Hal

It all started when he would appear on lonely and rainy Saturday afternoons, emerging from the shadows of Chloe's living room/kitchen (she refused to turn on lights in the daytime). His name was Hal. He would come and sit next to her on her couch and listen to what she had to say about things. And they were nice, these visits. Because she could tell him anything and he would listen.
Then, Hal began accompanying her on random errands. He would appear on a subway platform and talk to her about music, about Nick Drake and forgotten songs. Then, conveniently, he would disappear when she couldn't pay attention to him, like when she was shopping for fruit at the market, for instance (it took some concentration to find untouched cherries on Grand Street at the end of the day).
Later, at home again, he would reappear, assuring and dependable, even when they had nothing to say to each other; keeping each other company in that full and satisfying silence that only kindred spirits can share.