Haunting Zoe by Sherry Ficklin Page A

and heading to another table to deliver a
ticket.
    We add the hot water from the small white
kettle and wait, knowing full well not obeying her recommended
steep time will earn us sharp looks from her later.
    Stirring a spoon of sugar into his tea Carlos
begins telling me about his audition for Rhett in this year’s
production. He wants me to run lines. I smile and agree, knowing
that for the third year in a row he will end up as Ashley. Not
masculine enough for Rhett is what they tell him. I think they’re
just assholes.
    “So I was thinking of growing out a beard,”
he says, finally taking a sip. “Not a weird hillbilly beard, but
one of those, oh I just didn’t have time to shave this week beards.”
    I’m only half listening. Part of my brain is
still thinking about what he said earlier, about unfinished
business. Could that really be what’s holding Logan here? And if
so, what does he need to do to resolve it? I must be staring off
into space because the next thing I know, Carlos is snapping his
fingers in my face.
    “Hello, earth to Zoe?”
    “What? Sorry.”
    “I asked if you had a back to school entrance
strategy.”
    I take a long sip of my tea only to pucker
when I realize I’ve forgotten to put any sugar in it. “You make it
sound like we’re planning a military invasion.”
    He sits back, resting his chin in one hand.
“Oh, Zoe. You are so sweet. That’s exactly what it is. An invasion
of a hostile country. You can try for diplomacy, or you can just go
in with guns blazing.” He pauses, giving me a pointed look. “You
realize that you could have your pick of any guy in school,
right?”
    I raise one eyebrow. “Did someone spike your
tea?”
    “I’m serious. Honey, listen. You have this
sort of shell of bitchiness that you hide behind. If you would just
open up and let the rest of the world see you the way that I
do…”
    He trails off. I make a face and stick out my
tongue.
    “Okay, maybe not exactly how I see you, but
you get my drift. I mean, you’re smart, funny, pretty. If it
weren’t for your acidic mouth you could be the most popular girl in
school.”
    I roll my eyes.
    “He’s right.” Logan chimes in and I nearly
drop my teacup in my lap, choking on the hot liquid.
    “You alright there Zoe?” Carlos asks.
    I cough into my napkin. He stands to pat my
back but I wave him off.
    “I’m fine. Wrong pipe. Sorry.”
    “You sure you’re ok? I could Heimlich you if
you want.”
    He sits back down, his eyes are glinting
mischievously.
    “Thanks but I’ll pass.” I nod to the table up
front. “Maybe Bloomie Hottie will choke and you can Heimlich
him.”
    Carlos sighs wistfully. “We can only
hope.”
    Logan takes a seat in the empty chair beside
me, passing through the table to get to it. I try not to look at
him.
    “Ignoring me now?” he says lightly.
    I frown but don’t answer.
    “Blink once if you can hear me,” he says with
a chuckle.
    I scratch the side of my head with my middle
finger. He laughs harder.
    This is getting old fast.
    I nod to the stage, “Alright, enough
stalling. Go sing for me.”
    With a wide grin Carlos gets up, leaning over
the table to press a quick kiss on my forehead before heading for
the stage. He sits down and settles himself in. As soon as he
plucks the first chord I’m transfixed. The entire room falls into
silence, the only sound is the melody he plays. Closing his eyes he
sings one of my favorite songs, a cover of All We Are We Are by Matt Nathanson.
    I take a deep breath and let the sound of his
voice wash over me.
    “He’s really good,” Logan says.
    I don’t even look at him.
    “Ok, you are still pissed. I get it. And…I’m
sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things. I didn’t mean any of
it.”
    I take my last sip of tea and slide my cup
back.
    “Come on, Zoe. Please don’t shut me out. I
was upset. I didn’t mean it.”
    I shift in my seat, letting my hair fall
forward into my face as I whisper.
    “Yes, you