Kurt had a lot on his mind when he walked in the door and was greeted by his dad in the kitchen, making a cup of tea.
"How was the hardware store?"
"Good. Got what I needed, and it didn't cost me too much."
"Great! What's with the funny look on your face?"
"Well, I ran into Blaine at the hardware store. Actually, he ran into me. He door-dinged my car. It was an accident," he added, holding up his hands at his dad's alarmed look. "He just swung the door open a little too hard, distracted by an email. It's fine."
"And how do you know this Blaine person?"
"He's the junior reporter I'm working with at the newspaper. And he knew me in high school, I guess." He couldn't help but cringe as he said those words.
"I see," Burt said slowly, not sure what he should do. A thought tugged at the back of his mind, though, so he decided to say it. "You know, kid, sooner or later, you're going to have to stop letting the type of kid you were in high school define you. You're a different guy now. Hell, you're a man. Things and people have changed. So have you. It's time to focus on the person you are and want to become."
"I know. I know. You're right," Kurt relented, falling onto the couch with a loud sigh. "I just have a hard time with that, especially now that I'm back here in Lima. When I was in New York, it was easy. That part of my life didn't seem so in my face. Being back here, though, it's kinda like being back in high school again."
Burt nodded, bringing his steaming cup of tea into the living room and sitting down in one of the wing-backed chairs. "I know. And I'm sorry you had to come back here. I—"
"Dad, don't start. I wanted to come back for you, and I'm happy to be here. It's just going to take me longer than a week to adjust. That's all."
"Okay. Okay. Just…" He trailed off for a moment, wondering if he should say it. "Just don't be afraid to let people into your life, Kurt, even if they knew you in high school. I know, after what happened in New York, everything's still fresh and raw. I'm not saying you should date right now. And for the record, if you'd let me, I'd kick his ass."
Kurt chuckled at that. "I know you would. Thank you."
"Just make some friends if someone wants to be friends with you, Kurt. Don't hold yourself back from experiencing life because you're back where your story started. Now's your chance to change things, not relive the past. Maybe you'll even find your future here." He gave his son his best smile.
"Maybe. I won't hold my breath, but maybe."
"That's all I ask," Burt said. "Now, before you ask, I already took my meds. This is my Sleepytime tea. I'm just going to watch the news and sports, and then I'm going to head to bed. So, you don't have to stay out here with me, kid."
"Alright. Alright. I'll go to bed. Geez. I know when I'm not wanted."
Burt grinned. "Night, Kurt."
"Night, Dad."
After making a quick pit stop in the bathroom to wash his face, Kurt changed out of his clothes into his boxers and laid down on his bed, swiping to open his phone. He paused when his text conversation with Blaine popped up immediately. He read his name a few times, smiling as an image of Blaine grinning appeared in his mind.
"You know, maybe being friends with your coworker wouldn't be such a bad thing," he mused as he opened Pinterest. "Maybe Dad's right. This could be a shot at happiness."
Your first shot in a long time, his brain helpfully supplied.