Diana sat a plate in front of Isaac. "Eat up, sweetie. You're beginning to look as skinny as Taylor. I want to get some meat on you."
Isaac looked at the plate, not really seeing it. "Mom, did you ever love someone until you learned their name?"
He sighed. "Thanks, Mom. Real helpful."
Diana refilled his iced tea. "Well, what do you want me to say? I don't even know what you mean. A name's just a name, after all. It's not their personality or soul or heart or attractiveness. It's a name. Names are everchanging things."
"No."
"You think so?" Isaac picked up his fork and started nibbling on the spaghetti Diana had made for him.
"Yeah, I sure do. Do you need anything else? If not, I'm going to go to the store. You don't mind watching Zoe for thirty or so minutes, do you?" Diana's keys were in hand and she was halfway out the door by the time Isaac understood the question.
He looked at his watch. She should be at work by now. He would try again. "Hey, Zoe. How would you like to go and get a candy bar?"
