Season 2, Episode 3:  Grilled Cheesus

Ownership of Glee:  FOX, Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk

= = =

Violet and Kurt are walking into the tire store.

"Hey, Dad." Kurt greets.

"Hey Burt." Violet says.

Burt's in the middle of fixing a car. "Hey, that's my boy. And my future daughter-in-law." He says.

Kurt blushes as he gives his dad a to go packege filled with food. "You forgot your breakfast. Suzanne Somers says that skipping breakfast is suicide."

Burt checks in the bag. "What is this?"

Violet answers. "It's an egg white wrap on a sprouted wheat tortilla, half a grapefruit and a green drink."

Burt frowns. "Where's my usual breakfast?"

"A Coke and two Slim Jims?" Kurt says, his voice full of disapproval.

Burt nods. "Yeah. Breakfast of champions."

Kurt sighs. "Dad, you are not a kid anymore. You have to start taking care of yourself."

Violet nods. "He's right Burt. I'm not saying you should totally give up junk food, but maybe eat a bit healthier."

Burt sighs. "Well, I guess with enough hot sauce, this will be all right. Thanks. Hey, don't forget, Friday night dinner is 6:00 instead of 7:00 this week. Carole and Finn are coming over, and she has to work the night shift."

Violet smiles. "I love Friday night dinners. They're so much fun!"

Kurt frowns. "I... I can't do this Friday. It's Sing-along Sound of Music at the El Royale Theater. It's a once-a-year event."

"And last week, you had to camp out early so you could be first in line for those Grey's Anatomy DVDs." Violet and Burt say.

"Season six." Kurt defends.

Burt sighs. "Okay, those Friday night dinners are a ritual in our family... One your mom started."

"I know, but I'm a teenager." Kurt defends.

Burt sighs. "Friday nights are kind of important to me."

Kurt looks down. "Why are you making me feel guilty about this? I, of all people, know how important the relationship is between you and Carole."

"Those dinners are more than important. They're sacred. Okay, the whole point of having something sacred is that it takes precedence over anything else you got going on." Burt says.

Violet sighs. "Kurt why are you being so difficult?"

"Sing-along Sound of Music is sacred to me." Kurt defends.

Burt raises his eyebrow. "What? You think I don't know that? Okay, wasn't I the one who bought you that Maria bonnet when you were six? Okay, the point is, if you start giving up stuff like Friday night dinners, then you got nothing to hold onto. Okay, let's face it, Kurt. If we don't schedule it, then we don't hang out. If we don't hang out, then our lives... They just go right by each other. And we don't share very much." He says.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not missing something that I look forward to all year just for another dinner. Maybe we could do it Thursday or something." Kurt says, looking unapologetic as he says it.

Burt sighs. "I got to tell you, Kurt. I'm real disappointed in you."

Violet crosses her arms.

"So am I."

= = =

When they get to school that morning, Finn is at the front of the room for glee club. "Mr. Shue? I have something to say. Something happened to me, and I can't really get into it, but it's shaken me to my core."

"Oh, my God, he's coming out." Puck says.

Finn smiles. "Why, yes, there is a man who's sort ofrecently come into my life, and that man is Jesus Christ."

The whole room is shocked.

Puck groans. "That's way worse."

"And I know there's others in here who dig him, too. And so I thought, maybe this week, we could pay tribute to him in music. You know, pay tribute to Jesus." Finn continues.

"Sorry, uh, but if I wanted to sing about Jesus, I'd go to church. And the reason I don't go to church is because most churches don't think very much of LGBTQ people. Or women. Or science." Kurt says.

Charlie nods. "I have to agree with Kurt."

Mercedes smiles. "I don't see anything wrong with getting a little church up in here."

Quinn nods. "I agree. I've had a really hard year, and I turned to God a lot for help. I, for one, wouldn't mind saying thanks."

Santana looks over at her. "Thanks for what? That it didn't come out a lizard baby?"

Violet glares at Santana. "I love you Santana, but do you have to pick on everyone?" She asks.

"Hey, I don't pick on you." Santana points out.

"Just leave Quinn alone. Please." Violet says. Santana drops the conversation.

"Whenever I pray, I fall asleep." Brittany pipes up.

Will decides to say something. "Well, guys, maybe our song selections don't have to be about Jesus. We could do songs about spirituality."

Finn looks at Puck. "You got a problem with Jesus?"

Puck scoffs. "Oh, I got no problem with the guy. I'm a total Jew for Jesus. He's my number one Heb.What I don't like seeing is people using J-money to cramp everybody else's style, 'cause it seems to me that true spirituality or whatever you want to call it is about enjoying the life that you've been given. I mean, I see God every time I make out with a new chick."

Rachel scoffs. "Okay, okay, that doesn't make any sense. In fact, it's stupid."

"And it's offensive." Violet adds.

Puck raises his eyebrow. "Are you calling Mr. Billy Joel stupid?" He asks. The two girls don't answer. He stands up and grabs a guitar. "At this time, I'd like to continue my streak of doing only songs by Jewish artists. Hit it."

Puck sings "Only The Good Die Young" and New Directions provide backup vocals.

[Only The Good Die Young by Puck]

= = =

Kurt and Violet are in French class, talking in French to each other when Will and Emma appear outside the door.

"Kurt? Violet? Can we talk to you two outside?" Will asks.

Everything goes to hell then and there.

= = =

Violet, Emma, Will and Kurt are at the hospital, waiting for any news on Burt.

The doctor comes up to them and Kurt looks at him worriedly. "Where is he? Is he dead?"

The doctor shakes his head. "No, he's alive, but I'm sorry I don't have any other good news."

"I want to see him." Kurt says.

"He hasn't regained consciousness." Doctor states.

Will looks confused. "I thought he had a heart attack."

Doctor nods. "Brought on by an arrhythmia, which caused a lack of blood to his brain. That's what made himlose consciousnessand what's keeping him comatose. We have him on lidocaine, but there's no guarantees they're going to workor what kind of damage was done to his brain by the lack of oxygen." He explains.

Violet gasps and grabs Kurt's hand, who squeezes hers in return.

"I don't understand what you're saying. When is he going to wake up?" Kurt asks.

Doctor looks sad. "I don't know."

Violet rubs Kurt's back gently, who's choking back a sob.

Will sighs. "Okay, just... Just...Just take us to him now, please."

They reach Burt's hospital room.

Kurt sighs. "I need a minute."

Emma shakes her head. "I don't think you should be alone, Kurt."

"Please just give me a moment alone with my father." Kurt says adamantly.

Will nods. "We'll be right outside."

Violet looks at Kurt. "Do you want me to leave?" She asks.

Kurt takes in shaky breaths. "No. I don't want to be completely alone."

Violet nods and kisses Kurt's head. "I'll be right over here." She says and sits down in a chair that's placed in the corner of the room.

Kurt holds his dad's hand sadly. "Dad? Can you hear me? If you can hear me, squeeze my hand. I'm holding yours right now. Just squeeze back. Come on, Dad. Just squeeze my hand." He urges.

Burt's unresponsive to his son's words.

Violet stands up and consoles a now sobbing Kurt.

"It's gonna be okay. It'll be okay." Violet says as Kurt cries harder. Violet has a hard time blinking back tears.

"I'm right here baby. I'm not going anywhere."

= = =

Violet and Kurt return to school for glee club the next afternoon.

"Hey, Kurt. Hey Violet." Brittany greets.

Santana looks genuinely sorry. "We're really sorry about your dad's heart attack." She says.

Kurt nods. "Thanks, Santana."

Brittany hands Kurt a book report written in crayon. "I did a book report on heart attacks, if you want to give it to the doctor. I got knocked down an entire letter grade 'cause it was written in crayon." She says.

Finn walks in. "What the hell happened?" He asks worriedly.

"My dad's in the hospital." Kurt replies.

"I know. My mom just called me. I feel like I'm the last one to know!" Finn says, offended about the fact he's the last one to know.

Kurt looks at Finn. "Well, I'm sorry, Finn. It didn't occur to me to call you, because he's not your father."

"Yeah, well, he's the closest I'm ever going to get, okay? I know it may not look like what everybody else has, but I thought we were...sort of a family. Look, I... I guess I just...I didn't like overhearing other people talking about it in gym class." Finn says.

"Finn just calm down." Violet says, completely drained of energy. It hurts her that Burt's in the hospital, but yelling about it won't help him.

Finn looks at Violet. "Y'know, he's not your father either." He points out.

Kurt glares at Finn. "He might as well be." He argues.

Will intervenes. "Hey, guys. Our thoughts are all with Kurt, and, uh, I know it's sort of hard to really focus on anything else..."

Mercedes raises her hand. "Mr. Shue."

"Yeah." Will says.

"I've been struggling, trying to figure out what I wanted to say to Kurt all day, and I realized I don't want to say it, I want to sing it. This song is about being in a very dark place,and turning to God. It's a spiritual song, Mr. Shue. Is that okay?" Mercedes asks.

Will nods. "It's fine."

Mercedes looks to Tina and Quinn. "Tina, Quinn, can you help me out, please?" She asks. Tina and Quinn stand up and help her out.

Mercedes sings "I Look To You" with Quinn and Tina doing the backing vocals.

[I Look To You by Mercedes]

Kurt sighs. "Thank you, Mercedes. Your voice is stunning, but...I don't believe in God."

Tina looks confused. "Wait, what?"

"You've all professed your beliefs. I'm just stating mine. I think God is kind of like Santa Claus for adults. Otherwise, God's kind of a jerk, isn't he? I mean, he makes me bisexual and then has his followers going around telling me it's something that I chose. As if someone would choose to be mocked every single day of their life. And right now I don't want a heavenly father. I want my real one back." Kurt explains.

Charlie nods. "I'm with Kurt. I don't believe there's a God. If there was, then he wouldn't let bad things happen to good people."

"But Kurt, how do you know for sure? I mean, you can't prove that there's no God." Mercedes argues.

Kurt looks upset. "You can't prove that there isn't a magic teapot floating around on the dark side of the moonwith a dwarf inside of it that reads romance novels and shoots lightning out of its boobs, but it seems pretty unlikely, doesn't it?" He snaps.

"Is God an evil dwarf?" Brittany asks.

Quinn shakes her head. "We shouldn't be talking like this. It's not right."

Kurt looks at Quinn. "I'm sorry, Quinn. But you all can believe whatever you want to. But I can't believe something I don't. I appreciate your thoughts...but I don't want your prayers." He says and walks out.

Violet glares at the others. "I hope you guys are happy. The first amendment to the United States Constitution gives us the right to practice any religion we want. Hell, I'm Jewish, but you don't see me trying to convert others. If Kurt and Charlie don't believe in God, then you sure as hell shouldn't try to convince them otherwise. That's not right." She says and walks off after Kurt.

"Baby?" Violet asks once she finds him. He's sitting against the lockers, knees huddled to his chest.

Kurt looks up with teary eyes. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have stormed out." He says.

"Baby it's okay. They're wrong, y'know. They shouldn't try to pressure you into believing in something you don't believe in." Violet states. "You know I'm Jewish, but you don't try to make me believe that God doesn't exist; just like I don't try to make you believe that God does exist."

Kurt pulls Violet into his arms, sitting there for a few minutes.

"Thank you for being the girl I love. I don't know what I'd do without you this week baby."

= = =

The New Directions found out Kurt Spike out about the lesson on spirituality.

"Last week we were too sexy, this week we're too religious... We can't win." Tina says.

"Now I know what Miley feels like." Brittany sighs.

"The real tragedy here is that I found the most perfect spiritual song to sing this week, and now it's been torn away from me like Sophie's daughter." Rachel says.

Violet glares at her ex-sister. "Are you freaking serious? Burt's in the hospital and all you can think about is yourself?" She growls. Rachel becomes meek and shuts up.

Will sighs. "Guys, you can still sing whatever songs you like that sum up your feelings about God, about spirit. You just can't do it on school time."

Santana glares at Violet's boyfriend. "I hope you're happy, Kurt."

"Having the week of my life, actually." Kurt replies sarcastically.

Charlie looks at Santana. "Guys... back off Kurt, okay? He had every right to speak his mind." He says. Violet nods in agreement.

Mercedes sighs. "Look, Kurt, we're sympathetic to what you're going through, but siding with Miss Sylvester isn't gonna do anyone any good."

Kurt stands up. "It's doing me some good. Now I don't have to sit around listening to all you mental patients talk about how's there's a God when I know there isn't one."

Violet sees Charlie start to get up but she pulls him down into his seat.

"Don't. He needs a few minutes alone." She says.

"Why aren't you agreeing with us Violet? You believe in God." Quinn says.

Violet stands up. "Because I respect that Kurt doesn't believe in God, just as he respects that I do believe in God. We don't push each other to believe or not to believe. Kurt's going through a really tough time right now. You guys need to back off and show him a little respect." She says.

Charlie sighs. "I think Violet's right. You guys respect each other's talents, but I don't see where you guys respect each other's beliefs. Kurt's your - no, our friend, and he needs us to support him, not push him to resent us." He speaks up.

Violet smiles gratefully at Charlie.

"At least I have one friend that agrees with me about this."

= = =

Kurt and Violet walk into Burt's hospital room to see Rachel, Quinn, Mercedes, Carole and Finn there.

"What's going on in here?" Kurt demands.

Rachel looks at him. "We... We were just praying for your dad."

Mercedes looks up. "Rachel, Quinn, and I are taking turns. We're from different denominations and religions, so we figured one of us is bound to be right."

Kurt starts to get angry for the second time that day. "I didn't ask you to do this."

Carole speaks up. "Honey, I know you're upset about what's happening, I get it, but friends help out, even when you don't ask."

A Sikh woman comes in. "Mr. Kurt Hummel?"

Finn looks confused. "Dude, why didn't you just tell us you wanted to pray in Muslim?"

The woman explains. "I'm not Muslim, I'm a Sikh."

"She's going to see if acupuncture will improve the circulation to my dad's brain. Amazingly, needles pierce the skin better than psalms. Can you all please leave now?" Kurt asks.

Rachel looks at him sadly. "We just wanted to do something."

Violet kisses Kurt's cheek. "I'm going to sit outside the room okay? This is something you need to do without me." She says.

Kurt nods. "You can come back in when she leaves." He says, referring to the Sikh.

Violet nods and sits outside of the room.

Giving Kurt a little time alone is probably what he might need.

= = =

Will looks at everyone the following day. "I know things have been pretty morose around here this past week,but I want to celebrate some good newsfor our little family. Let's hear it for Finn on getting back his quarterback job and leading the Titans to a win in their second game of the season." He says.

There's light applause.

Puck nods. "Yeah, too bad that Sam kid had to have his arm basically ripped off for it to happen, but it's good to have you back in the saddle, brother."

Violet looks at Puck, Finn and Charlie. "Is Sam going to be okay?" She asks.

Charlie nods. "Yeah but he can't play as quarterback for a few weeks." He says.

Kurt raises his hand. "Mr. Shue, if I may?"

Will nods. "Yeah." He says and takes a seat.

Kurt stands at the front of the room. "Um, I wanted to thank everyone for your kind e-mails and queries about my dad, but for your information, his condition remains the same. I need to express myself, so with your permission, Mr. Shue, I've prepared a number for the occasion."

Will nods. "Of course, Kurt."

Kurt sighs. "On the day of my mom's funeral, when they were lowering her body into the ground, I was crying. I mean, that was it. It was the last time I was ever going to see her, and I remember I looked up at my dad and I... I just wanted him to say something, just something to make me feel like my whole world wasn't over, and he just took my hand and squeezed it. And just knowing that those hands were there to take care of me... That was enough. This is for my dad." He announces.

Kurt sings "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles, but he slows it down so it's more of a ballad than anything.

[I Want To Hold Your Hand by Kurt]

When Kurt finishes singing, his cheeks are flushed and he starts crying. Violet gets up and hugs him, truly knowing the pain he was feeling about possibly losing Burt.

"I'm proud of you."

= = =

Mercedes walks up to Kurt and Violet while they're in the hallway. "Kurt, can I talk to you for a second? I know you're going through a really scary time right now, but I feel like I don't know how to be around you anymore, and I know you're not really spiritual or whatever, but I feel like you're closing yourself to a world of experiences that might surprise you." She says.

Kurt gives his best friend a slight smiles. "You're right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't be pushing my friends away, especially friends as fabulous as you."

Violet gives Mercedes a half smile. "Thank you for saying something Mercedes."

Mercedes nods. "Do me a favor...One thing. Come to church with me this Sunday. Our church does this thing where we dedicate the service to someone, and I got them to dedicate this Sunday to your dad. Bring Violet too."

Kurt looks hesitant. "I don't know."

Mercedes smiles. "You get to wear a fabulous hat."

Kurt sighs in defeat with a smile. "Mercedes, you had me at 'fabulous hat.'"

Mercedes smiles at him and Violet. "Come on, you two, let's go to class."

= = =

Finn Sings "Losing My Religion" in the hallway and in the choir room that Friday.

[Losing My Religion by Finn]

Tina looks confused. "I thought we couldn't sing songs about religion. Evidently, we can't sing about faith, but we can sing about losing faith?"

Will sighs. "That's sort of what I want to talk about today. Well, earlier in the week, Finn, it seemed like you felt differently."

Finn looks conflicted. "Well, I used to think God was up there looking over me. Now, I'm not so sure."

= = =

Kurt and Violet walk into Mercedes's church. Kurt looks impressed.

(Violet's Sunday service outfit)

"I'm very impressed with everyone's Sunday best. It's so Christ-chic. I hope our genuflection to the great Spaghetti Monster in the sky don't take too long. My Sikh is coming again today at 2:00 to do more acupuncture on my dad." Kurt says.

"Is it working?" Mercedes asks.

Violet shakes her head. "Not yet."

"Nothing is." Kurt adds.

Mercedes smiles. "I have to go be with my choir. C'mon Violet." She says and takes Violet with her, leaving Kurt alone in a pew.

Mercedes smiles. "Hi, church."

"Hi." Replies the congregation.

Mercedes smiles. "I have a favor to ask you guys. My friend Kurt Hummel's dad is in the hospital. And it's pretty bad. And I know we have all of our own worries and troubles, but if we could just put them aside and focus all of our prayers and give them to Burt Hummel, and to my friend Kurt and Violet, Kurt's girlfriend that's standing here with me. I know you don't believe in God, and you don't believe in the power of prayer, and that's okay. To each his own. But you've got to believe in something. Something more than you can touch, taste or see. 'Cause life is too hard to go through it alone, without something to hold onto and without something that's sacred. Anyway, Kurt, this song is for you." Mercedes states.

Mercedes and Violet sing "Bridge Over Troubled Water" with the church's choir.

[Bridge Over Troubled Water by Mercedes, Violet and choir]

Violet swears she can see Kurt smiling at her and Mercedes from the audience. And she's right.

He's smiling at them both.

= = =

Kurt is sitting with his dad on Monday, and his dressing Burt. "You never could dress yourself." He says and sits down. Violet is asleep in another chair.

"Mercedes took me and Violet to church on Sunday. It's funny, but when the choir was singing, this memory flashed into my head. Do you remember our first Friday night dinner after Mom died? You tried to make a chicken. I guess you wanted me to feel like there was something still normal. You put it on the table, and you cut into it, and it was raw. And we both looked at each other for a second, and cracked up before we remembered that we weren't supposed to yet. I'm sorry about the other day, Dad. I should have let those guys pray for you. It wasn't about me. It was about you, and... It was nice. I don't believe in God, Dad. But I believe in you. And I believe in us. You and me...That's what's sacred to me. And I am...I'm so sorry that I never got to tell you that." Kurt says sadly.

As Kurt holds his father's hand, Burt starts to squeeze his son's hand back. "Dad?" He asks. "Nurse Nancy!" He yells. "Dad, I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." He says in a normal tone of voice.

Violet wakes up from Kurt's yelling. "What's happened? What's wrong?" She asks.

Kurt smiles tearfully.

"My dad's waking up."

= = =

The New Directions, all dressed in white singing "One of Us" in the auditorium. Kurt and Violet stand centerstage.

[One Of Us by New Directions]

= = =

3993 words

Songs Mentioned/Performed
1. Only The Good Die Young - Puck
2. I Look To You - Mercedes
3. I Want To Hold Your Hand - Kurt
4. Losing My Religion - Finn
5. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Mercedes, Violet and choir
6. One Of Us - New Directions

Guys, I tried not cry writing this chapter.

Next update:  Duets

3 episodes to Never Been Kissed
4 episodes to The Substitute
5 episodes to Furt
6 episodes to Special Education