My name is Darren Whitman. I am 33 years old. I am from Wyoming and currently work as a medical doctor at the Wyoming Medical Center. Growing up, I was intrigued by the world of medicine. I never thought it would be something I would actually pursue. My family wasn't surprised I majored in Biology for my undergraduate degree and ambitiously attended medical school at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Being a doctor was already hard enough with the extensive training and life-consuming expectations. The most unfortunate aspect of my job is informing patients' families that their loved ones didn't make it. I had a horrible time at first because how can anyone stomach doing that. I grew numb to it, but it was still painful. My now ex-wife had the burden of comforting and consoling me through everything. I wear my heart on my sleeve and usually carried that baggage home.
Now, I understand this was wrong on my part. The pandemic is where everything escalated and spiraled into a hellscape. I was constantly surrounded by death all the time. I became very depressed and didn't know what to do. I brought my trauma home, and it really worsened my relationship. It became a standard routine for us to assign blame and hurt each other. We ended up getting a divorce because it became too much for her. I also learned she cheated on me. It was a horrible and emotional time for me. Everything fell apart.
I am currently in therapy to work on how I can address the trauma I accumulated as a medical doctor. It has been a beneficial and life-changing experience. It was very hard at first and required me lengthy miles of dedication. I've learned to appreciate my life and quit burdening the people around me with my personal baggage. My wife and I have been divorced for two years. Since things are getting better and COVID-19 isn't as dire as before, my job is less stressful and traumatic. I am feeling a lot better.
I grew up in Tennessee in this tiny town with 2,000 people. Since I was a teenager, I was always bi-curious, but the idea of exploring men frightened me. I was always concerned about someone finding out. Even as an adult, those fears manifested and took control of my heart and its desires. I chose to be with women because I was pressured to. I didn't have a choice.
This doesn't mean I did not love my wife because I still do and always will. I'll never forgive myself for ruining it. My therapist told me we both harmed each other, but it wasn't entirely my fault. She cheated on me and made that choice. I still struggle to not blame myself for everything.
My therapist and I have been discussing these sexual fears. He suggested I go to a gay bar to see what it's like. After thinking hard about this, I decided to go to a local gay bar. It wasn't anything special, but it was nearby. I didn't want to drive far. I entered the bar squinting my eyes at the bright neon lights.
I found a table in the corner and ordered a drink. Several guys were dancing shirtless the night away. Immediately, I was pretty overwhelmed because I've never been a fan of partying. I'd prefer to have an intellectual conversation with someone in the quiet.
After watching everything by myself, I noticed someone in the opposite corner. We looked at each other at the same time, and right away, I was captivated by this mysterious gentleman. He was a white, chubby, older man with ruffled silver hair. He wore a nice gray shirt and a dark purple blazer with black roses.
I couldn't make out the details of his face because he was far away. He clearly looked uncomfortable with everything as well. For like another ten minutes, we would awkwardly glance at each other. I decided to muscle up the courage and approach this silver daddy.
As I walked toward him, my heart was beating so fast that a doctor would be concerned. I didn't know what was wrong with me. I didn't even know him. Why was I so nervous? I finally reached him after running through the warzone of emotions. Time had paused. I asked him if I could sit with him. He said I may with his sexy voice. It sounded deep but also a little high-pitched. He was a chub but had some muscle. I sat at his table and talked to him. He had an adorable beard with bright crystal-like blue eyes. I was so intimidated by this man's beauty.
I was so awkward. I told this guy I knew him from somewhere. He asked me where, and I said on the number one spot for the sexiest man in the world. I heard a quiet snicker from him. I blushed because that was cringy. I am surprised he didn't run off into the shadows after that disastrous pickup line. I apologized for objectifying him to my humor. He thanked me for the compliment. We chatted for a bit about being uncomfortable with the party scene.
His name was Will Peterson, and he was 47 years old. He didn't regularly attend this bar but wanted to put himself out there because he was tired of being alone. I felt such a strong presence being around him. I really wanted to learn more. Who was he? What was his past? I mentioned how I wasn't vibing with the bar and wanted to go somewhere more private. I suggested we head back to my place. I told him there was no pressure to do anything since we had just met. He excitedly accepted my invitation. He got up. He was way taller than me. I was speechless.
Stumbling on my words, I gave him my address and rushed home. I had a big house with a beach view right in my backyard. He knocked on the door, and I nervously opened it with an awkward smile. I gave him a short hug and took him on an exclusive tour of my mansion. He was impressed with everything. I told him I was a medical doctor. He was a nurse at the Ivinson Memorial Hospital, which was close to where I worked.
We really connected with our occupations. I was sensitive but asked him how the pandemic changed his outlook on medicine. He told me it was challenging to be around death all the time. We continued to have a deep conversation about that. I shared how my job was the main reason my previous wife demanded a divorce. I didn't know how to express my emotions to her.
He was apologetic and asked me how I was doing. Oh my goodness, he was adorable. He was like a giant plushie. I told him my life changed entirely due to counseling and learning about this new side of myself. I thought I was bisexual. I told him I was bi-curious. He's identified as gay for years, so maybe, he would be able to support me. It would be a slow process for me, but he seemed open to exploring my sexual identity. He said he lost someone close to him from COVID-19. I felt so sorry for him. We talked through his grief. I shared with him my past experiences with grief.
We continued to have a wonderful conversation about everything from similar backgrounds to where we think the government hid extraterrestrials. I couldn't believe we had so much in common. How was it we connected seamlessly, and he lived so close to me? I offered him my most expensive bottle of white wine.