Lonesome Street Chap 8a
Let's do this!
As breakfast winds down, Jonathan asks Lana, "So, Lana, how are you and Clark doing? Working things out?"
"Well, I finally got the story about the tornado. After all these years!"
"You mean the one where you thought you saw Clark with you in your truck? I'm glad he could straighten that out."
Lana glares at Jonathan, not believing what he just said.
'OMG' Clark grimaces. He glances at Lana, it's too late.
Lana looks at Clark, Martha, then back at Jonathan. "How long are you going to keep lying to me, SIR?"
Jonathan turns several shades of red; he is angry, embarrassed and more.
Lana stands up abruptly, her chair tips over. "I'm sorry, Clark," and she exits the front door.
Clark stands to go after her but Martha intervenes. She puts her hand on his forearm, "Stop, Clark. Let me talk with her." She rushes out the door. Lana is half way across the front yard. "Lana, stop please. Can we talk?"
It is only because of Lana's deep respect for Mrs. Kent that causes her to stop, turn around, and join Martha on the porch swing.
"Martha I'm sorry, I just can't take it anymore. We talked last summer, and I . . ."
Martha interrupts, "Lana, I know and I'm sorry too. I am not sure when Clark will share all yhis with you . . ."
Lana interrupts, she hands Martha envelope #1. "Here, read this, please." She waits expectantly as her surrogate mom reads and digests Clark's letter to Lana.
Martha looks up, amazed, a tear trickles down her cheek. "This is what you two have been talking about these past two days?"
Lana simply nods, yes.
"You know?"
"Everything."
"Wow! Well, is there anything you would like to ask me?"
"Yes, there is. If you are open to a full woman-to-woman talk, this may take a while."
"I'm game. Let me tell the boys that we may be awhile; I'll be right back. Shall I bring coffee?"
"That would be nice, thanks."
Martha steps inside, "Boys, Lana and I are going to have a nice women's talk. It may be a while, so you may go on about your business. And Clark, NO SUPER HEARING! Am I understood?"
Gulp, "Yes, ma'am."
Martha returns to the porch with 2 steaming mugs. Lana takes one gratefully.
Martha asks, "Where do you want to start?"
"Well, how about when you found Clark?"
"Actually, he found us. But, before that, do you remember what you were doing that day? Oh . . . I'm sorry, maybe you don't want to talk about that day."
"It's ok, really. Go on."
"You were in Nell's flower shop dressed up as a princess, asking people if they had a wish. They would silently make a wish and you would wave your wand, granting them their wish."
"Oh my, do I know the rest?"
"You probably can guess it! Jonathon and I had not been able to conceive, thus far. Of course, I wished for a child. On our way home our truck was rolled by a meteor strike just in front of us. Then a naked little boy appeared and tipped us back upright. We took him home, adopted him, and the rest is history."
"Do you believe that I caused all that?"
"No, but it's a sweet story."
"It is! But, why were you and Jonathan so adamant about Clark not telling ANYONE about his abilities? That has caused a lot of misunderstandings and hard feelings?"
"I know, and I am sorry. Clark has wanted to trust you with everything for a long time. I have trusted you for quite a while, Jonathon has been the more adamant one. Please don't say that I said that."
"I won't."
"Well, there are people out there who would use Clark and his abilities for nefarious purposes. They would try to control him."
"But Clark wouldn't participate in any of those activities, I'm sure of it!" Lana retorts.
"I agree. But think of it. If a crime syndicate found out that Lana Lang knows who that person with super abilities is, where he lives, and that she is special to him? What might they do to you to force you to divulge that information? The fear of that eats Clark alive, Lana. He loves you so much, he can't stand the thought of doing you harm."
"Wow! I never thought of it in that way. That sheds a whole new light on things."
"That's the burden he has been carrying all this time. And he is very reticent to place any burden on you, my dear." Martha drops her eyes to her lap, where her hands are clasping and unclasping nervously.
Lana follows her gaze. She reaches for Martha's hands, and they inter-twine; "I'm sorry, all this time I've been bitching and moaning about Clark not trusting me. I was so clueless; I wasn't a very good friend!" Tears begin to fall.
"Lana, no, you have been his best friend all along. Well, except when you were on the outs. But you didn't know . . . and I'm so glad that now you do know."
"Well, that's going to change, right now!" Lana stands and marches into the house, heading for the kitchen where she finds Clark slumped over the table, his head in his hands. She grasps one hand, "Come to the loft big boy. I have some things to say to you!" She leads him out the back door, towards the barn.
He looks like a lost puppy.
Lana leads him up the stairs to the loft. "Sit down!" She points to the couch. He obeys. She sits beside him, then gracefully scoots over so she is sitting on his lap. It is all she can do to suppress a grin, or not to wiggle her ass on his lap. 'Later Lana' she tells herself.
"Clark, I'm so sorry."
"Lana . . ."
"Stop, please. Let me talk, ok?" She places a finger on his lips.
He nods, Ok.
"Good boy." She removes her finger, kisses it, then brushes it over his lips, then goes on; "I have not been a very good girl friend."
He starts to speak – she glares, he stops.
"I have been selfish and impatient. You said that you would share your secret when you were ready, I insisted on MY schedule. You said that you were protecting me, I didn't believe you. Deep down, I knew better. But . . . I made it all about me. All that changes, now!"
He smiles, "You mean . . ."
"I'm not sure what it all means, but YES, I want us together as a couple. Boyfriend & girlfriend, if you still want me that is."
"If I still want you? Are you kidding me? There is nothing I want more Lana!"
Lana suddenly looks worried; "What about your dad, Clark?"
"Don't worry, mom and I will take care of him."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure."
"Ok. Then what about school this coming year? I want to spend as much time together as possible."
"I am already working on that, I didn't want to say anything about it until I knew how our talks were going to turn out."
"And," Lana squirms.
"I have a transfer of scholarship app in the works . . . to transfer to Met U. It's not a done deal, but I'm told that it looks good. Think you can stand me at the same school again?"
"I'll work really hard at it, boyfriend." Lana smirks.
"I like the sound of that, girlfriend." Clark grins. "How about a ride?"
"Sure, can we take a lunch?"
"Let's grab a couple saddlebags and go talk to mom."
They find Martha in the kitchen, she already has some sandwiches made. They wrap them, add chips and cookies as well as bottled water. They pack the bags, add a blanket for themselves and oats for the horses and are off.
"How far can we go," Lana asks.
"Well, we have the rest of the day. What's your pleasure my lady?"
Lana giggles, "Crater Lake?"
"Why not? We'll need to gallop some,"he responds.
She is off, "Race ya!"
"Cheater!"
She laughs over her shoulder.
Lana spreads the blanket while Clark unpacks lunch. They eat a leisurely early afternoon meal, then curl up together for a nap. Lana falls asleep quickly while Clark counts his lucky stars. 'I can't believe it, we're finally together. I wish I had told her a long time ago. What a relief it will be!'
After an hour or so, he decides to wake her up. He starts a kissing barrage; forehead, temple, earlobe, jaw, she stirs.
"Clark, what are you doing?" She sounds sleepy still.
"Lovin on my girl." He moves to her lips. She responds in kind. The kisses deepen, hands start to roam. All 4 hands. Clothing is lifted. Lana pulls back. Clark pouts. Lana giggles.
"You are so cute when you pout!" Lana whispers. "Not here, not now, Clark."
"Later, in the loft?" Clark begs.
"We'll see, lover boy. Time to pack & go?"
"Yup."
They get home in time for Martha's outstanding pot roast dinner. And apple pie.
Jonathon just cannot help himself. "Lana, Martha tells me that you know Clark's secret. I really hope that you take this seriously. The safety of yourself, Clark and all those who know this is at risk."
Lana is downcast, Clark and his mom just glare at him. They have realized long ago that his paranoia is in overdrive on this subject.
"Dad, nobody knows that better than Lana. And I am supremely confident that she can be trusted with his knowledge." Clark asserts.
"I agree completely," Martha says as she reaches for Lana's hand and gives it a gentle squeeze.
Lana is grateful for the support; she hopes that 'dad' will come around. At least she knows that she has two Kents in her corner. She muses about how he can get Jonathon on her side too.