Service

DJ Dubois

April 2021

Notes: Smallville belongs to DC and the CW. Please send comments to dante0220 .

Chapter 1 [Mid-October]

Fall pushed across the Kansas prairies at record pace. Gentle breezes swayed yellowing grasses. Natura allowed her leaves their vibrant shades before drifting toward their final rest. Sol played peek-a-boo with those below between cottony-soft clouds floating amidst their backdrop of blue. Jack Frost blew his first harbingers of Chill to come….

Still, Inspiration lay everywhere…

[Talon]

A murder of crows descended on the café. Cappuccinos and mochas along with the occasional coffee flowed from the ornate Italian press in back of the counter. Conversation buzzed within the ancient walls. The register rang on. Profits would be great.

But not just from money….

Lana sat at a small table by the stairs. Relief unwound Tension's vice across her shoulders and legs. She savored the chili's meat and beans. Cornbread's creamy and soft texture balanced the rest of the meal. She wiggled her toes. She could once again feel her legs.

I'm glad for the profits. I hope we can hire another waitress soon. She shoveled another spoon of chili into her mouth. A glance toward the counter revealed no line at that point. Guess we should be glad. I can eat. Miri can clean up a little. Then I can get her a lunch too! She saw a few people get up to leave.

A red head wandered into the café. She wore a white blouse and a dark skirt. A backpack jostled over her shoulder. She headed for the counter.

Lana studied the girl. Memoria recalled her from a horseback riding event a few years earlier. That's so weird! I know I've seen her before! Curiosity made her look closer.

Miranda scribbled something on her pad. Then she rang the girl's order through on the register. She seemed to listen to a question. Then she pointed to where Lana sat.

The girl nodded. She accepted a mug. Then she wove her way through the throng in Lana's direction. Her nails scratched at her scalp. With each step, she too seemed to be deep in thought. Her eyes never left Lana either.

What's this about? Lana bit into her cornbread again. She chased that with a sip of coffee. She allowed the customer her best smile. "Hi! Can I help you?"

The girl took a draught from her cup. She nodded. "Thanks." She glanced about. "You sure have a great spot here."

"We like to think so." Lana looked at her customer again. "Is there something wrong?"

"Wrong? No…sorry." Anxiety flared up inside of the girl. "The girl at the counter's really nice." She cleared her throat. "I'm Renee Patterson. I'm from Granville but my folks and I go to church here in Smallville. She said your name was Lana?"

"That's right." Lana nodded. "I'm Lana Lang. Sorry but you seem familiar to me. It's kind of weird. I'm not a big church goer. You don't go to school here. Yet I know I've seen you before."

Renee nodded. "I've seen you at the state horseback riding competitions in Hutch. Sorry but you're so great on those horses. A lot of us look up to you." She trembled.

Lana pushed the chair across from her out. "That's right! You were runner up last year and third the year before. That's really great. It's okay. Glad that the horseback riding's still catching on. You know? I only have a few minutes but take a seat."

"Thanks, Lana." Embarrassment flushed Renee's cheeks red. "Wow. Here I am going on about this. You're busy. I've got something to ask." She fished through her backpack.

Lana took a big draught from her mug. Assumption pushed the worry that Renee might want to solicit religious materials in there. She kept her eyes firmly on the pack.

"I know you guys don't want anyone passing out pamphlets or preaching in here. Just wanted you to know, Lana. This isn't like that." Renee pulled out two flyers. "St. Finnigan's Church is looking for people around town. He hoped that folks could help us to learn things like riding horses, gardening, a hayride or star gazing. I'm working on horseback riding with the kids. Is there a way you could post this? It's just a request for people to get in touch with us if they're interested?" She held the flyers out to Lana.

"Thanks. I appreciate you not taking that for granted, Renee. That's really great." Lana reviewed the documents. "I need to talk to Lex Luthor. He's my partner in running this place. Can't see why he wouldn't want to help out. Can I call or text you after I talk to him?"

"Sure! That'd be great!" Renee brightened right up. She took a piece of paper out of her notebook. "Here's my cell." She scribbled the number onto it. "Thanks, Lana."

Lana noticed Principal Reynolds enter the café. "Hey! There's someone you might want to talk to. He's our high school principal. Be right back." She hustled across the room. "Mr. Reynolds!"

Reynolds raised an eyebrow. He turned in a half-circular motion to face Lana. "Good afternoon, Miss Lang. It seems you are having an excellent day here. Well done."

"Thanks, Mr. Reynolds." Lana smiled. "I hope your day's going great."

"It is indeed! How can I help you?" He glanced over at Renee who was sitting by herself. "I do not recall her from school."

"Renee's from Granville but she and her family go to St. Finnigan's. They're looking for volunteers. Sounds like a good community service opportunity.' Lana shrugged. She handed one of the flyers to him. "This is what she told me."

He read over the flyer. "I've known Reverend Sam Thomas for a long time, Miss Lang. Let us go and speak to her. Then I believe you need to get back to the counter." He motioned toward the building line.

"Uh yeah. Thanks, Mr. Reynolds." Lana led him back over toward the table. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Renee. Renee, Patterson, this is Mr. Reynolds. As I said, he's the Principal at Smallville High." She grimaced. "Wish I could stay longer. Can I get you something, Mr. Reynolds?"

"I'll be there in a few minutes, Miss Lang. Thank you." He glanced again toward the counter.

"I'll be in touch, Renee. It's great to see you again. Hope to see you at the fair." Lana smiled. Then she rushed off toward the counter.

"It's great that Lana took her time to talk with me. I really appreciate that. I appreciate you talking to me, Sir." Renee extended her hand.

"Of course!" He shook the offered hand. "Miss Lang is a caring person. She would like something like this to succeed. So would I." He reviewed the flyer in his hands. "This is a noble enterprise. I've known Reverend Thomas for many years. Do you have a moment?" He pulled out his cell phone. "Before I answer, I just need to check with him."

Renee bit her lip. Why did I have to bother them? Great. Reverend Thomas is probably really busy. She shook her head.

"It will be all right." Reassurance found an unaccustomed place across Reynolds' face. He dialed his phone and waited for an answer.

"St. Finnigan's. This is Reverend Thomas. How may I help you?" Reverend Thomas answered.

"Yes. Good afternoon, Reverend. This is Terrence Reynolds. How are you, Sir?" Reynolds replied.

"Well now!" Enthusiasm picked Thomas' tone up several octaves. "It has been far too long! How are you doing these days?"

"Never better, Reverend. Never better. In fact, you are offering me a much needed opportunity." Reynolds considered the flyer again. "I was speaking with Miss Patterson. She's one of your parishioners?"

"Renee's a good girl. Yes she attends Mass here. She's very shy but enthusiastic. What was she speaking with you about?" Thomas listened more intently.

"She handed me a flyer. Apparently St. Finnigan's is looking for community volunteers for outreach activities?" Reynolds informed him.

"Why yes! She volunteered to put up a flyer here in town. She was going to put up some in Granville as well. Would you be interested in putting one up at the high school? I would really appreciate that, Mr. Reynolds," Thomas clarified.

"That is exactly what I want to do, Reverend. As you know, every one of my students has to perform thirty hours of community service while in high school. This would offer opportunities. Can I get back to you if I have questions?" Reynolds reviewed the document again. "This will be posted at the school in the morning."

"Of course! And you know I'm available for such matters. Thank you, Mr. Reynolds. Let's hope Granville High will do the same." Gratitude eased Thomas' tone.

"It is my pleasure. You take care, Reverend. Thank you for speaking to me. Take care." Reynolds disconnected the call. "That satisfies me, Miss Patterson. Thank you for bringing this matter to Miss Lang's and my attention. I will be delighted to post this at the high school. You are doing a wonderful thing and helping others." She considered her again. "Did I not see you at the State Fair last year?"

"Yes, Sir. I finished second behind Lana in the horse racing," she replied.

"Most commendable. I remember that race as being very close. I am sure Miss Lang would say the same. Thank you once again. If you will excuse me?" Reynolds shook her hand.

"Thank you, Sir." Renee glanced toward the counter. Catching Lana's eye, she mouthed 'thank you' to her past rival. Then she zipped up her backpack. "Have a nice day." She turned and made her way toward the door.

Reynolds nodded to himself. Then he strode toward the counter. He noticed that the line had burned off once again. "You are nothing but efficient, Miss Lang. That is something to be appreciated."

"We try, Mr. Reynolds. Thanks!" Lana stood almost at attention in front of him. "The usual today?"

"Indeed. Thank you." Reynolds nodded. "I appreciate you bringing this matter to my attention. I spoke to Reverend Thomas. Perhaps this might be an opportunity for your classmates? I can think of one in particular."

"Oh?" Lana scribbled down his order. "Anyone I know?"

"Indeed. Perhaps you might speak to Mr. Kent. I know he fulfilled part of his service requirement at the Senior Center two years ago. Still, he has a knowledge about Astronomy. I will speak to him. Perhaps you might say something?" Reynolds suggested.

She forced herself to keep Professionalism's poker face. "Clark and I haven't been talking much lately. I'll do that though." Regret and Frustration billowed up inside of her mind and heart. She recalled the previous summer's events. She still saw Edge's thug hanging off of the pitchfork's tines. She remembered Kal's attitude in Metropolis. She could still see him in the vegetable patch. She'd pressed him to open up. Her eyes pleaded with him to open up. She desired Trust's grace from him. Her words came back to her.

"I believed for a minute that you were bulletproof. It was comforting to hear. Everything made sense. The tornado. All of the times you've been there. All of the things you've been through….What I don't understand if you're willing to take a bullet for me but you won't stand by my side. Clark, if you don't open up to the people who love you, you'll always be alone. Why would you want to spend your life like that?"

"I may not have a choice," Clark declared.

"There's always a choice…."

Lana locked her legs. Lament and Rejection stung her once again. Why can't Clark see how much I care? That it's all right? She blinked back tears.

"Miss Lang?" Reynolds frowned.

Lana didn't respond.

"Miss Lang, is something the matter that I should know about?" Concern raised Reynolds' eyebrow. He cleared his throat.

"Nothing, Sir. I was just somewhere else for a minute. I'll do that. Let me get your drink." Lana turned toward the coffee press. Her eyes stung with welling tears. She sucked in a composing breath.

Opportunities Missed stunk on all levels….