Pt.1

Clark Kent was only 5 years old. And, like any 5 year old, looked forward to the prospect of Santa Claus with anticipation and delight.

He had alreay written his letter to Santa, requesting GI Joes and dinkines and a pet snake, plus other normal little boy toys, and now, he happily waited in the Metropolis Mall with his Mommy to go and sit on Santa's knee.

"Will he know who I am Mommy?" Clark asked. "'Cause Santa knows all the little boys and girls right?"

"I'm sure he will Clark." his Mommy smiled.

Clark smiled up at her but suddenly frowned. "Mommy, if Santa knows if I've been good or bad, will he know that i poured sand down Pete's pants an-an- an that I called Lana a cootie?"

Martha fought back laughter. "You called little Lana Lang a cootie Clark? why?"

Clark made a disgusted face.

"'Cause she kissed me."

It took all of Martha's strength not to laugh.

"You don't like girls Clark?"

"Pete says that they gots cooties."

"why?'

"cause-cause they wear dresses and bows an try 'n kiss ya."

"There's nothing wrong with girls Clark. They don't have cooties."

"They don't?"

Martha picked Clark up.

"Nope." she said. "Girls are sugar, spice and everything nice."

"What am I?" he asked.

"Snakes, snails and puppy dog tails."

"Snakes? I like snakes. Are we getting a puppy?"

"No Clark."

"Can I ask Santa for a puppy?"

"No Clark."

"Please Mommy? Can I tempt him with cookies? Or pie?"

Martha laughed. "No Clark."

"Aw, nuts."

It was Clark's turn to sit on Santa's lap.

He bounded up.

"Hello young man!" Santa said, "What's your name?"

Clark put on a puzzled look. "You don't know my name Santa?"

Santa looked to Martha for support, "Oh, silly me... Clark," Martha nodded. "You've grown so much I didn't recognize you! Now, what can I get you for Christmas Clark?"

"uh-uh-- i wants a Gi Joe and a snake, and- and some dinkies an- an - an a airplane and a creepy crawly thingy, an some legos, an" he glances at his mom and whispered low ... "a puppy..." he talked normal again "an' I want's a special gift Santa."

"Really Clark? What's that?"

Clark whispered into Santa's ear. Santa's eyeswidened and he tried not to laugh.

"Really Clark? Why?"

"Pete said she had cooties cause she kissed me, but I liked it an-an Mommy said that she was sugar an' stuff, so, I want her to by my girlfriend so she can kiss me all the time like Kelly does to Zack on Saved By The Bell!"

Santa laughed.

"Well Clark, I can't make any promises, but I'll see what I can do. Now, smile for your picture."

Afterwards, Martha asked Clark what he had asked Santa for.

"A snake, a Gi Joe, dinkies, legos and stuff, an-an Lana Lang."

Martha raised her eyebrow. "you asked Santa to give you Lana Lang for Christmas?"

"Uh-huh, that an' a puppy."

"Why?"

"So I can play with it, an' walk it an'give him bone."

Martha laughed. "No Clark, why do you want Lana for Christmas?"

Clark shrugged. "I dunno, can I have an ice cream?"

"5 year olds," Martha mumbled under her breath, rolling her eyes. "Sure Clark. Then we'll head home and put up our tree."

"When'll Santa bring my presants Mommy?"

"Oh, a little while yet. 6 more sleeps."

"Okay Mommy."

Clark smiled happily as Martha took him to buy ice cream, still trying to process why a 5 year old wanted a little girl for Christmas.

end, pt.1