Lonesome Street Chap 9a
SUMMER, MAGIC?
Clark and Lana have been spending as much time together as possible. When an acquaintance would see one of them, they would automatically look for the other – and sure enough, there s/he would be! The Talon coffee shop was a favorite hangout, as was Crater Lake. And horseback riding of course; they and their horses were becoming fast friends.
Clark's app for scholarship transfer was approved, taking one concern off the table. That left one issue; something he had thought about, but hadn't brought up with her. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS! He didn't know if she was thinking about this or not. Would a discussion freak her out? He was afraid it might. He was certainly amenable to moving in together, but wasn't going to push it. After all their renewed relationship was quite young. He decided to leave it up to her to mention the subject. Better to see how their sophomore years at Met U went and go from there.
Lana was taking a mix of business and art classes. When they registered for year #2, she would have to declare a major & a minor area of study.
At CKU Clark had taken journalism and agriculture classes. He too would have to declare major and minor field of study. Journalism would probably take the top spot for him as he had his sights seton The Daily Planet.
Then there were his super abilities. What role would they play in his life going forward? He didn't see anyone reimbursing a super hero for services rendered!
And where would Lana fit in? I guess there were more issues still on the table than he had at first thought!
How to process? Maybe start a talk about fields of study? That should be quite neutral ground. Then see where the discussion leads. Yes, that's the strategy he will employ. What could possibly go wrong?
The best laid plans of mice and men gang oft aglay!
SATURDAY, CRATER LAKE, MID JULY
As was often their habit, they had ridden out to Crater Lake for a picnic. Lana spread the blanket while Clark unpacked the horses and got them set up with their feed bags. Martha had packed two cute little plastic wine glasses to go with their wine spritzers. The kids were impressed!
As they started to eat, Clark asked "Have you decided on a major & minor?"
"Well, I think business is more practical, but my heart tells me to pursue art. Even though up to now I have considered art only a hobby. What do you think, sweetheart?"
"Well, babe, I think that enjoying your job is important. But, you need to consider the money making potential of both. Not that $$$ should drive all decisions, but you need to support your family. Now if your spouse is a money maker, you can have an easier time with this decision." He raised an eyebrow and looked off to the side.
"Not an easy decision . . . right?" Lana smiled.
"Right. On another front, you lived in a dorm last year, correct. At least that's where I sent the letter."
"Yeah, I did. I am not sure what to do now though," Lana frowns.
"What's influencing your decision now, babe?"
Lana blushes, "Well . . ."
"Us?" Clark takes a leap, then looks down, clasping his hands in his lap.
Lana looks at his hands, then grasps one in her own and gently squeezes. "Clark, we have been together – again, for only a month. We've known each other a long time. I have thought about this and . . . I would like us to move in together at some point, I just am not sure when that should be. What makes sense to you, Clark?"
"What if we both live in a dorm until Christmas break? Then see how we are doing with the relationship and school, and take the next step if it makes sense?"
"I like that! You have been thinking about this too, haven't you?" Lana asks.
"Yes I have, I just didn't know how or when to bring it up. I agree that waiting until the holidays is a good idea, then revisit the topic."
They finish eating, topping off the meal with pieces of apple pie – of course.
THEN IT HAPPENS
Lana is wanting a little more spritzer, even though it has lost its fizz. The bottle is on the other side of Clark; she reaches for it thinking 'come here bottle' and the bottle flies into her hand. She is so surprised, that she almost drops it. She squeals and looks at Clark, whose eyes are as big as saucers.
"Lana, what was that?"
"I . . . I don't know!"
"What did you do, sweetie?"
"I wanted more to drink, so I reached across you thinking 'come here bottle', and it came to my hand. What have I done, babe?"
"Well, that's a magic trick."
"But I've never done magic.'
"Well, you just did!"
"Now what?" Lana looks scared.
"Relax, honey. We'll figure this out. Is there any magic, I mean witches, in your family tree?"
"Yes, but that was 300-400 years ago. I did a family history project during my junior year at SHS. I found an Isobel; she was a naughty girl!"
"Naughty?" Clark raises his eyebrows.
"Yup. They burned her at the stake in France!"
"Oh. What did she do?"
"I couldn't find out specifically."
"Too bad," he rolls his eyes.
"Easy lover boy."
She smacks his chest. "I come from a reputable family."
"Right!" He presses a kiss to her cheek. "Try it again."
She focuses on a stick laying in the grass 30 yards away; it comes to her. Then she spots a group of kids playing soccer 100 yards away; she focuses on the soccer ball, it comes! "Whoa," they both exclaim. The kids run their way, shouting. Lana focuses on the ball again thinking 'Go!', it scoots back to the kids.
Lana and Clark look at each other. "We should research this; I wonder what else you can do?" Clark muses.
"Summer homework? We just might make a stupendous team!" She grins at her boyfriend.
"Yes, we would." Clark thinks more about those disguises his mom is working on. An idea is bubbling just below the surface of his mind. "Let's talk more about that this evening after supper."
"Is that an invitation to one of Martha Kent's fabulous home cooked meals?"
"It is!"
"I accept!"
"Good, let's pack up and head for the farm. Do you need to call your aunt?"
"Yes, I will do that from the farm."
They set off at a gallop, always a race. Clark wins this time.
At supper, Lana decides to have a little fun with Jonathon. She hasn't told Clark. She is sitting across from Clark; the parents are on each end of the table. Jonathn asks for the mashed potatoes to be passed to him. Lana stretches out her hand towards the potatoes and thinks 'Come'. They come to her hand; she turns to Jonathon and thinks 'Go'. They go to Jonathon, who almost drops them. Jonathon and Martha look to Lana with big eyes; Clark smirks. Lana says, "You are welcome . . . dad."
"Lana, what did you do?" Martha spits out.
"I just told the potatoes to come to me, then go to Jonathon. Simple as that."
Clark doubles over, stifling a laugh.
"Did you know about this, son?" Jonathon sputters.
"Yes, she did it for the 1st time today at Crater Lake."
"I did a family history project during my junior year at SHS. I found an Isobel, but that was 300-400 years ago, in France." Lana fills in.
"And nothing since?" Martha inquires.
"Nothing that I could find," Lana answers.
"I'm going to help Lana do more research, to see what more we can find out," Clark adds.
"This is interesting; Clark with his abilities and now Lana with hers. Quite a team," Martha mutters.
"That's what we thought," Lana adds. "It's almost as if we were made for each other," Lana smirks.
Clark sputters and coughs.
"You ok son," Jonathon asks.
"Yeah, wrong tube." Clark regroups.
"May we be excused to the loft," Lana asks. "We have a lot to talk about."
"Surely," Martha excuses them. "Don't be up too late, kids."
"We won't," Clark says as they exit the back door, hand in hand.