There were a few times in Kurt's life when he felt he had really hit rock bottom. There was the agonizing week his sophomore year of high school when his father was in a coma. There was the time when his idiot classmates had voted him queen at his Junior Prom. There was his freshman year of college at Ithica when he woke up naked and hungover in his dorm's common room- a crudely penned penis adorning his forehead. Every last one of those memories seemed like child's play because this, this right now was rock bottom.

Kurt left high school with big dreams of the broadway stage. He started out college in Ithica's prestigious theater program, but realized quickly that the more practical major of music education suited him much better. His junior year, he had fallen for a quiet and intense folk singer named Jason who had thoroughly swept Kurt off his feet with a slew of epically romantic ballads. When they both graduated, Kurt followed Jason to Nashville. Kurt figured he could get a job with a local high school and Jason had a few record companies interested in helping him hit it big. It turned out that the Nashville area wasn't the bastion of arts teaching jobs that Kurt had hoped it would be, but Jason made enough money gigging that Kurt could wait it out until something opened up. Despite road blocks, they were happy, that is until Jason changed everything.

"Kurt, this could be it for me. They want to produce my first album. I don't understand what the big deal is."

"The big deal, Jason, is that I spent the first fifteen years of my life in the closet I'm not about to tip toe back in."

"I'm not turning down a huge record deal just because they want me to to pretend I'm not gay. I've been working towards this my whole life.

"That's your final decision?" Kurt asked, expression stony.

"That's my final decision."

Kurt's bags were packed that afternoon and by that night he was staying at a motel down the road, his father helping him out financially while he got back on his feet. He was single, jobless, homeless, and worst of all, in a brand new city with no one to turn to. He was a complete mess emotionally, and found that the only thing keeping him sane was a relentless and intense job search followed by hours of jogging around the city. It was on one of these jogs that he saw and advertisement that would change his life forever. Even if he didn't know it quite yet.

Seeking: Open and enthusiastic music tutor, for ten home schooled children (Ages 5-17), to join our community

Must love animals and cooperation!

Salary includes food and lodging. Interested parties should contact Carol Freed at Moon Shadow Intentional Community (534-7783)

Intentional community- the words seemed to echo around in Kurt's head, mocking him. The job seemed just about perfect. It was in his chosen field and it would solve his housing situation, but was he really ready to pick up everything and live on a commune? Images of dirty Rastafarian wannabees with dreadlocks and little personal hygiene flooded his brain and he could practically smell the marijuana already. Still, his more practical side reasoned irritatingly that he wasn't really in a position to turn down any job that was willing to house him in addition to his salary. Though he knew his father was happy to help him out, he could only rely on his kindness for so long. Not to mention, he was getting pretty sick of Ramen noodles.

"It couldn't hurt to just call and see," Kurt said aloud, to no one in particular. It was settled, he would call later that afternoon when he got back from his jog, just to find out more information.

0000

"Hello! Moon Shadow Intentional Community, this is Blaine, office manager and head potter. What can I do you for?" a bright voice practically sang into Kurt's ear through the phone.

"Errr..I...uhh saw your ad down town earlier. It said you were looking for a music tutor," Kurt stuttered out, taken aback by the demeanor of the man on the phone. "My name is Kurt Hummel and the ad said that interested parties should call this number and speak to Ms. Freed. Is she available?" Kurt asked, quickly regaining his composure.

"That's great! She'll be so excited someone is interested. I've been teaching the lessons myself for a few weeks since our last person left to move up north, but it's high time I get back to my pottery," Blaine responded enthusiastically. "Carol's out on the farm right now, but I'm certain she wants to talk to you. Could you come in for a chat over lunch tomorrow? We dine at one and Carol makes a mean corn bread."

"Oh...um...I wouldn't want to intrude on your meal time. I could just call back at a better time and..."

"Nonense!" Blaine yelped, cutting him off, "We love meeting new people and if you're considering coming to stay with us, you should get to know the community a bit first.

Kurt hesitated for a minute. He had been so lonely recently, and not just since breaking up with Jason. The move in general had been hard on him and losing his one lifeline so quickly only made it worse. As much as commune life frightened him he couldn't deny that he ached for a little more human contact and frankly this Blaine guy seemed nice, if not a little over enthused. One lunch- that's all it would have to be- one afternoon and if he didn't like it he could drive away and never look back.

"Okay," Kurt heard himself saying before he had time to fully comprehend his decision, I'll be there. What's the address."

Kurt jotted down the directions as Blaine happily chirped them into his ear like relating right and left turns and highway exits was the best part of his day.

"Oh and one more thing," Blaine said just as Kurt was about to hang up, "be careful of the goose. She liks to chase cars when they pull in the main entrance."

Blaine hung up before Kurt had a chance to inquire further. "Oh god," Kurt though aloud, "what on earth have I gotten myself into?"