"So you're avoiding Clark, too."

"Hey Mrs. Kent!" It surprised Lex how glad he was to see her back at the Talon. Part of him had been scared she wouldn't be returning to work. When she had told Lex about her father showing up for a real visit for the first time in 20 years, it had surprised him. He had never heard Clark or anyone in that house mention their extended family. Of course Lex had done research of his own and found out that William hadn't spoken to his daughter since she had married Jonathon, and Jonathon's and Will's difference had kept them apart ever since. That was the story, anyway, but knowing Jonathon as well as he did, Lex had no reason to doubt that. But when he found out about Will's cancer, he felt bad for dismissing Clark so easily the day before. Lex was so sure it was just another fight with Clark and his Dad—the kinds of fights all fathers have with their sons right before they go out into the world on their own. Never assume anything anymore, Lex noted to himself. He could have gained back some friendship with Clark if he had only not assumed so much.

"Hey Lex! Thanks again for letting me have some time off. It's been a really weird week."

"Mrs. Kent, when I said you could have time off, I meant more than three days. You take as much time as you need."

Martha shook her head, as if it would stop Lex from speaking. It did. "I need to be here. I want to be here. Around people." She went over to get her clipboard to mark off inventory.

Lex followed her. "Around young people."

Martha was confused, but she kept working, hoping to divert his attention. "Yeah."

"Healthy young people."

Martha put her clipboard down. So that's what he's getting at… When she spoke, it was motherly. He was, after all, her son's best friend. Well, sort of. "Lex, I know you mean well, but you don't have to worry about me. I'm fine. I just enjoy working."
"Like you enjoyed working when Mr. Kent was in the hospital?"
Martha didn't speak for a second. Then she tried to change the subject. "I haven't seen you in here lately."

Lex smiled a little to himself. Changing the subject. That's where Clark gets it. "I've been busy," he said, remembering this same conversation he had with Clark.

"Clark's been busy, too. Said you're helping him with a project he's working on?"

Now Lex tried to change the subject. "I decided I'd try to come in today—see if any of my favorite people who happen to be managers was back at work."

Martha knew what he was doing. "It's a project for school, right?"
Lex wasn't really sure what he had told his parents, but it didn't surprise him that he didn't tell them the truth. Clark was grieving in his own way, too. Lex sipped some apple cider. "I mean it—take all the time you need. You're job will be waiting for you when you get back."

"I'm worried about Clark. He hasn't spent any time with his grandfather since he heard about his diagnosis. He's just spending every moment after school with you."

"There's nothing better than hot apple cider on a day like today." That was a cheap shot at changing the subject, and Lex knew it. But it was the first thing that came to his mind, and he didn't know anything better to say. I'm spending way too much time with Clark…

"He's hiding, Lex."

Lex put down his cup. He knew Clark was hiding, but for the first time in half a year, Clark went to Lex to hide. And Lex had to regain Clark's friendship if Clark was ever going to tell him what he wanted to know. He was pretty sure Clark was the only one who could tell him. That wasn't to say they weren't friends—Lex generally liked having a "little brother". But if Lex was ever going to have a friend—a real friend—they had to be honest with him. Honest on their own. And that's what Lex wanted even more than knowing whatever Clark was hiding from him. Lex remembered Martha was still there. "You can have two conversations at once, can't you?"

Martha wasn't going to let him get out of this conversation so easily. "Apparently. Lex, I'm really worried about him. He might not…" she stopped. She didn't want to feel this. Not in front of her boss. "He might not get another chance to know his grandfather. Then whatever memories could have been will be lost forever."

Lex cringed inside. He knew that story too well. The only ancestor of his he knew was his father, and look how that turned out. "I know. I'll talk to him."

"You're the only one he might listen to, Lex."

Lex smiled. "You're the only one he might listen to." "I think that's a compliment."

Martha smiled. She knew that didn't sound full of confidence. "I just want… I just want him to have the chance to say goodbye."

Lex looked down. Of course when he had heard the news, he had to check it out for himself. Medical records were classified, but only if you didn't know the right people. Sure enough the diagnosis was correct. Terminal. That was the word used. Of course that's what they said about his own father. But still… "I'll talk to him." That's all he said before he hurried out the door, hoping to avoid Martha's other concern that was obvious she had. And that was a good thing, because Martha almost called out for him to wait so they could discuss what he was doing with her son. Obviously nothing Clark wanted them to know, and that meant it had to be something that could put Clark's secret on the line. Or maybe Clark really was grieving and wanted to be away from the thing he was grieving for. She would have asked Lex, if her own heart wasn't too tired from fighting the urge to cry in front of all these healthy young people.