Chapter Six
Clark used a strong amount of will power to follow the speed limit to the Kent farm. Normally he would relish the opportunity of driving one of Lex's sports cars, but he desperately wanted to return to his old life. He wanted to go home, give both his parents a hug and feel safe in knowing that he would have school and chores to do the next day.
It felt surreal knocking on the front door instead of walking through. His Mom answered with a polite smile. "Julian. How are you feeling?"
She doesn't recognize me. "I feel fine. I was hoping I could talk with you and…" Clark stopped himself before saying 'Dad', "well, and…"
"Of course. Come in. I'll get Jonathan. He's in the barn. Please, help yourself to some coffee."
As his Mother, or Mrs. Kent left, Clark gazed around the kitchen. It was a familiar sight and brought a sense of calm. Then certain details started to come into focus. The table was the first one they had; as if he hadn't been there to break it when he was six. No family photos were on the fridge.
The cups were in the cupboard where they usually were. His Dad's favorite mug he won at the Smallville Fair snuggled next to his Mother's mug she had bought when she went to university in Metropolis. He left those two mugs alone and picked out the standard white coffee cup that had come with the coffee maker.
"Good morning, Julian," his Dad, or Mr. Kent, said walking in.
"Hi."
"Would you like some pie?" Martha asked as Jonathan took off his work jacket and gloves.
"No, thanks. The coffee's good." Clark held onto the mug, the warmth coming from the cup was soothing.
"Well, why don't you have a seat there, son."
Clark noticed how Jonathan immediately regretted his choice of words and the wince his wife gave was also noticed.
"Does Lex know you're here?" Martha asked as they all took a seat in the living room.
"No." The silence that came next was heavy. "You really don't know who I am?"
"You're Julian Luthor." Martha said gently. "We've never met properly. You might have seen us when we would drop produce off at the mansion."
Clark shook his head. "No. I'm your son. Clark. Why don't you remember?"
Jonathan put a hand on Martha's shoulder. "Look, we understand you went through a terrible accident …"
"Every year since I was seven you take me fishing at Crater Lake. You built a loft in the barn so I had a place to hang out. You gave me a telescope one morning at breakfast. You taught me how to play football and the coolest thing when I was six was getting to ride the tractor with you."
Clark turned to his Mother. "And when I started school, I was afraid to go because I thought you'd disappear when I came back. So, you made sure you were always waiting at the door when the bus pulled in.
"You put honey in your coffee. And powdered sugar on your pancakes instead of syrup. You were a football legend at Smallville High and the kitchen always smells like pie because the entire town orders them. Grandpa Kent's gun is hung over that door frame. How can I know any of this if I'm not your son?"
"I can't answer that question," Jonathon said. "But Martha and I have never had a child." Jonathan and Martha sat close to each other, their expressions kind but stern.
They were united and he was alone.
"Please," Clark pleaded as he began to tear up, "please, let me come home."
"I'm sorry, Julian. You seem like a wonderful kid, but Lex is your family, not us. We can call him for you."
"No," Clark rose from the couch and wiped his eyes dry. "No, it's fine. I'm sorry I disturbed you."
As strong as his desire to stay was, Clark's feet didn't take him out of the house fast enough.