Clark stood in front of the mirror staring at his snow-white hair and leathery wrinkled face. Then he looked at his watch. It was 4:59. Elijah had explained that at 5:00 p.m. the next day they would regain their youth. The clock in the living room began to chime. He watched as his hair became a coal black color and the wrinkles melted away. He felt his powers strengthen. He was a young man again.
He picked up his wedding picture. He looked like he had on the day he married her. The only thing missing was Lois. It just wasn't fair. Chloe, Mary Jane, or anybody else who was alive and married to a superhero was also becoming young again.
There was a knock on the door and he ran to answer it.
He didn't know what he was expecting. For some weird reason, he thought it might be Lois. It was their granddaughter, Carrie.
"It's true, Papaw! You look like a younger old person," she said laughing.
"Do your parents know where you're at?" he asked as he eyed the 7 year old in mock severity.
"I can run real fast, so they won't even miss me. I told Aunt Mary I was going to the bathroom. She's the one watching me right now. I heard Mommy and Daddy talking about how you were going to become young again and I wanted to see."
"You've seen. Now go back before you worry your aunt. Your mom's family doesn't and can't know that you're getting powers."
"Okay, Papaw but only because I want to."
After she left, he laughed. He saw so much of Lois in her.
He hoped his descendants were able to prove themselves. If they were able, they too would be granted youth and stronger powers. His and Lois' love would live on through them.
He thought he might go and get something to drink at the bar down the street. He didn't really get thirsty because he got his energy from the yellow sun. However, it would give him something to do until he got used to having his powers back.
He was drinking a glass of milk a few minutes. He wasn't able to get drunk, but he wanted to set a good example. He had actually flown there for practice. It felt good to be flying again, but flying was always better when it was with Lois.
A blonde came up to him to do some flirting. What would a little girl want with him? She looked barely legal. He felt his face. He realized he now looked younger than his oldest child, who was in his fifties. He made it known that he wasn't interested and she left.
Another girl came up behind him. He didn't even bother to look at her this time.
"You and I are what zey call lonely?" she said in a deep, phony French accent.
"No, I'm recently widowed," he replied.
"Are zese two words not what zey call-what's ze word? Synonyms?"
"Hardly. Look, lady, I'm trying to be nice but I'm not interested in companionship."
"Zat is too bad. You see I am recently come to America and I need someone to show me around. In fact, I need a place to stay, know?"
"You're looking at the wrong guy. I have a small apartment not made for roommates."
"Zat is really too bad. I guess I could always check into what zey call a motel and when ze money runs out, I could always sleep in my car. Back seats aren't too bad if you bend your knees to avoid ze drive train-"
That's the third time in his life he'd heard that speech. "Lois, is that you?" he asked, straightening his back.
"And you know if I have to sell my car for food zat is okay too. I've always dreamed of being what Americans call hobos, riding ze rails, and roadside fires."
He spun around on his barstool and beheld a young Lois flashing him one of her rare but sincere smiles.
He stood up and took her in his arms and kissed her with a kiss like no other.
"Wow! Americans are forward," she laughed.
"I don't care how or why you came back, but you're here. That's the important thing," he said.
She placed her arms firmly around him and he scooped her up in his arms.
"Let's go home, Clark," she whispered.
