Chapter 11

"I assure you all. I'm here as a guide right now." Stacy regarded the visitors. "I can imagine how overwhelming this all is for you. We're meeting my daughter and her boyfriend. That's all." Once again, Instinct discerned that the group held something back. He led them around to the building's entrance. "And here we are."

"Thank you. We appreciate that, Captain Stacy. Can I get the door for you?" Martha held the door open for him. She noted the stairs. "Take it slowly."

"Indeed. Caution is a good trait. I'm sure you'd all agree." Stacy eased his way down the stairs. His eyes assessed the three-quarter full eating area. Much as with Gwen earlier, Surprise arched an eyebrow at the business therein mid-afternoon.

Clark descended the stairs next. He surveyed the bustling area. His x-ray vision failed to turn up anything out of the ordinary. Everything seems fine. It's like Mr. Stacy just told Mom. There aren't any police officers around that I can see. "Some place huh?"

Lana nodded. She took in the more traditional counter by the register. Unlike the Talon, one couldn't see the pastries under glass. Décor gravitated toward a diner more than the converted theater. The jukebox got her attention. "Wow! Is that a jukebox?" She drifted through the crowd toward it. "I haven't seen one of these in so long! Kind of neat." She took a picture with her phone. "Chloe'll really like this."

"Maybe we might get one for the Talon, Boss?" Miranda looked over the jukebox. "I'm sure Mr. Luthor could fit it into the budget?"

Lana bit her lip. She knew the Talon more than kept its head above water. A jukebox would definitely fit into the Talon's ambiance. She noted that the tables and booths lined the walls. The floor itself remained open. "They could use some more tables. If this is what it's like now, I'd hate to see it in the morning and at night. These people need a place to talk and just hang out. You know?" She saw Gwen walking toward Stacy. "I guess that's his daughter? Come on." She led them back over toward where Clark, Martha and the Stacys were talking. "Sorry. Just noticed the jukebox. I'm into that kind of stuff."

"So are we. My Dad was just introducing me to Clark and Mrs. Kent. I'm Gwen. You're Lana, right?" Gwen offered her best smile to Lana. "Welcome to New York and the Coffee Bean! Here's our student scene at its best. Folks here move their feet to the box's beat on the weekends! It does give us a break from the studying. So, you all just come over and cool your heels. We're all friends here." She offered her hand to them.

"That's right. Thanks for understanding. We weren't trying to ignore you." Lana shook the offered hand. "Sorry. It's been a really long day." Embarrassment streaked crimson across her cheeks.

"Your Dad was really great to recommend this place. I was dying for a burger." Miranda put her hand out. "I'm Miranda. Lana and I work together at that café she mentioned."

"No problem. Yeah, Dad said something happened with you all. I figured it's one of his cases. Hey, if he brought you here, you're in the clear. Right?" Gwen shrugged off any potential issues. "He mentioned you all had an accident but wouldn't say anything else." She held up her hands. "Don't need details. Are you both okay?"

"Yeah we are. We were really lucky." Lana rubbed the back of her neck. "It was a real close call."

That's putting it mildly. How did that guy get poisoned? Two such cases back to back? Miranda followed Gwen and Lana back over toward the others. "Sorry. We got sidetracked."

"It's no trouble. We were going to order. Then, Mr. Stacy said there's someone else we need to meet at the booth." Martha motioned toward the counter. "Let's figure out what to eat. Then, we can order and talk to them. Despite their hosts' apparent friendliness, she kept her eyes open. Caution kept her on full alert. She led them toward the counter.

A slender blonde waitress watched their approach. Her face brightened up as they reached her. "Hi, Folks! Welcome!" She handed them menus. "Here you are. I can let you have a minute. Our choices are up there too." She pointed to the signs above their heads.

"Thanks." Martha rubbed her chin. "That turkey club on wheat sounds good to me. Can I do the platter with a coffee please?"

"Sure thing!" The waitress scribbled down Martha's order. "Who's next?"

"I'll take the chicken salad sandwich, fries and a diet soda," Lana chimed in. "Clark? Miranda?"

Clark perused the burger options. Chili intrigued him. In the end, however, he went with his primary choice. "I'll do the Swiss Burger and fries. Regular soda. Thanks."

"I'll do the chicken salad, fries and diet soda too. Thanks," Miranda finished.

"Okay. I've got two chicken salads, a Swiss Burger and a turkey club. Coffee, 2 diets and a regular soda. Right?" The waitress totaled up the order. "That's going to be $25.00 please."

Martha swiped Swann's debit card through the reader. She hoped it would work to be honest. For several heartbeats, Insecurity ate at her. She had money and her own debit card of course. Still, she wanted to trust Swann especially since they were in his city. When the slip printed out, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"There you go! Thank you! The burger will take a few minutes. I'll get the others ready as soon as I can." The waitress poured a mug of coffee. "Sorry, Ma 'am. I forgot to ask what you take in your coffee?"

"Milk and a little sugar. Thank you." Martha watched the waitress fix her coffee. Then, she accepted the mug. "I appreciate it. Do we pick up our sandwiches?"

"Yes, Ma 'am. Sorry about that. We'll have your lunches out in a few minutes." The waitress disappeared through the door in back.

Clark shrugged. "I'll wait for our meals, Mom. Why don't you, Lana and Miranda sit down? It's okay." He saw Peter coming over. "Looks like there's someone else?"

"I thought you'd like some help with those plates, Clark. Hi. I'm Peter Parker. Welcome to New York." Peter put his hand out. "Mr. Stacy said you're from the Midwest?" For some reason, Déjà vu nagged him about Clark. He could've sworn that he'd seen his picture somewhere.

"Western Kansas, Peter. It's called Smallville. We're about three hours from Metropolis." Martha shook Peter's hand as well. "This is a nice place. Wish they'd bring the food out themselves though."

"I know. The burgers are great. The chili is really good too. Walt's really fast back there." Peter took a tray with Lana's and Miranda's meals on it. "You can get the other one. Then, we can get drinks?" He saw Stacy and Gwen leading Martha, Lana and Miranda toward a longer table. "Guess we're moving. Follow me."

"Sounds great to me, Peter. Thanks." Clark carried the other tray after Peter. "So, you're a student at that university?"

Peter nodded. "Gwen and I are just finishing up our freshman year. I do some freelance photography for the Daily Bugle. And then, I keep an eye on my Aunt May too." He turned and looked Clark over. "Still in high school?"

"Lana and I are about to start our junior year. Miranda's a year ahead of us. We're all go to Smallville High. It's like the big town around there. Well, we have Granville too about fifteen miles from there. Metropolis is three hours away from us. Lot of farms. Some mills. LuthorCorp. Mostly though, it's farms and then town."

"Sounds peaceful." Peter reflected on Clark's description. Imagination put rows upon rows of wheat and corn across the prairies. A few cows grazed in a pasture. Tractors plowed and harvested those fields. Grain silos processed corn and wheat kernels for later grinding. Hay bales piled along farm walls. "My Aunt May and Uncle Ben used to take me to the county fairs on Long Island and Upstate. I'll bet you have those too?"

Clark grinned. Peter's question established a connection. Interest perked him up. "There sure are! We have the Lowell County Fair. That's in August. Then, right after Labor Day, there's the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. My parents and I have our stock and cows judged. Mom's pies win ribbons there. Lana has won prizes for her horseback riding. There are rides and a midway. Too bad you two aren't closer. Bet your publisher would like that!"

Peter rolled his eyes. "Mr. Jameson's not really into country nostalgia. Maybe the City Editor or Ms. Mercado in Features might like that. I'm actually going to the Met tonight with Gwen. I'm hoping I can turn it into an assignment. That Labor Day Fair is during classes. Maybe someday." I wonder how Spidey would deal with swinging between the corn stalks? He coughed.

"Lana and Miranda were talking with my Mom about some Japanese sword on display there. Maybe we can all go together?" Clark mused on that point. At least we wouldn't be wandering around New York without a guide. Right? It wouldn't involve Lana's or my abilities. Mom will be with us. Dad and Dr. Swann should be okay with that. Right?

"The Hirochi Kitana. That's what we're going to see." Peter set the tray down on the table. "Okay. I have two chicken salad sandwiches?"

"One's for me, Peter. The other's for Miranda. Thanks!" Lana grinned. "Take a seat. I'll take a turn. Miri?" She got up from her seat and hustled toward the counter.

"Coming, Boss!" Sass and Teasing accented Miranda's reply. She followed Lana. What she and Lana found soured her mood to say the least.

The waitress had lined the drinks up on the counter. Two glasses sat by themselves. A few inches to their right sat a mug and another glass. "Maybe she could have put these on a couple of serving trays?" Can't people bring stuff out? Really? The waitress, to be fair, was taking another order and rushing into the back again. She grabbed two sodas and headed back toward the table. "Hope these are the diets." She set them in front of Lana's and her plates.

"I'd hire a few more waitresses if this was the Talon." Lana handed Martha her mug. "Here you are, Mrs. Kent. Sorry if it's not warm." She handed Clark his soda.

Martha took a mouthful. "It's fine, Lana. Thank you." Gratitude prompted a smile on Martha's part. She appreciated the coffee's flavor. Her mouth watered at the first bite of turkey. "This is good."

"This is our home away from home such as it is." Gwen took a spoonful of chili from her bowl. "Dad, aren't you having anything?" Concern turned her attention toward her father. She got up. "I'll be right back."

"Clark was just telling me about Smallville and your county fairs, Mrs. Kent. My Aunt May and Uncle Ben used to take me to the ones on Long Island and Upstate. He mentioned your ribbons. That's really great." Peter munched on his burger. "He mentioned your horseback riding too, Lana. You've won some races too?"

Lana nodded. "I raced up until a couple of years ago. Helping to run the Talon in Smallville kind of takes up a lot of that time. Clark and I get out to ride once in a while. I hope someday to be able to get back to the fair. Maybe. Mrs. Kent, you've got the ribbons for your pies and crafts. I wish I could do them like you."

"Lana, I just work at it. Your Mom was a great teacher in that regard. She worked with me. Now, it's my turn to work with you. Just be patient with yourself. It's going to be all right." Martha offered a helpful smile.

"Thanks, Mrs. Kent. I really appreciate that." Crimson flushed Lana's cheeks. She bit her lip.

"I was saying much the same thing to Peter the other day, Mrs. Kent." Stacy accepted the fresh mug from Gwen. "Thank you. I appreciate that."

"I got you, Dad." Gwen rubbed her father's arm. "I overheard a little of that. Lana, Dad and I ate dinner with Peter and his Aunt May the other night. Her roast is so yummy! I told her I didn't know if I could make one like that. She told me that same great thing! I had to learn stuff after my Mom died to help Dad around the house. I learned it. You're still in high school and running a café? That's great!"

"Thanks, Gwen. Miranda and the other waitresses do a lot. Without Lex Luthor as a partner, it never would've happened. I had a dream. My parents met at there when it was a theater. I wanted to keep it open so that others could have that dream. Lex challenged me." She turned to Clark. "But someone stepped up in his own way." She squeezed his hand in hers.

"Lana, you needed a friend and…" Clark shrugged. "…a different perspective. Kind of a friend's job."

"Lex Luthor?" Stacy rubbed his chin. He knew the name of course. He'd read about Lex at length. Many sources spoke of him as the incorrigible wild child. Lex's time in Smallville awoke Duty and Responsibility in him. "Yes. Pity. He and his wife went down in a plane crash last week I understand?"

"They did, Mr. Stacy." Miranda nodded. "Mr. Luthor survived. He made it back to Smallville. He almost died again. We saw a miracle at the medical center yesterday." Wherever you are, Uncle Dave. Thanks!

"He should've died. I was outside with Mr. Luthor in the waiting room. They don't know what happened. But Lex is okay. That's what matters." Clark bit into his burger.

"Indeed. That is a commendable display of fortitude on Mr. Luthor's part. Not many businessmen would give credence to a teenager's ideas. To his credit, he did." Stacy drank from his mug. "His mother was apparently like that. She apparently was a charitable person according to what I've read."

"She most certainly was." Martha set her sandwich down. "Lillian Luthor redefined charitable contributions. She delighted in helping people. In fact, there's a village somewhere north of Albany that she helped a generation ago. She played a big role, Lana, in keeping the Talon's doors open."

"Really?" Martha's insight caught Lana by surprise. "That must be some story. Maybe we can hear it at the farm some time?"

"Some day when Lex is there, we'll talk about it, Lana. Miranda, you too." Martha took another bite of the club. "Right now, I want to focus on Captain Stacy, Gwen, and Peter. Thank you for recommending this place."

"It's my pleasure." Stacy took a mouthful from his mug. He determined to look up the Talon café. For some reason, he recalled something from years earlier there. It wouldn't have anything to do with these people. That was in the eighties! "You needed a meal. I wanted to surprise Gwen. It worked out."

"Clark was telling me that you're going to see the kitana at the Met? I'm going tonight. Gwen and I could come with you?" Peter turned to Gwen. "Sorry. I was going to ask you first. Clark and I talked about it."

"We're on that same great wavelength, Mr. P! Definitely!" A grin spread across Gwen's face. Sparkle danced through her eyes. "We finish our food. Maybe our illustrious travelers rest for a bit? Then, we all meet up in front of the Met at 7?"

Martha looked at Clark, Lana and Miranda. Then, she nodded. "As long as we have time to rest this afternoon. If we have a problem, Captain Stacy, may we call you?"

"That would be fine." Stacy wrote a phone number on a slip of paper. He handed it to Martha. "It'll be just Peter and Gwen with you tonight."

"We'll see you there." Peter glanced toward Stacy. He'd get his own preparations done at the Bugle first. Then, he and Gwen would meet their visitors.

Preparations took time after all….