MOTHER'S REASSURING EMBRACE

 MOTHER’S REASSURING EMBRACE

 

SETTING: Clark returns home after another mysterious outing. Martha is worried and holds back a deep apprehension. She waits for him in the kitchen, ready to probe for answers when he appears at the door.

 

MARTHA (arms crossed, eyebrows raised): Clark Kent, do you know what time it is?

 

CLARK (awkwardly, avoiding her stare, scratching his neck): Uh-ah, sorry, Ma. I just needed to track time.

 

MARTHA (unfolding her arms): Lost track of time, huh? That is a frequent occurrence lately. You barge home late, skittish around the house, and make the disappearing act without saying a word. What’s going on? I demand some answers.

 

CLARK (shifting uncomfortably): Uh, nothing really of much significance….Just routine school stuff, you know. I have had a lot of weight on my mind lately.

 

MARTHA (with a soft but persistent voice): I know your look, Clark; I’ve known that since you were a little boy. School isn’t what’s bothering you. School isn’t giving you sleepless nights and odd hours. There is something more, and I deserve to know precisely that.

 

CLARK (scratching his nose): I wish it were that simple to explain, Ma. I can’t tell you.

 

MARTHA (taking his hand in hers, her tone soothing but unwavering): Honey, I’m not here to judge you, whatever it is. I’m your mother. Let me in. It’s breaking my heart seeing you like this, carrying the weight of the world on your own. Please tell me what’s bothering you. You don’t have to be alone.

 

CLARK (his defences down, but still guarded): Ma, I’m just trying to deal with some issues and figure stuff out. I don’t want to involve you in it.

 

MARTHA: involve me in it? Drag me in it? (laughs softly). Clark, if there is one person who should be there with you, that person is me. I’ve been by your side since the day I found you. I’ve watched you grow, stumble, find yourself and grow into the man you think you have become. What’s bothering you now? Let me help.

 

CLARK :(After a long pause, his eyes are downcast) It’s just that I don’t know what’s wrong with me, Ma. I don’t know how to be expected. I can take down my tormentors and stalkers anytime, but grin and bear it. People expect things from me, sometimes things that are beyond… I can’t explain.

 

MARTHA :(touching his face gently) You don’t have to be expected, Clark. You are unique, but that doesn’t mean you must face the world alone. But you should know that there are people that care for you. We’re part of your journey, too. You don’t have to shield me from the truth.

 

CLARK: (in deep thought, but still not meeting her gaze): You’re right. It’s just…. God, it’s so hard to explain. I don’t know where to start. I keep so much to myself….so much I can’t explain without sounding crazy.

 

MARTHA (smiling gently): You can try me, sweetheart. I think you’d be surprised by the depth of my understanding.

 

CLARK (finally with a small, vulnerable, shy smile): It isn’t easy, Ma—more than you ever realise. And sometimes I don’t know if I can bear it all: people’s expectations of me, what they need from me. Or if I still have the strength to be everything I should be.

 

MARTHA (nodding, her eyes filled with compassion): Clark, you don’t have to be everything for everyone. You have to be your unique self. And no matter what, I’ll always be proud of you. Just let me be there for you if that makes sense. One step at a time…we’ll face whatever comes our way.

 

CLARK (relieved, finally letting down his guard): Thanks, Ma. I needed to hear that.

 

Martha embraces Clark, wrapping her arms around him tightly. For now, words fail. A mother’s embrace is all the reassurance in the whole wide world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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