Memoir/ Chapter 2
"Mrs. Kent? Hello, Mrs. Kent? Are you awake? You have a visitor." The morning sun flooded through the windows, chasing away the mist and shadows of my dreams from the night before.
I recognized the bright, cheery voice of Antoinette, the morning nurse. She was always so effervescent. Her cornflower blue eyes twinkled and her freckled cheeks dimpled in her friendly way. It took me a minute before I realized she was talking about me when she referred to Mrs. Kent. But then I remembered that I was the matriarch of the Kent family now—for nearly 45 years Martha had been gone. I remembered back to the first time a nurse called me Mrs. Kent, she was handing me a soft bundle of cloth, saying "Would you like to meet your new baby, Mrs. Kent?" I remembered thinking it so odd that this silly nurse thought to hand off my baby to my mother-in-law. Then I realized she meant me. I had never gone by my husbands' name in public as I had established a name in the business world as Lois Lane. It was an odd and wonderful feeling all at the same time. I had always been simply Lois and in that instant I transformed into Mrs. Kent. I'd grown up somehow, but at the same time I felt younger and more vulnerable than I had been in my entire life.
Antoinette was chattering away again in that breezy way she did, as she fluffed and fussed about me. "Your grandson is here again to visit. He's so devoted to you. It's so touching. Many of the older nurses talk about how he's the spitting image of your husband. It's remarkable is what it is." She continued fussing and chattering. It would have been bothersome if she wasn't just the most refreshing thing to wake up to each morning, with her sweet chirping—just like a little lark flitting about the room, singing pretty. "He's been waiting so patiently for you to awaken. May I tell him you are ready for him now?"
I nodded. "Yes." I was about to tell her to ask him in when he rounded the corner and entered my room.
"How's my favorite girl?" Clark asked as he took my hand in his and kissed my forehead tenderly. He wove his other hand in the silver tendrils of the hair that framed my face. His hands were warm, and my hand was smaller than ever, pale and crepe-paper thin in his large hand. In that moment, I didn't feel old and frail. I felt young and vital. This of course was my Clark, and not my 'grandson'. That was the story that we gave the world to allay their suspicions. When I had started to age to a point that would stimulate curiosity, Clark simply retired from public life and then 'Clark Kent, Jr.' was my public companion. That was a tricky transition. By the time I retired from professional life it was even easier to have my 'grandson' become my escort.
"Better now." Antoinette left the room and I seized the opportunity to kiss my husband.
"I should close the door, if you are going to attack me like that." He mumbled against my lips and I felt my heart quicken and the blush rise in my cheeks at the seductive timbre of his words. Here I was, an old woman, nearing a remarkable old age and one kiss from Clark and I was as giddy as a school-girl, kissing a boy for the first time.
"Are you ready to come home?"
"Yes. Yes, Am I coming home today?"
"If the doctors will allow it."
I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. I was so happy at the prospect of leaving that I thought my heart might burst. I couldn't wait to go home. I was beginning to think I was never leaving this place. As cheery as it had been, it wasn't home, and Clark and I couldn't be ourselves here.
"Clark, can we go back to the farm in Smallville?"
"Lois, we haven't been to Smallville in years."
"I know, but I had a dream about it last night and I would like to see again. It may be my last chance."
"Shhh, Lois. Please don't talk like that." Clark pressed his forehead against mine. I know he didn't want to hear me talk like this, but I had never been one to be anything less than realistic.
"I know you don't want me to talk about this, but we have to face the inevit--"
"Lo, you're right--But not today. Today, let's just get you home."
"To Smallville?"
"Of course, if that is what you want. I'll call the kids and have them go and get the house ready." Clark went off to talk with the doctor, leaving me to bask in my newfound knowledge that I was going to be able to go home today. Home to Smallville.
