We Make it Up as We Go

Alessandra was surprised when 3817 talked about the dancing. She was a helper, born with a real servant's heart, and while she knew what she wanyed to do, there never seemed time to do it. She was very touched by his offer to help, for free. What a dear.

"Oh, thank you for saying that. Until this point I haven't thought about pursuing my hopes or goals. I guess I could look into it."

She paused for a second. She wanted to be able to say his name but 3817 or just 38 was not what she was grasping at. She thought about it and spoke it.

"You know, I think you ought to have a real name if that's okay with you. 3817 is not very personal."

What if he wanted suggestions? Hmm, what did he look like to her. What letter? T? N? L? What kind of names did he like?

Alessandra nodded and smiled. Nothing with an E. That was fine with her. She had a few names ideas for him. Let's see, one, two, three suggestions ought to do it. Wait, she though of more. But which one suited him best. Which did he like?

"Alright, how about August, Carter or Vincent? Or Brett, Jack and Zach? I think that's enough suggestions. Let me know of you despise them all, it will be your name after all. I just wanted to give you lots of options!"

She thought they were very nice names. Some of them suited him better than the others but it was his decision. She was just glad she didn't have to call him a number any more. It seemed too impersonal. Besides, she was always looking for a way to help people. She was sure this was going to be a big help!

Tess smiled as he chose the name Zach. It was a good name. She'd have to look up the meaning some time. She looked at him and decided that it suited him.

"Well it's nice to meet you, Zach. How would you like a congratulations hug from your friend Tess? Who speaks of herself in third person, apparently."

She laughed in spite of herself and was excited about how things were turning out. Today was a better day then she thought it would be. She had s friend now and he had a friend in her. And he had an official name too!

Tess was very happy when he leaned in and wrapped his arms around her. He held her tight, she noticed. She figured that after the hints of his previous life that things like this, and people like her were not an everyday thing. And here she thought that her work was insignificant when really she was helping someone out. She smiled as his shaky voice thanked her. She had madehim very happy. She didn't think she'd done anything extraordinary but it had helped him. She gave his back a friendly rub as she spoke.

"I'm so glad I could help you Zach. I... I don't know how much it means to you or how exactly your feeling, but I am so glad to be able to help. I'm always here to help."

She decided to let him be the one to let go in his time, as she felt no need to rush him. He had not had much goodness in his life and somehow she provided it. Normal her, able to make someone smile and feel happy. It caused a few small tears to run down her face as well.

Tess couldn't believe it. He must have really been hurting for her... simpleness to mean so much to him. But she was glad. Ecstatic that she could be a help. She saw his worth and his value and no one else's opinion would change that. She was his friend now and that was that.

"No need for words dear. I'm just glad we found each other. I think we both need each other. And now we'll be an unstoppable duo!"

No more people wre going to hurt him if she could help it. And by earth to sky she was going to be able to help it. People couldn't just mess with other people for no reason and she wouldn't let them. She smiled as she wiped the last year off her face.

"I'm not sad, it's a happy tear. I'm just overwhelmed by how happy you are, it makes me very happy. That and we women cry a lot over random things."