Read Coda 03 -The Letter Z for Free Online Page A

to clean up a bit.” I felt my heart fall inside my chest, and Zach somehow managed to look even more startled than before. Jonathan either didn’t notice, or didn’t care. “See you then.” He gave us a little wave and walked away, leaving Zach and I in an uncomfortable silence.
I watched Zach, waiting for him to get his shit together. He was staring at the floor, his eyes moving back and forth. I had a feeling he was replaying the whole scene in his head, trying to make sense of it all. He finally looked up at me with frightened eyes.
“What the hell just happened?” he asked.
“We’re apparently having dinner tonight,” I said, “with your friend.” “Oh God,” Zach moaned, putting his head in his hands. “Is he that bad?” I asked.
Zach shook his head. “He’s my ex.”
All the pieces suddenly fell into place—Zach’s stunned behavior, and Jonathan’s obvious interest. No wonder Zach looked so worried.
“Let me get this straight,” I said to him. “We’re going to dinner tonight with your boyfriend, and your ex?”
“I think so.”
“At the same time?”
“Apparently,” Zach whispered, in obvious distress.
“You think Angelo’s going to be okay with that?” I asked.
“No!”
    I knew it wasn’t Zach’s fault. Not entirely. But I couldn’t help but be a little annoyed at him anyway. “And you have to tell Ang to ‘clean up a bit’.”
    “Oh God!” Zach moaned.

    “You can say that again,” I told him. “Better you than me.”

…Angelo
    F UNNY how Jared and I end up walkin’ together. Not sure how it happened, but he’s talkin’ to me like he used to, and laughin’ too. When I think ’bout how awkward things have been between us ever since New Year’s, it’s kinda nice to know we can be friends again.
    We’re walkin’ along, both of us laughin’ at how fuckin’ clueless Matt and Zach are, when we spot the gallery.
I never really looked at art before, but this shit blows me away. They’re paintings, and they’re awesome. Crazy, and strange, but really beautiful too. Jared says they’re like Salvador Dali. I heard that name before, but don’t really know what his shit looks like, so I don’t know if they look like this or not. All I know is, they’re amazing. They’re like snapshots out of a dream. Maybe they’re little glimpses of another world. They fly around like butterflies, and nobody notices them, ’cept this artist. He catches ’em and puts ’em on canvas for everybody to see. For the first time in my life, I understand why people will drop a shitload of money on a painting. First time in my life I wished I could do it too.
    I want Zach to see it. I know he won’t get it. I know he won’t see it the way I do. But I want him to see it anyway. I don’t talk to him much ’bout real shit, like how I feel ’bout him. But I feel like if I show him this, he’ll get to see part of me—part of me I haven’t been able to show him before.
    Jared’s gone back out to look for ’em. I walk to the door of the gallery and see ’em talkin’ to some dude. Jared’s shakin’ his hand, smilin’ like he always does. Zach looks like he wants to get out of there fast, and when I walk up to him, the relief on his face is obvious.
    “Zach, come on man. You gotta see this painting—”
“Ang,” Jared suddenly says, “how do you feel about dinner tonight?” Why’s he askin’ me ’bout dinner? It’s not even ten o’clock yet.
    “Yeah man, what the fuck ever,” I say, tryin’ not to be annoyed at Jared. Just a minute ago I felt like we were friends again, and I want to hang on to that. I head back to the gallery. “Just hurry up, will ya?” I say to Zach. I can tell he wants to come with me. Not sure why he doesn’t.
    Jared comes back a minute later, and then Zach and Matt come in. They’re actin’ weird too. Glancin’ at each other, like they know somebody’s ’bout to get hit by lightning, and they’re just waitin’ to see who.
    I’m still