Title: Ashamed
Part: VI
Author: Elizabeth Goode
Disclaimer: Don't sue me. I have no money.


Martha had felt slightly guilty leaving for work that morning. It wasn't that she thought that Clark and Jonathan were incapable of making themselves breakfast and lunch, because she knew they could handle that. It wasn't even that she thought Clark so fragile that he would have a breakdown without her - he was grieving, exhausted, and sad, but he was still strong. That was another thing about her son that made her proud. He had been through so much, and he always managed to come through the difficult times stronger and smarter. Her boy learned from his mistakes. She knew that Jonathan would be able to provide comfort if Clark needed it. She felt guilty because she wanted more than anything to be there with her son while he was at his most vulnerable. The idea of him leaving his home to attend college was rapidly changing from a plan for the distant future to a fast-approaching reality. Martha wanted to make every
remaining moment count.

Opening the coffee shop was easy now that she had done it often enough for it to be routine. In a few moments, students would start pouring in for their morning pastries and cappuccinos before school. Business people would be in for their daily caffeine jolt before work. She turned the sign on the door from 'Closed' to 'Open' and waited behind the counter.

One of her first customers of the day was Chloe, who always got an early start to school so that she could have some extra time at the Torch.

"Good morning, Mrs. Kent."

Martha smiled. Chloe was a nice girl, and a good friend to her son. "Good morning, Chloe. What can I get for you?"

"The usual. How's Clark?"

"He's a little better, I suppose. He finally talked to us last night. We're still worried about him, though. I don't think he's ready to come back to school yet. Jonathan is going to call the principal today and arrange for someone to bring him his homework."

A smile lit Chloe's face. "Can I do it? It would be a good way for me to get to see him. He'll need someone to explain some of the assignments, and I - I miss him."

Martha passed Chloe her coffee and frowned slightly. "Are you sure you don't want something to eat with that coffee? It isn't good for you to skip breakfast."

The young woman shook her head, "I'm good. I'll eat lunch. Coffee in the morning jump starts my brain." She hesitated for a moment. "Do you think he'll talk to me?"

"I think he will. He needs to start seeing his friends, even if he isn't ready to socialize much. He needs to remember how much his friends care about him. Bring his homework over after school today, talk to him a little, and if you feel like things went well, stay for dinner. How's that?"

Chloe pulled her money out of her purse to pay for her coffe, but Martha stopped her. "It's on the house. You're a good friend to Clark, and he really, really needs that right now."

A strange look crossed Chloe's face. "Mrs. Kent? Did - did anyone else call or stop by for Clark?"

Martha sighed. "You did, Lois called once to say that she'd come with you once he was up for visitors, and Lex called yesterday because he hadn't heard what happened until then. That's it."

"You mean Pete didn't call? I called him and told him everything!"

"No. Please, don't bring it up when you talk to Clark tonight. If he asks, tell him, but don't bring it up. He blames himself for Pete leaving Smallville. I think they argued or - or something." Martha stopped, not wanting to make Chloe suspicious about Pete's decision to leave.

"I won't say a word. No word from Lana or Jason?"

"None."

Chloe's lips pressed together in a thin line. "I see. I need to get going, I guess, If I'm going to get the Torch out of bed this morning. Thanks for the coffee, and I'll see you tonight."

With that, Chloe hurried out of the coffee shop and toward the school, leaving Martha wondering just what the conversation Chloe had had with Pete had been like.