the rash decision to board the flight my uncle had booked for me. During the plane ride, all I could seem to think about was what I would even say to Mrs. Franks when I arrived. Apart from that, I also had other things to consider. Like, would my foster siblings be there? Would he be there? 

These questions and many more tormented my dreams, as I drifted off into a power nap for the next five hours.

Once the flight landed in Southern California, I apprehensively took an uber to the nostalgic town where I had spent most of my early childhood years. As the car passed by the formidable town landmarks, I began to reflect on the little girl who had once wanted to escape from this place so bad. 

Now that I actually had, I wondered how differently my life would have turned out, had I decided to stay.

When the driver stopped his car in front of an old hotel front, I tipped him generously and grabbed my bags. I had packed rather lightly, since I wasn't planning to stay in town long. Inconveniencing anyone was the last thing I wanted to do. Given that it was still about six in the morning, I would use the extra time to freshen up and prepare to see Mrs. Franks later on in the day.

Entering the hotel, I checked in at the front lobby and was handed a key card by the clerk. My room was on the the third floor, which wasn't too high, considering the building was eight stories tall. By the time I reached my room, all I wanted to do was sleep. Jumping face first into the bed, my eyes instantly shut as I ignored the subpar conditions of the temporary living space.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

I grouchily turned over on the bed and reached for my phone on the table stand, which read 12:03pm. Shit. I had been asleep for six hours. When my phone continued to loudly ring, I thoughtlessly picked up the device and swiped right on the screen.

"Hello, this is Sasha..." I groggily mumbled.

"Um, hi Sasha. This is Grace, Mrs. Franks' caregiver. I hope it's okay that Mr. Milton gave me your number. I just wanted to confirm whether you were coming today."

"Oh, yes! I will be there in...about an hour. I hope I haven't keep her waiting." I said, glancing at the clock to estimate how much time I needed to get ready.

"No, you're fine. It's just that Mrs. Franks really wanted to be home when you arrived. So, we took her from the hospital. She wants to spend the remaining time she has left in her house."

"I completely understand. I'll see you then."

"Great, bye." As soon as the phone cut, I sprang from bed and headed to the bathroom to shower.

~~~

Passing through the many suburban homes, I felt my nerves begin to burrow with anticipation. I hadn't even realized my taxi had reached the Franks' house, until the driver pulled into the driveway of the peach-colored home.

"Miss, we're here. I'll go ahead and grab your things." The driver said, as he opened the trunk and began to remove my belongings. I figured it would be rude of me to refrain from staying in the house for the next few days, if it was indeed where Mrs. Franks intended to spend her remaining time alive.