Ellen was in tears. “Oh, Lois, I’m so sorry. I’m a horrible mother. I don’t deserve you. No wonder your father left me.”
“Mother, you deserve just as much as anyone else. But drinking is something you do to yourself. It’s not healthy, and you need to think of Lucy.”
“Lucy, my little baby, so little. . .”
“Mother, do you want to do something good for Lucy?”
“Of course, I do. She’s my baby.”
“Then tell Alisha you want to sign her over to the Kents.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It doesn’t have to be forever, but Lucy needs a stable home. She can get that in Smallville.”
“But she’s my baby.”
“Mother, you need to look at this reasonably. You’re sick. You can’t care for Lucy. And I shouldn’t have to, either. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in a dead-end job trying to make ends meet to pay the rent and take care of Lucy. I want to go to college.”
“Right, pre-med.”
“No, not- Mother, you’re not focusing. Lucy, remember?”
*****
Alisha came to the Lane’s home that afternoon. Providentially, one of Lucy’s friends had called her to come over and Lois agreed, anxious to get her out the door. Lois, Ellen, and Alisha sat in the kitchen where Lois placed some strong coffee in front of her mother as she said, “Alisha, help me convince her.”
“Lois has a great idea, Ellen. Grant the Kents temporary custody until you can get back on your feet again.”
“But she’s my baby.”
“Ellen, Ellen! Look at me. Do you love Lucy?” Alisha questioned.
“Yes, why are you yelling, my head is killing me.”
“That’s because you have a hangover, which is exactly the point. If you love Lucy, you don’t want her to see you like this.”
“No.”
“Then give the Kents custody.”
“I don’t even know the Kents. Smallville sounds like some kind of cult mentality.”
“What if the Kents came here and met you, Ellen?”
“I just don’t know. What kind of mother am I if I give away my own child?”
“I happen to think that sometimes that is the best gift that a parent can give their children.”
“You don’t resent your parents?”
“No, I don’t.”
“And neither does Clark”, chimed in Lois. “Clark thinks the Kents are the best thing that ever happened to him.”
Ellen nodded, seeming deep in thought. “I’ll think about it. I’m going to go lay down.” Ellen placed her mug in the sink and left the room.
“Do you think she’ll change her mind once the hangover wears off, Alisha?”
“I don’t know Lois, but we can hope not. Your mom does love you, Lois. But addictions are a hard thing to overcome, whether it’s drugs or gambling or sex or alcohol. We have to hope she’ll do the right thing.”
“Is it the right thing? What if Lucy doesn’t understand? What if she does resent Mother?”
“Lucy loves Smallville. And she’ll have a sister that can explain it to her.”
*****
Ellen had switched shifts so that she was off the next day to meet the Kents. Lois was very worried that her mother would refuse to consider letting Lucy go when she was sobered up. Except that she still wasn’t completely sober when the Kents arrived. I guess that bottle in the closet wasn’t just a memory, thought Lois.
“Mrs. Lane? Jonathan Kent. This is my wife, Martha, and our son, Clark.”
“Clark, Lois, Alisha’s taking me to the Fudge Castle, want to come?” spoke Lucy excitedly.
Clark glanced to Alisha, who nodded. “Sure, Lucy. Chocolate sounds like just the thing,” Lois agreed.
“It is nice to finally meet you. My girls talk about their visit to Smallville all the time.”
“That is what we’re here to talk about, Mrs. Lane,” spoke up Martha. “Lois called me-”
“Lois called to tell you that her mother is a lousy drunk. She’s-”
“Lois called me because she was frightened for Lucy and for herself.”
“I’ve always provided for the girls. My husband is worthless in that department.”
“Lois knows that you have been a good provider, Mrs. Lane,” said Jonathan. “We understand that it has been hard on you trying to raise two girls by yourself, and you have done an admirable job.”
“Except when Sam leaves me, and I fall apart. I was doing so well, too, and the girls, as well. It is just not fair that Sam left me to be with that floozy.”
“We wondered if it might be less stressful for you if Lucy lived with us for a while. Just while you get your feet under you again,” Martha said gently.
“Maybe I do need to concentrate on me right now.”
“You could come to visit Lois and Lucy as often as you wanted. Or we can bring them to visit you,” Martha offered.
“You see, Ellen. We are suffering from pre-empty nest syndrome. Clark will be heading off to Kansas City to get ready for college in just a few weeks. It’s been 18 years since it was just Martha and I. We are going to rattle around in that old farmhouse,” explained Jonathan.
“I’ll talk to Alisha when they get back,” Ellen agreed.
*****
“Mrs. Lane, let me help you.” Ellen was in her element as hostess and had offered everyone lemonade and was headed to the kitchen to fill some glasses.
“Why, Clark, thank you.”
“I wondered if you might want to ask me anything. I guarantee my parents think the world of your daughters, and we know that you are a big part of their lives.”
“Lois says that you don’t resent your biological parents for giving you to the Kents.”
“Not at all, Mrs. Lane. I admit, sometimes I wonder who they are, why I was. . . abandoned. But I couldn’t imagine any better parents than the Kents.”
“Do you think Lois and Lucy hate me?”
“No, Mrs. Lane. I know they don’t. Lois has told me how proud she was of how you were doing.”
“And then I blew it.”
“We all face set backs in life, Mrs. Lane. But I believe that you have the strength inside you to push through this and come out the other side a better, stronger person. Adversity makes us stronger, and our experiences can be used to help others.”
*****
“It was nice to meet the Kents, Lois. They are just as nice as you had said.”
“So does that mean you are willing to consider-?” Lois asked hopefully.
“I just don’t see why I need to legally give the Kents custody.”
“The Kents need medical power of attorney, and the legal ability to make any decisions affecting Lucy. Smallville is far enough from Metropolis that there might not be time enough in an emergency to consult you,” explained Alisha.
“If you get your lawyer to draw up papers giving the Kents limited custody, I will sign them,” Ellen said, resignedly.
“Why don’t we put a time limit on it? Lucy will start school in August and we don’t want to pull her out during the year. Why don’t we plan to re-evaluate the situation again next July? Until then, Lois and Lucy will live with the Kents in Smallville.”
“I’m agreeable to that. Alisha, can you help me get back in that program again? I think I need to remember the things that I learned there that I have let slip away.”
“I’ll call them right away,” said Alisha, squeezing Ellen’s hand.
*****
Alisha drove the Lanes to Smallville. The Kents had insisted that Ellen come and see where the girls would be living while she took some time for herself. Ellen took note that there were several pictures of her girls scattered among the many pictures of Clark on the walls in the house.
“Come see my room, Mom,” said Lucy excitedly tugging on her hand. Lucy was thrilled to be back in Smallville. Alisha had explained that Ellen was going away for a while and that the Kents were going to take care of her until Ellen got back.
“It’s a nice room, Lucy.”
“The girls can sleep together in here, or, if she wants, Lois can take Clark’s room after he leaves next month.”
“I don’t want to take Clark’s room, Martha. He’ll need it when he comes back to visit,” Lois said quickly.
“I don’t mind Lois,” Clark offered. “And there’s a great desk in there for writing at. It looks out over the back pasture and you can see the waterfowl come in and land on the pond.” But Lois knew that she would feel very uncomfortable invading Clark’s room, even if spending time there would make her feel closer to him. She again pushed away those thoughts of Clark that sometimes crept back into her heart. Clark was the nicest guy ever and she was ungrateful to wish for more than friendship with him. Besides, anything more would be terribly awkward when they were living in the same house.
Lois hugged her mother as she and Alisha prepared to head back to Smallville. ”I’m proud of you, Mother. This is the right thing to do.”
*****
The next few weeks Martha stayed busy trying to think of every possible thing that Clark would need. “I’m just in Kansas City, Mom. It’s not the other side of the world. And I’m sure if I need extra sheets and towels, there is at least one store that I can purchase them at.”
“Don’t try to convince your mother, Clark. Her little bird is ready to fly the nest and make one of his own. She wants to make sure it is well padded. Meanwhile, I can use all the help from you I can get. I still want to get that section in the back pasture re-fenced before you leave.”
Jonathan kept Clark pretty busy. Lois and Lucy tried to help out by doing some of the easier farm chores, putting out feed and collecting eggs, helping Martha in the kitchen and manning the booth at the Farmers Market. Lois wouldn’t want to do this the rest of her life, although she knew that Martha and Jonathan really loved it, but she decided to enjoy it. This life would give her another perspective from which to look at things. It would make her a better writer. There was no way that she and Lucy could possibly replace Clark on the farm, but they did what they knew how to do, and Martha and Jonathan let them know that they appreciated it.
Martha had told Lois to go get Jonathan and Clark from the barn. Jonathan was trying to get his favorite tractor running and couldn’t hear Martha calling over the noise. Both men had their heads hung over the tractor engrossed in what they were looking at. “Thanks for all the help with the fencing, Clark. Sometimes I feel like I take too much advantage of you, but it would have taken me and three men all week to do what you got done yesterday.”
“Come on, Dad. You and Mom have done so much for me. Most people would have just left me lying where I was, if they had the bravery to even look. If my strength gives me the opportunity to help you out, I am happy to do it.”
“Speaking of, do you see anything I’m missing? Can you take a look in the gears?”
Clark pulled down his glasses. He must be nearsighted, though Lois. “No, I don’t see anything, Dad. Try her again.”
Lois interrupted, “Actually, you two grease monkeys, Martha wants you to come in for lunch.”
Clark jumped, “Lois! I didn’t hear you come in.”
“That’s because it is so noisy in here with that tractor running,” Lois said.
There was something odd about that conversation, but she really couldn’t put her finger on anything. Obviously, Jonathan was a little prone to exaggeration when it came to his son. Lois knew he was really proud of anything that Clark did.
*****
Clark was all smiles as he drove away heading to Kansas City, the back of his pick-up filled with everything (and more) than he would need to make his dorm room home. Martha held tightly onto Lucy as she tried to hide her tears until Clark was gone. Jonathan came and put his arm around her. “Now, now, Martha.”
“I’m not crying, Jonathan. I am so proud of our son, and I’m so happy that he has this opportunity, but he’s been my baby for 18 years, the child we hoped and dreamed for and it is just so hard to watch him go out into the world.”
“He’ll be fine. He’s Clark.”
*****
The workload was heavier on Jonathan and Martha, but they actually seemed to relish in staying busy. Clark had made Lois promise to tell him if they worked too hard. He could always come home on a weekend if they had a big project. He had called his parents and e-mailed to Lois that he was moved into his dorm and was getting to know other students on campus. He was planning to come home right before classes started to attend Alisha and Ben’s wedding.
It was a beautiful wedding. Ben choked up a little on the vows, which endeared him to the hearts of women of all ages in Smallville. Alisha spoke her vows clearly with confidence. Lois knew that Alisha was very sure of her choice. Ben would never grace the cover of GQ, but he was generous, loving, and very supportive of Alisha’s work. Now his brother Paul, who was standing up with him, might actually make it into GQ. Paul was not at all disappointed to be escorting Lois down the aisle. “They say, you know, that the best man gets first pick of all the bridesmaids.”
“Really? I was told that the maid of honor gets the cutest groomsman. Unfortunately, I think he fell asleep on me.” She glanced at Chelsea’s youngest nephew who had been the ring bearer curled up on the church pew fast asleep. Paul laughed good-naturedly. “Since your first choice is asleep, I hope that means you’ll be willing to dance with me at the reception?”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Lois and Paul joined the happy couple out on the dance floor on the second dance. Then they split up to begin pulling others from the crowd to join them. Lois pulled Jonathan onto the dance floor as he complained that he only knew how to two-step. Still he managed not to step on her toes. Clark joined them, dancing with Martha. On the next dance, Jonathan took Martha in his arms. Lois could see that Jonathan could dance just fine. She and Clark headed back to the table for a breather. Clark smiled fondly at his parents before turning to Lois, who was also watching the Kents. “What?”
Lois glanced at him, before looking back at the couple. “Do you think that you and I will ever find someone to love like that?”
“I’m sure you will, Lois. I mean, look at Alisha and Ben. I think that they’ll be really happy together.”
“What about you, Clark?”
“Oh, by the time I’ve traveled the world, I’ll probably be so old and travel worn nobody will look twice at me.” Lois laughed, picturing Clark as a bent over old man with a backpack weighing him down as he struggled to climb a mountain.
“Or maybe you’ll find some exotic princess on your travels and decide to stay.”
Jonathan claimed Lucy for a dance, and Paul came over and extended his hand to Lois, “Unless you and Clark?” he asked glancing from her to Clark.
“No, go ahead. I think I’ll go see if I can get a dance with the bride,” Clark assured him.
“So, you’re from Metropolis, right?”
“I guess. Smallville’s home too, though. I’m hoping to go to Met. U. when I graduate.”
“I’m starting there next week. Hey, we’ll have to hook up when you get there. I’ll know my way around by then and I can show where the best hangouts are.”
“That would be great.” She smiled over Paul’s shoulder at Martha as Martha kept an eye on Jonathan and Lucy and Lois and Paul. Clark was standing behind his mother with his hand resting on her shoulder. Paul twirled her around and dipped her suddenly. Lois laughed as Paul brought her back up to a standing position in time to see another guest stumble into the cake table. Clark stepped forward and placed a steadying hand on the side of the table and the crowd breathed a sigh of relief as the table settled firmly on four legs without toppling the cake. Hadn’t he just been standing by Martha, though? She knew he had before Paul dipped her. As the song finished, she saw Martha pull Clark into the hall, and she did not look pleased. Lois excused herself to go see what was wrong. Before she rounded the corner of the hallway, she heard Martha hiss, “Clark, that was very foolish!”
“Mom, I couldn’t let Alisha’s cake get ruined! They hadn’t even cut it yet.”
“You’d risk your secret for a cake! Clark, you need to be careful, especially now that you aren’t living in Smallville anymore. I doubt Kansas City will be as accepting of your explanations for how you happened to be at the “right place at the right time” as the people of Smallville are. I know you’re an adult now, and you are old enough to think for yourself, but you are still my son, and I’m scared for you.”
“Mom, no one is going to dissect me. I haven’t even been able to hurt myself since I was 15.”
“I’m not worried about anyone dissecting you. I’m worried about what people would try to make you do, if they knew about your abilities.”
“No one’s going to find out, Mom. I’m always careful. Just now, no one saw anything. They were all focused on the cake.”
“Just, please, be careful, son. For your old mom.”
“You’re not old, Mom. Now come dance with me.”
Lois shot down the hall, hoping to make it back into the reception before Clark finished hugging his mother and turned the corner. What secret? Dissection!? And what abilities was Martha referring to? Was there more to Clark Kent than “what you see is what you get”?
The more formal dancing was over. Alisha wanted to have some country dancing at her wedding, and Lois helped Alisha change into a white calico dress and remove the veil, leaving only the tiara in her hair. Her full length wedding gown would be too much to work around with the lively steps of a country dance. Martha had presented Lois with a burgundy calico dress and some cowboy boots. Lois had wrinkled her nose at them, but Martha laughed and insisted. “We’ll show you how we dance in Smallville, Lois.”
The room erupted in whoops when they returned. Ties were loosened or even cast aside. Ladies took off their heels and joined the men in forming a line. Clark grabbed Lois’ hand. “Here, let me teach you. It’s really easy.” Clark was patient as she tried to copy his moves. By the end of the first song, she was finding some rhythm. “Remember the last time we danced together?”
“Sure, it was at your prom. You ran out on me.”
“Oops. I’d forgotten about that or I wouldn’t have brought it up. I was just going to say that I really enjoyed going to the prom with you. I keep our picture in my wallet. I’m sorry we didn’t get to spend the whole evening together.”
“It turned out to be a good thing, for both Rachel and Pete. I didn’t really mind, and I got to know Rachel a little. She is really nice.”
“Pete’s nice, too. We were best friends, once a long time ago.”
“Really? What happened?”
“Life. Changes. By the time we started high school, he had a different set of friends. Pete played basketball. I played football. Pete dated the class president. I dated Lana-”
“ and got dumped. . . twice!”
“Don’t remind me. But Lana’s a good person and she was always a good friend to me. Like you are Lois.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. You’re a good friend. You and Lucy are part of my family now. I hope you’ll keep e-mailing me.”
“Of course I will. But you’re probably going to be too busy with school and activities to have much time for e-mailing.”
“I will make time for my friends.”
“Speaking of Lana, I don’t see her.”
“Didn’t you hear? Lana’s decided at the last minute to attend K. State instead of Met U. She’s busy moving in this weekend.”
“Did the football player dump her?”
Clark laughed, “Actually, he did. I doubt that had anything to do with it, though. She probably just decided she wanted to be closer to Smallville.” Or closer to Clark, thought Lois. Clark is so naïve.
*****
<Guess what, Clark? Lois typed. I am the editor of the Smallville Scholar. I can’t believe it. I’d been helping out in the Scholar office, and the principle asked me to be editor! I know some of the others have worked there in prior years. But he said that the English teacher had been impressed with my papers and recommended me.>
<That’s scary. Lois Lane with authority over the printed word.>
<It’s just a school newspaper, Clark, but it is a start. How’s school going for you?>
<Great! The work is harder than high school, naturally, but I really like the challenge. I love learning from professors who’ve been out there, you know “been there, done that, got the T-shirt” and hearing them talk about their careers. I miss Smallville though. It’ll probably be a month or so before I can come for a visit. I’ve got to study for my mid-terms and get them over with. Midterms are the pits because you’re just starting to get a hang of what the professors are looking for.>
<But you think you can come home after midterms?>
<For a weekend. So tell Mom and Dad to save up some work for me. They’re doing okay?>
<They’re fine. This is Smallville, Clark! If someone needs help, he’s got 10 neighbors anxious to return a >favor. I even tried to help your mom can the fall vegetables.>
<Tried?>
<Let’s just say I’m sure it has been many years since your mom had to clean green beans off the ceiling in her kitchen!>
<At least it wasn’t tomato sauce!>
<Oh, that would have been a mess.>
<Hey, gotta go. Some of the guys just came in and want to get a touch football game together. Talk to you later.>
*****
As Lois and Lucy climbed the steps of the farmhouse after the bus dropped them off, they could hear voices coming from the kitchen.
“I flew! I mean, I’ve floated before, but-”
“I don’t understand, Clark. You could have been genetically enhanced to be stronger and faster, but flight?”
Lucy bounded into the house, letting the screen door close behind her with a bang.
“Clark!” she cried, running into his arms.
“Hey, Lucy. Goodness, what is Mom feeding you? You’re getting big.”
Lois entered the house. “Clark! It’s so great to see you. I thought you said you wouldn’t be able to get away before mid-terms?”
“Lois,” said Martha, “is the bus early, or have I lost track of that much time?”
“It was a half-day today. Teacher conference.”
“That’s right. I’d forgotten.”
Lois turned to Clark, “I didn’t see your truck. How’d you get here?”
“I took the bus-”
“I picked him up-” said Clark and Jonathan simultaneously.
“-at the bus station,” finished Martha.
“Right. At the bus station to surprise Martha,” agreed Jonathan.
Lucy laughed, “Were you surprised, Martha?”
“I sure was! Clark scared me to death, sneaking up behind me while I was making lunch for Jonathan. Speaking of lunch, Lois, can you finish up those tuna sandwiches? I need to sit down for minute.”
“Sure, Martha. I’m going to add in some more tuna and mayo since your guest list just jumped from 2 to 5. So, you rode the bus in, Clark. I thought you guys were saying something about flying when we came in. I wondered if you mailed yourself home and came in with the mail to the Smallville Post Office.”
Lucy giggled, “Clark wouldn’t fit in a letter, Lois.”
“Well, some of him might stick out, that’s for sure.”
*****
Lois had trouble falling to sleep that night. If Clark had come by bus, why had he been talking about flying? And wasn’t it odd that he did not bring a thing with him? Yes, he had left some clothes in Smallville, and there was sure to be a spare toothbrush lying around, and she supposed he could borrow Jonathan’s razor and aftershave, but it seemed terribly inconvenient when he could have packed an overnight bag more easily. And he had specifically said that he could not come home before mid-terms. She finally pushed the thoughts from her mind. The Kents had been more than generous to her and Lucy. She felt very guilty for even wondering about some of the unexplained things that happened in the Kent home.
*****
Martha fixed a huge breakfast with pancakes and steak and eggs. Clark ate more than his fair share. “Mom, I missed your cooking so much. Half the time I just grab something and go.”
“Clark, you need to make sure you eat right. And breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” Martha scolded.
“I will. Dad, can you, uh, drive me back the bus station after breakfast?”
“Clark,” said Lucy, “you just got here. Do you have to leave already?”
“No, problem, Clark, I’d be happy to,” Jonathan answered.
“Hardly seems like the time spent on the bus was worth it. Or the money for the ticket,” Lois said.
Clark hugged all those around the table that he could reach. “Of course it was. I got to see my family. That will do me better than hours of studying.”
“Can I come with you, Jonathan?” asked Lucy.
“Lucy, I need you to stay home and watch that calf that was born the other day. He lets himself get too hungry because he gets busy playing and forgets to eat, and then he gets all silly trying to nurse because he’s hungry,” Jonathan let Lucy down easily.
“I’ll make sure he eats his breakfast,” Lucy assured.
Lois didn’t ask to accompany Clark and Jonathan to the bus station. Jonathan seemed to want to spend some time alone with his son. “Martha, why don’t you go with Clark and Jonathan, and I’ll get this cleaned up.”
“Why, thank you, Lois. I think I will.”
*****
Clark did come home after midterms and for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was great to see him and the house rang with joy and laughter. Clark drove Lucy and Lois to Metropolis to see Ellen so that the Lanes could celebrate Christmas together. They dropped by to see Alisha and Ben, who had stayed in Metropolis over the holiday because Paul was spending the break with them. “Don’t forget to look me up next year, Lois,” Paul reminded her. “Met. U. is a great school, and there is so much to do. There’s a waiting list to work on the school newspaper, but I should get in this fall. Next fall at the latest. I’ll introduce you to all the journalism students, so you know who to hang with so you can get in even quicker. Alisha said you’re the editor for the Smallville Scholar. That will help, too. We’ll have great fun.”
“I’d love that, Paul. I appreciate it. My friend, Linda, is starting there this fall- we’re the same age, but she’s a year ahead of me- but you’ll have been there longer and I’m sure I’ll need all the help that I can get.”
*****
Lois went to the prom with Pete Ross’ younger bother, Joe. She had thought about asking Clark, but she knew that coming home took time out of Clark’s studies and bus fare cost money, so when Joe asked her she said yes. He worked on the Smallville Scholar with her, and she knew he was a nice guy. Ellen had sent money so that Lois could buy the best dress that Smallville couture had to offer. The prom went smoothly and Lois noted that the punch did not get spiked this year.
Lois traveled to Metropolis to see Linda graduate and spend some time with her mother. Ellen had gone to the treatment center and she now faithfully attended AA meetings and met with a counselor. She was beginning to see that she couldn’t let Sam’s rejection make her feel unworthy, and that she should not feel guilty about letting Lois and Lucy stay with the Kents. She was now working as a nurse in the treatment center, which constantly kept her in an environment where she was encouraged to avoid alcohol and she could see the affects that it had on alcoholics and their families.
“But, I’m still weak, Lois. I come home at night to this empty house and I am still tempted. I know that may lessen with time, but I have decided to let Lucy stay with the Kents at least another year. She seems to be doing really well in school and I don’t want to disrupt that, especially when I’m still not sure I can stay strong.”
“Oh, Mom. I’m so happy with the progress you’ve made.”
“I am too. I guess I’ll always feel a little guilty and a little jealous, too, that Martha Kent is raising my children, but I am thankful that she is such a good role model for you girls.”
“Do you want me to come back to Metropolis?”
“No, Lois. Stay in Smallville with your sister. At least with you around to remind her, I know she won’t forget me.”
“She won’t forget you, Mom. We have pictures of you and Dad in our room and some nights Lucy and I lay there and talk about things we used to do when we lived here. We had good times, Mom, lots of good times and those are the times that I remember. And when I get home, I’m going to tell her how you are helping other sick people. I know she will be as proud of you as I am.”
Ellen pulled Lois in for a jug, “Thank you, Lois. I’m so blessed to have a daughter like you.”
*****
“Lois! It’s Alisha.”
“Alisha, how you doing?”
“I’m great! I had to call you before my mom tells all of Smallville and you hear it from someone else. I’m pregnant!”
“Alisha, that’s great.”
“It gets better. Mr. Gramm retired last year-”
“Dry old Mr. Gramm.”
“- and Ben has been hired to replace him! And they decided that Smallville schools are getting large enough that they need a part-time counselor in addition to the one that they have, so I have a job too. We’re coming home to Smallville, Lois!”
“So you can raise your family in Smallville, like you always wanted. That’s wonderful. So when are you due?”
Alisha laughed. “In 36 weeks. We have been hoping to move to Smallville since Ben applied last spring. Once we were pretty sure he was getting hired, well, and then I just couldn’t wait to tell everyone.”
“Maybe if I’m lucky, I’ll get to tell the Kents before your mom gets to Maisie’s.”
*****
Lois achieved her goal of a summer internship at the Daily Planet.
<I’m mostly a gopher, she e-mailed to Clark, but I just love the bustle of the newsroom. The editor, Perry White, barks orders and people jump, but he's as harmless as a teddy bear. Actually, he would probably appreciate the description, as long as it was put to Elvis’ “Won’t you be my Teddy Bear?” He is an Elvis fanatic, Clark. He has this clock in his office, and the clock hands are Elvis’ legs. And the stories he tells, I swear he must make half of them up. We call him “The Colonel” behind his back. He likes his coffee black and strong- no decaf or it’s going to go in the trash- and his donuts sweet. The horn on his golf cart broke, and guess who got to fix it? I don’t know how he figured out it was broken. He never has time to play golf.>
*****
Lois’ senior year flew by. She was again editor of the Smallville Scholar and she was part of the homecoming and prom committees. She had excused herself to anyone asking to escort her by explaining that she was too busy with the organizing. She didn’t want her mom to feel like she needed to send money for a dress. Lois planned to wear what she had worn when she went to Clark’s senior prom two years ago. She was busy checking that everything was going smoothly when someone covered her eyes with their hands. “Guess who?” a familiar voice asked.
“Clark!” she exclaimed giving him a hug. “What are you doing here?”
“I decided to come myself and make sure you had fun at your senior prom. So quit organizing and dance with me. I still owe you an uninterrupted dance you know.”
They danced to two songs. It was the perfect end to the prom. Lois knew that she had done a good job and her fellow students had enjoyed themselves. And it was always wonderful to be held in Clark Kent’s arms. She still felt some of the attraction to him that she always had, but after five years, it was obvious that Clark was oblivious to her feelings and Lois wasn’t sure how to change that. If she showed Clark how she felt and he rejected her, would it make life awkward in the Kent household? It would be better to try to change the way she felt, she decided.
*****
Clark and Ellen Lane both came to Smallville for graduation. Lois was valedictorian, and she had been working for weeks on her closing speech for the graduation. The Kent family waited anxiously as the graduates went one by one to receive their diplomas. “George Kunce. . . Sherri Lammers. . . Lois Lane-Kent. . .” Martha gasped as tears filled her eyes. “Did you know about this, Ellen?”
“Yes, Lois asked and I told her it was her last name and she should do what she wanted.”
“Two years ago, another Smallville High graduate stood in this spot and told you that the class would go out into the world and be stronger for having grown up in this community. I certainly know how he felt. Actually, I know exactly what he felt. Both Clark and I were not born in Smallville, but the Kents took us into their home and you took us into your hearts. I don’t know what the future holds for this graduating class, but know that their bodies are strong, from the hard work and the good food that is put out on a regular basis. Their minds are strong from a good education and the support of this community. And their hearts are strong. I challenge you, the class of 1999, to take what you have here and share it. Whether you are staying in Smallville, or seeking your future elsewhere, the spirit of Smallville will go with you. Use it to make a difference, no matter how big or how small.”
Martha let Ellen kiss and hug her newly graduated daughter before pulling Lois into her arms, “When did you do this?”
Lois laughed, “Actually, I’ve been Lois Lane-Kent for a month now. Mom said that it didn’t bother her. I checked with Clark to see if he thought it would bother you guys. I could have asked you, but I really wanted to surprise you. Clark helped me figure out what I needed to do legally and I drove over to the next county to get the paperwork filled out and my license changed. I knew if I changed it in Smallville, everyone would know about it within the hour! Are you happy?”
“I’m thrilled! Jonathan?”
“I’m speechless. What made you decide to do this?” Jonathan asked.
“I want both of my families to always be a part of me. Now every time I see my name in print, I’ll remember who I was and who I am now. I’m really not just Lois Lane any more. Too much Smallville has rubbed off on me.”
“Oh, Lois that is so sweet,” said Martha giving her another squeeze.
*****
Later that evening Lois joined Martha on the porch where she had been resting after feeding her family and cleaning up.
“You’re not upset are you?”
“Of course not. I’m so proud of you. I think of you as my daughter anyway.”
“You do?”
“Yes. In fact, I didn’t know about the name change, but I had already had this cleaned and wrapped for you.” She handed Lois a small, flat package. “Open it.”
Lois opened the package carefully and lifted the lid. “Oh, Martha.” Her voice trembled.
Martha lifted the pearls from the velvet and fastened them around Lois’ neck. “These were my mothers. Her mother gave them to her on her wedding day. I wore them when I married Jonathan.”
Lois moved to remove the necklace. “Martha, they’re lovely, but I can’t take them. You should save these for Clark’s wife.”
Martha stilled her hands. “Lois, my mom wanted them to go to my daughter. You may not be the child of my loins, but you are the child of my heart just like Clark is. You’ve probably read the poem about how adopted children are not their parents’ by birth, but by choice. That’s how I feel about Clark and you and Lucy. I thought I could never be happier than the day Clark came into our lives and I became a mother, but having you and Lucy has made me feel even more fulfilled.”
“If you’re sure, but if you change your mind. . .”
“If it makes you feel better, you can always loan them to Clark’s wife on their wedding day.”
“I will, Martha. They can be her something old.” Lois’ heart twinged thinking of some woman marrying Clark. Please, don’t let it be Lana, she thought.
*****
Lois and Ellen both started college at Met. U that fall. Ellen was going to add some business and psychology to her nursing degree. She seemed to have found a real purpose working in the treatment center and she wanted to move into a management position. “I’ve loved nursing for 20 years, but I’m not as young as I used to be and I want to help people in a different way. Maybe sharing my experiences will be helpful to someone else.”
*****
Lois ran into Paul when she stopped by to see if she would work on the college newspaper. No openings for freshmen, but her credentials looked good, so she should try again next year.
“I warned you,” said Paul. “They’re heartless.”
“You did. I didn’t really expect to get accepted, but I was hoping.”
“Hey, it’s your first year. You need to relax and enjoy it. Besides, I remember telling you I knew all the best places to hang out. Let’s go get a coffee.”
*****
After that, Lois spent a good deal of her free time with Paul. She enjoyed hanging out with him and his friends and hearing about their plans for the future. She remembered when she was afraid to even dream about attending college and now she couldn’t wait to be finished and out there joining the workforce. The months at the Daily Planet had shown her that reporting was in her blood. She had no doubt what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. Paul and Lois went to the games and cheered the Metropolis Tigers to victory. They attended lectures together. After several weeks, Paul started asking her to attend off-campus events with him. It was after one of these nights that Paul gave Lois her first “real” kiss, as he left her at the door of the Lane’s home. After he left, Lois leaned against the door, touching her lips. She had enjoyed the feel of Paul’s lips on hers. It was chaste, as far as kisses go, but a lot more than a friendly peck on the lips.
From that night, what had been a fairly casual relationship became more intimate. They spent a lot of time holding hands and sharing quick kisses during school activities, and their off-campus dates were becoming more romantic. And Lois learned to respond to Paul’s kisses, wanting to share with him the feelings she experienced as his lips caressed hers.
The break of the holidays cooled their relationship a little. Paul flew home to be with his family, and Lois and Ellen traveled to Smallville to spend Christmas with Lucy and the Kents. They stopped in Kansas City on the way to pick up Clark. He and Lois spent the rest of the trip comparing their respective colleges and classes schedules.
*****
“So, what’s this I hear about you and my brother-in-law, Lois?” Alisha teased. As Smallville tradition dictated, the town was gathered in the church for the Christmas Eve service.
Lois blushed. “We’re dating. It’s not that serious, Alisha,” she paused tantalizingly, ”- yet.”
“Yet! But you think-.”
“I think there could be something there. But, Alisha, I don’t want to push it. I still have three and a half years of college and I’ll need to get established in my career at a paper and Paul is going to be busy doing the same thing. But I do enjoy being with him. We’re just taking it slow.”
“Still, it would be cool if we were really sisters one day.”
*****
School had been back in session for a week before Paul called her to ask her about attending a basketball game with him. He held out his hand to her when they met in front of the arena and she took it eagerly, lacing her fingers through his. By then end of the evening, she felt like they were back where they had been in November. She agreed to attend a play with him off campus the next Friday.
His kiss when he delivered her to her door that Friday held more passion than any of their other kisses to date. Lois hesitated when she felt the tip of Paul’s tongue at her lips, but she parted her lips with a sigh and allowed him entrance. In that moment she didn’t care about the future. Being here in Paul’s arms was exhilarating and her conscious thoughts were a little muddled. Almost before she was ready, Paul separated them with a groan.
“I need to stop before your mother comes out here and throws cold water on us.” Lois giggled and gave him a swift peck before unlocking the door and going in.
*****
Lois spent hours getting ready for her Valentine’s Day date with Paul. She had already ha[d] a manicure and pedicure the day before and she now filled the tub with warm water and added some bubbles. She sighed as she slid down into the warmth and let the water caress her body. It was almost- erotic. She had purchased the perfect dress for the evening. It was a deep red strapless, fitted dress with a short jacket to keep the February evening chill at bay. She was so excited to be spending her first Valentine’s Day with a real boyfriend. The chocolate and red roses that had already arrived at her home told her that Paul was going all out. He hadn’t mentioned exactly where they were going, but he told her that he had reservations to a very nice restaurant. When the water cooled, she dried herself with a towel and then began to rub in the scented lotion that she had chosen especially for this evening. As she ran her hands over her body, she felt an unfamiliar thrill run through her. She flushed as she realized that she was becoming aroused, which had more to do with the anticipation of the romantic evening ahead than anything she was doing. She stilled her wandering hands and plugged in the blow dryer to start preparing her wet hair for the French roll that she had perfected after days of working at it.
An hour later Lois met her carefully shadowed eyes in the mirror as she fastened Martha’s pearls around her neck. Everything was going perfectly. She applied her make up slowly, enjoying the chance to take all the time she wanted rather than hurrying to beat the clock to make it to class on time. Speaking of time, Lois glanced at the clock she had been avoiding. Well, she had plenty of time, but she should begin dressing if she wanted to be ready when Paul arrived. Victoria’s Secret had provided her with the undergarments she needed for the red dress. It was far more “adult” than anything that she had ever worn in Smallville, though the short jacket gave an air of modesty to the ensemble.
The look in Paul’s eyes when he saw her told her that she had chosen well. He greeted her with a kiss that was just the right preamble to the evening. When they parted, he handed Lois a florist box. “I know I already sent you roses, but your mom said that this would look great with your dress.” Lois exclaimed over the wrist corsage as she slipped it onto her arm. Paul turned and offered her his arm. “Shall we go?”
Chez Louie was everything that Lois had heard. The room was full of other couples but the candlelit table for two in the back of the restaurant was very intimate and the low light in the restaurant made them forget the other couples. Only the faint clink of glasses and muted laughter occasionally made it through to their table. Lois didn’t have an[y] idea what they talked about. The meal finished with Paul and Lois slowly feeding each other chocolate cheesecake with raspberry drizzle. The waiter collected the check and Paul’s credit card and left the table. Paul reached across the table and took Lois’ hand in his.
“Lois. I don’t want this night to end.”
“Mmm. Neither do I,” she said dreamily.
“So come back to my apartment. My roommate is staying at his girlfriend’s tonight.”
Lois’ eyes flew to meet Paul’s. She saw a spark of desire in them and knew that Paul wasn’t asking her over to talk. The curl of desire that she had been aware of all evening washed over her and she nodded. “Okay.”
Lois had been to Paul’s apartment many times to study or watch TV, but the whole atmosphere was different tonight. Paul took her coat from her and hung it up by the door as she entered.
“Just a second.” He hurried into the living area and she heard the sound of a match striking and candlelight flickered around the apartment. Paul turned to her and said, “One more thing.” In the kitchen he produced a box of chocolate covered strawberries out of the fridge.
“Ooh, I love those,” cooed Lois. Paul took her hand and led her to the sofa.
“Then you should try one.” He extended a strawberry to her and her lips closed around it. She laughed as juice dribbled down her chin and she caught it with her hand. “Another?” Lois nodded.
Lois closed her eyes as Paul placed another strawberry at her lips and she accepted it. She felt Paul’s lips touch hers as he took the other half of the strawberry from her lips. The curl of desire in her abdomen tightened. She opened her eyes and met his.
“More, please.” The small box of strawberries didn’t last long. Lois laughed as Paul’s tongue chased the last of the juice down her chin to her throat. The mood became even more intimate as his mouth strayed on her neck and his tongue touched to her pulse. Lois’ arms around Paul’s neck began to play with the hair that curled at his collar. Paul’s own hand, that had been resting on her waist, began to move upwards to slip the short jacket from her shoulders. Lois released him to shed the jacket before moving even closer to him and returning her mouth to his. Paul’s hands caressed her shoulders and back. Lois shivered as one finger began to trace the line of her dress where it rested on her breast. When Paul’s hand moved to cover her entire breast a few minutes later a soft moan escaped her and Paul chuckled. Paul’s other hand moved from her back to her neck where he began to play with her pearls. Suddenly through Lois’ befuddled brain came Martha’s words to her, “You never forget your first time or who you were with, so you need to be sure he’s the one you want to remember the rest of your life.” And Rachel’s small-town way of putting it, “that guy’s face in my head the rest of my life. Lois’ hand went to his on her breast and she moved it back down to her waist. Despite the way her body was responding to his touch, Lois’ doubts persisted. Was Paul the one? Paul’s hand had once again drifted to her breast and his mouth left hers to caress her shoulder. Lois placed her hand between them and lightly pushed him away. “Paul-”
Paul’s motion stopped and he looked into her eyes. “Paul, I’m sorry, I’m just not sure about this.”
Paul reached to take both of her hand in his. “Lois, are you a virgin?” Lois blushed as she nodded. “Yes.”
“I thought you might be. Either that or you are very, very shy, but you have spent the last two years in Podunkville. Lois, I really care about you. I’ll be gentle, I promise.”
“You only have one first time, Paul. As much as I care for you-”
“I care about you too, Lois.”
“-I don’t love you. At least not yet. But I think I could. I’m just not ready to take this step without there being more than physical attraction and “like” between us.”
Paul sighed and dropped her hands as he turned from her. “Lois, I’ve been very patient with you because I didn’t want to ruin our friendship, but I have been sexually active since I was a teenager, and I’m not saying this to pressure you, but I don’t want to wait any longer. I need more from a relationship. Did you. . . misunderstand my meaning when I invited you over tonight? I thought I had made it pretty clear.”
“You did. And I thought I did. . . I’m sorry, I guess I led you on.”
Paul chuckled, “Yeah, you did a little. That dress. . .”
Lois blushed. “I just wanted to look nice for you.”
“You did. You do. Especially right now, when you look thoroughly kissed.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“So am I. Believe me. Well, I guess I should take you home.” He helped her with her coat and out the door.
*****
His kiss at her door was more of a quick peck. “Look, I’ll call you sometime and we’ll go to a game or something.”
“Okay,” Lois whispered, before turning to go into the house.
Surprisingly, Paul did call and ask her to go to a game with him, but there was no hand holding and their interaction was strained and awkward. Lois was not surprised when he didn’t call about the next game or school activity. Apparently sex, or the lack thereof, could ruin a perfectly good relationship. And she had enjoyed being with Paul. She had enjoyed kissing him. Though it had not gone “that” far, he was still her first in a lot of ways, and she only regretted that the relationship happened too early in their lives. Perhaps if he had been graduated and she was near the end of her studies. . .
Still, she knew she had done the right thing when she bumped into her friend, Linda King, during finals. “Lois! Long time no see. How is that two people can attend the same school and hardly ever bump into each other?”
“It’s great to see you! How are you finals going?”
“Oh, so-so. Guess what? I’m seeing someone.”
“Really? Who?”
“His name’s Paul. Actually, I think you know him. He said you guys used to hang out last fall.”
“Yes, we did. He’s a great guy.”
“Well, anyway. We both have jobs in Metropolis for the summer. My lease was a nine-month one and runs out the end of this month, so we’re planning to move into together then. It’s not really serious, we both want to get established in our careers before we settle down, but it’ll be like roommates with benefits. We usually end up spending the night at one or the other of our places anyway.”
“That’s. . . nice.”
“It works for us. Are you dating any one right now?”
“No, no. I decided that I should concentrate on my studies. There is a lot of competition in our field, especially for jobs in Metropolis, which is where I’d like to work after school, hopefully at the Daily Planet. If I’m aiming that high, I really need to keep my grades up and maybe try to get a few stories published.”
“Sounds like a good plan, and you can play the field while you’re at it. Lots of cute guys not really looking to get serious yet that’ll be happy to escort you to school activities. Hey, what are you doing this summer?”
“I was hoping to get on at the Daily Planet again, but I was told that the only temporary positions were for high school students to intern as it is their way of attracting young people to journalism. Nothing else there seemed to open up, so I applied at a couple of other papers, and I was accepted for a job at the Wichita Eagle filling in as the regular reporters take their summer vacations. It will be varied as I’ll jump from section to section, depending on who is out that week, but maybe I’ll find out exactly what area of journalism I want to get into.”
“That’s great. I’ll be at the Star, in more of a “gopher” role than anything. It’s not the Planet, but it’s still a good paper. Well, nice seeing ‘ya. Good luck on the rest of your exams.”
If the relationship that Linda had described was what Paul was looking for, Lois should feel better about the fact that she had held out for something more. And she did, but she also missed the having an escort to activities, the handholding, and Paul’s beautiful kisses.
*****
