Nov. 23, 2013, 6 p.m.
Stand in Parent: Chapter 1
T - Words: 2,465 - Last Updated: Nov 23, 2013 Story: Complete - Chapters: 2/? - Created: Nov 23, 2013 - Updated: Nov 23, 2013 131 0 0 0 0
"Listen John, we have to get these cars in and out, were getting backed up and I dont want to have to start turning people away."
"I know, ok."
The kid made no indication that he was going to move, "Ok…well…go then." Finally the kid turned and Burt rolled his eyes. He knew that he shouldnt expect so much from some kid that just graduated high school a few months ago, but it was hard when he compared all the guys who came to work for him with Kurt and Finn.
His sons, who he was forever proud of, made all of these other kids look like a bunch of idiots.
Burt sighed, it was nice having Finn around, but he really missed Kurt, especially, at times like these. Sure, Kurt only helped out when he needed money or advice, but when his mother had died, Burt had no one to watch the eight year old boy, so he spent countless hours after school and during the summer with his son. He knew the Kurt moving so far away would be difficult, but he never really took into account just how busy he would be and how little they would be able to talk.
He was pulled out of his thoughts as the phone rang. He looked at John, who was standing right near the phone and making no apparent plans to answer it. Seriously with this kid?
"John!"
The young man looked up, "What?"
"Do you hear the phone ringing?"
The kid turned and stared at the phone as if he only noticed it just then, and slowly reached for it, "Hello?"
"John! Answer it right or youre out of here!"
"Oh right! Hello, Hummel Tires and Lube."
That kid was an idiot. Burt turned back to the car he was previously changing the oil of.
"Hey, Burt?"
"Kid, I told you that you dont have to ask me every time someone wants to bring their car in, just tell them its fine."
"No, its not that this time. Someone is on the phone for you."
Burt looked up at him then over to the clock. It was ten in the morning. He thought of anyone who would be looking for him. Kurt was in ballet class or acting class or some class, definitely class. Finn was at McKinley doing whatever he did until glee practice. And Carol was at work and wouldnt be on her lunch until one. If he said panic didnt run through his body for a moment, hed be a liar.
"Well who is it?"
He waited, a little less than patiently, as John asked the caller for their name.
"Ugh, its Marie Anderson?"
Well that was completely unexpected.
"What?"
"She said her name is Marie Anderson," they he listened into the phone, the woman obviously speaking again, "She said shes Blaines mother?"
"I know who she is." He made no move towards the phone. The confusion of Blaines mother calling him paralyzed him to the spot. Since Kurt has known Blaine, Burt had only once spoken to Blaines mother once and that was when he was contemplating placing Kurt at Dalton. The woman was friendly and all, but to say that it was a surprise that Mrs. Anderson was calling Burt Hummel was a huge understatement.
"Burt?"
He shook his head out of his reverie and walked to reach the phone. John stood and stared at him, "Go back to work."
"Oh, yea, right."
Burt shook his head then turned his attention to the phone, "Mrs. Anderson, this is a surprise."
"Marie, please."
"Right, Marie, what can I do for you?"
"Well Mr. Humm—"
"Burt."
"Burt, you see, I know this is strange, me calling like this and all, but I honestly could not think of anyone else."
"Uhh, ok. Im kind of lost here."
"Right. I know that our sons are no longer dating, but I was under the impression that they were friendly at this point?"
Burt could not even begin to try and figure out where this conversation was going. Sure Kurt talked to him about everything and especially about Blaine, but he was under the impression that Blaine was not as close to his parents. He had implied countless times that his parents were very busy people and that when it came to his sexuality that they were less then interested in the specifics. He decided to tread lightly into this conversation.
"Thats right, thats what Kurt has told me."
"Great ok, I was wondering if you could do me a favor?"
Burt was getting more and more lost in this conversation. A favor? That had something to do with Kurt and Blaine being friendly?
"What kind of favor?"
"Well, it appears that Blaine got hurt today, hit his head pretty bad. The school sent him to the hospital because I guess he has a possible concussion."
"Jesus! Was it one of those football players? I thought that school had cracked down on this kind of this happening!"
"No, no, nothing like that! From what I head he was fooling around with one of his friends and fell. You know Blaine, always jumping of things and singing." She laughed and Burt was a little surprised to hear adoration in her voice. Not that he expected annoyance, but he was happy at the way she reacted to her son.
"Oh, good. Glad to hear that then…so this favor?"
"Oh, right! Well, I hate to ask this of you, what with us not knowing each other very well, but you see, Blaines father is out of the country right now, and I myself am in Texas for business. I booked a flight, but the first open one they had back to Ohio doesnt get in until tomorrow afternoon at three."
"So you need me to take him for the night?"
"Well, yes. And actually, hes at the hospital and as Im sure youre aware, hes seventeen, so he needs an adult there to make decisions and sign him out. Now I wouldnt ask you to do this if it was anything big, but if you could just sit there with him and agree to the MRI or whatever test they want to do I would appreciate it more than you know. I hate the thought of him sitting there alone."
"Will they let me do that? I dont think just any adult can make those decisions."
"Oh, I spoke to his doctor and if you agree Ill just let him know that you will have temporary guardianship until I can get home."
"Oh."
"Now Burt, I dont mean to make you feel like you have to do this. If it will make you uncomfortable at all, please dont feel pressured."
"What? No, of course Ill do it."
"Great! Thank you so much! Hes in the emergency room because I guess thats where the nurse brought him. I know it will be a huge comfort for him to have you there, he never stopped talking about you whenever he came home from your house." There was a smile in her voice.
"Its no problem."
"Will you be able to go soon? I know they want to do the testing as soon as possible."
Burt looked over his shop, there were more cars then they had people to work on them, "Im leaving now."
"Thank you again, Burt."
"Really, its no problem. Blaine means a lot to my kid, he means a lot to me."
"Thank you."
Burt hung up the phone and the first thing he thought of was Kurt. He thought to call his son, but Kurt would only panic, and this didnt seem to be an emergency so Burt texted his son to call him whenever he got a chance and then told his assistant manager, Chris, that he had to go and wouldnt be back for the day before getting into his car and driving to the hospital.
Burt parked his car and walked into the hospital and up to the emergency room admittance desk where a nurse was taking notes.
"Uh, excuse me."
She looked up and eyed him, "Just take one of the forms, fill it out, and bring it back up here and well call you as soon as we can."
"Oh..uh, no. Im actually here for a kid brought in a little while ago, umm…Blaine Anderson."
A small smile crept on her face, "Oh, hes just a sweetheart. Are you his father?"
"Well, no. His mother said she was calling in, Ill be..uh I guess his stand in parent because his real folks are out of town."
She looked at him carefully, "Hold on one minute." The nurse disappeared into the hallway.
Burt stood there awkwardly for a few minutes until the nurse came back into view and waved him to follow her, "Sorry about that, I had to make sure, you know."
He only nodded and quietly followed her until they got to a closed door.
"We havent been able to do much while weve been waiting for an adult to get here. He most likely has a concussion, so we have an aide in there now making sure that he doesnt fall asleep until some tests can be done, the doctor will be in soon to get that all started. While we are waiting, though, Id like to start an IV and give him some painkillers, is that all right with you?"
"Yea…sure."
"You can go in and tell the aide that she can leave, but just make sure that he stays awake, alright?
Burt nodded.
"Ill be right back." She smiled and walked away.
Burt knocked on the door twice and slowly opened it. Blaine was sitting on the bed with a pack of ice held to the back of his head. When he looked up his eyes went wide, his mother had obviously not told him she was calling him.
Burt smiled at Blaine but looked to the aide in the room, "The nurse said to let you know that you can leave since Im here. Thank you for sitting with him."
The woman smiled at him and turned towards Blaine, "It was nice to meet you sweetie. Feel better ok?"
"Yes maam, thank you."
The woman left the room and Burt looked once again at Blaine who was still staring wide-eyed at him.
"Mr. Hummel, what are you doing here?"
"I could say the same to you, kid," He laughed, "Your mother called me to—"
"My mom called you?"
"I was surprised too. She asked me to come sit with you and make sure they fix you up, then youre gonna come to my house until she gets home tomorrow."
"Thank you for being here, but I can just go home after this, I dont want to put you out, Ive been staying on my own the past week anyway, Ill be ok."
"I dont remember asking."
Blaine was about to open his mouth when the nurse came in.
"Ok, lets get this IV going and then well give you something for that headache, how does that sound?"
"Great, thank you Ms. Valerie." He smiled at her.
She turned to Burt, "So how are you connected to the ever well mannered Mr. Anderson?" She asked as she began sticking the IV into Blaines hand.
Burt wasnt even sure how to define who Blaine was to him anymore. As far as he was concerned, the kid was still his future son-in-law, but he would never say that out loud. "You want to take this one?" He laughed a little look at Blaine.
Blaine ducked his head as a pink blush spread on his cheeks. The nurse connected a needle into one of the IV ports and began pushing the pain meds into it.
"Hes my ex-…my friends father."
She looked between both of them when she was finished, "I thought it was going to be way more confusing then that!"
"Well my friend is also my ex-boyfriend."
Burt waited for the reaction. The reaction he always feared when someone first found out that his son, or in this case his…Blaine…was gay. This being Ohio, the negative or uncomfortable reactions seemed to out-way the tolerant ones. He was nervous, she definitely looked uncomfortable, but she surprised him when she spoke.
"Well I would say he made a huge mistake letting you go, but seeing as his father is the one making all of your medical decisions right now, Im not sure thats a good idea." She winked at him.
Blaine smiled at her, "Thats ok, it was my fault we broke up anyway. I was the idiot."
"Now I just dont see that being the case, youre the sweetest guy Ive met."
Blaine eyed Burt then looked away, clearly uncomfortable having this conversation in front of him. He decided to help the kid out.
He cleared his throat, "So, how long until the medicine kicks in?"
"Oh it should start working soon, believe me youll know when it does," She smiled at Burt, "The doctor should be in soon, please make sure that he stays awake. If the tests come back clear, then he can sleep, but for now we have to be safe. Ill come back and check on you guys."
She left the room and Burt finally sat down on the chair next to the bed Blaine was sitting in.
"Hows your head feeling?"
"Its not too bad sir."
"Blaine."
"Sorry, sorry. I know, saying sir is just habit." He smiled shyly.
"So howd you do this anyway?"
"Its so embarrassing. It was before third period, but I was in the class with Tina and Sam and we were just messing around and singing, I had the bright idea of jumping on one of the tables and I just lost my footing and fell backwards. I guess I hit my head, Im not sure I knocked myself out for a few seconds." The pink blush spread on his cheeks again.
"Youve got some luck, kid."
Blaine laughed. Not a scoffing laugh that showed he agreed with Burt, but a full out laugh.
"Blaine?"
The laughing got a little harder.
Oh well this is what she meant when she said hed know when the medicine started to kick in. Burt gave him a few minutes to calm down, but looked at him with a small smile on his face.
Blaines laughs became calmer.
"What had you cracking up like that?"
A few laughs bubbled through his chest, "You know whats funny Burt?"
He went from sir to Burt. Its not that he minded, he had tried to get Blaine to call him by his first name for months, but Mr. Hummel was better than sir.
Burt laughed, "Whats that?"
"Youre Kurts father!"
More laughs.
"And whats funny about that?" He continued to laugh, not sure where Blaine was going with this.
"Its just…" He giggled, "Its just that Kurt…" More giggles, "His dad is here and my dads in China!" He cracked up.
Burt was lost.
"Im not seeing the funny part?"
He giggled for a few more seconds. "Come on Burt! Youre the father of my ex-boyfriend, who I cheated on and who doesnt even really like me anymore, and youre here and my own dad…" A few more giggles, "Is in China."
"Blaine…" He wasnt sure what to say.
"You know what?"
"What?"
"I like you more than my dad anyway."
Blaine smiled his widest grin. This was going to be a long night.