Chapter 7

[Kent Farm—1:30 PM]

Martha set the cleaned lunch dishes and cup in Strainer. Housework helped in Distraction's cause. Floors, Counters and Bathroom sparkled. Tractor plowed under another twenty percent of their fields. Satisfaction warmed her at Winter Wheat's progress. Hay Bales lined Wall from Floor to Ceiling. Fresh Hay lined Stalls. Grain and Water filled their troughs.

Seemed that Clark had the same thinking that night and morning. Undisturbed Bed backed that up. So had Rumpled Blanket across Loft's couch and Realigned Telescope by its Door.

Jonathan would be pleased upon his return from Dodge that afternoon. Disgruntlement still weighed down Mood and Tone when he'd driven away on the previous morning. He'd sounded better that night. Still, Pride remained wounded over Kal's credit card abuse and the parking lot assault. Then, the ring's purchase stabbed at Stubborn Outlook as well.

Still, that wasn't the sole consideration…

Clark was out there all night. He must've left early to talk with Principal Gibbons. Clark, we'll work through it! I wish you could've let me go with you. She'd called the school and spoke with the administrator in question. She learned of the conversation mere hours earlier. More importantly, Gibbons expressed Admiration for Clark coming forward and assuming Responsibility's mantle. He told her of the three Saturday Detentions. Finally, he expressed concern for Clark's depression. Jonathan has every right to be upset over what happened. I am too! Still, Clark needs us right now. As he said to Lana last night, what about their actions during Nicodemus last year? Jonathan was no choir angel either. She stopped herself short. Previous night's conversation left no doubt of Lana's knowledge.

Lana had the pieces. She was putting them together. She knew of his abilities. She'd kept that knowledge to herself other than a few questions to Clark. Threatening Blackmail wasn't on her mind. All she wanted was to be let into their inner circle. She wanted Trust. She wanted to be with Clark.

Paranoia, however, kept Jonathan locked down in place. Protective Instinct toward his son wouldn't allow him to budge an inch. He ignored Lex's concern due to Luthor Name. She'd agreed not to have Play Dates, Birthday Parties and Guests (unless properly curtailed). Still, Doubt crept over her as to Approach's Validity. Pete's presence allowed Clark a valuable lifeline in many regards. Still, Jonathan wanted everyone to prove themselves especially after Phelan, Nixon and any Luthor in striking distance.

It's not fair. Jonathan, I know we have to watch over and protect Clark. Still, we agreed that one day we have to let him go. Clark has a bigger destiny than this farm! How can he know who to trust and who he can't if we don't let him try for himself? I really need to talk with Jonathan about this, but he'll tell me that protecting Clark is more important than friends or a relationship. Clark does need people. She pulled her boots and coat on. She walked out the door and toward the waiting Tulips sitting in their wooden boxes. Hope Nell can use these. Last load of the year. She felt Indian Summer's warmth lessening on her face. So much for the warm streak. She noted Foliage's coloring creeping along Oak's and Maple's respective leaves. Winter's coming. Time for transitions. She rolled her eyes. She hefted and slid each box into the truck's back area. She locked the tail gate. Then, she drove away toward town.

Lots to think about both on the farm and what was about to come….

[Nell's Flower Shop]

Sparse Business drifted through the establishment on that particular day. Two customers ordered arrangements for delivery in a few days' time. The back door remained closed. Restocking Delivery remained a week away.

Nell studied Forms and Paperwork. Business' Lag slowed her cash flow. While Profit managed to stay ahead of Red Ink, Bills encroached further and further into the former. Online Floral Services and Kendall's Flowers in Granville competed for Smallville's Demand. Barring an extraordinary holiday season, Red Ink would swamp her operation. Exasperated Sigh deflated her. Nostalgia for Old Downtown wore thin. Lana had little interest in the shop beyond helping to sweep the floor and cleaning. Besides Possibilities abounded for Lana and her in Metropolis.

Lana….

She rolled her eyes. Since Laura and Lewis' deaths, she cared for and nurtured her niece. She only wanted the best for the younger woman. Before the previous year, she'd watched Lana enjoy her friends, cheerleading and studies. She wanted Lana to progress and enjoy herself. She tried to nurture connections within the community. Whitney Fordman worked at his own worth through Family Business and Enlistment. Lex Luthor, despite his own Bad Boy tendencies, remained Lana's top prospect within that town. Prestigious Schools, Riding Academies, Social Groups and especially Worthwhile Dates.

Family's Independence and Stubborn Streak, however, pushed Lana to go her own way. Following in their Aunt Louise's and Laura's footsteps, she diverted away from Nell's Desired Path. Cheerleading and Social Circles went out the window. She showed no interest in Floral Business. Rather, she and Lex resurrected the Tired Ghost of a Theater next door. Despite Rocky Start, Business bustled within the Talon. She hung out with Pete Ross and Chloe Sullivan. She pined for Neighbor Boy over Notable Objections.

Clark Kent….

Her fist came down hard on Counter's surface. Outrage frothed within her gut. Heart's Torch still burned for Jonathan. Despite Cordial Relations between them, Resentment and Jealousy grew over Martha's presence. Worse still, Lana remained stuck on their Going Nowhere Fast Son. As much as I try, Lana can't see that Clark can't give her a future! She deserves more than that farm! And now that boy's completely lost it! He embarrassed her. Well, if she can't move past him, I'll make her do it! She pulled Cellphone from her pocket. She looked about Empty Store once again. Can't just live on memories, Lana. Lex Luthor can get someone else to manage that dump next door. Purpose pressed each button. Smile slowly spread across her face.

"Nell! I was just thinking of you!" A male voice answered. Chipper Tone picked her spirits up.

"Oh really?" She leaned back against the counter. She relaxed. Sparkle danced in her eyes. "Any new prospects in Metropolis, Dean?"

"I have a couple of locations for your new shop. Oh! There's this great Greek place that just opened downtown! Any chance of that this weekend maybe?" Dean opened his own file folder. He flipped through a half dozen empty storefronts.

"May…be." She wandered into the back room. "It'll be dead this weekend. I could close down Friday afternoon early. My supplies won't be back until Tuesday. So maybe I could do Friday night-Monday morning. That sound all right to you?" Hope buoyed up her feelings. Anticipation conceived of Multi-Tasked Weekend at his side. House Hunting, Storefront Consideration and Schools would merit drive by eye tests. "Did you have a chance to look at the Equestrian Center?"

"I'm a member actually. The center's top notch. Your niece likes to ride. She'll love it!" Consideration presented ways to tie Nell and Lana into his circle. "There are some great schools here too. She's a good student you said."

"Lana's an honor student. She'll be right at home there." Plots rolled through Nell's head. She could envision Lana doing Drama Club, Horseback Riding among other activities. Better Options than the Flannel-Wearing Interloper would practically crawl out of the woodwork. She could give Lana so many more choices than in the dead Dust Bowl Town. "Unfortunately, she's booked the entire weekend with that coffee place she manages." Eyes rolled.

"That's right!" He recalled the Daily Planet's review from a few weeks earlier. "Give Lana some credit, Nell. She did convince Lex Luthor of all people to be a partner. That takes some doing. We'll come up with something." He leaned back in his chair. Duane needs someone to run his shop downtown. I can talk Nell into pressuring the girl into it. Maybe she'll even make the place work? If not, she runs the place into the ground. Duane's son would really want the girl. Tommy wines and dines her. I let her ride once in a while. Nell puts out. This might actually pay off!

As long as it doesn't involve Clark Kent or this town, anything is good. She heard Door Chime ring from the Sales Floor. "Sorry. Somebody just walked in. What time on Friday's good for you, Sweetie?"

"I'm free after 4. We'll meet then. Give me a call before you take off on Friday afternoon. See you then. Looking forward to it." He wrote the time and her name into his planner.

"Can't wait! Love you, Dean! Take care!" Nell disconnected the call. Heart skipped a beat. Dean will take care of everything! Just wait, Lana! I'll arrange for better than this! She'd call Annette at Down Home Realty right after the customer.

She walked onto the Sales Floor….