27 December 1920
Kurt
Although Kurt is supposed to be setting the tables and getting ready for the dinner customers at Healy's Tavern, he hovers around the kitchen. He can't help it. Blaine is talking to the Healy brothers and handing in their notices. They discussed it ahead of time and agreed that, as much as Kurt wants to be right beside Blaine during this important meeting, it would be simpler if Blaine handled this on his own. Seeing as Blaine is the head chef, losing him would be a blow to the Healy brothers, and things could get ugly.
When the office door opens, Blaine and the Healy brothers walk out. Judging by Blaine's pale face and clenched fists, Kurt can tell that it didn't go very well.
"Kurt, we need to leave right now. I've got our pay for the past two days."
"What's happening?" Beiste asks.
John Healy glares at the two men. "Anderson and Hummel have just quit. I want them out of the door within ten minutes, maybe even faster." He walks toward the sous chef. "Gordon, you've just been promoted to head chef."
Blaine places his hand on Kurt's lower back and guides him to the staff room. "I'll explain everything to you later," he whispers.
When John and Tom Healy follow them into the staff room, Blaine looks them straight in the eye. "Does it really have to be like this?"
Tom gives them a dirty look and sneers, "You're the competition now."
John adds, "We can't have you stealing things, can we? Customers… staff… recipes… kitchen utensils."
Kurt shudders at the unkind words. How on earth could the Healy brothers think, even for a moment, that they would steal from them?
They change into their street clothes and empty out their lockers. Blaine hands over the key to the tavern - the one he has so that he can arrive early or leave late.
Tom's hands are crossed over his body. "If - no, when - your restaurant fails, don't come crawling back here for your old jobs. You're finished! We will do everything to make sure that your new restaurant is a failure, and then your names will be mud. No one will hire you."
Blaine and Kurt wave to the astonished staff as they leave Healy's Tavern for the very last time. When the back door slams behind them, Kurt shivers in the cold. "Well, that didn't go as we expected."
Blaine lowers his chin to keep warm. "It's their loss. I tried to end things amicably, but they were so angry. I think they're frightened that all their regular customers will come to our new restaurant."
Kurt takes Blaine's hand and places it in his coat pocket. "I'm sure they will lose customers. Never mind. So what if we don't have jobs anymore? It's not a big deal. We both have savings that will see us through until Westerville's opens. It just means that we now have more time to devote to fixing it up."
When the back door opens, Kurt is surprised to see Jakub, the Polish dishwasher. "You leave?"
Blaine smiles at him. "We are opening our own restaurant."
"I go, too," Jakub replies.
"We need to do a lot of work on the restaurant. It will take a few months before it opens," Kurt replies.
"I help. My family helps. In Poland, we build houses."
Kurt thinks that Jakub and his family might be the answer to their prayers. Although Finn has lined up an electrician and plumber, they will need strong men who can do some demolition work inside and help move the debris to the junkyard.
Blaine hands Jakub a calling card. "Come tomorrow at noon, and we'll talk."
The following day… 28th December
"So, what did you think, Finn?" Kurt asks.
Finn takes a gulp of coffee from his mug. They've just met with Jakub, his two brothers, and three cousins. "They are all strapping lads, and I have no doubt that they can help out fixing up the restaurant, but their English isn't very good."
Blaine nods in agreement. "They're immigrants like us. I know they don't speak much English, but I'd like to take a chance with Jakub. I've worked with him at the tavern for the past nine months, and I think that he's smart and hardworking. He's the sort of bloke whom I can see working at Westerville's for a very long time. So what if his English isn't very good? I'll ask Rachel if she'll extend the budget so that he can go to school."
Kurt sits up straight. "Well, it's a good thing that I have a teacher's certificate, right? I can give lessons to Jakub and his relatives after their work or on the weekends."
Blaine's face lights up. "What a marvelous idea, my love. You really are the perfect partner in every way."
Blaine places his hand over Kurt's cheeks and pulls him in for a tender kiss.
Finn coughs loudly. "Guys… Hey, guys! I'm right here! Can you save all the smoochy stuff for later?"
When Finn has their attention, he adds, "Is there any of that Polish cream pie left over that Jakub brought? It's delicious. Maybe you should put that on the menu."
Blaine reluctantly pulls away from Kurt. "I most definitely plan to put napoleonka on the menu."
Two days later… 30th December
Kurt leans back in the chair and rubs the bridge of his nose. He's in his space on the top floor of their home, but instead of fabric and notions, there are papers spread across his work area. He's summed the columns up three times, and the total has always been the same.
This morning, Finn provided him with the estimated cost of the materials and labor to renovate the restaurant. He suspects that LeRoy helped Finn come up with the detailed plan because it includes every possible contingency. Yesterday, Blaine met with the kitchen equipment supply company, and obtained an estimate of the leasing cost for the ovens, hobs, and refrigerators.
According to his calculations, Westerville's will be ready for business by the end of March. If they defer the construction of the stage, they will be well within the budget of Rachel's funding.
There is so much to do during the three months before the restaurant will open. Kurt is responsible for decorating the dining area of the restaurant. He's thinking that it should have an old-world charm - something that is in keeping with the Westerville estate. He'll buy old tables and chairs from a flea market and ask Finn to refinish them. However, he needs to come up with the perfect decor, and for that he will need help from someone at Westerville Abbey. He pulls out some writing paper from a drawer and writes to the Countess, Blaine's mother, asking for her help and advice.
After finishing the letter and sealing the envelope, Kurt checks the time. He still has another hour before he is expected to join Blaine at the restaurant. Blaine and Finn are meeting with a city building inspector to find out what needs doing before the restaurant is opened. Kurt has already made them a picnic lunch to eat. It's not as fancy as anything that Blaine would have prepared, but he hopes that it will be a pleasant surprise.
He opens a drawer and pulls out Lieutenant Elliott Gilbert's calling card. He flips it in his hand as he has done on many occasions over the past several months. When they had met at the Hampton Horse Show in September, the Lieutenant had invited him to visit his airfield and fly their new fighter plane. He misses flying so very much. For four long years, he flew an aeroplane or went up in the air with training pilots. He misses that feeling of control in the air and being free of all the confining conventions found on the ground below. Blaine is always encouraging him to pursue his hobbies. And flying can be a hobby, right?
He goes downstairs to the corridor, picks up the telephone, and dials the number on the card. After a few rings, the telephone is answered.
"Lieutenant Elliot Gilbert."
"Hello, Lieutenant. This is Captain Kurt Hummel of the Royal Flying Corps. I'm not sure if you remember, but we met at the Hamptons Horse Show last September."
"Kurt! Of course I remember you. It's not every day that I meet a flying ace. I was hoping that you would call me."
"Does your offer to visit you at the Mitchel Field still stand? I'd really like to see what the US Air Service is flying nowadays."
"Absolutely. We would love for you to visit. Would it be possible for you to give a speech about your experiences during the Great War? I'm sure everyone would be interested to listen to your tales."
"I'm more than willing to do that as long as I can have a test fly of the new de Havilland DH-5 fighter plane."
Lieutenant Gilbert chuckles. "I'm sure that can be arranged. There is a flying club attached to the airfield. The members are pilots who served during the Great War - some are still in the active service, but most are doing other things with their lives. We meet on Saturdays and fly for fun. We even have a clubhouse where we have a drink and a laugh or two. If you come next Saturday, I'll introduce you to the guys."
"Why, that sounds really wonderful. What time should I arrive?"
After they have made arrangements for next Saturday, Kurt hangs up the phone. He is really looking forward to his trip to the airfield to fly and meet like-minded people.
The following day… New Year's Eve
When Kurt hears the front door opening, he runs to the entrance to greet Blaine, and he's shocked to see Blaine holding so many parcels from Macy's.
Blaine sets down the parcels. "Hello, my love. Did James deliver the food bags?"
Kurt helps Blaine out of his jacket and hangs it on the hook. "Yes, he did. James said that you had some extra shopping to do, but now I'm curious… What did you buy at Macy's?"
"Let's go upstairs, and I'll show you." They both carry bags upstairs, and Kurt is surprised when Blaine leads them into a guest bedroom.
"Tonight Finn and Rachel are bringing Carole over to our house for the very first time. I wanted to make sure that we have everything that she needs."
Blaine pulls out a soft pink blanket that has satin around the edges and a pink bow on the corner. Next comes a knitted cardigan, a matching cap, and the tiniest booties that Kurt has ever seen. "I don't want Carole to be too cold."
Kurt smiles, knowing that Rachel and the nursemaid will bring everything that wee Carole will need. "I think Carole is going to love the softness of these things against her skin."
Blaine picks up the next bag and takes out bottles, cloth diapers, and talcum powder. "This is just in case Rachel forgets something."
The last bag contains a rattle and a cute teddy bear. "We don't want Carole to be bored at our house, do we?"
Kurt pulls Blaine into his arms. "This is the sort of thoughtful thing that you do all the time for those that you love. I'm sure Carole will be very comfortable staying here tonight."
Blaine nuzzles into Kurt's neck. "Do you think that one day when Carole is older that Finn and Rachel will allow her to have a sleepover? There are so many fun things we could do with her. I could teach her how to bake cookies."
"I'm sure they will, my love. Remember that Rachel will be busy at night performing on this Broadway she's always going on about."
Kurt lifts Blaine's chin to give him a kiss. He licks at Blaine's lips so that he can explore with his tongue.
Blaine pulls away and coughs. "I need to go downstairs to start the meal."
Kurt smirks, "I already put the ham in the oven. I think that buys you an hour of time."
Blaine takes Kurt's hand and pulls him into their bedroom. "It certainly does. There is plenty we can do in an hour."
Later in the day… New Year's Eve
When the doorbell rings, Blaine calls out, "Could you get that, Kurt? I'm putting the final touches to the meal."
Kurt opens the front entrance door to find Hiram, LeRoy, Finn, and Rachel. Finn is holding a wicker bassinet in which Carole is sleeping, and the others have a number of parcels. Behind them is a nursemaid, who will look after Carole for the evening.
"Come in, come in. It's cold out there," Kurt says.
They stomp the snow off their boots before entering. When they take off their coats, Kurt raises an eyebrow and tries to contain the laughter bubbling up in his throat. All four are wearing red sweaters with two white reindeers woven on the front.
"Blaine is in the kitchen, and the meal is almost ready. Why don't you go to the dining room?"
Kurt turns to the nursemaid. "I'll show you upstairs to the guest bedroom. It's all set up for Carole. Blaine has even bought her a teddy bear and a rattle in case she gets bored. When she wakes up, make sure to bring her downstairs. We all want cuddle time with Carole."
After ensuring that the nursemaid and Carole are settled upstairs, Kurt enters the dining room and takes his place next to Blaine. There is a baked ham with pineapple, scalloped potatoes, carrots, and peas. The meal is colorful and tasty. After extensively discussing Carole, the conversation moves to their jobs.
"How did the Healy brothers take the news that you are opening your own restaurant?" Hiram asks.
"Not very well. They fired us on the spot, paid us for the week, and escorted us out of the tavern," Blaine explained.
Kurt adds, "I'm not sure why they did that. Blaine created many of the dishes himself, and it's not like we were going to steal anything."
LeRoy sets down his cutlery. "It's their loss. I bet they didn't want you poaching the staff."
"I can't wait to eat there on opening night," Rachel exclaims.
"Have you given any thought as to when opening night might be?" Hiram asks.
Blaine shakes his head. "Kurt thinks that the restaurant should be ready by the end of March. Once we get the bulk of the work done, we'll have to make plans for the opening."
Hiram scratches his chin. "Don't discount your Granny. She is very well connected in Manhattan society. If you get her on board with the restaurant, she could fill all the tables for the first month in a blink of an eye."
When they have finished their meal, they retire to the living room. Kurt stokes the fire so that the room is toasty warm. Blaine opens a bottle of champagne that his uncle brought over, and pours it into six glasses.
"I know it's not midnight yet, but Happy New Year, everybody!" Blaine exclaims.
They clink their glasses together, and take a sip of champagne.
"What is everyone's New Year's resolution?" LeRoy asks.
"To become a star on Broadway, of course," Rachel states proudly.
"I'm going to create a few new dishes for our restaurant," Blaine says.
"I plan to fix up Westerville's so that it's the best-looking restaurant in all of New York City," Finn declares.
When everyone looks at Kurt, he says, "I plan to take up flying again."
Blaine's eyebrows shoot up. "Oh, really?"
Kurt doesn't like that he's sprung flying again on Blaine this way. He knows he doesn't need Blaine's permission, but he was hoping to discuss it with him in private. "I telephoned Lieutenant Elliott Gilbert of the US Air Service yesterday. Blaine, you remember how we met him at the Hamptons Horse Show?"
Blaine nods, and judging by his sour look, Kurt can tell that he isn't happy at all.
"Anyways, Lieutenant Gilbert has invited me to the airfield on Saturday. He wants me to give a speech to the pilots about what it was like to fly during the Great War. He has also promised me that I can fly a fighter plane. Apparently, there is a flying club attached to the airfield that has members like me - people who know how to fly but aren't in the service anymore. They meet regularly to fly and shoot the breeze. They even have a clubhouse next to the airfield."
Hiram slaps him on the back. "That's really great, Kurt. Flying has been part of your life for years, and I'm sure that you miss it. We all need our own hobbies. Take Blaine, for example. He's the champion player at his tennis club. Isn't that right, Blaine?"
Blaine lifts his shoulders in a half-shrug.
Hiram continues, "Blaine, next Saturday might be a good opportunity to arrange to meet your Granny. You could even invite her to the restaurant and show her your plans. I think she would enjoy that."
Their conversation is interrupted when the nursemaid brings Carole into the living room. Blaine immediately takes the baby into his arms and rubs his nose against hers.
"I cannot get over how much she has grown in six weeks…. Oh my goodness, Carole smiled at me!"
After Kurt has had a turn holding Carole, she begins to cry.
"It's feeding time. I'll be back soon," Rachel says
Once Rachel, the nursemaid, and Carole have left, Hiram sets out parcels on the coffee table. "We have a few things for you to help ring in the new year. You two need to open this package together."
Kurt and Blaine open the package, and their eyes widen when they see two red sweaters with white reindeer woven in the front. They quickly shuck off their sweaters and try on the new ones. The next parcel contains a variety of discs for their new Victrola. There are classical pieces, jazz, and even some that they haven't heard of.
Rachel returns to the room. "Oh good, it's time for the music! I know the very disc we should start with."
Rachel sorts through the pile until she finds the disc she wants. Kurt places it on the Victrola's turntable, switches it on, and moves the arm so the needle is at the beginning of the disc. When the music starts to play, they begin to sing and dance along.
First you put your two knees close up tight.
Then you sway 'em to the left
Then you sway 'em to the right.
Step around the floor kind of nice and light.
Then you twis' around and twis' around with all your might.
Stretch your lovin' arms straight out in space.
Then you do the Eagle Rock with style and grace.
Swing your foot way 'round then bring it back.
Now that's what I call "Ballin' the Jack."
Kurt grins from ear to ear as he looks around the living room. Everyone is wearing the most ridiculous red reindeer sweaters, swaying and twisting their bodies to the music. It's crazy, but there is nowhere else Kurt would rather be. This is his family in the Big Apple, and this is where he belongs.
Author's notes
The song that they dance to is 'Ballin' the Jack'. It was written and composed by Jim Burris and Chris Smith for Broadway's 'The Passing Show' in 1915. Many covers have been performed since - even the Grateful Dead used some of the lyrics in a song! Perhaps the most famous song and dance number was performed by Judy Garland and Gene Kelly in the 1942 movie, 'For Me and My Gal'. Thank you to Gaazhagens on Tumblr for bringing this song to my attention.
Many thanks to my fantastic betas - Fearlessly, Lilyvandersteen, Dblmalfunction. I made the last-minute edits and performed the final proofreading by myself, so all mistakes are mine.
I'm HKVoyage on Tumblr.
Next up: Kurt spends time at the airfield, and Blaine figures out a way to fill the lonely hours.