-1Chapter Twenty Five-Simple Life
Clark woke up to a sore body. He felt like he'd been hit by a train, till he realized he had. With a groan he slowly pulled himself up from the couch. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and then stretched.
"Hey, Lana!" Clark called out. Silence was his answer which worried Clark when he looked up and found downstairs empty. He stood from the couch and headed into the kitchen.
"Lana?" Clark called out again but as before no one answered.
He wondered where she went, and why she didn't wake him up. He leaned against the counter and groaned when his stomach growled. He turned and opened the fridge only to find it empty. Lana wasn't kidding when there was nothing to eat. He looked over at the pizza box but found it empty too. He sighed and headed for the phone. If he wasn't going to eat and Lana wasn't here, he might as well call Lionel and get everything on a roll. He dialed the number and leaned against the counter while it rang.
"Lionel Luthor speaking."
"It's Clark." He said listening to the old man on the other end.
"Ah, I was wondering when you'd call. I heard the eviction went well." Lionel said.
"Rex and Will admitted they were working with Lex. Sam however put up a fight." Clark said.
"That's too bad. Hopefully we have enough against Lex that we won't be seeing him anytime soon." Lionel said.
"I believe that's something everyone hopes for." Clark replied.
"Of course. How's the farm?" Lionel asked.
"It's why I called. Who ever you had taking care of the farm needs to be fired. The place is a wreck and needs major funds to be fixed up." Clark said.
"You need a loan?" Lionel asked.
"It would be helpful." Clark said.
"Well Clark, the farm is yours and the funds must be provided by you. Doesn't mean I won't help. You'll get a check in the mail." Lionel said.
Clark pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. He should have known that Lionel would do this.
"The farm is yours remember. If you don't want to supply the funds to run your farm, I suggest you sign over the deed."
"You sound serious." Lionel said.
"Dead serious." Clark replied a small headache forming.
"I'm proud of you, Mr. Kent. You've grown up and I like what I'm hearing. Watch your mail." Lionel said before the line went dead.
Clark slammed the phone down in frustration. Lionel was an evil man, and it was no mystery as to where Lex came from. Clark rubbed his eyes again. He needed to focus on something other than the odds stacked against them. He went out the back door and headed over to his dad's truck. He popped the hood and took a look. He didn't like what he found underneath. The engine was a wreck and he would need to get parts to fix it. He would need the truck before anything else was done on the farm. He reached around and checked what he could. He didn't hear the car pull up, or the door close when the person got out. He moved to pull his hand out and cussed when he pulled back against something sharp.
"Clark, you okay?" Lana asked as she approached his side. Clark jumped and hit his head on the hood.
"Lana?" He asked backing out from under the hood. He rubbed the back of his head with his uninjured hand. "When did you get back?" He continued with his question.
"I went for breakfast and coffee. I had a feeling it would be a long day." She said holding up two cups of coffee and a brown paper bag.
"How sweet." He said stepping forward and kissing her lightly. "I was rummaging for food earlier, you must have read my mind."
He reached out to take the bag from her. She smiled and look down to hand him the bag of breakfast.
"Clark, your hand!" She exclaimed setting the bag down on the roof of the truck and reaching to grab it. A long cut ran down the side of his hand, and from the amount of blood dripping it was a deep cut. "Are you okay?" She asked.
"Just fine. I'll hold it under the tap for a few minutes." He said reaching over for the bag.
She sighed and lead him back to the house and through the back door. She set the coffee on the counter and took the bag of food from him setting it next to the coffee. She turned the water on and pulled his hand underneath. Clark winced as the water washed away the blood.
"You're really good at getting yourself hurt." She said smiling softly at him.
"I prefer the physical pain, then the emotional kind." Clark said.
"Where is that coming from?" Lana asked looking up into his eyes.
"I would rather be out in that field doing difficult manual labor, than sitting in here and grasping the silence." Clark said.
"Clark." She said softly, reaching up to caress his cheek.
"Last night, after you settled in and fell asleep. I laid there thinking that what my parents would think if they walked in on us." He stopped and closed his eyes. Normally he wouldn't be able to reveal such emotional thoughts but he trusted Lana. "It ripped my heart to know that I'll never know what would happen."
"Clark." She said softly, "I know where you're coming from and it'll be okay. It's just being back here after so long."
Clark allowed a small smile to form at the corners of his lips. He was really falling for her, and he was falling hard. She understood where he was coming from, and she didn't think he was being silly or gay. Any of the guys would have looked at him like he had two heads.
He wrapped his free arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. He leaned down and kissed her softly. Her arms reached around his neck as she pulled herself tighter to him. He left his wounded hand under the sink so he wouldn't get blood on her. She finally pulled away for air, but he rested his forehead against hers.
"You're such a charmer." She said with a light laugh.
"Only with you." He replied. She smiled up at him and pecked his lips lightly.
"Let's check that hand of yours, then eat." She said pulling back and turning to his hand.
The water was running clear so she pulled his hand out from underneath the tap. She examined it and squeezed at the cut. He winced from the pain but smiled anyway.
"I think it'll be okay, it doesn't look like it'll need stitches. However a band aid will keep it from getting infected while you work hard on the farm." She said smiling over at him.
"I think I saw a first aid kit in the bathroom." Clark said with a small sigh.
"I'll be right back." She said. Clark watched as she left the kitchen and searched for the bathroom.
He looked at his hand and shook his head. With a moan he reached over and grabbed the breakfast items. Then he took them over to the kitchen table. He pulled out muffins, biscuits and some turnovers. He laughed at the breakfast of champions laid out before him on the table. He really needed to do some grocery shopping when he got some money. Lana walked back in with the first aid kit and set it on the counter. She opened the case and pulled out some supplies to clean his hand up.
"So how do you know so much about first aid?" He asked walking over and holding out his hand. She smiled and began to apply disinfectant.
"My ex-boyfriend Whitney was hard core sports. He was always getting some type of injury that needed taking care of." She explained.
"So this Whitney guy, what happened?" Clark asked.
"He moved." She said the smile gone from her face.
"Wait, he just upped and moved?" Clark asked, amazed that a guy actually left a girl like her behind.
"I wasn't," She stopped and bit her lip, "supportive enough for his ego."
"He was a jerk, basically?" Clark asked. She nodded as she wrapped the band aid around his hand.
"Well, I think it all worked out. After all, if his ego hadn't gotten in the way I wouldn't be the luckiest guy." Clark said with a smile.
"Really, how are you so lucky?" Lana asked as she finished with his hand.
"I'm dating the most amazing woman I've ever meet." Clark said.
"We're dating now?" Lana asked teasing him.
"Right, I haven't exactly asked. We just kind of fell into it." Clark said, his brows gathered together in thought.
"We did." She said just holding his hand now.
"Then let me clear the air." He said forcing a serious look on his face. "Lana, will you be my girlfriend?" He asked.
She smiled, "I don't know. I tend to avoid the bad boys."
"Oh, you think I'm a bad boy?" Clark asked pulling her close and smiling down at her.
"I've seen you're bad side." She answered.
"So why do you avoid the bad boys?" Clark asked leaning closer.
"Because I'm incredibly attracted to them." She said seductively wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him close.
"I love being bad." He said going the rest of the way and capturing her lips with his.
Clark parted her lips with his tongue, and moaned when she allowed him access. He held her tight and ran one hand up into her hair. Her tongue dueled with his and they simply kissed each other. They finally pulled away for air and he kissed her cheek.
"That was new." She said against his neck.
"Did it compel you to give me answer?" Clark asked.
"Maybe." She said.
"What more does a guy have to do?" Clark asked.
"I prefer to be swept off my feet." She answered.
Clark smirked and scooped her up into his arms, "Like this?"
"Getting warmer." She said wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I would get warmer, but my breakfast is getting colder." He carried her over to the table and set her down in a chair. He plopped down in a chair and reached for a little of everything.
"How charming." She said with a smile reaching for some food as well.
"I like to think so." Clark said before stuffing his mouth full of goodies.
"You are charming." she said.
"Well, if I'm a charming bad boy you can't say no." Clark said smiling.
"You're right, I'm completely helpless." She said joking.
Clark laughed, "Seriously, what do you think?" He asked.
"I would love to be your girlfriend." She said. Clark smiled, what else was he to do?
"How about a picnic under the stars?" He asked finishing his breakfast.
"I wish I could, but I have to work all day. Lois called out and after her covering for me the other day, it's only fair I cover for her." She said.
"When are you going in?" Clark asked standing and cleaning up the table.
She looked down at her watch and winced, "Now." She stood and rushed around grabbing her things.
Clark handed her her purse and lead her to the door, "Stop by when you get off?" He asked.
"I'm sorry, but I wish I could. I open tomorrow and it's easier if I stay at my apartment. Forgive me?" She asked stepping out the door.
"How could I not?" He answered with a question of his own.
She smiled up at him and kissed his quickly. "I'll try to stop by when I get off tomorrow." She said.
"Okay." Clark said leaning against the door frame.
She smiled and he watched as she headed down to her car. When the dust settled and he couldn't see her jeep anymore, he closed the door. With a sigh he looked around the empty downstairs and dreaded the work he faced.
He headed out the back and into the barn. With no money to get supplies he could start by cleaning the place out. Grabbing a pitch fork he headed for the stalls and began to clean them out so he could put in fresh straw.
It wasn't long before he felt the sting in his lower back and by lunch he was finished. Next he moved to the tractor and began looking it over. He didn't know much but perhaps one of the nearby farmers could help him out. Not knowing what to do with the tractor he turned and went inside. He hunted down a piece of paper and tape measure. He headed upstairs and took measurements of the area where the paneling was cracked. Once he was done he looked over to his parents bedroom door. Without thinking he reached for the doorknob.
With a twist the door swung open and Clark was faced with the last moments his parents had spent in their room. The bed was made, clothes folded on the trunk at the end. One of his father plaid shirts rested on the top. He walked in and took a deep breath. He looked over to the dresser where a small wooden box rested. Curiosity got the best of him as he lifted the lid. Inside were his parents closest personal items. Their wedding rings were inside, his fathers watch, his mothers pearl necklace. Holding the fine jewelry in his hand, he felt a single tear slide down his cheek. When he realized he was actually crying, actually mourning his parents he backed into the wall and slid to the ground. He held the precious item in his hand and rested his head against the wall.
He closed his eyes and pounded his head against the wall. How could he do this? Live under this roof, and run the farm? He knew nothing about it and had no one to teach him. He had to admit he was in over his head. It was overall depressing when one thought about it, but he did have some good in his life.
He sighed and got up from his place on the floor and placed everything back into the box. He didn't look back as he closed the door. He headed downstairs and plopped down on the couch. He pulled out his notebook and made a list of everything he would need to fix the farm. When the entire page was full, he tossed it across the room. With a sigh he leaned his head back and flipped on the TV. It wasn't too long before stress had him unconscious.