When Lex woke up from his nap, he remembered everything he'd said to Mr. Kent, and his heart nearly pounded out of his chest.

The worst part was that he realized he was actually more scared of getting kicked out of the Kent house than of anything else. Somehow, against his own will, he had come to like staying with them.

He trudged down into the kitchen, which was empty. He checked the living room, and found Mrs. Kent playing a game with Clark.

Lex cleared his throat.

Mrs. Kent stood and took a step toward him. "Feeling any better?"

He nodded. "I really am sorry."

"I know, sweetie. I'm not angry. Why don't you go talk to Jonathan? He's out in the barn."

The adrenaline in Lex's veins redoubled, but he forced himself to walk out to the barn to take whatever he had coming. He stepped inside to find Mr. Kent repairing a broken piece of machinery. He set it aside and faced Lex when he came in.

His throat suddenly felt dry. "I—I'm sorry, sir."

"For?"

"Being disrespectful."

"And?"

Lex's mind raced. "Uh . . ."

"Not letting us know you weren't sleeping."

Lex blinked a few times—he couldn't have possibly known he was supposed to let them know that, but then, his father had never told him what punishable offenses were; why should the Kents? "Oh."

"If you're tired or needing something, I want you to let us know."

"I'm sorry."

"What's been keeping you awake?"

"Ah . . ." Lex's father always told him not to make excuses. "I dunno."

"Nightmares?"

Mr. Kent didn't seem like the kind of man who would appreciate lying. "Yes, sir."

"If they ever get bad, you're free to wake us up, you know. We're here to help you."

He swallowed hard. That sounded like a trap if he'd ever heard one, but he didn't know how to respond. "Okay. Sorry, Mr. Kent."

"Okay. I accept your apology. But I don't want this to happen again."

"I understand, sir." Lex braced for the punishment. Mr. Kent took a step forward and reached toward him, and Lex's muscles tightened.

Mr. Kent's arms wrapped around him tightly.

Lex's dad had hugged him before. But never like this. Mr. Kent wasn't just stronger than Lex's dad; he put his strength into it. Before Lex lost his hair, his father had only ever touched him affectionately while his mother was watching, seemingly out of obligation; after, he always seemed disgusted with Lex. Lex sensed nothing from Mr. Kent but affection, comfort, and confidence.

It felt so good. If only Lex could convince his body to stop tensing up.

Mr. Kent looked Lex in the eyes after letting go. "You are forgiven. We're not sending you away, Lex. No matter what you do."

Lex let himself smile.