The second encounter Burt has with Blaine happens on the phone about a week and a half after Kurt moves into Dalton. It’s about six in the evening, and Burt’s just settling in to watch the game when his cell phone starts ringing. He mutes the TVs and answers the phone.

      “Hello?”

      “Hi, um, Burt, it’s, ah, it’s Blaine calling? Kurt’s friend? From Dalton?”

     Burt’s surprise quickly turns into concern. Kurt had been in touch every day, whether a longer Skype call or just a few text messages. He was always full of stories. Some were positive, like meeting new friends and exploring the campus, but some weren’t as good, like getting a low mark on his first assignment. No matter the story, though, he was always talking about Blaine: something Blaine did or a funny thing Blaine had said. Burt thought that Kurt was doing fine, so why was Blaine calling?

      “Hey, Blaine. What’s going on? Everything alright?” Burt asked.

      “Well, I hope so,” Blaine replied, “But I figured I’d call just to be safe.”

     Burt notices that the boy seems anxious.

      “Okay, what is it?” he asks.

      “I don’t have any classes with Kurt, but I normally see him throughout the day. We have lunch together, that sort of thing. But I didn’t seem him at all today. I don’t know if he went to class, but he definitely wasn’t at dinner. I went to his room and knocked, just to check on him, but he told me to go away. He… he sounded upset, Burt.”

     Burt sighs. As soon as Blaine called, he realized he should have seen this coming.

      “Look, kid,” he begins, “What has Kurt told you about his mom?”

     There is silence over the line for a few moments.

      “Just that she passed away when he was younger, and that they were really close.” Blaine replies, his voice soft.

      “Today’s her birthday.” Burt says. “She would’ve been forty today. Kurt’s, well, he’s probably dealing with that.”

     Burt hears Blaine let out a sad noise, not one of pity so much as one that a person might make when actually experiencing pain.

      “Burt, sir, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I’m sorry for calling, for interfering…” Blaine says, the confidence that was usually in his voice non-existent.

      “No, don’t you dare apologize.” Burt interrupts him. “I’m glad you’re watching out for him. I really am. So I’ll tell you what we’re gonna do.”

     Blaine makes a small noise to affirm that he was listening, and Burt can’t help but feel touched that the kid seemed to care so much about Kurt.

      “I’m going to call Kurt. Make sure he’s okay, that sort of thing. In thirty minutes, you’re going to knock on his door with a copy of The Sound of Music and whatever junk food you can find. If he doesn’t let you in, you let him be, but chances are he’s gonna be wanting something to eat right about now.”

     Blaine lets out a small chuckle.

      “Thanks, Burt, I’ll do that.”

      “Okay, Blaine, thanks for calling.” Burt says.

      “You’re welcome, Burt.” Blaine answers.

     As Burt ends the call, he finds himself wondering how often he and that boy are going to end up talking.