Hello dear readers of Daddies! Good to see you again! In this chapter, Blaine and Kurt dip their big toes into the unpredictable waters of "the tweens," those lovely years of early adolescence. I hope you enjoy.
~oOo~
"So, about an hour ago?" Kurt said to his neighbor, Patsy, over the phone.
"AJ was here for a few minutes. He talked with the boys, and then headed down the block on his bike. Want me to send out the search party?"
"Thanks, Patsy, but I think I head out myself. This just isn't like AJ to take off and not check in with me. I'll let you know when I find him," Kurt said, trying to not let worry seep into his voice.
"Kurt, you know that you officially entered the tween years when AJ turned eleven last month," Patsy said.
"And…" Kurt said, waiting.
"You have to keep in mind that the next several years with AJ might get a little bit weird. The things he's never done before, like take off on his bike before checking in with you, are most likely going to happen with a little more frequency. Just understand that the waters might get a little choppy up ahead," Patsy warned.
"Patsy, AJ has been such a calm and easy kid to raise. Our communication is open and frequent. I'm sure he'll be just fine."
"I'm just saying you should be aware of the possibilities. Now you best get out there."
"Thanks, Patsy. I'll call you later.
~oOo~
As he drove past the park, Kurt spied AJ riding his bike on the sidewalks that criss-crossed the lawns and gardens. Parking his car, Kurt walked across the street and towards AJ.
"Hi Dad! What are you doing here?" AJ asked.
"I guess I could ask you the same thing son. Two things I see that worry me right now. Care to take a guess as to what they are?" AJ looked around, trying to spot something that might be out of place.
"Nope. Can't think of anything. What's up Dad?"
"When you left on your bike an hour or so ago, you told me you were going next door. When I called Patsy, she said you were at her house for a few minutes, but you took off. Did you forget something?" Kurt asked.
"I guess I forgot to check in with you. Sorry Dad. But I don't see why it's such a big deal! I go to the park all the time. It's not like I'm going to do something stupid."
"I know that AJ, but I'm your parent and my job is to know where you are 24/7, no matter what. That means that you need to check in with me when your plans change. Got it?" Kurt asked.
"Yeah," AJ said, a little but of an annoyed hiss in his voice that Kurt chose to ignore.
"And number two, you are riding your bike without a helmet. You know the rules. A bike helmet hanging off the handlebars won't protect your brain in a crash."
And then it happened: the first sign that tween-dom might not be the smooth ride Kurt hoped it would.
AJ rolled his eyes at his Dad.
And it was a good eye roll too; it was the kind where surely the eye roller can see his brain because his eyes go so far back in his head.
Momentarily taken aback, Kurt recovered and said, "August James Hummel, did you just roll your eyes at me?"
"Dad, not wearing my helmet is not a big deal. I mean I'm only riding in the park. What going to happen if I crash? Will I hurt my head on some flowers?" AJ countered with a little more sass than Kurt could appreciate.
"AJ that will be enough. This is a non-negotiable rule. Now, put on your helmet and ride straight home. We'll continue this talk there."
"Whatever," AJ said as he snapped his helmet in place, climbed aboard his bike, and peddled for home.
Kurt eased into the driver's seat of his car. "Here we go," was all he could manage to say.
~oOo~
Blaine was putting away groceries when he heard the front door fly open. Angry footsteps exited the foyer and stomped up the stairs.
"Hey AJ! How was your…" The door to AJ's bedroom slammed. "…day?" Blaine asked, obviously confused. Kurt entered the living room a few moments later, looking stressed and worried. "What was that all about?" Blaine asked.
"Well, my dear husband, I think we have entered what child development experts have named 'The Tween Years.' Kurt continued on, telling about AJ's actions and attitude, and how he'd rolled his eyes and pulled the "whatever" card.
"That so does not sound like AJ!" Blaine stated. "Maybe he's just having a bad day."
"Patsy says we should brace ourselves for the next few years. Apparently, the tween years are just as much fun as adolescence!" Kurt said.
"Come on Kurt, we've got a good kid who has never given us a lick of trouble. He's eleven years old, for goodness sake. He's still a baby!"
"As much as I'd like to believe that, I think we need to do a little research. I remember how I was when I was eleven and twelve. Dad and I had some ugly arguments, but other times we got along as splendidly as ever. It was a confusing time for both of us! Can't hurt us to do a little reading on tweens, right?"
"If you think it's necessary, you know I'm in. I'm just not sure it's going to be as big a deal as everyone says it is," Blaine said. "I'm sure the next few years will be smooth sailing," Blaine said, clearly confident.
"Let's hope so. Okay, I'm going in," Kurt said as he headed for the stairs. "If I'm not back in twenty minutes, send in the National Guard." At the top of the stairs he turned right and opened his son's bedroom door. "AJ?" he asked, quietly. There was no movement in the room. Kurt spied AJ curled up in a ball on his bed, sound asleep. Kurt reached for the quilt at the foot of his son's bed and covered him. He gently pushed AJ's hair from his forehead and Kurt was hit with the fact that AJ was no longer a little boy.
From here on out, he and Blaine were in for a different kind of parenting experience, one that might be fraught with conflict, heartache, and the pushing of boundaries. "I love you my boy" Kurt said quietly. AJ stirred, settled, and returned to his deep breathing sleep. Kurt would remember the innocence on AJ's face at that moment, for the rest of his life.
~oOo~
A few days later, Blaine was online, reading the newsletter from AJ's middle school. "Hey Kurt, come and take a look at this," he called.
"What's up?" Kurt said, entering Blaine's office.
"Good timing is what it is up! The school newsletter just arrived in our inbox and guess what? The counselors at AJ's school are offering a class on 'Navigating the Waters of Early Adolescence.' It's open to parents of 6th and 7th graders and it's a one-night presentation. What do you think? We'd talked about doing some research. Shall we take a parenting class, Mr. Hummel-Anderson?"
Kurt looked at the screen, noting that the class met on a Wednesday night, which worked perfectly with his performance schedule. "I don't know. I always thought parenting classes were for people who really needed help. AJ's been such an easy boy all along, but I guess we're the ones who need help now."
"You know, I look at it this way. It's no secret that raising teens is not for the fainthearted. I figure we need all the people in our corner we can get. Besides, the counselors and teachers at AJ's schools are like experts! Look at with whom they spend their days!" Blaine added.
"True, true," Kurt said. "Okay, sign us up. What's the worst thing that can happen?"
"I'll sign us up now," Blaine said.
~oOo~
Since the park incident two days ago, AJ spoke to his parents on a need-to-know basis. Both Blaine and Kurt sat their son down and reminded him that he had obligations to fulfill as a member in their family, and one of those was to let his dads know where he was at all times. The statement was met with another one of those amazing eye rolls, which Blaine witnessed for the first time.
"AJ, son, the eye rolling stops right here and now. Dad and I will not abide such disrespect. If you have something to say, then use your words, but the eye stuff is done," Blaine demanded.
"Okay, I've got stuff to say. I don't know why you have to get all over my case. I just went to the park, you know, down the block. I'm not a baby, you know. I can handle going to the park by myself."
"It's not that you were at the park alone," Kurt countered, "it's that you went there without telling us. Do you see the difference?"
"Yeah, I guess," AJ said, refusing to look at his dads. "Are we done here? I need to go text Spencer."
"Yep, I think we're done," Blaine said, as AJ stood and walked to the stairs.
After they heard AJ's bedroom door close, both Blaine and Kurt let out a sigh. "When is that class?" Kurt asked.
"This Wednesday and it can't come soon enough," Blaine said. "Hey, that eye roll was impressive! I didn't know August could roll his eyes that far back, while looking to the heavens for help all at the same time. All we needed was a 'Whatever!' and we'd have hit the tween trifecta!"
"Not even close to funny, Blaine."
~oOo~
On Wednesday evening, Blaine and Kurt found themselves sitting amongst several sets of parents in the library at AJ's school. "Evidently, we're not the only ones needing a little help!" Kurt whispered to Blaine. A woman around the men's ages stood up before the group to welcome them.
"Hello everyone. My name is Liz Markson and I'm one of the counselors here at school. Welcome to our class about that mysterious creature living in your home as we speak." Chuckles from the crowd broke the ice and everyone relaxed a little. "So you know what I'm talking about?" Liz said with a quick grin. "Well, it will make you happy to know that I have my very own twelve year old living at my house, and he's as big a mystery to me as your children are to you. We're all in the same boat, if that helps!" Many heads nodded in mutual understanding.
Liz asked each parent to introduce themselves and share the name and age of their child. She also asked each parent to share what they hoped to gain from attending that evening's meeting. People began to introduce themselves, many sharing some of the frustrations they'd been experiencing. There was a collective gasp when one set of parents introduced themselves as the mom and dad of triplets: two girls and a boy. Many in the room sent up thanks that they were NOT the parents of multiples because one adolescent at a time was plenty.
Kurt introduced himself and Blaine and told the group about AJ. Blaine told everyone that they'd really like to know where their sweet, affectionate, and happy boy went and how to survive until he returned. Liz nodded in understanding, as did those around them.
"Well, let's get started, shall we?" Liz began. "I thought it might be helpful to begin with a list of typical tween characteristics and behaviors to help you understand that what you are experiencing is not at all abnormal." Liz brought up a slide on the smartboard and began. "Some or all of these characteristics may present themselves throughout early adolescence or some not at all." The group followed along as Liz shared the list, which included:
Irritability
Pushing boundaries and family rules
Incredible appetites
Mood swings
Sudden crying jags
Outbursts of anger or frustration
Increased need for sleep
Avoidance of chores and/or homework
Sassiness
Eye rolling
Self-centeredness
Demands for privacy
Resisting participating in family activities
Changes in diet
Less willing to communicate
Irritated by siblings, both older and younger
"Witnessed any of these?" Liz asked the group. Kurt and Blaine made eye contact, feeling affirmed for deciding to attend the class.
~oOo~
"Well, that was time well spent," Blaine said as the men made their way home after that evening.
"Agreed." Kurt said. "This is like a whole new world and I'm really scared! It's just like when AJ was a baby and we felt like we needed an instruction manual. Remember that? I have that same helpless feeling right now."
"Well, remember that Liz said the most important thing was to be consistent, keep the lines of communication open, and to keep be aware. Basically, we just have to be ready for anything AJ throws our way and hope we have our wits about us to respond in the best way. We're a team in this, right?" Blaine asked Kurt.
"Absolutely." Kurt answered, grabbing Blaine's hand. "The good news is that we won't be outnumbered! Those poor triplet parents! I cannot even begin to fathom what they are going through!"
"No kidding," Blaine said as he pulled into the driveway and shut off the car.
After entering the house, they found AJ sitting on the couch next to Anni, his former nanny, watching a movie. "Hey, guys! Perfect timing. National Treasure just ended. I guess I'll be heading for home," Anni said as she reached over and gave AJ a hug. "I miss you Wild Man," she said, ruffling her former charge's hair.
"I miss you too, Anni Bananni," AJ said, hugging her back.
Turning to Blaine and Kurt Anni said, "Are we still on for brunch on Sunday?"
"Totally," Blaine said. "Is 11:00 too early for you?"
"Not at all. See you then," Annie said, grabbing her sweater and heading for home.
AJ stayed on the couch, finishing the last of the popcorn from the big bowl on his lap. Kurt sat down next to him, picking up a magazine and flipping through it slowly. Moments later he heard a sniffle and looked at AJ. Father and son made eye contact and AJ began to sob uncontrollably.
"Hey, hey, what's going on?" Kurt asked softly as he pulled AJ into a hug. Blaine, having heard the boy start crying, came in from the kitchen and sat on the other side of AJ.
"I-I-I'm-Muh-I'm so-rry!" AJ cried, leaning into Kurt's shoulder.
"It's okay baby," Kurt whispered. Blaine reached over and rubbed AJ's back in the way he always did to soothe him. AJ gulped for air, wiped his hand across his eyes, and sniffed.
"I'm sorry about what happened at the park. I don't know what is the matter with me. Sometimes I feel so mad and I don't know why. I didn't mean to yell at you and be disrespectful to you. I'm sorry Daddies." The tears started again and all three of the Hummel-Andersons pulled together on the couch.
"Hey buddy, listen," Blaine began. "First, we forgive you, okay? You know, we've always talked about how you'll change as you get older, but what we haven't talked a lot about is how our relationships are going to change a bit."
AJ's face first showed confusion and then a little bit of fear. "But I don't want 'us' to change!" he said, his voice high.
"The changes aren't bad, AJ. There are some things that are never going to change, the first being that Daddy K and I will always love you, no matter what, okay? We love you to the moon and back and that's forever." AJ seemed to relax a bit at this reminder. "But, you are, believe it or not, getting ready to become an adult, and part of that process is to begin to be your own person," Blaine said.
"And to be your own person," Kurt continued, "you'll start to pull away from us a bit. Your friends are going to be more important to you than ever. There will probably be times when you think Daddy B and I are the dumbest people to walk the planet. You might get really angry with us, especially when we set rule like what time you have to be home on the weekends when you are older, and where and when you can drive."
"I don't want to be mad at you!" AJ said, snuggling into his dads.
"Well, that would be nice if you never felt angry at us, but it's highly possible that those times will come. And you know what? We'll always do what we do best and talk it out," Blaine said. "You know you can come to us with anything and we'll try to answer any questions you have, AJ. If we keep talking to each other and we keep trying our best, we'll all end up just fine. Think you can do that?"
"Sure Dads. I love you both," AJ said, putting his arms around both of his dads' necks.
"We love you too, August," Kurt said, "Now, head up the stairs and get ready for bed. Are you feeling too old to be tucked in?"
"No," AJ said with a grin, "as long as you'll let me have a bowl of cereal before I go to bed."
"Increased appetite!" Blaine and Kurt said at the same time, which lead them to uncontrollable laughter and left AJ with a confused look on his face.
~oOo~
After tucking AJ in for the night, Kurt and Blaine got ready for bed. Both had an early morning the next day. They met in the middle of their bed, talking quietly about the class, AJ, and their lives.
"Millions of parents have survived adolescence with nothing more than a few battle scars, right?" Kurt asked, brushing Blaine's curls from his forehead.
"Yep. We're in pretty good shape to weather this, love. Just like Liz said, we'll keep the communication open, be as consistent as we possibly can, and be aware. I'm not saying it will be easy, but we'll get through this, all together."
"And, what were you like as a young teen, Blaine Anderson?" Kurt asked, pulling Blaine closer.
"I was a monster," he said, as Kurt laughed. "No, seriously, ask my mom. I was rebellious and sneaky and I did things before the age of fourteen that would make you faint. My parents still don't know most of the situations I was in and I'm not entirely sure I'll ever tell them."
Kurt pushed Blaine away and fixed his eyes on his partner's. "What kinds of things are we talking about? Sneaking out? Drinking? What?"
"Yes, and yes, and a whole lot more. Let's see, there was the time a friend and I took his parents' car and drove into the city. I think we were thirteen…"
"You WHAT" Kurt screeched. "You drove into the city?"
"Well, technically, I didn't drive, but yeah, I was in the car. We didn't get into an accident and Riley's parents never did figure it out, so no harm, no foul. And then there was the time we took syringes and shot oranges full of vodka and packed them in our lunches for school. Didn't get caught on that one either, but I do know that I didn't remember much of American History that day"
"Holy crap Blaine, you were a regular juvenile delinquent! I guess I know who to blame when AJ starts to exhibit questionable behaviors," Kurt said.
"Oh, and you were completely innocent. Never did anything naughty, right?'
"I was a model child when I compare what I did to what you did," Kurt said, with a dose of self-righteous indignation.
"Are you really trying to tell me you never did anything stupid and questionable?" Blaine asked
"I was an angel."
"Never smoked or crawled out your window in the middle of the night or dropped rotten pumpkins off the roof of the tallest building in town?"
"Never."
Blaine reached over Kurt for the phone on the nightstand. "That's it. I'm calling Burt to get the real story," Blaine said.
"Oh no no no you don't," Kurt intercepted the phone and held it out of Blaine's reach.
"That's what I thought." Blaine grinned at his husband, who attempted to divert Blaine's attention will all kinds of kisses.
"Lovely kisses get you out of nothing," Blaine said
"Damn! Seriously, Blaine, we're going to make it through this, right? You, AJ, and me, we're all going to come out of this alive, still loving each other, and still a family, right?"
"Of course we will Kurt. Not saying it will always be easy, but we are family, and by definition, family sticks together. Now, how about we go back to those lovely kisses…"
"Gladly," Kurt said, snuggling in and basking in the warmth of his husband's arms.
~oOo~
There you go! I've by dying to write the chapter when AJ is fourteen years old and goes to Dalton for his freshman year, so we are just that much closer! Looking forward to a little TV program on Tuesday night called Glee. And you? I did sneak a listen at two young men singing a certain song together and oh my. Could this be it?