Fifteen.
Lex had the limo drive the Kents home. He wanted to go but since the confrontation with Clark, he thought it best to make himself scarce.
The limo pulled into the drive of the Kent Farm. Jonathan stepped out turning to offer a hand to his wife. Clark followed his mom slowly, eyes on the ground. Martha put her arm around him with a smile, rubbing his back, urging him toward the house. Jonathan came up behind resting his hands on Clark's shoulders.
Clark walked uncertainly up the steps. His knees quivered, his heart felt is would beat out of his chest. He looked to his mom then his dad, closed his eyes and opened the door.
Nothing. Nothing happened.
A tear tracked down his cheek as he stepped into his home. It felt different.
Leaving Clark to sit at the island, Martha busied herself getting the tea kettle on the stove.
Jonathan walked over to his wife, "I'm gonna check the farm, see if the men Lex hired to cover me messed anything up. Be back in a few hours."
Clark started after his father, "I'll go with you."
"No, Clark, you stay here with your mom," lowering him back to the stool. He turned and left.
"Would you like something to eat, sweetie?"
Clark shook his head, still watching his dad's retreating form. Martha came over, placing her hand on his face, guiding him to look at her. "Why don't you go lie on the couch?"
His line of sight turned back to his dad as Jonathan rounded into the barn…when it exploded.
"NO!" Clark shouted jumping to his feet.
Martha jumped back, shocked. "What? Clark, what is it?"
Clark blinked. The barn still stood, strong and sturdy. Clark put a trembling fist to his mouth, turned wide frightened eyes to his mother. "…nothing..." he whispered.
"Clark, that is not nothing! You scared me to death. Please, talk to me."
He looked quickly back at the barn then turned to run up the stairs to his room.
Martha sat on the stool, covering her face with shaky hands.
Clark sat on the edge of his bed. His nerves were settling and he was tiring. He closed his burning eyes and didn't think of anything.
It seemed hours later when a persistent sound brought his attention out of his stupor. For a second he just listened, trying to place the sound.
The tea kettle.
He waited for the sound to stop…waited…waited. "Mom," he called.
He moved to the top of the stairs. "Mom." His heart started to pound. He raced down the stairs at super-speed. Frantically, he x-rayed the house. She wasn't in there…she was gone…
He sped out to the middle of the driveway. "Mom," he screamed.
"Clark? What's the matter?" Martha came down the stairs behind him.
He turned, throwing his arms around her. "I couldn't find you."
She held her trembling boy in her arms, remembering when he was small and needed to be held so much. "I was out front watering my plants." She sighed heavily, praying, 'Oh, God, heal my baby.'