Page 12 of What I Needed

“It’s cool. I’m not picky. As long as it’s healthy.”

“Okay. I’ll see you soon.”

I ended the call with Erissa and called my mother. It was a little after five o’clock in Chicago, and she should be home. The phone rang a few times before she answered.

“Hello, Son. How was your first day back?”

“It was fine. I’m headed home now to see how Erissa’s first full day with Riverlynn was. Did you check Rylee’s schedule yet?”

“As a matter of fact, I did. We have a three-day weekend in a few weeks. I’ve already looked at some flights.”

“Bet. Let me know when you book them, and I’ll send you the money.”

“I can pay⁠—”

“Ma, please. We go through this every time you visit. You know I got it.”

“Fine. Did you do the background check on the nanny like I told you?”

“She actually told me to do it before you did, and yes, my lawyer took care of it, and there’s nothing about her that is concerning.”

“Good. Make sure you FaceTime me when you get home. I want to meet her.”

“She’s pretty as hell, and⁠—”

“Boy, I don’t care what she looks like. I’ve been telling you I want to meet her since you hired her. If you don’t FaceTime me today, it’s gon’ be a problem.”

“Okay, Ma, dang.”

“I’ll talk to you later. Love you.”

“Love you more, Ma.”

I turned into my long driveway and parked in the garage. When I entered my house, the first thing I saw were bags and boxes. I left my shoes by the door, walked through the kitchen, and followed the sound to the family room. Erissa and Riverlynn were in the middle of the floor on a blanket, and boxes surrounded them.

“Hey, what’s going on here?” I asked, startling Erissa.

I bent down to pick up my daughter, and the smile she gave me went straight to my heart. It was then that I realized I’d missed her today.

“Hey. She just finished eating. I burped her, changed her diaper, and now we’re playing.”

“Good, and these boxes?”

“Oh, yeah. I ordered a bunch of stuff for Rivvy. Most of it needs to be taken to her room, and I figured I’d let you do that.”

“Rivvy? Is that your nickname for her?”

She smiled timidly and nodded.

“I hope that’s okay. I was talking to her, and Rivvy came out, and it stuck.”

“I like it. Riverlynn is a mouthful and does sound a little formal.”

“Great. I think she likes it too.”

“Good. Let me see what’s in all these bags and boxes.”

I sat on the couch and put Riverlynn on my lap while Erissa commenced to opening boxes. By the time all the boxes in the family room were open, it looked like the baby department at JCPenney.