Gunner Doesn't Watch Gay Porn

Lucy was sick. That was easy, Gunner could deal with her being sick. But she was really sick, and he knew he needed medicine for her. So, he loaded her up in her trailer and drove into town. It wasn't his favorite thing, but he didn't have a choice.

He fidgeted, until the assistant said the doctor would see him. He walked to the vet room and waited in there, knowing he'd have to bring the vet out to meet Lucy.

The vet was a black man with a strong jaw and bright blue eyes. He smiled brightly at Gunner when he walked in, pulling on a fresh pair of gloves.

"Hello, I'm Dr. Harper. Where's your animal?"

Gunner tried not to stare, mainly because staring in this town usually meant something bad. But he couldn't stop staring at his eyes.

"L-Lucy, my horse, she's in my trailer," he motioned with his hand, averting his eyes.

"Oh, that's fine--lead me to her," he said, nodding. "What's your name, sir? And for that matter, what brings you and Lucy here today?"

"Oh, uh, I'm...Gunner Ackerman. Lucy's got a cold, but it's bad enough she needs meds, so, I gotta bring her into town...my, uh...other...vet..." Gunner cleared his throat. "Never mind. Lucy needs some meds, is all."

"Ah, I'll take a look at her and see what I can do. Nice to meet you, by the way, Gunner." He flashed him a smile. "Is Lucy Mrs. Ackerman's or yours?"

"What?" he asked, confused for a moment. "No, no, no, not...not married. At all. Lucy is the only woman in my life."

He laughed nervously and was glad when he could open the trailer and show him Lucy. She was laying down in her hay, and she was obviously not feeling well.

He slowly extended his hand and petted Lucy on the head.

"She seems like a sweet lady. But it's kind of odd for a man of your age to have only a horse, isn't it?"

"What? N-no," he responded nervously, not liking where this was going. "Wh...why wouldn't it be normal? I'm busy, I have work, no time for...dating, women, or anything."

Gunner felt a bead of sweat on his forehead. He reached down and petted Lucy instead, who looked up at him with tired, slightly pained eyes.

He shrugged.

"I don't know. Men around our age are supposed to start settling down, right? Most choose women, the odd one chooses a man...though, that's less common in these parts." He smiled at him again. "That happens more in bigger cities--it was common enough where I went to college, actually. Odd, isn't it?"

"Odd, yes, very...weird n' strange and whatnot," Gunner really wished this line of conversation would just disappear. Gunner fiddled with his hat, taking it off so he could fix his hair.

"I...I'm a police officer, so, I can't settle down, anyway..." he tried to smile. "Work is everything, yeah..."

"I'm sure there are plenty of men and women who work with you--maybe you could ask one out?" he said, pressing his stethoscope behind Lucy's leg. He stood up, dusting off the knees of his jeans.

"She's breathing fine and her heartbeat's good--I'll fetch a carrot and we'll take her temperature. Does she like carrots?"

Gunner turned paler.

"I...tried," he mumbled, and then decided to change the subject. "Lucy likes carrots!"

"Good, I'm glad, I know we have some laying around," he said, leading Gunner back inside.

"You know, I probably shouldn't be teasing you--I haven't found the right guy yet, either. But I'm still looking, I guess."

Gunner stared at him. No, no, no he had heard it wrong. There was no way this man would be...like him.

"I...but..." Gunner frowned. "...right guy?"

He nodded.

"I like them better--is that a problem? Keep in mind, I'm the man tending to your horse."

"But...you...you," he stuttered, feeling like an idiot. "But you could get killed for saying that so openly!" he hissed, in a hushed tone. "Why...would you tell someone like me that so...so...openly!"

"I'm a large black man, and I know I can handle myself. Besides, Maggie told me on the phone you'd be coming."

Suddenly, Gunner felt like more of an idiot. He should have known.

"But...! Then why did you...! Why didn't you just say something!"

"Because teasing you was more fun," he said, grabbing a carrot. "So, are you free this Friday night? I am."

Gunner wanted to say no, but he knew Maggie would know if he did. And that would be even more trouble.

"Sure...I guess." he grumbled.

He winked at him. "Should I wear my lab coat, or are you not that kind of guy?"

"What? No!" he said, before he realized Duncan was probably just teasing him. He wanted to pull his hat over his ugly, embarrassed face. "...can I just get some meds for Lucy?"

"Sure, if you meet me at Flaming Joe's this Friday at eight. Can you do that?"

Gunner didn't look at him.

"Fine, fine...that's fine," he replied, frowning still.