“You’re dressed early Kurt. Do you have plans with Blaine today?” Burt said as he finished his breakfast and started clearing up the table. Carole had already left for her early shift at the hospital.

“I’m going by the mall today and thought I should get an early start before it gets too hot outside. I’m meeting Blaine at the mall for lunch later on,” he answered. He figured his dad would probably think Kurt was going shopping at the mall. He conveniently didn’t correct his assumption. He wasn’t actually lying; he was really going by the mall since the recruiter’s office was located right next to the mall.

“Here is some money in case you need to buy some clothes. I know you haven’t bought anything in the past few months, and you should really start thinking about getting some things you might need for school.”

“Thanks dad,” he said although he knew he wouldn’t spend any of it until he figured out what he was going to do.

“Be safe,” said Burt as he gave his son a hug. “Love ya.” He never failed to let his son know how much he loved him. He never knew if this would be the last time he saw his son alive and he wanted the last words he ever said to his son to be words of love.

“Love you too, dad.” Kurt never got tired of hearing those words and squeezed his dad a bit tighter.
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Kurt walked in to the recruiter’s office and noticed that Jim was on the phone. Jim looked up and signaled to him to take a sit and that he would be with him as soon as he could. He nodded and sat down looking around him at all the posters and pictures on the walls. He noticed that there was a “fame” wall with pictures of all the young men and women that had enlisted in the past few months. Kurt was amazed at the sheer number of kids that had decided to join the military.

“Hi Kurt, I’m glad to see you here. You mentioned on the phone that you wanted some information about joining the Air Force,” he said shaking Kurt’s hand. He immediately noticed the scar, but he figured Kurt would tell him about it if he wanted him to know the details. He led Kurt to a chair next to his desk and asked, “I remember you were pretty set on attending school in New York. Can I ask what has made you look into possibly joining the Air Force?”

He watched Kurt touch his face. He didn’t even think the boy realized he was fingering his scar before he said, “I was in LAX on May 13th.”

Jim didn’t need any more explanations. He himself had joined the military after September 11th. Even though he had not been anywhere near New York when it happened he had answered his country’s call. He knew that people reacted differently in times of strife. Some people were able to go on living their lives if they were not personally impacted by tragedy while others took it as a personal insult and demanded retribution.

“I see. Is there anything in particular you needed to ask me before I start my spiel on the wonders of the military life?”

“I’m familiar with the military life Jim. My grandfather was in the Air Force and my uncle is in the Marine Corps. I’m not really sure what I want to do or what I’m really looking for at the moment but I did want to come in and see what I would have to do if I decided this is what I want to do.”

“You would have to take the Armed Services Aptitude Test and take a physical to make sure you are eligible to enlist. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or are you a drug user?”

“No and the only drugs I use have been prescribed by a doctor.”

“Do you mind telling me about your injuries?”

“I had some broken bones and my face was struck by shrapnel. I was lucky I didn’t lose my eye although I did lose my good looks,” he said as he unconsciously touched his scar.

“You were very lucky Kurt.”

“What made you think about the military?”

Kurt thought for a few seconds trying to figure out how to put his thoughts into words. “My mother was in the Twin Towers on September 11th. I was too young at the time to really understand what had occurred, but I know the impact that her loss has had on my life. After May 13th, I’ve followed the news and for some unknown reason I feel the need to do “something.” I’m not sure what that “something” should be, but I’m positive NY is not where I am meant to be. I want to make a difference. I want to be a part of the solution to this war on terrorism. I need to know that I can help make this country safer so that there are other little boys and girls who don’t grow up without a parent because of terrorism. I survived for a reason. My teacher sacrificed his life so that I could live and I want to honor that sacrifice. I need to make a difference. I see my uncle make a difference every day as he serves his country. He is directly involved in this war and that is what I want…no – it’s what I need.”

“There are many ways to make a difference Kurt. You don’t necessarily need to join the military. I would love to sign you up right now but I need you to make sure this is what you want. Have you discussed this with your family?

“Not yet. I wanted to get some basic information before I discussed it with my dad.”

Jim grabbed some brochures and went over the basic information Kurt would need to know in order to make an informed decision. “The good thing about having family in the military is you have access to a lot of information that is not necessarily covered in these brochures.”

“When would I leave if I decide to enlist?”

“You would have to take the ASVAB test and then take a physical. If everything goes well you could be at Lackland AFB starting boot camp by September. Do you want me to make an appointment for you to take the test? You would have to go to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Columbus to take the test.”

“Go ahead and schedule me for next week this way I can at least have that done ahead of time.” Kurt left the recruiting office with a handful of pamphlets and a study guide for the ASVAB test. He was hurrying since it was almost time to meet Blaine at the food court. He really wanted to talk to someone and he hoped Blaine didn’t mind being his sounding board. He got to the food court and found a quiet corner to sit while he waited for Blaine. He couldn’t take his eyes off of him once he spotted him heading his way. Do I really love him? What does love feel like? What is going to happen to us once we both leave Lima? All he knew was the he had a shitload of questions but no answers….

Blaine gave him a sweet smile and sat down in front of him, “Hi.” The boys were getting used to each other. They were at the point where they would spend hours cuddling but had not progressed farther than kissing and hugging. They were playing it safe because they both knew that they were leaving Lima in a few weeks and were hesitant to really get too serious for fear of being left heartbroken. In reality, they were both falling head over heels in love with each other but were too afraid to acknowledge their feelings.

Blaine noticed the pamphlets Kurt was holding and opened one. “Air Force?” he asked.

“I’m thinking about it,” Kurt answered as he fiddled with his keys.

“What about school? I thought you were going to NYADA.”

“I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching lately and the military is an option I want to explore,” he really didn’t want to come out and say he had just about made up his mind.

“The military – wow – I just can even process that. I don’t think I’ve ever considered that but after LAX, I can see the possibilities. Terrorist acts do tend to bring out our patriotism. Have you made your decision?” he asked. He had been thinking about schools in NY so that he could be closer to Kurt but had not mentioned the fact to Kurt.

“I’m still thinking about it and I need to talk to my dad but I am really leaning in favor of the military. I think I can make a difference. Are you hungry?” he asked trying to change the topic.

“I’m always hungry,” said Blaine. Kurt’s news had thrown him for a loop. He really liked Kurt and wanted to take this relationship further. That was the part that sucked about connecting with each other right before they were to start a new chapter in their lives. He thought they might have a chance if both were at least in the same state but who knows where Kurt would end up if he joined the military.

They ate lunch quietly. They were both engrossed in their own thoughts. Neither boy knew what to do at this point. They were watching a movie later that afternoon when Kurt’s phone rang. Kurt hung up after a short conversation and said, “I have to go to Columbus on Friday to take the ASVAB test. Do you want to go with me? We could spend the afternoon hitting the big mall there, have dinner and then drive back.”

“I don’t have any plans so I would be more than happy to go with you,” said Blaine.
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Kurt sat down the next day and had a long conversation with Burt. The one true constant in Kurt’s life was the fact that his father loved him unconditionally. He knew his father wanted him to be happy no matter what the cost. His father was hesitant about giving him his blessing but in the end he realized that this is what Kurt needed to do to get back some of what he had lost so early in life. He spoke to his father-in-law and was assured that Jonathan would keep an eye on Kurt. The General’s influence and networking skills would come in handy and Burt planned on taking advantage of this father-in-law’s influence.

It was decided that Blaine would drive to Columbus. He picked up Kurt early enough to make sure they had plenty of time to make the appointment. Once they checked in at the reception hall they were ushered upstairs to the testing room. The test was a computerized version which would make it possible for Kurt to take a print out of his scores back to his recruiter.

While Kurt was taking his test Blaine started a conversation with one of the Sergeants manning the reception desk.

“Are you interested in joining the military,” he asked Blaine.

“I’m just here keeping my friend company.”

“Why don’t you take the test and see what happens?”

“Don’t you have to schedule an appointment?”

“Normally you do but there is an empty slot in about 10 minutes if you want to take the test. How about it?”

Blaine laughed, “I take it your quota for the month is falling a bit short.”

“Actually, out enlistment numbers are off the chart. Ever since the attack in California there has been an overwhelming number of people that have enlisted wanting to serve their country. The same thing happened after 9-11. I guess people feel defenseless in the face of such acts and they need to feel like they can make a difference in making our country safer.”

Blaine finally agreed to take the test and before long he was being handed an envelope with his test results. Kurt was surprised when he found out that Blaine had taken the test. He looked at Blaine who just shrugged his shoulders and said, “I’m not sure why I took it but it felt right.” He didn’t know what he meant by those words but something inside of him shifted as he had listened to the Sergeant speak.

“Ready to go do some shopping?” asked Kurt as he led the way out of the MEPS station.”

“Ready,” answered Blaine although his mind was trying to make sense of his feelings. Sitting at that desk taking the test he kept hearing the words “….make a difference in making our country safer” tumbling around his brain looking for release. He wasn’t sure what was happening but his interest was something to think about when he got home.