As Clark turned to head towards the barn, he heard an engine and the crunch of wheels rolling up the drive. He turned to see his mother pull into her usual spot. Martha stepped out of the car, carrying a large black folio, and looking tired. "Clark." Martha exclaimed, her face lighting up.
"Hey mom, how was Granville?" He asked, going over to give her a hug.
"Oh sweetie, it was fine. We raised a lot of money for Granville woman's shelters. She said, as she smoothed his rumpled hair in a maternal way. "That aside, it was a lot of schmoozing with assorted important people. I don't think I'll ever get used to the whole game."
"Yeah, that's why she has me." Said Lois, emerging from the passenger side. "I know how to deal with people like that, ya know. Growing up on a military base, I had to deal with a lot of blowhards and giant egos. So I know how to butter them up." A cocky grin spread across her face. "Just tell them how much you admire them, blah, blah. Ya know, the standard fare. Some say I have the gift of gab. I would be inclined to agree."
Clark looked back to his mom for help. He never knew what to say to Lois' boasting. He was tempted to say something rude, but the look his mother's eyes told him to leave it be. "Yes you do have the gift of gab, Lois. A gift I wish you would return." He couldn't help himself. His mother gave him a look.
"Sure Smallville, and while I'm at it, can I return that as well?" She reached over and pulled on his sleeve.
Clark looked down at his red jacket. "Just ignore her, and maybe she will go away." He gave her a curt smile. "Mom, I wanted to ask you your advice on something. Alone." He looked back at Lois, raising his eyebrows with impatience.
Lois put her hands on her hips defiantly.
"Lois dear, why don't you go make us some coffee? I need a little pick me up." Martha asked.
"Alright, I'll see you in the house." She said, turning on her heel to leave. She glanced back over her shoulder and shot Clark an irritated look.
He still could not fathom why his mom liked her so much. She drove him crazy, just like an older sister he never asked for. The way she called him "Smallville" was wearing thin. Was she even aware that she too now resided in Smallville?
"What's up sweetie?" She asked, as the two slowly started walking towards the barn. Her voice was full of concern.
"I shouldn't be worried? Should I?"
"No, mom. I just wanted to get your advice about…… Chloe."
"What about her? Is she okay?"
"Yeah she's fine." He replied. Somehow every mother had a way of expecting the worst. Or maybe it was just his. He really couldn't blame her though; she had been through a lot over the past few years. "I just have something kinda important I want to tell her tonight. I've wanted to tell her for a while now; I just don't know how to do it."
"Oh." Was her only reply. She smiled a knowing smile, lookin quite pleased.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"No reason. I just wondered when you were going to tell me that you were in love with Chloe."
Clark stopped in his tracks. "Wait. You know?"
"Of course sweetie, it's pretty obvious." She chuckled, as if this was old news. "The way you two spend so much time together, how you are always talking about her, not to mention the way you look at her. Besides, never discount a woman's intuition."
Clark was dumbfounded. He couldn't believe his mother knew. Was she the only one who had suspected as much? They began to walk again, in silent thought. Shelby ran up to join them, circling around Martha's legs. "Then you approve?" He asked.
"Clark, since when did you ever need my approval for any girl you've liked?"
Clark agreed. He had never sought approval before. But this time was different. He felt he needed to know what his mother thought. "No, I've never needed it before. But, I would like to know all the same."
The two stopped as they reached the entrance to the barn. "I'm flattered that you would even ask Clark. And yes I do approve. Chloe is a wonderful girl, and she makes you happy. I'm just glad that you've finally found someone who you don't have to keep secrets from." She reached up with both hands to fix his collar. "I realize this is a big step. Are you sure you are ready? I mean, you just ended things with Lana. Badly." She looked uncomfortable to be bringing up the subject. Clark could sense it and wanted to reassure her.
"Mom, I've already thought long and hard about that. It didn't end the way I thought it would, but truth is me and Lana have been over longer than just a few weeks. Emotionally, that is. And Chloe is a big reason why. I'm not jumping blindly into this because I'm lonely. I love her, and I'm ready." Martha looked up at him, positively beaming. He thought he could see tears shining in her eyes. "I just don't know how to tell her." He sighed, leaning up against the door frame.
"Well, when Jonathan told me he loved me, he didn't need any grand gestures, candles or romantic music. Besides, that was never like him anyways. He just spoke from his heart. And that's all you can do really."
His mom had a point. All he had to do was speak from his heart, and he would be able to find the words. And if all else failed, he could just kiss her. Passionately. He rather liked that idea. "But what if she doesn't feel the same?" The nagging thought popped back into his mind. Martha sensed something was wrong and put a gentle hand up to his cheek, bringing his attention back to her.
"I don't think you will have to worry about her not feeling the same."
Clark's eyes opened wide. His mother knew him too well. "But how can you be sure?"
"Woman's intuition." She smiled and bent down to pat Shelby who was now whining loudly jumping up upon her leg. "Well I better get back into the house before Lois burns it down." Clark laughed and Martha patted his shoulder as she left.
Clark felt a sense of renewed hope. His mother had a strong hunch that Chloe still felt the same, and he now had a game plan for telling her. It was all coming together. Just speak from the heart. He felt Shelby jump up on his legs; she began to scratch at him and bark loudly. "Down girl, down." She took off into the yard and began to run around in circles frantically, growling up into the sky at some invisible intruder. "What's wrong girl?" He called out after her.
Suddenly there was a gust of strong wind sending the barn doors flapping hard against the frame. He heard uproar behind him and walked further into the barn to see the horses pacing around the stalls nervously. They were whinnying excitedly and one was bucking up against the gate in an aggressive manner. "That's odd. What's gotten into the animals all of a sudden?" Another strong gust of wind came out of nowhere and blew through the open door, sending a group of hens scattering; feathers flying everywhere. "Is it supposed to storm?" He knew that sometimes animals could sense oncoming danger, causing them to act erratically. He looked back outside, but the sky was still bright and sunny, not a cloud in sight.
