Chapter 1 –A child's perception
Lois had forgotten to pick up Jason from school. Again. She was a good parent but when she got involved in a story, time ceased to exist. So when she arrived at the school 35 minutes late and gathered him into her arms, her heart felt very heavy as she heard him begin to cry.
"Baby, Mommy's so sorry she forgot to pick you up on time. Please don't be sad, I just lost track of time." But Jason silently shook his head, indicating that, no, he wasn't upset by this. It was habitual with her, and even at the young age of not-quite-five, he had learned not to take it personally. "So, why are you crying, Jason?"
"I keep thinking about being on that boat, and all the water, and, and..." His voice trailed off as the sobs and sniffles overwhelmed him.
"Oh, sweetheart. Come on, climb in and buckle up; we will go see Daddy." Throughout the 10 minute drive back to the Daily Planet building, Lois cast nervous glances in Jason's direction. Had her impulsiveness in getting on that boat hurt her son permanently?
After they arrived at the newspaper office and hugs had been given all around, Lois settled Jason down at her desk with a coloring book and crayons. "I am going to talk to Daddy in his office for a bit; just stay here, okay?" She motioned to Clark to keep an eye on the boy for a few minutes. He responded with a thumbs up and a goofy grin. She turned back towards Richard's office, rolling her eyes. Typical Clark.
"Richard, I think we need to take Jason to a therapist," Lois said, as soon as his office door shut behind her. "He was crying about the boat when I picked him up just now."
"I think it is a bit early for that! It just happened a few days ago; he may get over it himself. I know it was a traumatic experience for a kid, but if we make a big deal out of it, he will too. Let's try to play it low key at first and see what happens."
Lois leaned on the windowsill and gazed down at the cars below, biting her lower lip. Richard walked over to her and put his arm around her. "I know that you feel a little … bad, for lack of a better word, that Jason had this experience, but you shouldn't blame yourself too much. Your spontaneity is one of your great qualities. Just think how many fun experiences Jason has had because of it! Now can I see a little smile?"
She looked up at him and nodded a bit and produced the desired smile with effort. Richard really was an amazingly sweet man. She just wished she could make herself love him as much as he deserved, instead of always thinking of someone else. The someone else who was always present in her head, even during the long five years when she pretended to herself that he wasn't and that she didn't care.
Lois headed back to the newsroom. Normally Jason stayed at the Daily Planet offices for a few hours after school until either she or Richard could head home for the evening, but since Jason wasn't his usual cheerful self, she wanted to take him home now. She was surprised to find, however, that the boy appeared to be feeling better: Jason was sitting on Clark's desk, listening to him attentively. As she approached, he broke out in a fit of giggles. "Well! What's going on here?" she asked. Smiling, Lois picked up her son.
"Mr. Kent was just telling me funny stories about his trip. Mommy, did you know that some people live on boats? They have their beds and their toys and their pets and everything right on the boat! Can we live on a boat, Mommy, please?" Lois raised her eyebrows at Clark. This was quite a sudden change.
Clark looked a little sheepish. "He seemed upset, so I thought I'd tell him about some of my friends who live on a boat. Hope that's ok."
Lois looked at him carefully. Who knew he was so good with kids? "Yeah, fine, thanks. Jase, say good night to Mr. Kent, we are going to head home now." With a wave in the direction of Richard's office, they headed towards the door.
As the elevator slowly traveled down, Jason looked up at his mother. "Mom, why doesn't Mr. Kent wear his Superman suit when he is working at the newspaper?"