After her shower, Linda remembered that she had to check on her guest - the little brown bat! How could she have forgotten? She threw on a robe and went downstairs to check the shoe box's tiny inhabitant.
The bat seemed to respond to Linda's presence, and opened its eyes a little. It moved its wings, but made no attempt to jump out. Linda took this as a sign for the better.
Noticing that it had eaten the insects, and drunk the water, Linda smiled. She had done right, by the looks of it and the bat was looking much better. She smiled, knowing that she would probably be unable to return him to his mother, she could check the escarpment and try to find a suitable alternative, or even better, build him something here in her loft. It had been just a few hours, but she felt a little kinship toward the thing.
"First, I am going let you have a bit of freedom." she said to it. She wasn't sure how wise this was at this point, but she figured all the windows were closed, and the loft wasn't too high. She could see about installing some simple beams for the bat to try to hang from when it was ready.
"Well, I suppose if I am to have you here, I should name you as well." she said aloud. The bat stirred again, this time attempting to right itself in the shoe box.
"How about Zulu?," she half asked "I know its an African name, and you're not an African bat..." the little bat sneezed. "Okay, not Zulu. What about Frank. No. That doesn't work." she scratched her chin. "I know. Something simple. You crashed into my window - how about Crash?" The bat stared at her. "Okay. Choosy bat. how about Ree? Its a girls name, but it sounds like it might suit you." the bat blinked and then nodded. Approval? "OK, Ree. I'm going to lift the dome now. Try not to freak out."
She pulled the laundry dome away from the box. The little bat appeared to smile up at her, and she was half tempted to pick him up with her bare hands. Looking at her hands for a moment she paused,
"Damn, my fingernails are getting long again, too much typing. Wouldn't you say, Ree?" The bat blinked again. Well, he looked harmless enough. Linda reached down slowly and put her finger on the bats head, giving it a scritch. It churred.
"Well that's a good sign. Can I pick you up Ree? would you mind?"and she reached down to pick him up. As she scooped the little bat into her hand, he grasped one of her fingers and began to suck on it.
"Oh, Oh that's adorable, Ree." He held him closer to her chest and sat on the couch. "Would you like some more water, or flies?" Ree seemed contented, and Linda didn't mind the sucking, until Ree bit down hard on her thumb.