INT. KENT HOME/KITCHEN — DAY
It is the next day. Martha is busy washing dishes when Jonathan strides in. He spies a baking sheet of fresh cookies cooling on the countertop.
JONATHAN
Cookies, eh?
As Jonathan goes to take one, Martha flings suds in his face to ward him off.
MARTHA
I’ll have you know I baked those cookies for Helen Potter. Clark will be taking them to her today.
JONATHAN
(disheartened) Ah. For Helen.
Crossing to the oak icebox, Jonathan fetches a pitcher of milk; lifting the spout to his mouth, he drinks directly from it.
MARTHA
(points at him) The source of all Clark’s poor eating habits.
JONATHAN
(places milk back in icebox) How much more time is our son going to spend with that woman?
MARTHA
A couple more weeks. He can’t very well rush the job, can he?
JONATHAN
(crosses arms over chest) I don’t like the idea of him spending any length of time with her.
MARTHA
(frowns) Jonathan Kent, whyever not?
JONATHAN
Don’t pretend you’re in the dark. She was Mrs. Dean Winters up until she returned to this town.
MARTHA
Whatever her failings, it’s no place of ours to judge.
JONATHAN
I don’t like her, Martha. I don’t like her and I most certainly don’t trust her — not where our boy’s concerned.
MARTHA
Our boy is a man, and a smart man at that. (beat) Believe Clark will make the right choices for himself if you can’t believe Hel will.
INT. HELEN’S HOME/ENTRANCE HALL — DAY
Hearing a knock at the door, Helen answers it. She finds Clark on the other side; in his hands he holds a small wicker basket with Martha’s homemade cookies inside. Clark’s eyes wander over the front of Helen’s black silk robe, which is barely tied closed.
HELEN
I told you you needn’t knock.
CLARK
(shrugs) Sorry, ma’am. Old habits. (holds out cookies) Cookies. My mother baked them.
HELEN
(smiles) Martha. That dear girl.
Accepting the basket, she turns her back to Clark. Clark steps inside. She closes the door after him.
HELEN
My niece told me you were stricken with the flu?
CLARK
I’m much better now.
HELEN
Oh, I hope you are. (beat) Let’s step inside the kitchen. I’m just perishing to sample your delectable cookies.
INT. HELEN’S HOME/KITCHEN — DAY
They enter the kitchen.
CLARK
I think I can finish the roof today. I could then start to work on the shed, if you’d like.
Reaching into the basket, Helen fishes out a cookie. Raising it to her teeth, she takes a bite.
HELEN
Mmm … peanut butter.
CLARK
(smiles slightly) They’re my personal favourite.
HELEN
(cocks eyebrow) Would you care to…?
CLARK
(shakes head) Ma baked them specially for you.
HELEN
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
When he reaches for the basket, she hides it behind her.
HELEN
(wags finger) Ah-ah!
Helen holds out her cookie — the one with the bite taken from it. Tentative, Clark leans forward and takes his own bite. Helen grins, pleased.
HELEN
It’s good.
CLARK
(chews & swallows) Quite good.
Helen takes a second bite from the cookie. She doesn’t swallow it; she holds it in her teeth, entreating Clark to take it. Leaning forward, Clark places his mouth over hers. They share the morsel.
CLARK
I should start to work now.
Depositing the cookie basket atop the counter, Helen unties and opens her robe. Taking Clark’s hand, she guides a finger into her mouth, moistening it.
HELEN
By all means….
INT. SMALLVILLE HIGH/CLASSROOM — DAY
The school bell rings, signalling the end of day’s classes. Collecting his papers and books, Clark rises from his desk.
INT. SMALLVILLE HIGH/CORRIDOR — DAY
Students file out into the corridor from several different classrooms. Clark is soon joined by Pete and Lana.
PETE
The gang’s all headed for the general store. Care to partake in a soda, Clark?
CLARK
I’ll have to take a rain check. Hel’s expecting me by.
LANA
(frowns) Clark….
CLARK
Her back door needs attention.
LANA
You’ve been spending all your free time at Hel’s.
CLARK
(frowns) Have not.
LANA
Her place won’t burn to the ground the day you decide to take the day off. C’mon, Clark.
CLARK
(shrugs) I’m free tomorrow.
PETE
(claps Clark on back) Tomorrow it is, fella. (to Lana) Let’s ankle.
Pete starts on ahead. Lana dallies, staying with Clark a moment longer, unanswered questions lurking behind her hazel eyes. She then quickens her pace to catch up to the lanky blonde, leaving Clark behind.