I went ahead and backed up my database, re-ran the complete install program and this is what I now see as a version statement in Admin:

Zen Cart 1.3.8a
Patch: 1::
Database Patch Level: 1.3.9b
v1.3.9b [2010-05-15 14:20:24] (Version Update 1.3.8->1.3.9b)
v1.3.8 [2010-03-18 08:48:44] (Fresh Installation)
Is this correct?

I have no idea what it should say, the 1.3.8a is throwing me.