Chapter 13 [Two Hours Earlier—Talon]
Afternoon rush wound down. The Talon's traffic slowed. Regulars lingered with friends and conversation. Crows roosted about tables for study sessions. Sandra, Renee and Nadia cleaned and saw to customers' needs.
One, however, had her needs beyond the usual café's….
Jill took a mouthful from her mug. She delivered her first article for the Torch that morning. Her last test took place on the prior day. The Three Musketeers interested her. D 'Artagnan's adventures with Athos, Porthos and Aramis sucked her into their seventeenth century world. Strife and Chaos buffeted her along those dirt and cobblestone ways. Admiration and Envy drew her to Milady de Wynter….
…if only she could survive Garbage and forge her own path….
Sulking wore her spirit down. Frown dragged her face down. All about her, Life went on. People expressed themselves. Talk and laughter flowed. Romantic ideals expressed. Freedom and expression allowed others to be themselves….
…not her….
Jill glanced toward the counter. She watched Renee hand a receipt to a customer. Resignation moved her mother. Why can't Mom be happy? We've got a great town at last. People seem nice enough! She forced her eyes back to Dumas. A page…then two…
Vibes burned at her from everywhere. Fire seared at her mind. Emotions spanned the gauntlet. Short breaths rasped from her mouth in bursts. Happiness warmed her. Pain beat at her. Cold and Dark chilled her. Her skin itself crawled.
Another attempted mouthful found the mug empty.
Time for another one. She surveyed the area. No rovers wandered the area with pots in hand. She glanced down at her mug again. "I shouldn't bother Mom."
"Bother your Mom with what?"
Jill stopped rubbing her forehead. She looked up to find Lana watching her in turn. "Lana? Sorry." Once again, she perceived something about Lana…something that stood out. Even after barely two weeks, she'd figured out that Smallville had several types of people in it….
…Lana like Clark was different than everyone else….
"Hey. It's okay." Lana put her hand on Jill's shoulder. Concern showed in her eyes. "By the way, Mrs. Kent invited you to dinner. Your Mom said it was okay. I'll bring you back here afterwards."
"Really?" Disbelief raised Jill's eyebrow. She shot Renee a glance. Normally, she didn't get permission for sleepovers, dinners with friends or anything. Surprise stiffened her. Sam, Pete and Chloe had talked about Mrs. Kent's cooking.
"Really." Lana's smile spread across her face. "Come on. I think you've done enough reading for today. Not sure what we're having. It's always good though." She pointed to the book. "Three Musketeers? Great book. I like it too."
"I never get tired of reading it. Guess that makes me a nerd. I'm the only one who like old France and all of that." Jill slid out of the booth. "I just want to let Mom know. Be right back if that's okay?"
"Sure thing. Take your time." Lana watched Jill make her way toward the counter. Wonder what she would think of Sister Clarise? Trepidation and Anxiety increased with each of her steps. What's going on with her? Renee's reserved but she's nice. She noted Jill's brief conversation with Renee and the latter's filling of a 'to-go' cup.
"I can't get enough of this coffee, Lana. Sorry." Jill set the paper cup down. She pulled on her coat. Then, she shoved Dumas into her knapsack. "This is so good!"
"Glad you like it. Miranda's partner, Jasmine, Miranda's uncle and Chloe helped us pick out that blend. It's really great." Lana led Jill toward the door. "By the way, you aren't the only one who likes French history. Miranda's Uncle David is a medieval history prof at Met U."
"Really? Gosh! I'd love to meet him sometime!" Jill perked up. "Met U as in Metropolis? That's a long way from here."
"Yeah, it's three hours away. He's out here a lot to see Miranda, Mr. Luthor and the Kents. One thing about Smallville, lots of surprising stuff around here! You should talk to Sandra's boyfriend, Byron. He's a poet. You know about Sam's concerts on Friday and Saturday. Give a look around. Lots of great things and people." Lana led Jill toward the parking lot and the waiting blazer. "Everybody in!"
"I was just thinking the same thing. Tynesboro was super small. I mean we'd go to Lexington or Huntington across the state line if we needed anything. But yeah, the town was blink and you miss it. A general store with two gas pumps. There was the post office, a church, the town hall and a small diner. That's it. I actually went to school in Sterling, two towns over."
"You should see where Miranda's aunt grew up. Clark and I were up in New York State last summer. Her village was called Wabash. It's kind of like that. Miranda's uncle grew up in a village in Central Massachusetts like that." Lana turned onto Route 90 and headed west out of town.
"From what my Mom says, my birth Dad's from around there. I don't know. I've never met him. Some real Podunk place off of this reservoir." Jill's mood sank. "He turned really bad. Apparently, he tried to kill Mom…and well…me. He died." A pained shrug rose and sank her shoulders. "She clams up and gets really angry when I ask about him."
"Ouch. Well, I can relate." Lana set her jaw. "My birth Dad chose his wife and their kids over me last year. Don't get me wrong. Henry's a great guy. His wife just didn't want me around. So, don't worry. I can respect privacy. By the way, Jill. That's on him and your Mom not you. You'll find out about him some day if you want. In the meantime, take a page out of my book. Henry may be gone. My Aunt Nell moved to Metropolis. My Mom and real Dad died in the meteor shower fifteen years ago. Even so, I've got friends. I've got a great home. There's the Talon. Clark and I are engaged. Mr. and Mrs. Kent are the best."
Diamond glinted as to emphasize her point.
"You're engaged? Wow. Must be great to have a guy like that!" Jill relaxed. Common vibes strummed between Lana and her once again. Weird vibes or not, Lana proved to be a real friend to her Mom and her. Friends like that remained rare for them. "I appreciate you being open like that. It makes me hopeful."
"Well good!" Lana grinned. "Jill, I know you're a little shy. That's okay. You're adjusting. You're making friends. The right guy will come along when he's supposed to." She pointed to the sign. "Here's the driveway." She turned onto the dirt driveway. "Kent Farmhouse and good stuff straight ahead!" Flurries danced through the air in front of them. "We may get some snow yet!"
"More snow!" Jill bounced up and down in her seat. "Sorry. I'm a White Christmas nut too."
"Next year, you should get into the Winter Fest if it comes back. I'm sure they're looking for volunteers." Lana parked by the barn. "Mrs. Kent isn't back yet. Hmm…that's kind of weird. Anyhow, I just need to check on something in the barn. Be back." She got out of the blazer and rushed toward the barn.
Jill raised an eyebrow. "Whatever's in that barn must be something else!" She rolled her eyes at herself. "Leave them alone, Jill. They're practically married." She climbed down with deliberate movements from the blazer. Admiration took in the canary farmhouse. "Seems sturdy enough." She looked over the porch and then out toward the vacant flower patch. "Wonder what this place must look like in the summer and…?"
Weird vibe strummed her senses again. Secrets lurked….
