SMALLVILLE – BIRTHDAY BASH

Martha arrived home to find Jonathan and Alexandra sitting at the kitchen table. Pointing to some papers Jonathan said, "So, which rule applies here?"

Alexandra hesitated before she pointed to a spot on the paper. "No…" Jonathan said.

She immediately pointed to another place. "That's right," Jonathan said, "And that's because of the ending on the word." He put some more papers in front of her and said, "I want you to fill in these and that will be all for today."

He stood up and gave Martha a kiss on the cheek. "I didn't want to disturb you," Martha said. She looked at Alexandra and said, "Hi, honey." Alexandra looked up at her and then turned her attention back to her work.

"How is the learning process going?" Martha said.

"So, so," Jonathan said.

"Are you sure you want to keep this up?" Martha said.

"We had this conversation," Jonathan said, "We agreed we would teach her at home."

"But you're doing all the teaching," Martha said, "Plus you have so much work on the farm."

"Martha, it's all working out fine," Jonathan said, "She helps me on the farm and I help her with her lessons. Sometimes I can teach and work at the same time."

"Good," Martha said, turning to look out the window.

"Alexandra, why don't you finish that up in your room," Jonathan said, "I'll check it later." She picked up her things and went upstairs.

"Martha," Jonathan said, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Martha said.

"Don't tell me nothing," Jonathan said, "I can see you're upset."

"I'm fine," Martha said.

"No, you're not," Jonathan said, "Did something happen at work today?"

"No, work was fine," Martha said.

"Then what is it?" Jonathan said.

"Never mind," Martha said, "You will just tell me I'm being ridiculous."

"Martha…" Jonathan persisted.

"It's just…it's Alexandra," Martha said.

"You're not having second thoughts about us adopting her," Jonathan said.

"No, of course not," Martha said, "I just don't feel like I have a place in her life."

"Martha, how can you say that?" Jonathan said, "You're her mother now."

"What does that matter?" Martha said, "She doesn't seem to notice."

"I'm not sure I understand," Jonathan said.

"She spends all day on the farm with you, everyday," Martha said, "She helps you work, you teach her school lessons, if you need to go anywhere you take her with you. I can see how she responds so well to you."

"Honey, she responds to you too," Jonathan said.

"Not the same way," Martha said, "It's not just her reaction to you, but I see it with Clark too. If she needs anything and you're not here she goes to Clark, not me. He's not only become her big brother but her new best friend and I'm…."

"You're her mother," Jonathan said, "She loves you, just as much as the rest of us."

"Jonathan, didn't you see it when I came home?" Martha said, "She barely acknowledged me."

"She was concentrating on her schoolwork," Jonathan said.

"When you come home, she runs up and gives you a big hug," Martha said, tying not to cry, "I never get that."

"Martha," Jonathan said, hugging her, "I think you're making more of this than it is."

"You think I'm being paranoid," Martha said.

"No, of course not," Jonathan said, "You're right, when you say you haven't had as much time with her as Clark or I have. Next weekend, why don't you plan to spend a day with her? I'm sure you'd both really enjoy that."

"You think so?" Martha said.

"Yes, I do," Jonathan said, "Take her to the park, go shopping, get your hair done, whatever you want. Then that will give me a chance to catch up with Clark."

"Maybe you're right we, just need to spend some time together," Martha said, "I'm sorry, I'm just being over emotional."

"No, you're just being a new mother," Jonathan smiled.

The next day, as Clark got up from the breakfast table he said, "It's getting late." He proceeded to walk away, but Martha said, "Clark?"

He looked at her and she gestured towards his dishes, still sitting on the table. "Oh, sorry," Clark said, picking them up, "I wasn't thinking, I just need to get going."

"Clark?" Jonathan said, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going over to Pete's," Clark said, "We're going to hang out and then watch the game this evening."

"Not today," Jonathan said.

"What do you mean not today?" Clark said.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Jonathan said.

"I've done all my chores and I'm all caught up with my homework," Clark said.

"That's good," Jonathan said, "But you still can't go."

"Why not?" Clark said.

"Your mother and I are going out of town this weekend, remember?" Jonathan said.

"I thought the Metropolis convention was next weekend," Clark said.

"No, we leave today," Martha said, "We need you to stay and watch your sister."

"You want me to baby-sit all weekend?" Clark said, "You can't do this to me."

"I'm sorry if it's inconvenient for you," Martha said, "But it can't be helped."

"Can't you take her with you?" Clark said.

"No, we can't," Jonathan said, "Unless you want to come to Metropolis and watch her there."

Clark sighed. "I didn't think you'd like that idea," Jonathan said.

"Clark, after all she is your sister," Martha said.

"I know," Clark said, "It's not that I don't want to spend time with her, it's just that Pete and I have been planning this for weeks. We were going to watch the pre-game show and the pre-pre game show. It's the championships, it happens once a year."

"You could always take Alexandra to Pete's with you," Martha said.

"Mom…" Clark said.

"He doesn't like that idea either," Jonathan said, "Why don't you invite Pete over and watch the game here."

"Yeah, great," Clark said.

"I think that means our T.V. doesn't live up to Pete's," Martha said.

"Clark, sometimes we have to make sacrifices," Jonathan said, "The championships aren't everything."

Jonathan and Martha were packing the car, preparing to leave for their trip. Jonathan raised a finger in front of Clark and said, "No parties, I'm serious."

"Would I do that?" Clark said.

"Don't make me answer that," Jonathan said.

"Are you sure you and Alexandra are going to be alright?" Martha said.

"Mom, we'll be fine," Clark laughed, "It's not the first time you've left me alone."

"It's the first time we've left you alone with your sister," Martha said.

"We will manage just fine," Clark said, "She'll barely notice that you're not here."

"Okay, we had better get going," Jonathan said, "Clark, I want you to make sure she does those math problems I left her. As for you, remember what I said."

"There's plenty of food to make yourselves something," Martha said, "No pizza."

"No pizza, no parties," Clark said, "Are we allowed to have any fun?" He smiled.

"No," Jonathan said, "Now, Clark…"

"Dad, I've got everything under control," Clark said, "Go and have a good trip. Don't worry about us."

"Alright," Jonathan said, "Alexandra you listen to Clark. He's in charge while we're gone." He kissed her on the forehead.

"The number where you can reach us is by the phone," Martha said, "What have I forgotten?"

"To get in the car," Clark said.

"You two behave yourselves," Martha said, "Be nice to each other and…"
"Martha, it's going to be time to come back before we even get there," Jonathan said.

"Alright," Martha said. She hugged Alexandra and then Clark, "We will be home tomorrow evening," she said, before she got in the car.

As they drove away Jonathan said, "He didn't mean it the way it sounded."

"Maybe he didn't," Martha said, "But I have to wonder if she will even notice I'm gone."

Clark and Alexandra watched them drive away. Once they were out of sight, Clark turned to Alexandra and said, "It's party time."