Esther Preech

	Esther was so grateful she and Pearl could team up. The two had been inseparable since the first day Pearl moved in. 
	Esther could still remember the day, in the Library looking for historical fiction of the old wild west. 
	Pearl walked in and asked the attendant if there was any VHS tapes she could check out. The technology had been upgraded to digital movies and television, Pearl turned and asked “How about you? Got any old VHS tapes I can look at?” 
	Of course Esther had tons of them when she was younger, but now only a handful. “I have a few, family moments. Maybe the wedding was transferred over. But,” Esther’s enthusiasm fell, “I have no player.”
	Pearl’s smile broadened like she had just met her new best friend. “I have a player, and don’t worry about if I can fix it either. I used to fix them for a living. I used to fix a lot of things, vacuums, televisions, cb radios. In the eighties I made a ton of money fixing video game machines. OH!” Pearl suddenly looked ashamed of herself, “I’m Pearl Sachman.” Extended her hand out and continued, “What’s your name?”
	Esther was taken aback by the sudden rush of energy and timidly responded, “Esther Preech.”
	That very night they had their first sleep over, and over popcorn and root beer floats Esther got to see her children playing in the backyard again.
	Esther drew in a deep sigh and hugged Pearls arm a little tighter as the two walked to Esther’s room. 
	Pearl smiled and hugged back.
	The two entered the room and settled down on the cozy worn brown couch. It was a lay-out couch, already pre-made excluding the pillows. Esther had really splurged on the mattress though because they slept so often on it with their sleep overs. Even the coffee table was her great grandmother’s three tiered tea cart, because it could be rolled around and used for sleepovers. Her wall mounted television was the largest The Alpine would allow, and underneath a half bookcase full of Pearl’s this and thats that make old technology work with new technology.
	“Well,”  Pearl started. “How do you find out something on someone who doesn’t socialize?”
	“You have to get mail.” Esther mused.
	“And you have to eat.” Pearl added.
	Esther brightened a little, “He has to walk the dog!”
	Pearl was confused, “We don’t have a dog or even a cat to walk.”