“Well hello to you too…nervous or do you just randomly scream at people?” asked Gaga.

“H-Hi, sorry about that I tend to do that to people. Please forgive me, I’m just a freak,” replied Kurt.

“Aren’t we all? Your uncle mentioned that you are stepping in to sing and I wanted to personally thank you, Kurt. This event means a lot to me. David was my friend and I’m happy to be honoring him today,”

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“He was a good man who believed in making a dent in this world. He fought for what he believed in and died doing what he loved. He was happy with his life. Again, thank you,” she hugged him as she walked away to speak to the sound technicians.

Before long, Kurt found himself on stage. His uncle introduced him and when the band started playing he lost himself in the music. Whenever he sang he found freedom: from his bullies, from the abuse, from the laughter and the hate. Finding freedom in the music is how he survived on a daily basis.

His performance was flawless and the thunderous applause was drowned out by the roar of the F-16 flying the missing man formation over the festival. He managed to find his way to his grandparents and enjoyed Lady Gaga’s performance of some of his favorite songs. After the concert there was a luncheon for the performers and Kurt was able to stalk Lady Gaga and have some pictures taken with her and the Marine Corps Band.

Once the luncheon was over his grandparents and Uncle George decided to go home. This was not their scene but the kids were allowed to stay and enjoy the fest as long as they promised to stay together and keep their phones on at all times.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo

Kurt and his cousins headed to the Mojave Tent. Freelance Whales was getting ready to perform their hit “Hannah” and they wanted to get there before it started. By this time the temperature had gotten close to 95 degrees and Kurt was hot and sweaty. He was tempted to just take off his shirt like many others had already done so. The only thing that kept him from doing so was the sure knowledge that he would turn red and burn immediately. He could already feel his face burning and he knew he would have to do some serious damage control once he got home.

As they got to the Mojave Tent, Kurt got a glimpse of a curly haired, toned, bronzed skinned boy that was covered in paint and wearing pink sunglasses. He tried to maneuver himself around the crowds to get a better glimpse and when he finally did he could feel his brain fry itself trying to process this paint covered vision.

“Kurt, why are you drooling?” asked Sariah.

“Ung, Um, YUM – what?

“I said, why are you drooling – oh, OH! I see,” smirked his cousin. She had finally figured out what had captured Kurt eye. “Do you want to go over and say, Hi?” she asked.

“NO. Look at him. He is surrounded by girls. I don’t even think he’s gay.” The curly haired cutie was with a group of friends that were totally rocking out to the music. Most of them were shirtless and some were painting designs on each other’s bare skin. At that moment he seemed to sense Kurt’s stare and he looked up and he focused on Kurt. Pulling his shades down he smiled and winked at Kurt and said something to the guy standing next to him who naturally turned and stared right at Kurt.

Kurt blushed and ignored the stares. He decided to enjoy the music pulsing through his body, the company of his cousins and forgot or tried to at least forget about the cute guy. He drifted from place to place enjoying all the different styles of music on display and eventually it was time to go home. He was flying out tomorrow morning and had yet to pack.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

His flight was leaving at 9:00am and they barely made it to the airport in time for him to get through security and board the plane. He had said his goodbyes last night to everyone and barely had enough time to hug his grandparents at the airport.

He finally found his assigned seat and was happy to see that he would be sitting next to a soldier in uniform. As the plane took off, the soldier introduced himself as Jim.

“Where are you flying to?” he asked.

“I was visiting my grandparents for Spring Break but now I’m headed back home to Lima, Ohio and you?”

“I’m headed to Lima as well. I am stationed in Lima as the Air Force recruiter. I was just out at a conference at Edwards AFB and since I had the weekend off I decided to attend the tribute at the Coachella Fest,” he replied.

“Hey, yeah I was there as well.”

“I thought you looked familiar. Was that you singing the National Anthem?” he asked.

“Yes, I hope I did it justice?” replied Kurt.

“You have an awesome voice. It was one of the most beautiful versions of the song I’ve heard and believe me I’ve heard quite a few!”

Kurt blushed, “Thank you. Did you know Sgt. Major Alvarez?” asked Kurt.

“Although David and I were in different branches of the military, we both ended up being deployed to Iraq together right after 9-11. You are probably too young to remember 9-11 but it was a difficult time for everyone.”

Kurt still found it too difficult to speak about his mother so he just nodded and let Jim continue talking.

“David was all about making this world a safer, better place for his children to grow up in. He believed he could make a difference and so he decided to make the military a career. He almost got out because of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy but he decided to stick it out once 9-11 happened. He used to laugh and say he was the modern day Ghandi and that ‘he wanted to be the change he wanted to see in this world.’”

“He sounds like a man I would have liked to known,” said Kurt.

“He always did have that effect on people,” answered Jim.

Trying to change the subject, Kurt said, “So recruiting, huh?”

“Yeah, I needed to be stationed close to my mom since she was getting a bit older and the only opening near Lima was at the recruiting station.”

“Do you get a lot of people wanting to join the Air Force?” asked Kurt.

“Not so much anymore. I know that right after 9-11 there was an explosion of young kids wanting to do their patriotic duty but it has tapered off in the years since then. You can’t beat the benefits. Are you interested in joining the military?”

Kurt laughed, “No..No..No…don’t get me wrong – my grandfather is retired military and my uncle is in the Marine Corps but I don’t think it is for me. I have plans for school in New York when I graduate in May. Besides look at me, I scream “GAY” and I’m not sure I would fit into the military world.”

“Kurt, you know that you have the right to serve openly as a gay man in the military,” Jim replied.

“I know – I just have my life planned out at the moment and it includes going to school in New York to study Musical Theater.”

“If you ever change your mind, you know where to find me,” he said as he handed Kurt his business card.

Once the plane landed at the Lima Allen County Airport Kurt wasted no time in heading out to the baggage claim area. He knew Burt would be waiting to pick him as usual. He had really missed his dad and was anxious to get home.

“Hey kid, I’m glad your back,” said Burt as he grabbed Kurt into a tight hug.

“I’m glad to be back dad. I love visiting grandma and grandpa but I also love coming back home well – not necessarily to Lima but home to you.”

“I know what you mean kid,” said his dad, finally releasing him. “Now let’s get your bags and go home so you can tell me all about your trip.”