Only Dying Roses
by Linda Seaton
from Jonathan
I barely look at Lex as I walk into the kitchen.
"Good morning, Mr. Kent."
"Lex." I respond as I get myself a cup of coffee and sit down at the table. Most of the time he tries to make nice but not this morning.
I look at him and he looks at me. Then I rustle through the Sunday paper and start to read. He sits quietly with the ice pressed against his chin.
No apologies today, either. He's really off his game.
Martha always tells me that I'm too hard on Lex. Clark tells me that I'm too hard on Lex. Hell, Lex in his own way has told me I'm too hard on Lex.
I just can't shake the feeling that Lex Luthor is gaining too much control over Clark and his future. And he's doing it in a slow and steady way. Kind of calculating without any big or obvious moves. I wouldn't let Clark accept that truck from him so Lex has resorted to a thousand small gifts. I would look like a fool objecting to a bunch of cut roses that would go to waste unless Clark took them. And if I had objected, Lex would have looked even more like a victim.
It's always like that with the Luthors. They put you between a rock and a hard place and they own both locations.
The only thing that gives me any comfort is the fact that Lex doesn't seem to be as cunning as his father. Lex's methods at least are pretty clear. I don't think he's capable of surprising me.
I watch him as he fingers the edge of the newspaper stacked in front of him.
"I've got the business section."
He looks up and lifts another part of the paper into his hands. "I was looking for the Book Review."
And we both sit quietly until Martha hurries back into the kitchen.
"Clark will be right down."
tbc....
by Linda Seaton
from Jonathan
I barely look at Lex as I walk into the kitchen.
"Good morning, Mr. Kent."
"Lex." I respond as I get myself a cup of coffee and sit down at the table. Most of the time he tries to make nice but not this morning.
I look at him and he looks at me. Then I rustle through the Sunday paper and start to read. He sits quietly with the ice pressed against his chin.
No apologies today, either. He's really off his game.
Martha always tells me that I'm too hard on Lex. Clark tells me that I'm too hard on Lex. Hell, Lex in his own way has told me I'm too hard on Lex.
I just can't shake the feeling that Lex Luthor is gaining too much control over Clark and his future. And he's doing it in a slow and steady way. Kind of calculating without any big or obvious moves. I wouldn't let Clark accept that truck from him so Lex has resorted to a thousand small gifts. I would look like a fool objecting to a bunch of cut roses that would go to waste unless Clark took them. And if I had objected, Lex would have looked even more like a victim.
It's always like that with the Luthors. They put you between a rock and a hard place and they own both locations.
The only thing that gives me any comfort is the fact that Lex doesn't seem to be as cunning as his father. Lex's methods at least are pretty clear. I don't think he's capable of surprising me.
I watch him as he fingers the edge of the newspaper stacked in front of him.
"I've got the business section."
He looks up and lifts another part of the paper into his hands. "I was looking for the Book Review."
And we both sit quietly until Martha hurries back into the kitchen.
"Clark will be right down."
tbc....