Beyond the Sun

16

The mere word 'barbecue' caused Annie to immediately look to Clark, he rolled his eyes and continued eating the meal which was in front of him. It was later in the day, and they were both back at his. Naturally upon hearing there was to be company, Martha made perhaps one of the best dinners Annie had ever eaten.

"It's just something we do every year for Jonathan's birthday," Martha explained while looking between the teenagers oddly. Clearly it was a private joke that neither wished to explain, not that she particularly minded. She was just happy to see that they could pick up their friendship from where it left off; and more importantly: that they hadn't changed so drastically as to not find a way to be friends anymore.

"Do I need to bring anything?" Annie lowered her glass and looked from Martha to Jonathan then back again.

Martha laughed and shook her head, "Oh dear, no, no it's fine."

"Are you sure?" Annie was a little unconvinced. Yet if Martha said it was fine, then it was fine. She'd stop pushing the subject.

"I'm certain," Martha smiled and placed her hands on the table. Seeing as how everyone had finished she took to busying about cleaning the table with Jonathan's help.

Annie tapped a foot under the table and managed to get Clark's leg, he looked up from the table to her. "You good?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You're spaced."

"Am not." Clark frowned lightly and looked up as his parents came back into the room and sat down.

Annie narrowed her eyes at him before turning and smiling at Martha, "We just have a barbecue, they'll watch the game, same old, same old. You're more than welcome to come, Annie." Martha smiled and continued on as she leaned her head against her hand as she watched in a flash as the girl accepted. She didn't even need to voice the accepting, her eyes just lit up and she nodded. "Excellent!"

"So...what time do you want me to come over tomorrow?" Annie asked once Martha's excitement had died down. She was probably happy to have someone around who wasn't going to be glued to the television set. Annie really didn't wish to point out she liked watching sports. Though unless it involved any team that originated from Gotham, then she didn't tend to really care. So, she probably wouldn't watch the game either.

"About eleven?"

"Sure thing!" Annie grinned and gave a nod, she mentally groaned. Getting up for eleven on a Saturday...geez. Yet she would, because it meant coming back here. Her eyes widened slowly, "Oh darn, I need to run this past my mum and Robert! I've just agreed to something that they may have a say towards. I don't know if they had any plans for the weekend." Annie said while awkwardly scratching the back of her neck. "When I get home, and ask them, is it okay if I phone back and give you the definitive answer?"

"Of course, it is," Jonathan replied, Annie turned and smiled at him. "How is your mum doing?" He asked good-naturedly, yet with the same caring tone without being too nosey.

"She's good, I mean...I've only been back a week, but so far she's been good. She seems really settled with Robert, and with her job." Annie said while looking to her lap. She always found it a little odd talking about her mother.

Either some people patronised her. Others accepted it. Or some would just be curious. The small group around the table parted ways then, Martha and Jonathan moved to the living room, whereas Clark and Annie went and sat outside on the porch. It was dark by now and the sky was an endless cover of black with pinpointed silver stars that shone out brightly in the darkness. The moon hung back behind light grey clouds, but even then, the bright light could be seen and shone down on the ground below, bathing everything in a silver glow.