The Hat

            It was nine O’clock on a Saturday and the backyard of the Hudson-Hummel house was crowded with members of the New Directions and their families. The Glee Club had wanted to throw a graduation party for the seniors and Burt and Carole had agreed to let them have it at the house.

            Everyone was there, Will and Emma, Coach Sue, Coach Bieste, Mike, Tina, Sam, Mercedes, Rory, Brittany, Santana, Joe, Quinn, Artie, Sugar, Puck, Rachel, Finn, Kurt, Blaine, and their families. Mike’s parents, Tina’s parents, Sam’s mom and dad as well as Stevie and Stacy, Mercedes’ mom and younger brother, Brittany’s parents and younger sister, Santana’s mother and father, Joe’s dad, Quinn’s mom, Artie’s parents, Sugar’s dad, Puck had brought his little sister Sarah, Rachel’s dads, Blaine’s brother Cooper had flown in, and of course Burt and Carole. So needless to say, the house and yard were packed. But everyone was having a great time.

            Kurt was standing next to Blaine, the shorter boy’s arm around his waist, as they talked to Cooper about him possibly moving back to Ohio if things in LA didn’t pick up.

            “What d’you think of that little buddy? If I move back here then you could come live with me while you finish your senior year at McKinley,” Cooper said and Blaine’s eyes lit up at the thought of moving out of his parent’s house.

            “Really?” he asked hopefully.

            “Yup, wouldn’t it be awesome? The Anderson brothers living together. No rules or responsibilities. Kidding,” he added when he saw Kurt looking at him.

            “You better be,” Kurt replied, “I think it would amazing if you two lived together, but he needs to do well in school cause I need him in New York with me when he graduates.”

            “And I plan to be there no matter what,” Blaine said, kissing Kurt lightly.

            “Guys, come on, I told you, Broadway’s dead, but then, at the moment so is LA… Kurt? You okay?” Cooper asked, noticing that Kurt seemed to be looking past him which was exactly what Kurt was doing. His eyes were trained over the older Anderson’s shoulder and he was staring at his dad. Burt was talking to Sam’s father and was absently rubbing his chest every few seconds. Kurt was about to let it go, thinking his dad had been right in saying he was paranoid, when he suddenly saw his dad collapse forward.

            “Dad!” he screamed, running over with Blaine and Cooper right behind him. Kurt dropped to his knees next to his dad as Sam’s father did the same. Mr. Evans began performing CPR and Kurt heard someone behind him on the pone with 911. It seemed like hours before the ambulance arrived even though it had only been minutes. Sam’s dad had gotten Burt’s heart going again, but it was a faint pulse. Kurt stood back and watched as his father was loaded into an ambulance and Carole climbed in after him.

            “Come on,” Blaine said quietly and led Kurt to his car. They climbed into the back and Kurt vaguely registered that Cooper was driving. Everything for Kurt was a blur as they arrived at the hospital and somehow he found himself sitting in an uncomfortable plastic chair between his boyfriend and brother. The entire Glee Club was there; every person who had been at the party. They sat in silence for what felt like hours, all hoping and praying for the best. Finally, a doctor walked out and everyone stood.

            “Is he okay?” Kurt asked immediately, “Please tell me he’s okay.”

            “I’m sorry,” the doctor said sadly, “We did everything we could, but we were unable to save him.” Kurt’s world shattered. In those few seconds it took the doctor to say those words, his whole life shattered like glass.