Zach's Lie

After leaving the school, Zach spends a long time at the Northeast Nevada Museum. There he learns about the history of Elko, its wildlife, the surrounding Ruby Mountains, and the presence of Basque immigrants from Spain and France who work in the area as sheepherders. When Zach returns home late, his mom and sister are furious because they did not know where he was. Mary even called the police to search for him. She always wants to know where he is. Zach is angry he is in trouble for something as “horrible” as visiting a museum. He feels he “can’t win” with his family: Wanda gets mad if he stays home, his mom gets mad if he goes out. Mary complains that while Wanda is taking the situation in stride, Zach seems to be having trouble. His mom then concedes she overreacted, admitting she is still affected by “that terrible night” (75).

In his private jet, Alonzo Aznar talks with El Sereno, “The Watchman,” about Neil. El Sereno has June under surveillance, believing she will lead them to the family. He also has a plant inside the Federal Detention Center monitoring Neil’s visitors, though their insider does not have direct access to Neil who is closely guarded. Aznar plans to find the family, discover what evidence Neil has against them, and kill Neil. El Sereno assures him the situation will “break soon.”

Zach is nervous to start school because he has never been the new kid before. On the first day, he gets annoys the principal, Mrs. Pyle, when he does not know how to spell his name, or where he lived in Portland, Oregon where he is from. Zach thinks Uncle Don and Aunt Doris should have foreseen these kinds of holes in his story. The PE teacher, Mr. Dugan, is disappointed that tall Zach does not play basketball and has trouble running because of the metal in his legs from surgery after he broke them. Zach remembers coming home from the hospital in a wheelchair to find that his dad had built a home gym and boxing ring in their basement. Neil quit his job to stay home and help Zach with his physical therapy, planning to later buy his own airline company and be self-employed. Zach learned to box, though it took a year before he was mobile again.

In homeroom with Ms. Miller, Zach discovers he is not the only new kid at school. Catalin, a girl with long black hair who sits in front of Zach, mesmerizes him. She announces she was born in Elko. Her smile makes Zach freeze before introducing himself, drawing laughter. Zach’s locker is next to Catalin’s. To avoid further embarrassing himself, he takes his books with him and reads alone at lunch.

Two weeks later, Zach still has not made friends, unlike Wanda, who is charismatic and popular, and now has a waitressing job. She is angling for the lead in Sam’s opera. Zach feels isolated because he must lie about who he is. He vows to make a friend, but the day goes by without him speaking to anyone. An eighth grader, Peter Short, blocks Zach’s locker before his last class. Peter is busy “leering” at Catalin and refuses to move. Catalin calls Peter an idiot and shoves him. Peter shoves her, and Zach punches Peter. Mrs. Pyle witnesses the altercation and takes Zach to Mr. Sebesta’s extensive workroom beneath the stage which holds a workbench, weight set, stereo, the Phantom costume for the opera, and a large punching bag. Sam urges Zach to channel his anger and use the punching bag before they talk. Zach wonders if Sam knows more about him than he should.

As he punches, Zach realizes he is angry at Neil for making them give up everything, at Wanda for thriving and having goals, at his mom for leaving Neil behind, and at the men who attacked them and his helplessness to prevent it. When he finishes, Zach is crying but feels calm. Sam says many kids use the bag to release tension. He asks Zach about his anger, and Zach cites Peter, knowing he cannot tell Sam more. Mrs. Pyle agrees not to suspend Zach. Catalin waits for Zach after school. She hands him Commander IF, who is broken in two. She thinks he dropped the toy but could fix it. Zach, embarrassed, denies it is his. Catalin keeps Commander IF and tells Zach she likes his eyes, which Zach knows are fake.

Zach feels guilty about forsaking Commander IF but is self-conscious about admitting Commander IF his is imaginary—and only—friend. He thinks the old Jack would not have hit Peter. On Monday, Zach apologizes to Peter, who refuses to shake his hand. Zach thanks Sam for his help. Zach is happy that kids now say hi to him, and even sit with him at lunch. Red-headed Darrell Gill invites him over after school.

Darrell’s house is as tiny as Zach’s. Darrell’s father is pleased that Zach punched Peter. He dislikes Peter’s dad, who swindled him and his fellow mine workers out of money. Now, Peter’s dad runs poker games for tourists. No one likes Peter. Darrell enjoys video games, and his room is filled with hunting photos and hunting accessories. Darrell thinks it strange that Zach reads at lunch. Zach, not wanting to wreck the fledgling friendship or look like a nerd, jokes about his reading. Darrell shares Elko’s three E’s: “Everyone knows Everything about Everybody” (102), and bets Zach’s mom will know about his fight by Friday.

Back home, Zach is surprised to see Sam, who is the contractor Mary talks with about fixing up the bookshop. Sam offers a cut rate if Zach works for him on another task. Mary and Zach agree. At a family meeting Mary asks if the kids now feel safe. She is considering sending the postcard to June, signaling to Neil that he can give evidence. Zach asks if Neil will live with them if he gets out. Mary does not know.