“Thanks.” As much as I appreciate her enthusiasm, how great the news is still debatable.
“So? What’s the problem?” She eyes me curiously.
“I don’t know a thing about kids, let alone little girls.”
“That’s where you come in,” Mark interjects. “Can you help this lost soul?”
“I don’t know how ‘lost’ he is, but I’m more than happy to help.” Charlie taps her finger on her chin. “First things first, we need to make her a room. God knows you have plenty of extras, so just pick one, and we can make sure it’s perfect for a little girl.”
Charlie continues to rattle things off, ticking each item off on a finger. Before I know it, I’m following her out of the office to embark on a shopping trip. As we go from store to store, Charlie imparts her wisdom. While I know she’s trying to help, it also makes me feel even less qualified.
“You’re going to be fine, Ryder.” Charlie places her hand on my arm. “Things might start out a little rocky, but you two will find your way. I promise.”
She takes inventory of the items piled high in the back of my SUV: bedding, décor, toys, and enough clothes to fill two closets.
“Don’t you think this is a little much?”
“Trust me,” Charlie says.
Famous last words. “Those words have never worked out well for me in the past.”
She tosses an elbow into my ribs.
“Hey, I’m a wounded soldier here,” I tease.
She rolls her eyes before elbowing me again. “Let’s go, soldier. We still have lots to do.”
Charlie gets into the SUV, and I slide into the driver seat next to her.
“What are you talking about?”
She pats my cheek. “You’re so cute and clueless. Buying the stuff is one thing. Making her room look perfect? That’s another.”
“I don’t know how to thank you for this.”
“You put up with Mark; that’s enough.”
It’s nearly dinner time when we finally finish putting the final touches on one of my spare rooms. Everything is set to make sure Amelia feels welcome the moment she steps through the door.
“Thanks again,” I say as I give Charlie a hug.
“We can’t wait to meet her. Let us know when you’re ready.” She waves to Mark, who is sitting in their car in the driveway. “Let me know. The poor thing needs to be prepared for Uncle Mark.”
“We all need to be prepared for Mark.” I laugh as I wave at my cousin and good friend.
Charlie heads out, leaving me on my own for the last task of the day—telling Amelia that I’m her dad.
Thirty minutes later, I’m standing in front of Dorothy’s apartment building, my feet cemented to the sidewalk. I’ve taken on the worst of the worst and been in more life-or-death situations than I care to admit, but this little girl terrifies me more than any of those things.
This isn’t just about me anymore. It’s about her.
What if I’m not a good dad? What if Amelia hates me? What if I screw her up?
With Dorothy’s declining health, I’m all she has. If I don’t get my shit together, that little girl suffers.
Gathering my courage, I take a step toward the building just as Amelia comes barreling out of the door. She’s laughing and squealing as she tumbles into the yard. Dorothy follows slowly, her strength weakening by the day.
“Ryder,” she says, a broad smile on her face. “What a surprise.”