“Why Lex?  What’s so important that it can’t wait one more day?  It’s tradition!”

 Lex stood still, the eye of the hurricane that was his lover circling around him.  He lifted his glass and slowly took a sip.

 “Well?”  Clark shouted, “Why?” 

Lex lifted his head.  “Are you through ranting?  I’m sorry I can’t come to dinner with your family.  I told you I’ll come down as soon as possible Friday morning.  I simply can’t get away from the city tomorrow.” 

Clark stopped pacing and took a deep breath.  “I’m sorry, but I’ve been inviting you to Thanksgiving dinner for four years.  I was sure that you’d come this year.  Everyone knows about us.  Mom and Dad are fine with it, I promise.” 

“I know, Clark, you’ve told me.  That’s not the problem.  In fact, I’m looking forward to seeing your folks.  Your dad has even been nice to me when he calls to check up on you.  I guess after six months, he’s finally adapting to the idea of us being together.” 

Clark smiled.  “Yeah, I think he’s finally coming to terms with it.  If you’re not worried about Dad, then why won’t you come to dinner tomorrow?”

 “I really am sorry.  I just can’t get away.  I’ll come down Friday morning.  I’ll be at the farm by 10:00. You should hit the road or you’ll be stuck in traffic and you’ll be late.  I’ll see you Friday. 

Clark walked over, hugged Lex and leaned in for his goodbye kiss.  “Okay, fine, but I’m going to call you tomorrow to make sure you’re not working too hard.”

 The lone figure perched on the second tallest building in Metropolis.  He couldn’t believe he had sunk so low, but he had to know what his lover was hiding.  Staring across at the LexCorp building, he allowed his thoughts to wander. 

Clark had been sure that Lex would join him and his family at the farmhouse for their traditional Thanksgiving feast this year.  Clark had invited him every time since his junior year of high school, but every year Lex had an excuse.  He was working, he was obligated elsewhere, blah, blah, blah.  This year was their first as an official couple and even though it was still fairly new to them, all of their friends and family knew and Clark had been sure Lex would be with him on the holiday.  He had been wrong. 

What kind of business could be imperative on this day?  Clark wasn’t stupid.  He knew that only the US celebrated Thanksgiving on this day.  The Asian markets were open, but he also knew that if the business was that important, Lex wouldn’t be working alone. 

He switched to x-ray vision to confirm that the only people in the building were the security staff, the people who lived in the upper floor apartments, and Lex.  No one was working on the lower floors at all.   

Lex was walking around in the penthouse.  It sure didn’t look like he was busy with any unavoidable business.  It looked like Lex had needed to get Clark out of Metropolis for some reason. The big man did a double take as he refocused on his lover.  Lex wasn’t simply checking himself in the mirror like he usually did.  He was staring intently at his reflection as he lifted something to his head.  

Lex was putting on a wig! 

Clark nearly fell off the building when he realized what his boyfriend was doing.  Lex had always insisted that his baldness was a badge of honor.  He said he would never hide who he was, yet here he was affixing a full head of hair onto his previously bald head.  What the hell was going on? 

Lex glanced quickly at his watch then hurriedly grabbed a coat and jogged to the elevator.  Clark almost missed Lex when he exited the building.  He was wearing a faded Henley shirt, blue jeans, a battered jean jacket and one of Clark’s Met U baseball caps.  Clark checked to be sure no one was watching then floated down to the alley beside LexCorp.  He had to find out what the hell Lex was up to. 

Lex smiled as he left the LexCorp building.  Not even his security recognized him in this disguise.  He had the proper visitor’s pass, so he wasn’t even questioned as he waltzed out the front door.  He had thought that perhaps wearing Clark’s cap might get him recognized but he had wanted something of his lover with him today.  He hated not being honest with Clark, but he just wasn’t quite ready to share his Thanksgiving tradition just yet.  At least that’s what he had thought last week when the man had first asked Lex to come home to Smallville with him.  Lex had been doing the same thing every Thanksgiving since he was 16. 

No one knew what he did and he had never even considered sharing it with anyone before this year.  It was simply too personal.  This was his last real tie with his mother and he had never shared his mother with anyone—at least not since Julian died.   

Now he thought that he may have made a mistake.  Clark would have enjoyed being with him and he knew he would have been happier with Clark, but he still couldn’t take Clark away from his parents.  Thanksgiving was about family.  Clark was with his, which is where he should be, and Lex was going to be with the memory of his mother, where he knew he needed to be.  

Clark followed Lex as he walked through an almost completely deserted downtown Metropolis.  He was starting to get worried.  Lex looked lost in his thoughts and they were approaching the worst area of the city.  He didn’t want Lex to know he was being followed, but there was no way he would allow anything to happen to his lover.  Suddenly, Lex stopped and turned into a building.  It was a back entrance to a homeless shelter and soup kitchen.  What the hell would Lex be doing in there?  He focused his hearing closely and listened for his lover’s voice. 

Lex called out as soon as he entered the building.  “Alice?  Where are you?” 

A voice called out from the next room.  “Right here, Alex, in the kitchen as usual.” Lex strolled into the kitchen. 

“I was wondering when you would be showing up.  I thought you were coming in earlier this year.”   

Lex bent down and gave the rotund older black woman a quick peck on the cheek.  “Sorry, ma’am.  I got a late start this morning.  What do you need me to do?” 

“Come on over here and help me chop vegetables.  We’ve still got a lot to do before we start serving, and the folks are already starting to line up.  So tell me all about what’s been happening the past year.” 

Clark leaned against the lamppost.  It sounded like Alice knew “Alex.”  Why didn’t Lex tell him he’d be helping at a homeless shelter?  Actually maybe a better question is why was Lex helping at a homeless shelter at all.  Lex’s style would be to send money.  He was always too busy to attend functions or give his time.  What was so important about this place?  How did Alice know him and why was he hiding his identity?  But the big question was why would he feel that he couldn’t share this activity with Clark?  It made no sense.  Clark would’ve been happy to help out and he was sure Lex knew that.  Clark decided more investigation was in order, but he would have to be careful.  He quickly left for a change of clothes. 

Lex grabbed a knife and took down a cutting board, comfortable in the kitchen, where he worked every year.  “So how have you been, Alice?” 

“Oh no, my boy, you’re not changing the subject that easily.  You’re one of my favorite volunteers and I only see you once or twice a year.  We are going to talk about you.” 

“There’s nothing much to tell.  Work has been busy as usual.”  Lex smiled shyly.  “There is one thing….” 

“I knew it!  You and CK are finally together!  Congratulations!” 

Lex looked up, a shocked look plastered on his face.  “How do you do that?” 

Alice smiled as she continued chopping the vegetables.  “No magic, son.  You finally look truly happy.  It makes this old woman proud.  It’s about time.  You’ve been in love with him for years.  Last year I was sure you’d be together.  I was so disappointed then, but better late than never.  Why aren’t you together today?  You should be with your loved ones at the holidays.” 

Lex leaned over and kissed Alice’s cheek.  “I am.” 

Alice laughed.  “You’re such a charmer.  Now, where’s your boyfriend?” 

Lex dumped the vegetables he had chopped into a mixing bowl.  “He’s with his family.  They live on a farm about three hours away.  I’ll join them tomorrow.” 

“You know I’d hate to lose you, but why aren’t you there with them now?  You should be with your family.  You’ve been alone too long.” 

“I love doing this every year, you know that.  No matter what else happens during the year, I know that I’ll be here all day helping out one of the best people I’ve ever met.  I’m sorry I can’t help more often, but I can always set aside this one day a year.  It brings me closer to my mom.  When I was little, we would always volunteer on Thanksgiving Day.  No matter what, we would find a shelter or kitchen wherever we were and spend the whole day helping.  It was one of my favorite days of the year.  It still is.  I’m not going to miss that.” 

“Well, I’m sure not complaining.  I’m really glad to see you happy.  Now stop yakking and start cooking.” 

Lex saluted.  “Yes, ma’am.” 

Clark held his head low and his posture bowed as he shuffled to the end of the soup kitchen line.  This would be good practice for his investigative journalism class.  If he could make it into the soup kitchen and pass as a homeless man without Lex recognizing him immediately, he might actually have a chance in future investigations.  He had to find out what Lex was up to.  Clark knew Lex better than anyone else on the planet and he had no idea why the millionaire would be in disguise and volunteering.  Lex clearly had left all his security and publicity at the penthouse, so this couldn’t be a public relations stunt.  He was obviously well known to the lady running the soup kitchen, so this wasn’t the first time he had volunteered. 

The line started moving quickly. The doors had been opened.  Clark followed everyone in, but the stuck to the back wall, trying to blend into the crowd. 

The room was set up cafeteria style with long tables filling every available space, benches pulled up to accommodate the seating.  The crowd moved steadily to the front wall of the room where tables were set up with food from one end to the other.  Clark could see servers dishing out slices of turkey, mashed potatoes, relish and bread.  Clark had never been into a soup kitchen before and he was shocked at the diversity of the people going up to get food.   

He hadn’t ever really thought about homeless people, but found that he had expected mostly adults, mostly those with medical, mental or substance abuse problems.  The reality was much different.  Children of all ages held their parents’ hands as the entire family went up to get food.  Young children played in between their parents’ legs.  The majority of those in the cavernous room were not drunk or mentally ill people.  They were families of every size and shape. 

He didn’t see Lex as one of the servers.  Alice and Lex were probably still in the back kitchen preparing the food.  Clark tuned his hearing to find Lex again. 

Alice and Lex moved around each other gracefully in the moderately sized kitchen.  “Tell me about your mama, Alex. You haven’t really told me much about her. “ 

“I miss her a lot.  When she died, so did my childhood, so did my family.  There was nothing left.  I went wild for a while after that.  But while Mom was alive, I had someone who loved me just for me.  I wasn’t able to see her as much as I wanted since I went to boarding school, but holidays were great with her around.  In the summers, we would spend weeks, sometimes months at our ranch in Montana.  When it was just the two of us it was great.” 

“She sounds like a great lady.  It sounds like you grew up privileged.  How did you start working at shelters?  You sure knew your way around when you started here so many years ago.” 

“Mom and I were alone almost every year for the holidays.  After my brother died, before he was even a year old, we couldn’t stay in those big houses alone.  Wherever we were, we started going out to volunteer.  I was ten when we started.  I’ve never missed a Thanksgiving since.  Even when I was rebelling against everything else, at least one day a year I upheld my Mom’s memory and tradition.  I may have been wasted the day before and trashed the day after, but on Thanksgiving Day I was sober and working for those who couldn’t help themselves.  I was invited to Clark’s family’s farm and I’m sure it would’ve been great, but I couldn’t give that up.” 

“What was his reaction?  I’m surprised he’s not here with you.  It’s a beautiful tradition to pass along.”   

Lex let his head drop.  “I didn’t tell him.” 

“What do you mean, honey, why not?” 

“I thought I wasn’t ready to share my mother with anyone, but I was wrong.  Now I realize that was exactly what Clark was trying to do for me, share his family, and I shut him out.” 

Alice came up behind Lex and placed her arm around the young man.

“Clark invited me into his family tradition, and by not explaining, I rejected his family.  I told him I had to work.  But after being here, I realize I need to explain.  I thought I was keeping the memory of Mom safe, but I know now that was selfish.  I just hope he understands.” 

“Oh, baby.  I’m sure he will.”  Alice drew Lex into a hug. 

Clark had heard enough.  He pushed himself off of the wall, and slowly walked out into the street.  He was glad Lex was able to talk things out with Alice.  He was sure that he would hear the whole story from Lex the next time they were together.  In fact, this would fit in perfectly with what his mother had already decided.  Clark smiled as he turned the corner into an alley.  He looked around to make sure no one was watching, then raced back to Smallville. 

Lex’s cell phone rang as he walked back to the penthouse.  He smiled and quickly flipped it open when he saw the display.  “Hey babe, how was dinner?” 

“Supper was great, as always, but Mom decided that we’d have Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow and Dad and I agreed.  Thanksgiving is about family and you’re family.  It doesn’t matter what day we have it.” 

Lex walked through the doors at LexCorp Towers, nodding at the doorman.  “You shouldn’t have done that, but I’m glad you did.  I was looking forward to the leftovers, now I’ll be able to savor the feast all day.” 

Clark laughed.  “I’m glad you approve.  So are you finished working or do you still have more to do?” 

Lex opened the door to the penthouse. “I’m done.  I’m sorry about the fight last night.  I should have explained why I couldn’t get out of working today.  I’ll explain tomorrow, it’s a family thing.” 

“Sure.  Are you sure you don’t want me to run up there tonight and drive down with you tomorrow morning?  I miss you already.” 

Lex laughed.  “I miss you too, but stay with your parents.  We’ll all be together tomorrow.  Thanksgiving Friday can be our new tradition.”

END