The next morning, both Burt and Kurt were rather distracted by their own thoughts over a quick breakfast of coffee and toast and during the short drive to the shop. Burt was thinking about and somewhat dreading the next fatherly talk he had decided to have with Kurt. Kurt was excited and a little nervous about the prospect of interacting with Dave's dad, Paul Karofsky.

Once at work, Kurt made his way to the front office to unlock the customer entrance, check the appointment book and make sure they had the parts for all the jobs scheduled within the next few days. His morning would be occupied with helping customers, taking inventory and answering the phone and email.

Burt went into the garage to organize and assign the work orders for the day, keeping several of the more complex jobs for himself.

Kurt's survey of the appointments for the day revealed that Paul Karofsky was expected at 9 o'clock. Kurt busied himself with tidying up the waiting area, making coffee and filling the vending machines. He could do all of these things without giving them much thought, so his mind churned on the questions he had for Mr. Karofsky.

Kurt had no intention of 'outing' Dave to his father, although something like that –just a casual slip of the tongue mind you- could be quite tempting.

Kurt freely admitted his resentment of gays and lesbians that could pass as straight, a luxury he was never permitted. Blaine could pass, well, unless he had his rather flamboyant boyfriend on his arm. Kurt smiled to himself. He rather enjoyed seeing the disappointed looks on the faces of females who finally got a clue. Dreamy Blaine, for the most part, was oblivious to it all.

As Kurt that about Karofsky he finally determined that what concerned him the most was Dave's state of mind. He flashed back on Dave escorting him to class one morning in his red 'Bully Whip' jacket and beret. Kurt was remarking that no one had been bothering him at all, and maybe the students at McKinley were becoming more tolerant of "the gay." It seemed to push a button in Karofsky, and he inexplicably dissolved into tears of remorse for the awful way that he had treated Kurt.

The unexpected expression of emotion was uncharacteristic, undeniably authentic, and touched Kurt's usually well guarded heart. It was at that moment in time that Kurt felt the stark hollowness of Dave's existence; he was quite simply living a lie.

Kurt immediately and completely forgave Dave Karofsky, even surprising himself with the sudden release of his negative feelings, all in response to Dave's teary confession.

Dave's hurt, while palpable and heart wrenching, was quickly masked the moment another student drew near. However, Kurt had already glimpsed for himself the deep well of hurt that resided inside Dave, and the protectiveness with which he shielded it. Kurt was left breathless and distracted, agreeing mindlessly to Dave's insistence that Kurt wait for him after class.

As Kurt stood in the clean waiting room smelling the fresh coffee brew on Tuesday morning, all of the feelings from that brief interaction came back as if it had happened yesterday. Yes, he would definitely find a way to talk to Dave's dad.

Then the jangling bell on the door announced the arrival of the first customer of the morning. He glanced up at the wall clock. It was just 8:30.

In the third bay of the shop Burt was already up to his elbows replacing a transmission. As he walked to the parts table he glanced at a carburetor sitting there and thought about Blaine handing him a carburetor a few weeks before. Why did these conversations about sex have to be so difficult for everyone concerned? No wonder so many parents avoided them. No wonder kids acted as if they already knew everything.

The last chat with Kurt had started out pretty rough. But after Burt had taken the time to walk into Planned Parenthood to find those pamphlets and then (at Carole's insistence) read every last one of them, he was going to be damned if Kurt was going to put his fingers in his ears and la-la-la his way out of that father-son bonding opportunity.

Well, honestly it had been more like a lecture because Burt's anxiety gave him verbal diarrhea but he also had some things he wanted to say to Kurt. Important things about intimate relationships that he wished his father had told him. And it ended up okay in Burt's mind, with his obviously mortified and innocent son actually politely thanking him when it was all said and done, taking the brochures and the toast made by his father upstairs to his bedroom.

However, that whole talk had been sbout sex in theory. Now there was a very real boyfriend in the picture, a smoking hot boyfriend according to Carole and her friends, and every indication that plenty of sexual sparks were flying. So the next talk had to be about sex in practice.

From what Blaine had said last evening on the deck, there was no chance Blaine was going to get any practical advice from his dad. Burt was left wondering what possible guidance he could offer these two sexually charged boys. How should he approach it with Kurt? What rules should he enforce?

Burt wiped off his hands with the towel he kept nearby and headed over to his workbench. Where was that mug? He needed another cup of coffee. Maybe he would even sneak a donut.

A few minutes after nine Paul Karofsky walked through the door of Hummel's Tires and Lube. Kurt glanced up from the inventory records on his computer screen and greeted him.

"Good morning, Mr. Karofsky. How are you?"

"Fine, Kurt. You can call me Paul you know. How are you?"

"Fine, thanks. I see you have a 100,000 mile tune up scheduled. That will take a while. Are you planning to wait?"

Well, I would prefer not to. I hoped Dave could follow me this morning and give me a ride to work but that didn't happen. Is there any chance someone could give me a lift to my office? It's not more than ten minutes from here, over on Central Avenue at 12th Street. I can get someone from the office to bring me back here at the end of the day to pick up the car." He was already handing Kurt his ignition key.

Perfect, thought Kurt as he slipped a tag on the key and placed it with the work order. This is just perfect. "I have to make a run to one of our distributors this morning. Let me check with the parts manager to see if she can keep an eye on things up front. I can drop you off on the way."

Dave's dad smiled his appreciation. "That would be great."

Kurt went into the back and returned with a middle-aged woman whose standard issue blue work shirt had 'Peggy' stitched above the pocket. They put their heads together over the appointment book for a few moments while the businessman waited near the door.

"I'll be back in no more than an hour." Kurt waved as he grabbed the keys for the company pickup and followed Paul Karofsky out the door into the bright sunlight.

Kurt unlocked the truck and climbed in, reaching across to open the passenger side door for Mr. Karofsky. Mr. Karofsky got in and put his briefcase across his lap.

"This truck is really low tech, so you might want to roll down your window," offered Kurt as he reached for the handle on his side.

Mr. Karofsky suggested the best route to take in rush hour traffic, then sat back and let Kurt drive for a minute or two in silence.

"How is your summer going, Kurt?"

"Okay I guess. I get up every morning to come in with my dad, then I'm usually home around lunch time. I have some creative projects that I am working on and I spend time with my boyfriend."

"Does your boyfriend go to McKinley?"

No, he attends Dalton Academy, where I went most of last year."

"Have things been okay for you since you came back?"

"Well, I haven't really had any problems with Dave – or anyone- bullying me, if that's what you mean. But being elected prom queen sucked." Why not admit it, thought Kurt.

"Yeah, David told me about that. Kids can really be cruel. But what really surprised me is that Figgins went along with it. What was he thinking?"

Mr. Karofsky was quiet for a moment. "I'm sorry that happened to you, Kurt." Kurt felt Dave's dad looking at him. Kurt glanced away from the heavy morning traffic to take in the sincerity on his face. Kurt just nodded.

"So, how is Dave doing?" Kurt had to ask. And he honestly wanted to change the subject.

"Oh, I don't see much of him. He's either in his room listening to music or maybe playing computer games…I'm really not sure. Unfortunately he hasn't found a job yet." Mr. Karofsky sounded a little put off.

"Is he feeling alright? You mentioned that he was going to give you a ride to work this morning…" Kurt knew he was prying, but he just had the sense that there was more there.

Well… to be honest Kurt, I'm beginning to wonder. He just seems out of it. This morning when I woke him up and reminded him that I needed a ride he said he felt sick to his stomach. That's really not like David."

"Oh…"

"I don't really know why I'm telling you this. I know David hasn't made life easy for you and maybe you could care less. Who could blame you for that? But…I'm really worried about my son."

Kurt shot a look to his right and saw the gray-haired man in the neatly trimmed beard and suit. He appeared weary.

"Do you think he was concerned about seeing into my dad? I mean, they have had some run-ins… Or maybe he—"

"I don't know, Kurt. But he's been overly sensitive lately, like everything everyone says rubs him the wrong way. I thought things were getting better for a while, but now I am at a loss."

So, Dave was having a rough time. Kurt was even more curious than before. He would not have Dave's dad in the truck much longer. He decided to wade in a little deeper.

"Mr. Karofsky-"

"I told you to call me Paul."

"Sorry. Paul, have you ever heard of PFLAG?"

"Hmm... well… I think I've seen some TV ads or something. It's a homosexual group, right?" Kurt could tell from the tone of his voice that Paul Karofsky was thinking why is he asking me this?

"It stands for Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. When we met in Principal Figgins office before I came back to McKinley, it was important to me to see that Dave really was sincere about changing after everything he put me through. Remember when I asked to speak to Dave privately? I told him that I wanted help getting a PFLAG group started at the high school. He said he would help. So, I was wondering if I should ask Dave to work on it with me over the summer."

"Kurt, maybe I am missing something here; I really don't understand what this has to do with what I was saying!"

"Well, Dave and I were really just getting acquainted for the first time when I came back this spring. I know what it's like to be depressed and it sounds like Dave is depressed. Maybe hee would feel better if he was doing something constructive? I could get in touch with him and the two of us could get started on the PFLAG group so things are ready to go when school starts again. "

Wow, that sounded lame, thought Kurt. But it was out there. Kurt pulled up in front of the office building to Dave's dad out.

The businessman just looked at Kurt for a moment, then shrugged. "Sure kid, why not? Like I said, I'm at a loss."

He pulled a business card and pen out of the briefcase that sat on his lap. He scribbled on the back of the card and handed it to Kurt. "Here's David's cell phone number. Give him a call if you want."

Dave's dad rolled up the window, opened the door of the truck and got out. He looked back at Kurt and said, "Thanks for the ride, Kurt. Maybe I'll see you around."

"You're welcome Mr. Karo—Paul. Maybe you will."

Mr. Karofsky closed the door and joined the throng of men and women in business suits headed towards the entrance of the building.

Kurt quickly stuck the card in his wallet. He would definitely be calling Dave. Then he glanced into the rear view mirror and pulled out into traffic.

Later that morning Kurt had a moment to think about Dave. He debated about calling or texting but couldn't figure out what he really wanted to say, so he opted for texting. Of course that meant he was relying on Dave to respond. Oh, well.

Hi Dave – this is Kurt Hummel. Got your cell # from your dad when he was at my dad's shop. Could you call me sometime soon? Thx.

-To Be Continued—