Chapter 22 [Next Morning]

Clark felt refreshed that morning. Secret's Burden, while not off of Shoulders entirely, rested easier on the previous evening. Super Speed finished Chores in no time. Pep offered Spring to his Step. He studied Dawn's Symphony of Color across Eastern Skies. A nice picture to a new day. Have to hope it is! Detention still awaited him on the following morning. Still, he didn't care.

His friends knew. They'd accepted him. Granted, they'd need to wrap their heads around everything. Still, they wanted to do so.

They really don't think I'm a monster! They want to accept me. Celebration pumped his fists in the air. Ears picked up on Last Birds' singing and then Tires coming over Gravel and Dirt. He turned toward Thinning Mist.

Lana's Blazer slowed and came to a halt beside the House. She set the Parking Brake and got out. Sleep had eluded her for stretches of Night. She'd ridden to her parents' stone to speak with them. She rolled her eyes at herself. The simple Farm Boy from next door isn't so simple after all. Still, he is Clark. Deep Breath exhaled from her lung. "Morning, Clark! Hope you don't mind. Nell left early for Metropolis. I figured I'd get some company for breakfast."

"Mom's making pancakes. I'm sure it's okay." He grinned at her. "Thanks by the way. I really had a good night's sleep. I was scared you'd run away when you found out." He shrugged.

She shook her head. Her hands grabbed onto his. "Clark, I promised. I'm here for you. I admit that I had a long night. After dropping Miranda off, a lot of things went through my head. I took a ride to visit my parents." Smile formed on her face. "They said 'Good! You finally came out with it. No more silly secrets.' Have to admit it's kind of heavy. I wouldn't know how to deal with it."

"Why do you think I really like that I can talk to everyone? Lana, I'm glad you know. I hated keeping it from you." Clark squeezed her hands in reply. "We can always talk about it. We can help each other." He led her toward the house. There, he found Jonathan watching them from the doorway. "Hi, Dad. Just finished chores. We've got company." Grin spread across his face.

"So, we do. Good morning, Lana. Everything all right?" Jonathan detected Mood's signs across her face. Concern sent signals to his mind. "Mrs. Kent's got breakfast just about ready. Come on in."

"Thanks, Mr. Kent. I'm really glad you decided to trust me. It's really great." Lana set her shoes by Clark's boots at the door. "Nell took off for Metropolis last night instead of going to her bridge game. She's got some new guy there. I haven't met him. Oh well. Sorry that Miranda's situation intruded on Clark's. She felt bad."

"There's no need. Her uncle was a good friend. In fact, we need to thank her for setting the mood. She and Lex really underscored how important secrets are and why they're necessary. I wish we'd known sooner. I plan on telling her that sometime this weekend." Jonathan ushered them both to the table. "Martha, look who's here."

"She texted me." Martha brightened. "Hi, Lana! Thanks for coming by. I made extra pancakes and bacon. Coffee and Juice are on the counter if you'd like. I've already set the table. Why don't you wash your hands? You can eat with us. Clark, why don't you shower and get dressed?" She motioned up the stairs.

"Sure, Mom. Be right back." Clark zipped up the stairs and out of sight.

Lana rolled her eyes. "So, that's the real Clark getting up the stairs?" Supposition tried to ease its way into her mind. "Wow. Guess that's why he could miss the bus and still get to school on time?"

"Yes, it is." Jonathan managed a knowing smirk. "It saves time around the barn and farm. That's for sure. You get used to it. Clark's still Clark." He sipped on Java. "He still cares about you."

"Oh, I know that." Lana rolled her eyes. "Nell would rather find me her perfect guy. Sorry but no." She put her hand up. "No offense, Mr. Kent."

"I understand. I'm glad that your aunt can be with someone. Mrs. Kent and I have our farm and Clark. It's a blessed life. We have our ups and downs. It's still blessed. Clark knows that. Maybe one day, that'll be him and you? We don't know. We just work at it one day at a time." Jonathan turned toward Martha.

"Exactly." Martha placed Pancakes' plate on the table. "We have butter and syrup, Lana. Sorry, there are no strawberries or cream. I can get brown sugar?" She set Syrup's bottle down next.

"Real syrup's great. Adds that historic New England flavor. Miranda's always talking about that from her childhood. It's a real shame. Wish she could know those folks. I sure would like to have met them." Lana brought the bacon over. "Where do I set this, Mrs. Kent?"

"Thank you. Anywhere in the middle's great." Martha heard Phone's ring. "Who could that be?" She answered it. "Hello?"

"Good morning, Mrs. Kent. It's Lex. My apologies about the early call. I have good news actually." Lex sat in the library. "Miranda and you inspired it last night."

"What?" Martha looked to Jonathan and Lana. Confusion narrowed her eyes. "Lex, we were all reminiscing. You…" She froze. "I thought…"

"Long story." Lex took a deep breath. "I found them, Mrs. Kent. They're coming. I figured I'd give Mr. Kent and you the heads up. I believe they're on their way."

"Martha, what?" Jonathan stiffened. Leave it to Lex to make a big deal out of it. I sure hope he didn't tell anyone! He saw her shake her head.

"Mrs. Kent?" Lana tried to understand what was going on.

Martha turned her back. "Of course, Lex. As we said last night, the door is open for them. Too bad I made the ham yesterday. I'll get to Dillon's as soon as we're finished eating. That way, I can start on some corned beef and the potatoes the way he liked them. Thank you, Lex, for letting me know."

"I wouldn't want anyone else to welcome them back, Mrs. Kent. Give my best to everyone. Not a word to Miranda. This is a surprise. Besides, I don't want her stepfather getting word before we're ready. Talk to you later. Thanks. Have a great day." Lex disconnected the call and slid Phone back into his pocket.

Martha hung up the phone. Disbelief numbed her. "I don't believe it." She forced herself to bring Juice and Coffee to the table.

"Martha, what is it?" Jonathan helped her with the drink pitchers. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine." Martha nodded. Smile spread across her face. "After we talked, Lex did some research. I don't believe it but we'll see later today. He found them! They're coming."

"Found who, Mom?" Clark came down the stairs. Curiosity intrigued him. "I thought we agreed that my abilities were supposed to remain a secret?" He walked to Sink where he washed his hands.

"David and Angie! I don't know how he did it. Apparently, they're alive." Martha sat down. She collected herself. "Well, looks like we're having corned beef for dinner." She served herself a few pancakes and bacon. "After we're done eating, I'll go to Dillon's and get what we need. Then, I'll slow cook it. We'll have a late dinner."

"Mom, we're not…what about the Secret?" Clark winced.

"Clark." Jonathan coughed. He shook his head. "They saw you put your hand through a wall. Then, you picked up the couch in front of them too. They know about your abilities. You actually met them right after your parents' funeral, Lana."

"I…did." Lana rubbed her forehead. "And this is Miranda's aunt and uncle? This is going to be great! I…"

Martha shook her head. "It's a surprise for Miranda, Lana. Lex asked that we keep it amongst ourselves. Yes. It's going to be great. They knew your parents. I'm sure they'd answer some questions if you ask them."

"Just remember, Kids, this is your friend's weekend with them. I'm sure they'll be all right with a few questions." Jonathan munched over some more thoughts with his pancakes. "There is one thing. You might want to tell Chloe and Pete this too. DO NOT get in between Mr. Dubois and Lionel Luthor or Mr. Arighatto. I don't care. Clark, even you can't handle Mr. Arighatto. If they try to force you to talk, walk away or call for help. Mr. Dubois will get you out of there. If he tells you to leave, you leave."

"Dad, if I can't stop him, what does Lex's friend have that I don't?" Clark shook his head.

"Clark, there are things you don't know. Okay? Mr. Dubois has his secrets too. Be very careful of your emotions around him. He's very sensitive to emotions and auras. He also is…" Martha bowed her head.

"Unstable. Look, Kids. Let's make it a nice weekend. Your mother and I have never had an issue with him on this farm. Mr. Dubois' not the problem. Who knows? He was into poetry. Maybe he can read for us again in the Talon's theater? Remember that, Martha?" Jonathan smiled at his wife.

"That's an idea! Lana, can we…?" Martha wondered.

Lana nodded. "It's last minute but why not? If he wants to, I'd have to check with Lex. I think it'd be great! I could let Mr. Gibbons know at school. He could get the word out." She ate a piece of pancake. "This is so good, Mrs. Kent! Thank you!"

"You're welcome, Lana. How are you doing with everything else?" Jonathan changed the subject back to her concerns.

"Well, it's a lot to process." Lana squirmed. "Sorry, Clark. One thing I had to understand. You're still you. There's just a lot that I didn't know. It doesn't change who you are. Well…just keep you from those class rings. Sometime, you'll need to explain what happened." She put her hands up. "I don't want to tell anyone about it. I don't want to see your bad side again. I just want to make sure whatever it was doesn't get close to you again." She put her hand of Flannel Forearm. "I want to be there."

"I know, Lana. We'll talk about it soon." Affirmation coaxed the Kent grin across his face. "I think we need to get going." He drank down Coffee's last swallow. "Mom?" He took his plate over to the sink and put it there.

"Go ahead, Kids. I'll get this cleaned up. Just remember to call after school. I'll know more by then. Thank you, Lana, for being here for us and Clark. I really appreciate it." Martha collected Jonathan's, her own and Lana's plates.

Lana smiled. Nerves vanished before Kind Sentiments. "Thank you, Mrs. Kent. I appreciate the trust. I'm trying to think of ways I can help and prove myself."

"You already have. Thanks, Lana." Jonathan eyed Martha and Clark. "Just that comment about Clark's mood swings shows that you're thinking about it. Just take it easy. Remember, to watch what you say around others. Sometimes, we can unintentionally give things away. Right, Clark?" He cleared his throat for emphasis.

"Yeah, Dad. Right." Clark shrugged. "Come on, Lana. I don't want more detention time added to my three Saturdays. Have a great day, Mom and Dad!" He took Lana's hand and led her out the door.

Jonathan watched Martha following the teens toward Lana's blazer. "Martha?"

Martha took in a deep breath. "Nothing, Jonathan. It's nice to see them without secrets or anything holding them back. It just feels right." Her lips whispered Amor's notes across his cheek. "You know what that feels like."

Jonathan nodded. Just take it one day at a time, Kids. Everything else will take care of itself. He folded his arms across his chest. Approval warmed him.

It all just felt right….