Chapter 18 [Talon—After School]
Lex pulled into his favorite parking space. He leaned back against the seat. Calm eased his outlook. Everything seemed to be back on track. His father was on his way back to Metropolis for the moment at least. Arighatto wasn't anywhere to be found. His two companions awaited their reunion with their long lost niece. "Bet you never thought you'd come back here."
"We fought to save it for a reason, Alex," Dave replied. He fought back a couple of spasms. His eyes surveyed the former theater and city block around it. "Never thought I'd see urban sprawl here."
"Times change," Angie noted. She patted her husband's arm. "Ready?"
Dave nodded. "For all of the bad stuff, there's good here too. Laura and Lewis would want us to remember that. My friendship with Jonathan and Martha Kent started right out there." A chill cut through him. "He's ready to see Miri."
"As we are as well," she indicated. She touched the knob releasing the seat lock. She opened the door and stepped out onto the downtown pavement. Memoria reminded her of the post-meteor shower damage to the buildings around them. "At least the town rebuilt."
"Never sell you farmers short, Angie," Lex remarked. He watched Dave get out of the car and close the door. "Come on. You still like your mochas?"
"Just try and say no to her, Alex," Dave teased his wife.
She coughed. "Takes one to know one. Come on, Mr. Poet. I won't deny your Muse." She saw Jonathan park the truck across the street. "Isn't that Clark's father?"
"It sure is. Follow me." Lex led them toward the curb. "Mr. Kent!"
Jonathan studied the trio in front of himself. He fought back the urge to brush past Lex. In addition, he dimly recalled Angie. There was no mistaking Dave both from what he remembered a generation earlier and the standoff in the barn. He grinned at the couple and waved back. "Give me a minute!" He looked both ways and hustled across the street. "Decided to look at it again?"
"Coming back here, I'd say that's inevitable, Mr. Kent," she assessed. "You're looking good."
"A few wrinkles and some blemishes here and there, Angie. You're looking great. Martha will be sorry she missed you both." Jonathan embraced her. "You both are invited to dinner at some point by the way."
"Thank you, Mr. Kent. From what I heard about the other night, I wasn't sure." Dave extended his hand out slowly.
"You saved our lives again. You both saved Clark's life. Why wouldn't you be?" Jonathan clasped the other's hand firmly and shook it. "Some people could learn more about sacrifice from you."
Dave knew well that Jonathan's remark focused on Lex. Still he wasn't about to rise to the bait or pick sides for that matter. "We all do in our own way, Mr. Kent. I benefited from your support and my in-laws."
Jonathan appreciated the reply. "Clark said that Miranda's your niece? Really?"
"Really. I can't believe she's been here all along. We've looked for her for years." Dave shuddered. In his head, the Child snarled low. "Speaking of which, Alex was talking mochas. Want some coffee?"
"Given what's about to happen in there, I'll definitely take some of that," Jonathan accepted. "Shall we?"
"We shall indeed," Lex concurred. He led them toward the café.
Lana tried to distract herself from her current quandaries. She checked the pastries and other treats. She rang up a few orders. Mostly though, her mind struggled with Louise's visit. She really knew Clark's father? She's been where I am now. Wow! She wiped the counter down again with the damp rag.
"I appreciate you cleaning for the family's visit. Still we're going to need shades if you polish that counter anymore," Miranda teased. Her nerves clashed and jangled over the impending visit.
"It's a big deal, Miri. You haven't seen them in how long? We should celebrate," Lana assured her.
"Indeed we should." Jasmine agreed. She ground some fresh coffee. "I hope you don't mind. Alex told me that Miranda's aunt and uncle like Javanese coffee. Papa had this sent in their honor."
"He…what? Jasmine, he shouldn't have gone to the expense! I appreciate it but…." Miranda protested. She blushed.
Jasmine shrugged. "The occasion merits it. He saved our lives. They're your family. We're standing here in this building because of them and Alex. You're my friend. If this makes you feel better then it's worth it." She smiled warmly.
Miranda averted her eyes. Gratitude warmed her heart. Still she wasn't one to readily admit to her feelings in certain regards.
"We all have things to celebrate. Just wait until the reading happens. The old theater's going to come alive again." A smile broke out across Lana's face.
"And in that, we have yet another reason to celebrate," Jasmine affirmed. She fixed the filter and started the coffee perking. "Such wonders. Rumi would exult in such wondrous notions." She motioned toward the back. "I have another wonder awaiting your uncle." Triumph lit up her smirk.
"On that note, I'm going to check on some customers. I…." Miranda stepped out from behind the counter. Still she didn't make it more than three steps before she stopped cold. She saw Angie and Dave enter with Lex and Jonathan. She hesitated. She couldn't believe this was really happening. Her eyes welled up with tears.
Dave, on the other hand, didn't hang back. Rather he grabbed onto Miranda sweeping her up in a bear hug. "Miri! I can't believe this either!"
"I thought you both were dead. I'm just so glad you're okay." Miranda kissed his cheek. She returned the embrace as tightly as she could manage. "Maybe I can give some Auntie some love too?"
"Yeah. I'm greedy so sue me." Dave kissed Miranda on the forehead. Then he motioned toward Angie. "Go on."
Miranda smirked feeling herself relax. She hugged Angie. "Auntie!"
"I can't believe this! I wish we knew. We never stopped looking, Sweetie," Angie grabbed onto Miranda as well. "At least you were with friends."
"Always. I can't wait to introduce you to my friends. Auntie Angie and Uncle Dave, you know Jasmine already. This is Lana Lang. Lana, my aunt and uncle," Miranda introduced.
"Mrs. Dubois, it's a pleasure. Thanks for helping Clark. Mr. Dubois saved the Kents and me from Mr. Arighatto. Thanks again," Lana clarified. "Good to meet you all."
"Actually, Lana, we've known you since you were born. Good to see you again," Angie noted. "You've done wonders with this place." She considered the entire area and nodded.
"You kept the ambiance," Dave added. He looked about as well. His eye took in the pink shaded walls and the old motifs. "Your Mom used to take tickets where the coffee machine is."
"Really?" Lana patted the counter by the machine. She felt a bit closer to her deceased parents in that moment. Her troubles seemed farther away. "I know she worked here but I didn't think it was this close."
"Your Aunt Nell and she were next door. She used to do ticket sales to get extra money," Angie recounted. "Is Nell going to be around? We wanted to say hello."
"She's in Metro with her new boyfriend." Lana squirmed at the thought of Dean. "Wish she were here. Anyhow I'm glad we are." She turned to Jonathan. "Are you all right, Mr. Kent? Sorry I missed you last night."
"It's all right. Mrs. Kent said you talked with Clark and her. Maybe we might talk too? In the meantime, if you want to talk, the door's always open." Jonathan nodded. While he wasn't too sure about Lana knowing the Secret, he had to deal with the fact that she did know. Much as with Pete, he wanted her to feel included and to support her. And then there was the fact that Clark cared about her.
"I appreciate that, Mr. Kent. Thanks." Lana grinned. "Jasmine made some special coffee for this occasion, Folks. Let's try it." She was about to start pouring when she spied Clark coming in the door. "Miri, can you take over for a minute? I've got something to deal with."
Miranda coughed at the sight of the Farm Boy. "Sure thing, Boss. I've got this covered."
"Thanks." Lana took off toward her Plaid Prince. Hope beckoned her toward his side…..
Clark peered in the café's front door. All about him, people filtered through the entrance toward their java nectar. He could see them conversing, reading or even just pondering the universe on the whole. Envy burdened his heart. He sighed.
Everyone in there seemed so normal.
And he wasn't…..
I should just get my coffee. Chores are waiting at home. Then he noticed Jonathan talking with Lex, the Duboises and Lana at the front counter. Maybe some good might come out of this. He lingered in the doorway observing the interaction.
From the counter, Lana's eyes met his.
His heart lurched in Uncertainty's throes. Should it surrender to Joy's bliss? Should it propel him away at supersonic speed? It ached tearing itself in two over this decision.
Before he could do one thing or the other, she tore the decision from his hands. She hustled across the busy dining room. "Clark, hi. Are you coming in?"
"Hey, Lana. I was going to. I wasn't sure if you needed space while you're thinking about us and…."
She rolled her eyes. "Clark, I think this is a public café. I have some things to adjust to. I can see you're trying to adjust as well."
"You…do?" He stared at her.
"Yes, Clark. I see you're trying to be honest with me. Even if you're going overboard, you're being considerate of my feelings. I appreciate that." She grinned at him. "Jasmine's making some special coffee in honor of the Duboises' visit. There's a cup with your name on it."
"There is?" He glanced toward the counter where everyone was watching him.
"I think we can spare a cup for you, Clark." She coughed. Then she tugged on his arm good-naturedly. "At least your Dad knows where you are. Right?"
"Yeah." He felt himself relaxing. Amor flooded him with its warmth. "And you?"
"And me what?" she asked him.
"You know where I am. Kind of have to work on that full discretion thing," he replied half-seriously.
"We both do. Kind of a mutual project, I'd say. Come on. Good baklava and coffee await," she invited. She let her hand brush over his. Then she motioned him to follow her toward the others.
And in that minute, he knew that Opportunity would at least offer him a chance…..