Chapter 7 [Two Days Later—Kent Farm]
Lana pulled to a stop in front of the Kents' farmhouse. Her mind swam with the details concerning the next day's activities. The food and decorations had gone up without a hitch at the Talon. She couldn't believe the tablecloths and candles from Lex. She gathered that the caterers would be there in the morning. Her dress hung on its hook in her bedroom closet. She'd go to the hairdressers' shop right after school to get her chocolate brown tresses and nails done.
The Colleen competition though daunted her. Although she'd entered at Clark's insistence, she really didn't feel she had a chance…..
…not against several of the current cheerleaders and Miffy Trudeau, SHS's own beauty queen….
This is going to stink. Can I really hang with those girls? Her mind flashed back to the Time cover again. I have to be more than that! I just have to be! She saw Clark grinning to her in her mind's eye buoying up her spirits.
I'm his Colleen…That should be enough for me! She straightened herself and smiled warmly at the secure feeling. She unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the blazer. She determined that she would put on a good impression and make her Plaid Knight proud.
Meantime Martha inspected the kitchen, dining and living rooms with a practiced eye. She'd spent the day cleaning every nook and cranny for their dinner. That was in between making the shepherd's pie and salad which sat on the counter in their respective containers. She checked the apple cider mulling on the stove. "How's the table?"
Clark inspected the white tablecloth and insured that the four place settings were properly set down. He'd gone over the whole thing at least four times. "Guess it's okay." He tried not to pace lest he burn a mark in the floor. He felt so nervous wanting everything to work out.
"It's okay, Son," Jonathan assured him. "Lana's been over here lots of times. This isn't any different, right?"
"Jonathan," Martha chided gently. "Let's just have a nice dinner." She heard a knock at the door. "Clark, would you care to get that?"
"Sure, Mom." Clark walked over to the door. He slowly opened it to find Lana waiting there just as anxiously as he felt. "Hi, Lana. You okay?"
"Hi, Clark. Sure am! You doing okay?" Lana stepped across the threshold and into the heated farm therein. "Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Kent! Thanks for inviting me!"
"No problem, Lana. You know you're always welcome," Jonathan replied pleasantly. "Clark says the Talon's really nicely done up."
"It sure is!" Lana turned to face her best friend. "Clark put the finishing touches on the streamers himself. Meantime the other waitresses will put out the tablecloths and candles tonight after we close. It should be great." She expressed to Martha, "Thank you for the scones! They're going to be a real hit tomorrow!"
"That's very kind of you to say, Lana," Martha expressed. "Anything to help you all out." She smiled warmly. "I'm glad that everything's working out."
"It's been some year but we're getting through it," Lana assessed grimly. "Clark mentioned that we're having some Irish dinner. Smells great."
"Mom makes a great shepherd's pie," Clark complimented as they all headed for the table. He let the others sit down first before taking his own seat.
"That she does," Jonathan concurred as he cut a piece of the pie and passed it to their guest. "We've got salad too. Your aunt doing all right?"
"Nell's all right in Metro with Dean, I guess. We haven't really spoken that much. She's never in when I try to call." She grimaced not wanting to start things on the wrong foot. "I'm hoping she'll feel better soon about me staying here. Chloe and her Dad have been great. I'm hoping that Henry Small and I can have a great relationship. Hopefully I can meet his wife and family at some point."
"Too bad that Nell can't be more understanding," Martha lamented. "Give her time."
"I wish that could happen. If everyone could just get along, it'd be really great. I feel like things would just fall into place. I want to play my part," Lana noted sadly.
"We know. Just be patient," Jonathan assured her. "You've got a lot on your plate. Just be yourself."
"Thanks, Mr. Kent." Lana expressed. "I'm lucky everyone's been so great." She sampled the pie and nodded. "This is so good." She took another bite. "I hope what we have tomorrow at the Talon is half as good as this."
"Nothing's as good as home cooking," Clark declared. "I'm looking forward to that dance tomorrow night. Let's just go and have fun."
"You're not the one competing for the popularity contest, Clark. Makes me remember why I wanted to leave cheerleading," Lana noted ruefully.
"If you win, I'll be really proud of you," Clark assured her. "If not then I'm still proud of you. You're a great friend and the real deal, you know?" He smiled at her before blushing with embarrassment over letting his real feelings show.
"That goes for all of us, Lana." Martha rubbed her son's shoulder supportively. She knew what Clark was trying to say even if he was too shy to do so.
Lana smiled as well. She had known there was no pressure in going with Clark. Now she was sure of it. She felt more secure than ever in that regard. Her heart beat faster. Yet being around the Kents felt natural as if she was always meant to be a part of that family.
She had found a place. Now the key was to make it all work…..
