Harriet has been kind to the Doctor today. She has freely shared her thoughts with him.

“It’s been a long time since you’ve been so relaxed and comfortable communicating with me,” said the Doctor.

“I don’t intend to be distant or non-communicative,” replied Harriett.  “But in case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been very busy lately.”

“Congratulations on your two hatchlings,” continued the Doctor, hoping to encourage her into additional thought transmissions.

“Thank you,” Harriet replied. “These babies certainly do seem to be strong and healthy. If my third egg hatches, it will probably be today or tomorrow. You can tell the world if I give birth and sustain three chicks into fledgling-hood.”

The Doctor smiled.

“We’re all rooting for you.  You have all of our support and best wishes, Harriett.  All of your readers care for you and love you.”

“Kind words,” Harriett continued.  “You H. sapiens sometime annoy me with your air-conditioned nest and internal combustion machines. But I don’t want to be confrontational. I appreciate your love and concern.”

“What about The Mission?” Asked the Doctor.

This thought transfer upset Harriett greatly.

“Don’t talk to me about The Mission right now. Can’t you see I’ve got my wings full!”

There was a long silence.  The Doctor began to feel uncomfortable. Their telepathy was disrupted. The Doctor feared he had offended her. After a minute or two. She transfered the following thought:

“I really do appreciate you Doctor. And I really do appreciate all of your friends and my readers.  I can’t help but be especially appreciative of all the baby names that are coming in.”

———————————————————————————————————

 Potential baby names continue to arrive.

Eun (Gaelic for “Bird”)

David

Ashley

Chance

Justice

Jesse

Tracey, Pacey, and Casey (all gender-neutral and they rhyme)

————————————————————————————————–

The names keep coming:

Prince

Edgar

Bruce

Grace

Helen

Libby

Nikki

Sunny

Travis

—————————————————————————————————–

“Okay, okay,” said Harriett. “Enough baby name suggestions! There’s a lot going on here. Good grief! Don’t distract me with such frivolity.  Let’s get real….”

“Darn Harriett, you seem to be a little bit touchy today.”

The Doctor’s comment agitated Harriett even more.

Harriet took a deep breath. She collected herself and told Ozzie to go catch a fish.

Then she confided in the Doctor that the experience with Ivan the Terrible had really shaken her. She was trying to get it out of her mind. It was a nightmare that did not happen. She just cannot imagine life without Ozzie, and that monstrous Ivan the Terrible really made her sick.

“Praise Triple O!” Was all Harriett’s brain could construe. Her ethereal spirit could not verbalize her Thanksgiving. ” Thank you Triple O“. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Triple O…….. words could not express her appreciation.

Harriett snuggled up with her two hatchlings to keep them warm. She also scooped her third egg directly beneath her brooding pouch to provide it with its best chance of hatching.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have three hatchlings she mused.

The Doctor sensed her sentimentality. He backed off gently.

“I love you Harriett,” he said.

“I love you too, Doctor.”

“Good night.”

“Good night.”