No Matter What

Kurt's Story

            Kurt stumbled up the steps of his house. He was finally home. Normally he would’ve been home hours ago, but he had been jumped the football team and now it was so late it was starting to get dark. He opened the door and stumbled in.

            “Kurt! Where the hell have you been? Do you have any idea what time – Kurt? What happened to you?” Burt rushed over to his son and took his face between his hands. He kneeled down and looked up at his son, though Kurt was so small for his age that he didn’t have to stretch too far. There was dried blood caked across the bottom half of Kurt’s face and down the side, he had a gash on his forehead, and one of his eyes was starting to swell shut. Kurt was leaning heavily on his left leg and was clutching his wrist close to him.

            “God Buddy, what happened?” Burt repeated.

            “Th-They jumped me,” Kurt stuttered.

            “Who did Bud?” Burt questioned, leading Kurt up the stairs to the bathroom.

            “The f-foot-football team,” Kurt said, the words tripping over his tongue. Burt clenched his jaw in fury. Of course it was the damn football team. Kurt and sports had never mixed, and since Burt was an ex-footballer himself, he knew how those boys would treat a kid like Kurt. He had a feeling Kurt might’ve been getting bullied, but he never knew how to bring it up. Kurt was so private about everything.

            But God, nothing could ever have prepared him for how he would feel when his son stumbled through the door like this. He sat Kurt down on the edge of the bathtub and set to getting together the first aid supplied.

            “Alright, let’s get you cleaned up, huh?” Burt said, setting the supplied down. He placed a bowl of warm water next to him and picked up the cloth. Burt started gently wiping the blood off Kurt’s face, but paused when Kurt winced.

            “I’m sorry buddy, I’m gonna do my best not to hurt you,” Burt said.

            “Its okay daddy,” Kurt said quietly and Burt couldn’t stop the tears that fell from his eyes. Kurt hadn’t called him daddy in years, and hearing it now just made him realize how young Kurt really was.

            “Oh Kurt,” But choked out, the tears falling faster now, “Oh my little boy.” He reached forward and gently pulled Kurt down off the tub. He held Kurt against him as they both sobbed openly.

            “I’m sorry daddy, I’m so sorry,” Kurt said between his sobs.

            “What are you apologizing for Kiddo?” Burt asked, pulling away from his son so he could he see him properly.

            “I didn’t mean to make you upset,” Kurt said and Burt looked at his son in shock.

            “Oh Kurt, no Buddy, you don’t have anything to be sorry for. I’m crying because I hate seeing you hurt, okay?” Kurt nodded, but didn’t say anything more. Burt sighed and picked up the cloth again. He slowly managed to get all the blood off Kurt’s face and was then able to see the damage. It didn’t look like Kurt’s nose was broken and even though the gash on his forehead didn’t look too bad; Burt was considering taking Kurt to the hospital. He put a bandage on Kurt’s head and had the boy hold ice on his eye with his good hand while he examined the other.

            “All right, let’s see here,” Burt said as he rolled up Kurt’s sleeve. He took his son’s wrist in his hands and Kurt hissed.

            “Well, it doesn’t seem to be broken, but I think we should go to the hospital anyway,” Burt said.

            “No!” Kurt said immediately and Burt looked at him in surprise, “I just–dad I really just want to be at home right now, please.” Burt smiled gently at his son and nodded.