Free Wonderland by Rob Browatzke

dressed, ignoring the people all around me as I left. The air outside was cold after the heat of White Night. I rounded the corner onto the street. Wonderland was still quiet, but open. I needed a drink. I went downstairs and smiled when I saw Brandon behind the bar. A friendly face was exactly what I needed.
    He saw me, leapt over the bar, and I didn’t have time to duck as his fist collided with my face.

Chapter 18
    â€œW hat the . . . !” My head was ringing!
    â€œJust because you and Steven are having problems, you have to get all up in my relationship with Allan?” He smacked me again.
    â€œOw! Stop that!” I grabbed his wrists. “What are you talking about?”
    â€œAllan told me you tried picking him up.”
    â€œWhat? I did no such thing!”
    â€œWhy would he make that up, Alex?”
    â€œLook, he’s psycho. I saw him at the baths tonight and—”
    â€œThe baths? What the hell, Alex? When did you turn into such a whore?”
    â€œThat’s not the point. Allan was there, he was high and crazy.”
    â€œYou’re just covering your ass. Fuck, Alex, if you’d wanted him that bad, you could’ve taken me up on that offer Saturday.”
    â€œI don’t want Allan! I have no interest in Allan whatsoever! I have a boyfriend!”
    â€œWhich doesn’t stop you from having threeways and from cruising the tubs. Steven’s a lucky guy! No wonder he left!”
    â€œFuck you, Brandon.”
    â€œYou’re a slut, Alex.”
    â€œYou’re really going to take the word of some sketchy twink you just met over me? Great friend there, Brandon.”
    â€œGo to hell, Alex. Get out.”
    â€œFuck you, I’m here for a drink, so why don’t you hop behind the bar and make me one.”
    â€œYou’re a loser.”
    â€œAnd a slut. I get it. Drink now, please.”
    Brandon glared at me, and stormed behind the bar. I sat down at my normal spot, vibrating. On top of everything else, I had some kid stirring up stupid gay drama? And Brandon was buying it? Fuck them both. “Where’s that drink?”
    â€œRight here, asshole. Drink this!” I turned, and SPLASH! I blinked away the cranberry juice.
    I had gin at home. I did not need that shit. Flipping Brandon off, I stomped upstairs, wiping my face. I dug around in my jacket pocket for a Kleenex, but all I had was the show flyer. It was for the Queen of Hearts show coming up Friday night. Another stupid drag show at the stupid gay bar? No thanks. I tossed it into the gutter.
    I was done with the scene! As soon as I got Steven back, that was it. We were moving to some small town where we were the only two gay people and where there was no drama. I let my mind wander as I walked home, picturing our house, even decorating. It would be wonderful. Maybe Dinah and Christopher would come out for Thanksgiving, but it would just be me and Steven.
    All I had to do was get him back.
    I let myself into my building and waited for the elevator. I was still shaking. I checked my phone—nothing—and I figured nothing was going to happen overnight. And even if it did, I needed downtime, needed a break from it all. The most that would happen would be Brandon getting high at work and sending me bitchy text messages anyway.
    I got off at my floor and stopped short.
    â€œWhat the . . .”
    Spray-painted across my apartment door, in big green letters, was FAGGOT WHORE. I kicked the wall, slammed my hands against it. “Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!” I swore, kicking the wall again with every fuck. Was it Allan? Was it this crazy guy bent on destroying my life?
    The door across the hall opened. “Do you have any idea what time it is?”
    â€œNot right now, Walrus. Fuck off!”
    The Walrus took in my door. “I see I’m not the only one that knows the truth.”
    â€œWhat did you say?” I took a step toward him.