Chapter 22 [Talon—After School]

The café buzzed on that afternoon. Lowell County's biennial craft fair drew avid coffee lovers. Students and adults alike congregated for their sweet treats and java. The buzz for the approaching poetry session raised expectations.

Emotion remained mixed however…..

Lana scurried about the café. She hustled to take care of customers. She kept an eye on Rachel, her newest trainee, who held her own on the counter. Her eye kept gravitating toward the poets' gathering at the corner table. And then there was Clark…..

Clark, whose frown would've beat the iceberg for impact against the Titanic's hull at that point.

What happened? I thought I reassured him. Her mind rummaged through several possibilities. His Mom and Pete seemed okay with me knowing. Byron doesn't have issues with me. So who? His Dad knows me. She bit her lip. Her drive to push on to questions about Louise, Clark and her own origins tempered a bit. Concern occupied her mind instead. She headed over to the table. "Hey, Clark. You okay?"

"Hmm?" Clark stirred from his reverie. He'd tried to distract himself from the issues with his father. He'd focused on the two quizzes. He volunteered for Mr. Richards' impromptu talk and stumbled through that. He brooded over lunch talking to only Pete for a couple of minutes. "Oh. Hey, Lana. Sorry. I didn't get that."

She rubbed his shoulder. "I was just wondering about you. Wish I had time to talk."

He shrugged. "You're by yourself. I wish I could help. I'd be a real disaster out there. How's Rachel doing?"

She curled her lip at Inferiority's dampening of his confidence. "Somehow I think you'd do better than you think." She looked back over her shoulder for a second. "Rachel's doing great taking orders and keeping the coffee maker going. For the third day, she's doing great. I wish Miri could be here. Still she needs time with her family."

"How are her aunt and uncle dealing with things?" he wondered.

"They seem to like it. Lex and Jasmine are really helping them to get around. Miri's so psyched. It's great to touch base with your roots. I'm still hoping to ask them about my parents. I wish Aunt Louise would show up again. It was so great talking with her." Lana smiled. "I was glad that she had stuff for me to share with you as well. At least we know about you too."

"Yeah." He sighed deeply and took a big draught from his mug. "Great for me."

She stiffened. "What happened, Clark? You seemed to be doing great last night. Everything seemed okay."

"It was. I'm glad you know. At least we know something about the other things. My Dad, on the other hand, wants me to drop it. He got on the whole 'you're here and that's all that matters' stuff." He shook his head. "It's not like I want to leave. I just want to know."

"He sounds like Nell when I ask about my parents." She squeezed his hand in hers. "Maybe your Mom will talk to him?"

"I can hope. Then again, I hope Mom can deal with it." He squirmed. "Why can't it be easier?"

"You do have a lot to wrap your head around. Some of your stuff, I have to admit, is overwhelming. Pete's still adjusting. I'm dealing with it. Maybe let your folks have some time? Did you tell your Dad that I'm willing to talk with him?" she informed him.

"I did. I'm sure Mom will make that point too." He saw the line building at the counter. "Maybe we can talk later? Line's kind of building. Thanks though."

"Yeah. Definitely later." She smiled and rubbed his arm again. "Thanks though for sharing, Clark. I appreciate that."

"It's great to finally be able to do that." He grinned for her benefit.

"Yeah it does." She smiled back at him. Then she turned and hustled back toward the counter. There she dealt with a few coffee orders. All seemed to ease in that minute in time. "Rachel, can you check on the floor please? Remember to take the fresh pot with you. Thanks."

"Be right back. Thanks, Lana," the lanky newbie expressed. She took the freshly-brewed pot to the floor in search of cups to warm.

Lana nodded. Miri's done it again. She can sure train. She noticed Martha talking to Clark briefly. Hope everything's okay. Maybe something's going on at the farm? Maybe that's why Clark's so closed up today? She dumped the remainder of an old pot and started a new batch. Then she turned back toward the register. She found Martha waiting for her. "Mrs. Kent, sorry. I was getting fresh coffee. Didn't mean to make you wait."

Martha shrugged. "I just got up here, Lana. You're fine." Her eyes, while Kindness did sparkle in them, had Purpose's glow in them. "Clark told me about that Princess Jasmine's dark roast. Do you have any?"

"As a matter of fact, I do." Lana felt herself relax. She fixed Martha a mug. Then she handed it to her. "On the house." She glanced at Clark. "Say, Mrs. Kent? What's going on with Clark? He's seemed so withdrawn at school and now."

Martha sipped on the coffee. Her mind weighed Clark's and her respective arguments with Jonathan about the whole Krypton/heritage matter. "It's a family matter. It's nothing I really wish to discuss here. Still maybe you'd like to talk about it tonight?"

"Tonight?" Lana stiffened.

"Mr. Kent and I wanted to talk with you. If you can come over, that'd be great. What time do you work until?" Martha clarified.

"I'm here until close tonight. Maybe I can bring a pie or something?" Lana offered.

Martha eyed the brownies in the case. "I'll have some pie ready. Maybe you might bring some vanilla ice cream? Both Clark and Jonathan like that with their pie."

"Of course. How's 8:30? If not we can do it tomorrow?" Lana asked.

"8:30 will be fine. See you then. Thank you for being so understanding," Martha expressed.

"Of course! Thank you for the invitation." Lana watched Martha turn and walk toward the door. She saw Clark wave at the latter before she walked out the door. Dread weighed on her mind. Now what?

Seemed that the Secret rode with Intrigue's coattails after all…..