Lana Lang, on the other hand, had been one of the girls that Clark had dated seriously while in High School. That had been broken off when she'd had to go with her Dad on an archaeological dig their senior year. She had completed that year as a home schooler with her father, Professor Bertram Lang, as her teacher. She had done her senior year through correspondence under his tutelage and managed to graduate near the top of the class.
Professor Bertram Lang!
(She makes a happy squealing noise)
Talk about inside jokes!
Pete was home on winter break from the college where he was teaching Metallurgy and Mineralogy.
Metallurgy and Mineralogy? Okay my friend, message received loud and clear.
When she looked back she saw Lois remove her arm from around Clark. Lois no longer felt threatened by Rachel in her relationship with Clark. Rachel stepped in their direction and held out her hand for Lois to shake and was surprised when Lois ignored the offered appendage and pulled Rachel into a hug. She was flabbergasted when she heard, Lois say, "Rachel, it's so good to see you again. How's the sheriff business?"
Lois was surprised to see Rachel Harris, but unlike the previous visit she was no longer apprehensive. Now, secure in the knowledge of her relationship with Clark she felt free. She no longer had to compete with this woman. She thought to herself, <The better woman won.> She was able to greet the other woman warmly.
Poor Rachel! Having been in the uncomfortable position of being the former girlfriend meeting the new wife I can sympathize with her feeling uncomfortable. But she's doing the right thing, accepting the situation with maturity and grace beyond her years. Such behavior makes life easier for all concerned.
But honestly, showing up at a gathering in her uniform? Forget about Lois, Rachel is now off duty. Surely she would have brought a change of clothes?
This is a different Lois! Strong enough to face someone who was once very important to Clark's life and yet tender enough to welcome her into their lives.
When the other girls took off their long winter coats, Lois had noted the way that Rachel and Lana were dressed. Both were wearing short flouncy skirts with crinolines under them and western boots. The boots made a lot of sense to Lois, the snow from Christmas was still hanging around, but the short skirts had her wondering. She asked Rachel, "How come you guys are dressed like this. Isn't it kinda cold to be wearing something that short?"
Rachel and Lana both laughed at the question and then Rachel explained, "When we leave here, we're going to the New Year's Eve dance at the Grange Hall. We were going to ask you and Clark if you wanted to go too."
OK, my bad, now I understand about the hat!
By the time they got home, to the farm, Lois was tired, but very happy. She had a husband that loved her and whom she in turn loved very much and now had a couple of wonderful girlfriends. It had always been hard for Lois to make friends, but ever since she and Clark had gotten married, it just seemed easier, somehow.
Very glad to see Lois has friends, ones who she will keep!