AN: Inspired by lyrics from "Can't Go Back Now" by the Weepies, this is a look at Kurt through Burt's eyes as he heads off to Dalton for the first time.
It didn't happen much, seeing my son dressed in clothes that I could relate too. Kurt's interest in fashion made his wardrobe quite unique in my eyes. But I want my son to be himself, so I don't try to discourage his choices. Still, the Dalton Academy uniform seemed to tame for my son to be wearing and heading off to school.
Heading off to private school. Not that I think it's a bad thing. Kurt's bright, and perhaps Dalton will challenge him more academically than McKinnley had. Still, I didn't like the reason behind why he was going. The reason he was forced to leave what few friends he did have. Hated that I couldn't protect him any longer.
Things seemed easier when he was younger. I felt like I could give Kurt not only what he needed but also what he wanted. That I could take care of him. Granted having Kathleen by my side those first eight years had helped but even those few first years after her death we were okay. I saw to it that Kurt was provided for. That he was safe.
When did he start being the responsible one? The one who was looking out for me. Sure, he's been more like that since my heart attack, I know that scared him, but looking back, I realized it started before then. Little things that I hadn't noticed at the time - like him bringing food to the garage, cooking dinners, throwing the audition because of that phone call, and trying to protect me from the harassment that he had been going through at school alone.
Somewhere along the line, my little boy had grown up. Watching him walk toward his car in his school uniform I knew there was no going back. Kurt would always be my son, but there were a lot of things that he had to do on his own now. It was time for me to start letting go. As he backed the car out of the driveway, I knew that wasn't going to be an easy thing to do.