Not by Sight A Novel

CHAPTER 40

The following Monday, Kate sat in the office of Stella Rhodes, Riley Jo’s caseworker, at the Department of Children and Family Services.

“I’ve started preparing your daughter for the idea of moving to your home,” Stella said. “As we discussed on the phone, the results of her tests were encouraging. There’s absolutely no indication of sexual abuse. What physical abuse there was left no permanent injuries. And her psych evaluation indicates she handles stress well and has a remarkably bright outlook, considering all she’s been through. From what I can see, she’s eager and ready to join your family.”

Kate felt almost giddy. Was it finally going to happen? “I’d like to think it helps that our family loves her and can hardly wait to have her back with us.”

Stella nodded. “Yes, that’s a huge part of it. I don’t see any reason to draw this out much longer. It’ll be better for her when she’s settled. My only real concern now is that the two of you haven’t decided on her name.”

“She said she would have her mind made up the next time I see her. And that’s today.”

“Good.” Stella squeezed Kate’s hand and smiled. “Go. Talk to your daughter. I’m dying to know what she’s decided.”

Kate took a slow, deep breath, then got up and walked across the hall. She turned the knob and slowly pushed open the door to the pleasant room with pale blue walls painted with white clouds and colorful balloons.

Riley Jo jumped up and ran to the door, throwing her arms around Kate’s waist. “Hi, Mama!”

“Hello, sweet girl. Miss Stella just told me that it won’t be long until you can come home to us. Abby’s already got your side of the room ready with the pink-and-yellow comforter and matching curtains you picked out.”

“Yippeeeee!”

Her daughter’s bright blue eyes sparkled with delight.

“Let’s sit at the table,” Kate said. “We have a very important issue to deal with today.”

Riley Jo nodded. “My name.”

Kate sat facing her daughter, her heart pounding. Would she be able to handle it if her daughter wanted to keep the name Ella?

“Have you decided?” Kate asked.

Riley Jo drew an imaginary circle on the table with her finger. “I been thinkin’ lots and lots about it. I know I ain’t gonna be Ella Tutt no more. I don’t wanna be Ella neither, ’cause that name was given to me by Pa, and it was a lie.”

“So what are you thinking?” Kate tried not to look or sound relieved.

“Well … can Micah be a girl’s name?”

“It can if you want it to.”

“Then how about … Riley Micah Cummings? I ain’t never had a middle name before. That way I’d be named for my real pa who really did care about me.”

Kate blinked to clear her eyes, but a tear spilled down her cheek.

Riley’s lips turned down. “If you don’t like it, I might could think of somethin’ else.”

“No, I love it!” Kate gently took her daughter’s wrists. “It’s perfect. You just caught me off guard, sweetie. These are tears of joy. I think it’s so special that you’ll have your real daddy’s name now.”

“You can just call me Riley—and not Jo. I might miss the name Ella some. But I’ll git used to it.”

Kate studied her daughter’s china-doll face, remembering the day she and Micah dedicated their baby girl to the Lord. How could she possibly have imagined that, after five agonizing years, Riley would come back to her, changed and wanting to use her father’s name as part of her own?

“Riley Micah Cummings,” Kate said aloud for the first time. “It’s just right. And beautiful—like my precious daughter.” She brushed Riley’s soft dark hair out of her eyes and relished the glow of excitement on her face.

“I ain’t sure my forever family’ll like it.”

“They will,” Kate said. “It’s a wonderful choice. I had never even thought of it. But I’m glad you did.”

“Now I got a name. Can I go to your house with you?”

“Not today,” Kate said. “But very soon. And you need to think of it as our house. It’s yours, too.”