Its been years since Kurt played the piano
He was first taught at 5 years old by his mother Elizabeth. As just a little boy, he was unsure of what the contraption in the living room was. But he saw his mum's fingers softly caress the keys on the piano and heard the beautiful tunes that made him thoughtful.
So one day, he sits next to his mum. She looks down at her little boy and smiles.
"I'm going to teach you how to play" she told him. And so she did, her fingers guiding his as he gently touched the keys.
Pretty soon, he could play 'Over The Rainbow' from The Wizard Of Oz. Burt, his father, watches smiling as Elizabeth and Kurt sing and play in unison. It's a memory that neither Kurt nor Burt will ever forget.
But at 8 years old, his mother's death ensures his talent at piano is forever hidden away. He can't play now, not without his mother by his side, egging him on to continue playing. So he doesn't step near a piano ever again.
Now, in NYC, he watches his fiancé Blaine Anderson play the piano from the kitchen doorway. It's his mother's birthday, but he hasn't told Blaine. He didn't want to ruin the day they were having.
Blaine finishes and Kurt claps. Blaine has always been a natural born performer. He motions Kurt over to sit on the piano stool next to him. Kurt does.
"I'm going to teach you how to play" Blaine says, smiling "I want to play fabulous duets with my future husband".
Kurt looks at the piano and he's back with his mother, her scent lingering softly as she guides his hands over the keys. Shakily, he starts to play "Over The Rainbow" in honour of his mother. His voice wobbles as he tries to keep it together, singing as Blaine watches on, awed. Then Kurt can't do it and he sobs pitifully as his hands fall off the keys.
"Hey Kurt, shhh, whats up?" Blaine asks, concerned
"My m-mum" Kurt just manages to stutter out. Then the light bulb clicks in Blaine's head and he looks on sadly at his fiancé.
"Your mum taught you to play, didn't she?" Blaine states "And you haven't been near a piano since she died. Stupid Blaine"
"No its not your fault" Kurt says, sniffling, having pulled it together. "Today is my mum's birthday and 'Over The Rainbow' was the first song she ever taught me"
Blaine holds his puffy eyed fiance's face in his hands and leans in, giving him a soft kiss that says "I'm sorry I love you" before turning him to the piano.
"What?" Kurt asks
"We are going to play Over The Rainbow together in honour of your mother. And we will sing it together" Blaine explains.
Kurt nods, smiling at his fiancé. "I love you Blaine"
"I love you too Kurt" Blaine replies and he starts to play the opening bars of Over The Rainbow.
Soon the Bushwick flat is filled with the singing and piano, and Kurt swears he can almost see the ghostly reflection of his mother smiling at him through the window.