Chapter 1
It was the second week of June. Kurt woke up just as Burt and Finn were heading out to Burt's shop. Carole had left for work earlier, so Kurt had the house to himself. He showered, dressed in one of his most stunning outfits and headed upstairs for coffee and toast. Since Finn was spending his summer working with Burt, Kurt only went into the shop twice a week to handle the invoicing and parts purchasing. Kurt couldn't wait for the month of August to arrive. He would then be moving to Los Angeles to attend USC to study musical theater and drama. Finn would be staying in Lima to attend the local community college.
As Kurt was finishing up putting his plate, cup and saucer in the dishwasher, the doorbell rang. Kurt was hoping it wasn't a door to door salesperson or even worse, some religious missionaries trying to convert him to some religion. Kurt opened the door and was shocked to see none other than Karofsky the bully standing there.
"What do you want, Karofsky?" Kurt asked, confused and annoyed to see his tormentor at his front door.
"Can I talk to you for a minute, Hummel?" the big jock asked politely.
Kurt noticed that the bully's head was shaved and he was wearing camouflage fatigues.
"I really don't believe there is anything to say. You ruined my life at McKinley and I had to leave all my friends to go to Dalton. What could you possibly have to say to me after everything that happened between us?" the small young man ranted at his enemy as the memory of slushies, shoves, kisses, death threats and the maniacal look on the bully's face when he stole the wedding cake topper. Kurt was getting angry and ready to slam the door in the big dumb jock's face.
Karofsky knew he had to act fast and say what he needed so desperately to say.
"Kurt, I am so sorry for everything that happened in high school." Dave said quickly and forcefully. He wanted to take a step forward and grab the handsome young man by the shoulders, but thought it wouldn't be taken as a sign of his good intentions, but as another threat.
"I am leaving for basic training this afternoon", Dave continued, "and then to Afghanistan in September. I just wanted to clear the air before I left, to let you know that I am truly sorry and ashamed for they way I behaved towards you in the past." Dave wanted to add that he loved Kurt, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. It didn't feel right given that Kurt had his arms crossed tightly across his chest and was glaring at the bigger man.
"I'll feel a lot safer knowing that you are far away from me. You can go beat up on the Taliban, at least they are choosing to fight! All I ever wanted was to be myself and not have to fear that someone wanted to kill me." Kurt shouted. He couldn't believe that Karofsky had the nerve to show up on his doorstep and make some lame apology.
Dave looked down at his feet and calmly said, "I knew it was a long shot that you would accept my apology, but I had to try. Goodbye Kurt. I wish you all the best for the future." With that statement, Karofsky turned on his heels and walked back to the truck parked at the curb.
Kurt shut the door and wondered what had just happened. Why had Karofsky spent his last morning at home apologizing to Kurt?