Corn Festival

By Dandello <momkat@dandello.net>

Rated: PG

Submitted: February 2007

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Copyright Feb 3, 2007 Country of first publication, United States of America.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

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Martha looked around town square. The Corn Festival wouldn't really start until later in the evening with the dance but everyone was already setting up. This was a big deal in Lowell County.

Even filled as it was with displays and food vendors, she was sure she would be able see Clark as soon as he arrived. He'd called just yesterday saying he and Lois would be arriving in Smallville in the mid afternoon.

Jonathan was busy in the barbeque pit grilling corn on the cob. She had brought her corn poppy seed muffins and was setting them out on display.

"Maybe we can get an early taste of the local hospitality," she heard her son say. She would know his voice anywhere, even though she couldn't see him just yet.

"You go ahead. I'll just kind of soak up the 'atmosphere,' a woman said. Her voice sounded young.

Martha stood on tiptoes to spot Clark. He was tall enough she should be able to spot him, and not too many people in Smallville had his dark hair.

"You know, Lois, what you can't stand is how normal it is here," Clark was saying as he sauntered into sight. There was an attractive, dark-haired woman walking beside him. She was wearing heels with her tailored pant suit. *Silly girl. Good way to break an ankle around here.*

"Normal? I've heard about small towns," the woman told Clark. She pointed to Jonathan, wearing his apron and chef's hat. "See Mister Regular Joe flipping burgers? I'll bet he's really a cross-dresser."

*Oh dear Lord. She's going to be fun to have around.* "Clark!" Martha yelled to get his attention. Her son grabbed her into a bear hug.

"Mom!"

He let her go after a moment, giving her the chance to look the other woman over. She had hazel eyes.

"You must be Lois," Martha said with a huge smile.

"That's me," Lois told her. "Hi . . . Mrs. Kent."

"Martha, please," Martha said, still grinning. "Well, you sure are pretty." She turned to Clark, suddenly concerned. She wasn't sure exactly how 'women's lib-ish' Lois was. "It's okay if I tell her that, isn't it?"

Clark shrugged, hands in his pockets as usual. It was a habit Martha hadn't been able to break him of. "I don't know. Ask Lois," he told her.

"Thanks. Martha," Lois said. She sounded like she couldn't decide whether or not the complement was genuine or if she should object.

"You kids must be starved. Let's get you something to eat at the barbecue pit," Martha said, leading them toward where Jonathan was working.

Clark started to chuckle, scuffing one toe in the dirt. "I don't know, Mom. Lois thinks the cook might be a cross-dresser."

Lois looked confused as Martha started chuckling as well. "Honey, that's Clark's *father!* And I can't get him to buy *me* a dress let alone one for himself."

"I was just . . . illustrating a point," Lois told them. She looked miserable.

*Clark, if you let her go I think I'll tan your hide.*

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