Coda 03 -The Letter Z

“Listen,” Jared said to me when they were done, “Angelo and I will be in that gallery over there.” He smiled and said quietly, like it was some kind of secret, “He really likes looking at all the art. It surprises me.” It didn’t surprise me, but I didn’t have a chance to say anything, because Jonathan started talking again.
“Let’s all have dinner tonight! I’ll make us a reservation. How about six o’clock?”
“That sounds great,” Jared said, before either Zach or I could answer.
Jonathan started telling Jared where the restaurant was. I looked at Zach, and could see a hint of panic in his eyes, but he obviously had no idea how to stop this particular train wreck from happening.
And then Angelo was there, grinning like I had never seen before, and I wondered if Jonathan noticed how relieved Zach looked when his eyes landed on Ang. Angelo didn’t seem to notice Jonathan at all. “Zach, come on man. You gotta see this painting—”
“Ang, how do you feel about dinner tonight?” Jared asked, obviously trying to pull him into the conversation, but Angelo wasn’t interested.
“Yeah man, what the fuck ever,” he said with just a hint of annoyance in his voice. He was already heading back to the gallery, and I could tell Zach wanted more than anything to follow him. “Just hurry up, will ya?”
“So, five of us then?” Jonathan asked, and he was definitely a little less enthusiastic about it now.
“Yes,” I said firmly. “Angelo’s coming too.”
Jonathan’s smile returned. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll see you then.” He turned to Zach. “I can’t wait to catch up, Zach.”
“Yeah,” Zach said weakly. “Me too.”
Jared was headed back to the gallery now too. Jonathan started to walk away, but then stopped suddenly and turned back to us. “By the way, the restaurant has a dress code: business casual. It’s not too formal but,” he glanced toward the gallery where Angelo and Jared had disappeared, “you might ask your friend 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.