Chapter 16 [Kent Farm—Fifteen Minutes Later]
[A/N: Well, it looks like someone else found out too. Read on and see….]
Pete pulled the car to a stop. He looked over toward Clark. "Hey! We're here." Grin spread across his face.
Clark jerked himself out of Reverie's grasp. Thoughts occupied him during the return drive. What's the big surprise? It involves both Pete and Lana? Wonder and Warmth juxtaposed inside of himself. Several times he'd felt himself floating under Seat Belt's restraint. He narrowed his eyes. "Pete?"
"You've been doing that. Man, Clark! You better hope Lana didn't see you in the Talon. I yanked you back down soon as I saw it." Pete knew that such Moot Points wouldn't matter after the Big Dinner tomorrow. Of course, Miranda could've seen Clark's take off. Guess Lana did see him doing it! And…
Phone rang again in Clark's pocket.
"Now what? Clark, is it your folks? We're here." Pete rolled his eyes. "Might as well get it."
Clark took the phone out of his pocket. "It's Lana." He answered it, "Hi! Are you okay? I just got home. You need to talk with my parents?"
Sigh escaped Lana. She glanced over at Miranda and shook her head. "I might. Clark, you need to be more careful. Miranda and I both saw you. You…did the…thing again."
"I what?" Clark stiffened. His eyes turned to Pete and then back to the phone. "What did I do? I was feeling great and…."
Pete rolled his eyes. "Hey. I told you." He put his hands up. "Talk to her, Clark." He motioned toward the phone. His Mom, Dad and I all tell him to be careful! Can't blame him for being happy after the way this week sucked! Seriously though? Just glad the Talon was empty except for us! Least no one else saw his up, up and float away number. His Dad's going to have a cow! He stared at the farmhouse.
Clark frowned. "Sorry. Lana, what did I do?"
Lana shook her head. "You were floating, Clark. It was only about a couple of inches off of the ground. I wasn't sure you were doing it. Miranda watched you. Besides, she has a secret to share with you too. It's something else." Snort escaped her lips. "Better tell your parents to set another place tomorrow. I've got Sarah, Skye and Jayden all covering us tomorrow."
"Great." Wince twisted Clark's face. Dad's really going to go off over this! What kind of secret is Miranda going to ask me to keep? Is it legal?
It's legal, Captain Plaid. You just might want to be more careful with your exits there. Miranda chuckled into his head. Feeling him stiffen, she added, Relax. I'm an empath and a telepath. I don't go actively snooping into people's thoughts. I'm just talking to you. Keep this between us for now. All right?
"Dude, you okay?" Pete looked to Clark and then the barn again. He saw Jonathan watching them in turn. "I'm getting your Dad." He opened the door.
"No, Pete. It's okay. We're going to have someone else with us tomorrow." Clark shrugged. "Isn't that right, Lana?"
"That's kind of the way it is. Clark, she just talked to you. Right?" Lana glanced at Miranda. "It's kind of strange. Got to tell you."
"I know. As long as she doesn't pick through my mind without permission, I'm good." Clark forced himself to relax more for Pete's and his Dad's benefit than his own. That work, Miranda?
Sounds good to me, Clark. Thank you. Looking forward to your mother's cooking. Lana says it's great. Talk to you tomorrow. Good night and thanks again for your consideration today, Clark. With that, Miranda went quiet again.
Mom and Dad are going to freak out. A telepath…she hears thoughts? And what's an empath? Wow. Clark got out of the car. He hefted his knapsack and brought it over. "Sorry, Dad. How was Wichita and the Grange?"
Curiosity raised Jonathan's eyebrow. Even with Pete's brief explanation, he sensed Situation's continued drift into Uncomfortable Waters. "Wichita's the same. Grange went all right. We can talk about those things later, Son. Everything all right at the Talon?"
"Uh yeah, Dad. Everything's great." Clark frowned at Pete.
"Dang it! I knew Miranda saw you!" Pete scowled. "Dude! I keep telling you to be more careful!" He shook his head. "Well, at least she's cool. Lana will talk to her." Frustration hissed through his teeth.
"Wait!" Jonathan put his hand up. "Miranda? Who's this?"
"Miranda Arighatto." Clark exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck. He felt Jonathan's glare into his eyes. "The Talon waitress. I was really relieved and happy to have everything be all right with Lana again, Dad. There wasn't anyone else in the Talon. Guess I let my guard down. Lana says I was floating a couple of inches off the ground."
"Floating?" Jonathan turned to Pete and then back to Clark.
"Lucky for us that the place was empty, Clark. You're lucky I yanked you back down. Heck, Dude! You were floating under that seat belt in my car all the way home." Pete shook his head.
"I hate heights. Floating?" Incredulity and Denial widened Clark's eyes. He couldn't remember.
"Son, I hate to break this to you. Your mother and I have caught you floating in your sleep." A chuckle escaped Jonathan's mouth. "It's usually when you dreaming about Lana."
Satisfaction lit up in Pete's eyes. "Clark, you are so busted!" Smirk spread across his face. "Man, I've heard of sleepwalking and talking in your sleep. Sleep Floating?"
"Not helping, Pete." Annoyance narrowed Clark's eyes. "Guess that's better than another round with the heat vision." He rubbed his forehead. Palm found no heat or flushed skin there.
"I'll second that. Pete, Clark and I need to talk by ourselves. Thanks for looking out for him again tonight. I appreciate it." Jonathan motioned toward the house.
"I'll see you in school tomorrow. Wish you'd just tell me what the surprise is." Clark glanced over his shoulder at his father. "Take care."
"You too. Try not to go through the roof or anything." Pete snorted. He got back in his car and drove off into Night's darkness. I tell him to be careful! Man, Clark! Can't let that guard down for nothing!
Nobody could relax. That was for sure….