At five o'clock, I drove to the stupid straight sports bar where Mark always enjoyed taunting me.
It was over and I was going to make that very clear.
I wanted Mark Fitzgerald completely out of my life-- and Andrew's.
"Hi there," he said, as if we were the best of friends just meeting for a drink. Mark wasn't the least surprised to see me, or if he was, he sure didn't show it. He turned back to the bartender, a blond guy around twenty-one and ordered two beers.
"Lite Beer, right? You seem to have put on a few, Eric."
"Shut the hell up and come with me!"
"Watch it," he said. "You never win when you play the Top."
He got the beers and followed me to a quieter part of the packed bar, near the Happy Hour junk food buffet.
"Talk to me," he smirked. He knew I had something to say.
"No more, Mark. I think we can agree it's obviously over between us.
"You got that right," he said and drank half his beer in one swallow. I noticed a little scratch over his right eyebrow, and suddenly I pondered how he got it.
"It's over-- all of it-- including you and Drew."
"Oh? You're speaking for him now? Since when did he become mute? I wonder how Drew would feel about this. I think if it's over with anyone, it's over between the two of you, Eric. You must know that."
I wanted to punch him, I balled up my right fist but held back.
"I mean it, Mark. Stay away. You've been warned."
"Gimme a break, Eric!" he snapped. " Who the hell do you think you are? And who do you think you're dealing with? You're just an insecure, defenseless, loser from Rhode Island who hated himself SO much that he had to re-invent himself. Problem is, you wound up just as screwed up as before. Tell me this, Eric -- excuse me -- LUIGI, what in the world makes you think I'm even after your little boyfriend? Maybe you should tell Andrew to stay away from me! I didn't go to HIS house this afternoon and beg to be raped!"
"What did you do?"
"Ask your boyfriend. Get off my ass!"
He stormed off. I was in shock. I knew this was possible, I even suspected it, but now with all of this in front of me...I was silent.
