Clark trotted down the stairs the next morning, feeling rested and energized, but still completely clueless. Martha was in the kitchen, frying bacon and eggs, and Jonathan was at the table, reading the paper. For a moment, Clark thought he remembered something, a time like this long, long ago. But then he blinked and it was gone. Must have just been wishful thinking Clark thought, and sat down opposite Jonathan.
"Hey, son" He said, folding the paper and putting it down on the table. "Remember anything?"
"No" Clark replied, and his parents sagged
"Well, I guess we weren't really expecting it anyway." Martha said, putting bacon and eggs on the three plates on the table. Clark cleared his throat.
"I… have some questions." He said tentatively
"Go ahead, Clark." Martha said, reaching across the table and holding his hand in hers.
"Uhhh… what's my last name?" Clark asked. He couldn't imagine how strange it sounded to poor Martha and Jonathan.
"Kent" Jonathan replied. Clark didn't know if Jonathan was the type to cry, but the odds were he wasn't. Now, it looked as if he were about to break that record. "Your name is Clark Kent."
"Ring any bells?" Martha asked, still holding on to her son's hand
"Not really." Clark replied, disappointed
"Anything else?" Martha asked hopefully
"How old am I?" Clark asked
"Seventeen, we think." Martha replied, then made a face as if she wished she hadn't.
"You think?" Clark inquired
"Well, you were adopted, sort of." Jonathan said carefully
"Sort of?" Clark asked. Martha turned to Jonathan
"Jonathan, we have to tell him." She said
"Martha…" Jonathan started to argue
"Jonathan, he could hurt someone. He has to know." She insisted. "It might even bring some of his memory back."
Jonathan sighed and turned to Clark.
"Son, there's something else." He said
"What?" Clark asked
"Well, you're different," He started "You can do things that other people can't do."
"What, like magical powers?" Clark asked, trying not to laugh at the idea. Jonathan glanced at Martha.
"Sort of, but not really." Jonathan said "Come with me, son" Jonathan and Clark stood up and went out the front door.
Clark didn't know where Jonathan wanted to take him, or what he meant by saying he was different. If he was honest, the most surprising thing he had discovered about himself that morning was not that he was adopted, or even Jonathan's comment about the magical powers (mainly because Clark had no idea what he was on about). No, it was finding out that he was only seventeen. For some reason, he felt much older. Jonathan stopped walking, and Clark studied his surroundings. They were standing in a barn with a pile of hay-bales in one corner, and a large green tractor in the other. Along one wall was a bench with farm tools and a radio on it. There were stairs leading up to what looked like a hayloft.
"What are we doing in here?" Clark asked
"Clark, why don't you go pick up that tractor…" Jonathan said. Clark blinked. He wasn't sure he'd heard right.
"Excuse me?" He asked
"Go lift that tractor over there." He said, as if it were an everyday thing
Ok, now I know I heard him right Clark thought Maybe Jonathan isn't exactly all there…
"Uhhh…" Clark said, not really knowing what to say. When Jonathan continued to stare at him, he sighed and walked over to the tractor. He didn't know what Jonathan was expecting, but if the only way to stop him staring was to cooperate, then that's what he'd do.
Clark walked around the back of the tractor and placed both hands under the rim. He was slightly amused, but curious also, so he lifted both hands up, as if to pick up the tractor.
And he did.
Clark's jaw dropped in awe as he lifted the tractor up and over his head as effortlessly as if it was made of Styrofoam. He twirled it around a few times as if to test himself, then set it back down. He lifted his head and stared at Jonathan in amazement.
"How did I do that?" Clark asked, walking back over to his father
"Like I said" Jonathan replied simply. "You're special."
Clark thought for a moment. "Can I do anything else?" He asked, still incredulous.
Jonathan nodded, amused at his son's amazed reaction at his abilities, despite the seriousness of the situation.
"Can I fly?" Clark asked hopefully
"No, son" Jonathan shook his head. Clark looked disappointed. "But let's go back inside and I'll fill you in."
