Chapter 22 [Riverside Inn]

Clark looked himself over in the mirror. His clothes fit perfectly. Concerns rumbled about in his mind. Dr. Swann said that nobody outside of his foundation knew about the Secret. Yet, that Professor Dubois knew to bring these clothes. Lana has relatives she didn't know about? And they know about me too?

"You look very nice, Clark." Martha slid her cell phone into her purse. Surprise took her aback as well. "Have to say this is a surprise. They remembered my size? They know your size and the girls' too?"

Her comment grabbed his attention. "You know who sent these clothes? Lana says she doesn't know anyone other than Nell that's living from her family. Have Dad and you met them?"

"We met them on a few occasions before and right after the meteor shower. Lana's mother and Miranda's uncle knew them primarily. They are…strange to say the least." She rubbed her chin. "Lana and you met them after the meteor shower. You were too young to remember."

"And Miranda's uncle? We knew him?" He grabbed for a jacket.

"Yes, you did." Martha exhaled a deep breath. "Again, it was a long time ago. Clark, you should be careful around him. He's unstable. I want to welcome him but…."

"He's like Byron. I'd deal with him the same way." Clark headed toward the door. "They're here!" He opened it to find Lana and Miranda talking to each other. "Hi! Both of you are looking great!"

"Captain Plaid with the compliment. Who'da thunk it?" Miranda snarked. Sass and a sniff punctuated that jab.

"Behave." Lana shook her head. "I appreciate that, Clark. You look nice yourself!" Her lips pressed Greetings' sentiments onto his cheek. "Hi, Mrs. Kent!"

"Hi, Lana! Miranda! You're both looking nice. I hope this restaurant's all right." Martha checked her watch. "We have time before we meet the others. By the way, has Lex been trying to reach you?"

"He has." Lana nodded. "I've been letting it go to voice mail until we know what to say. I don't want to say the wrong thing. Sorry, Mrs. Kent."

"Don't apologize, Lana. I don't like it either. Lex has been good to all of us." Martha shook her head at Clark. "I hope Dr. Swann's information is worth it."

"It has been so far. Mom." Clark squeezed Lana's hand. "Maybe Professor Dubois can help us too? It'd be great to get that experience on fitting in."

Martha shrugged off the point. "Clark, we don't really know her that well. I'm not saying that she isn't a good person. We just don't know her that well. How well do we know her? And what about that person on the carpet?"

"The person's been downstairs, Mrs. Kent, keeping an eye out for us. I vote for trust." Miranda rubbed her forehead. "Just a minute." She walked up to the door. "We've got company. She's friendly." She opened the door to find Dubois standing there. "Professor? Hi!"

"Hi, Miranda! Hope you got some rest." Dubois stepped into the room. Serenity maintained a straight face. Still, Martha's disapproval stank to her senses. What is her problem? She has to be careful. Still, don't bite the hand that's feeding you! "We have a reservation at Pisano's. It's my favorite Italian in Manhattan. Sorry we don't have time to get out to Brooklyn. I know some great restaurants there. Good pizza."

"Sounds great!" Lana's face lit up. A wide smile spread across her face. "Miri, maybe we can compare notes?"

"I remember Great Grandma Alvaro's sauce. You don't forget that. Professor?" Memoria reminded Miranda of Long Ago Treat.

Dubois nodded. Nostalgia recalled Stepfather's version. Scents and smells twitched in her nose. Her mouth watered. "My stepfather had an Italian grandmother too. That brick oven made bread pizza and lasagna. He'd make his own pasta and everything."

"Really? I wouldn't have expected that back then." Martha conceded a nod. She knew hearth ovens sat above fireplaces for bread. Pizza, however, was a new one. "He cut the noodles?"

"Mama and he both did. My sister, Penny, and I used to do it too. He probably had one of the first working herb gardens in Upstate New York. He'd get olive oil from a secret source." Dubois shook his head. "Life wasn't easy back then. We had what we needed. He'd make a feast. Then, the commune would have a potluck. Everyone including the Native Americans came. That's why we survived against your nightmare lady, Lana, and her family. We took care of each other." Dubois stepped back out into the hall. "You have everything? We have time for a nice meal before we get to the museum."

"We're all set, Professor. Thank you." Martha allowed a smile. Perhaps Trust remained to be established. Still, this outing proved a step in the right direction. She let the teens out first. Then, she locked the door behind them.

Off to a great meal. Baby steps toward the relationship….