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INTRO:
Tanner’s life had all been planned for him, and falling in love with his boss was not a part of that plan.  Tanner is new to country life, and a stranger to country living.  He is not new, however, to love.  During his summer in the countryside of upstate New York, Tanner falls in love with the man he has come to work for and learn from.  Tanner knows he must leave at the end of the summer and return to medical school, but cannot imagine life now without his boss, Mr. Knight.  Tanner must decide for himself if he will follow the predetermined plan for his life, or follow his heart and stay with the man he loves.
 

EXCERPT:
The train ride upstate was a relaxing one hour one.  The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and the countryside was so green that it reminded Tanner of pictures he had seen of Ireland.  There were rolling hills as far as the eye could see, a refreshing change to the somewhat dismal atmosphere found inside the sterile walls of the hospital.  As the train pulled into the station of the small town, Tanner pulled out the little slip of paper with the name of the man who was supposed to meet him.  Braden Knight was written very neatly, with somewhat of a calligraphic style.  Tanner didn’t know what Braden looked like, but in as small a town as this one appeared to be it was likely that he would be the only person waiting for someone to come into town on the train.  As Tanner entered the station, there was only one man waiting.  Braden Knight was a tall man who Tanner guessed to be about six feet tall, with dark hair, a slight build, and a very kind face with the bluest eyes he had ever seen.  As Braden stood up, Tanner slowly walked toward him.  “Hi, Braden Knight,” the nice man said with a kind voice to match his kind face.  He reached for Tanner’s hand and Tanner took it in welcome relief.  This man seemed genuinely kind, not just as a pretense as he had seen in so many of his fellow students.  “Here, let me take your bag,” Braden offered.  “Thanks.  I’m Tanner, but I’m sure you already know that from the picture I sent.”  “I was pretty sure it was you, at least you looked just like the picture you sent.”  Braden’s smile lit up his entire face, and immediately put Tanner at ease. 

******

They parted at the top of the staircase, and as Braden walked toward his bedroom he turned around to get one last look at Tanner before he retreated into what he knew would not be restful slumber.  As Braden turned around for this last look, Tanner was stripping off his shirt on his way to a much needed sleep.  Braden stopped and stared.  He couldn’t stop himself from staring at this young man’s perfectly sculpted physique.  Even the muscles of his back were in perfect form, and as the door closed behind Tanner, Braden found himself staring at the door to the room that had just swallowed his new friend, and he envision the entirety of Tanner’s body naked in the bed at the end of the hall.  Suddenly Braden snapped out of his daydream and walked into his own bedroom.  Stripping off his clothes and climbing into his bed alone, he masturbated while wishing it was Tanner’s hand around his dick, and fell asleep. 

******
Braden was worried now.  He waited for approximately ten minutes before going to Tanner’s bedroom.  The door was shut, so he politely tapped on the door.  A sniffling Tanner said, “yes, come in”, in a seemingly shaky voice.  Braden walked in slowly, and went over to sit on the side of the bed beside Tanner.  Tanner kept his eyes closed, even as Braden took one of his hands in both of his own.  “Something’s not right, Tanner.  Can you tell me what it is?  You know you can trust me.  Whatever you tell me will go no further.”  At these sincere and gentle words, Tanner could feel the warmth of his own tears as they began seeping continuously out from underneath his closed eyes.  His voice was shaky as he began to speak.  “It’s really stupid, Braden.  I don’t why it bothered me.  I was so touched by your concern and care for your patients, and even though they were animals, you treated them with the utmost respect.”  Braden reached for Tanner’s other hand and simply whispered, “yes.”   

******
Braden heard the click of the phone as Tanner hung up.  He held the phone in his hand for the longest time, knowing that he could only wait and hope that Tanner made it back to him.  Braden called his motherly receptionist and told her about the call.  She was thrilled, and offered to contact Braden’s substitute veterinarian who fortunately was available for tomorrow, which would allow Braden the time he needed to be with Tanner.  “It sounds serious, Braden, about Tanner I mean,” she admitted.  “I don’t know what to make of it, but at this point I just want him back,” Tanner said, and thanked her for arranging a sub for tomorrow.  Braden sat and stared straight ahead at nothing in particular, feeling drained.  What in the world had happened to his Tanner?  I can only hope that he will return soon.  Fortunately for Tanner, he was able to get a cab to drive him as far as he requested.  His driver was a woman and very nice to him, which was what he needed right now.  “Honey, you look terrible, you been in a fight?” she asked Tanner as they left the city.  “I guess so,” he answered.  “Well, if you want to hide your bruises for any reason, I keep my makeup kit under the seat.  Just a little foundation will do the trick.  Help yourself.”  Tanner looked at the makeup, and decided that it couldn’t hurt.  It didn’t look that bad either.  It blended well with his skin color.  Maybe Braden wouldn’t notice.  The lady also noticed that Tanner’s shirt was torn, with blood on parts of it.  “There might be some of my boyfriend’s shirts back there.  You can put one on if you like.”  Tanner thanked her, and placed a button down shirt over his own.  Looking in the rear view mirror, he decided that he really didn’t look that bad.  Tanner was glad he had gotten her as his driver.  She had been very helpful.  He certainly didn’t want Braden to see him like he was, and planned to keep it from him as long as he could.  He felt ashamed and embarrassed, and wanted to hide. 

******
Braden was replaying his phone conversation with Tanner over and over in his mind, but still could make no sense of any part of it.  Braden heard a car pull up and stop, which snapped him immediately out of his daze.  He rushed to the front of the clinic, and was surprised that it was Tanner so soon.  It had only been two hours since they had talked, and Braden was thankful that Tanner had been able to find a cab so soon, and also that he hadn’t forgotten what to do, as he had seemed so out-of-it on the phone.  Braden rushed out the door to pay the driver, and to help Tanner with his things.  When he opened Tanner’s door, however, he encountered a much different Tanner than had left here.  His eyes told a story of deep anguish and detachment, and he was disheveled.  He tried to get out of the car, but found that his legs would not hold him.  Braden quickly helped Tanner to his feet, and could feel the weakness.  He needed Braden to support him entirely.  Tanner tried to lower himself to the ground out of fear of falling, but Braden stopped him.  “Let’s go home,” Braden said, and scooped Tanner up into his arms and carried him to his truck.  He carefully lowered Tanner to his feet, holding him to his own body, realizing that Tanner’s body was a weak and emaciated vessel.  Braden carefully placed Tanner into the truck, laying him down gently.  On the way home, Braden continuously wiped tears from his face just seeing his precious Tanner this way.  What happened to you, Tanner?  What in the hell happened?