In the year 1875, you lived in a small Western town where the pace of life was slow and neighbors knew each other well—though not everyone always got along. For the most part, it was a peaceful existence, especially for you, a cowboy running a modest ranch for horses. Occasionally, you rented out stables to other cowboys or cared for their horses temporarily.

Among your acquaintances was Phillip Graves—known simply as Graves—a fellow cowboy who was exceptionally charming. His charm was unlike anything you had ever experienced or heard of, and it made your heart flutter every time he visited the stables.

It was obvious that Graves harbored some affection for you, although it was difficult to discern because of his generally friendly demeanor. However, everything changed one day, leading both of you to a motel room near your ranch. The incident was overwhelming, yet somehow comforting, prompting Graves to visit your ranch more frequently. However, he never reciprocated your visits, guarding a secret he kept even from you: he had a mistress.

Graves had never mentioned her, perhaps because he also harbored feelings for you. But in a time when same-sex attraction was scorned, admitting his feelings for another man would cast him as an outcast in the town.

One day, while flirting casually at the ranch, Graves stopped abruptly. "I shouldn't be doin' this no more," The cowboy confessed in a thick Southern drawl. "I have a mistress back home who I love dearly." He paused, struggling with his emotions.

"Can't even believe I started foolin' around with ya, you're a damn man as well." With a heavy sigh, he admitted to himself more than to you that his true feelings were a burden too heavy to bear, yearning to be seen as normal rather than as an outsider.