CHAPTER 1

It was a beautiful sunny morning and as Jonathan drove towards Metropolis he let his mind drift over the last nine months or so … meeting Martha, getting to know Martha, kissing Martha, falling in love with Martha, finding out that Martha loved him back, kissing Martha, graduating from MetU with Martha, going swimming with Martha, kissing Martha, dreaming of his life with Martha, going out on dates with Martha, holding Martha in his arms, kissing Martha, eating with Martha, laughing with Martha, kissing Martha, going riding with Martha, loving Martha … loving Martha …

As he got closer to Metropolis he began mentally rehearsing, for about the thousandth time, what he wanted to say, the outcome of this meeting could decide his entire future and the lump of lead that was lodged firmly in the pit of his stomach got bigger and heavier the closer he got to his destination.

He thought about his parents back at the farm. His Dad, who he had been getting along with much better over the last few months. Now that they were working together as a team their past differences had all but disappeared and he had discovered a whole new respect for his Dad's knowledge about farming, their livestock, the land, the environment and human nature. It also helped that he knew that his Dad adored Martha and was always pleased to see her at the farm.

Jonathan grinned as he remembered how over the last few days his Dad had prevented Jonathan from using any machinery or, in fact, carrying out any task that could even remotely become dangerous. After Jonathan had, in successive days, managed to graze his arm, cut himself, narrowly avoided amputating his toes when he had dropped the chain saw and had driven the tractor into a ditch, his Dad had finally lost all patience and had ordered him to only do farm work that wouldn't put him or Jonathan at any risk.

His Mom, on the other hand, had been far less tolerant. After Jonathan had started a kitchen fire and had then managed to flood the laundry room, all within forty-eight hours, she had calmly informed him that he was only allowed in her kitchen to eat … well, only if you could describe calmly as repeatedly hitting him on the butt with a skillet as she had chased him out of the kitchen, across the living room and out of the front door!

Jonathan grinned as he was forced to admit to himself that he had been a bit distracted over the past few days. He could almost hear his dad's snort of derision … a bit distracted?!!!

As he negotiated the Metropolis traffic the lump of lead got bigger and bigger. Only now it appeared to have spawned another lump, which was weighing heavily on his chest.

Please God, don't let me fail. Please, don't let me fail. he muttered to himself as he parked his truck.

Gripping the steering wheel with both hands he took a deep breath and, closing his eyes, rested his head back. Failure wasn't an option … he just had to succeed … he just had to. If was true that love conquered all, then this interview should be a piece of cake, because he would never love anyone as much as he loved Martha.

He climbed out of the truck and put on his suit jacket, checking his reflection in the truck's side mirror he straightened his tie and smoothed his hair with his hands. Finally, unable to put it off any longer he walked up the driveway to the house.

Pausing at the front door he took some deep breaths in a futile effort to calm his nerves. Then, just before he rang the doorbell, he slipped his hand in his pocket and clenched his good luck charm tightly in his fist. Please, God, don't let me fail. he prayed as he pressed the doorbell with a trembling hand.

William Clark was sitting in his study reading some legal papers when the doorbell rang. Sighing with annoyance at being interrupted he left his study and crossed the hall. Opening the door, he immediately recognized Jonathan standing on the top step, "Yes?" he said, his cold eyes taking in Jonathan's smart suit and tie.

"Mr. Clark, if it's not too inconvenient, I wonder if I might have a word with you." Jonathan asked politely.

"Martha isn't here. She's out somewhere with her mother. I suggest you come back later … if you must." William Clark replied, not attempting to hide his dislike of Jonathan.

"It isn't Martha that I wish to speak to. I really would be grateful if you could spare me a few minutes of your time." Jonathan replied, trying to ignore Mr. Clark's unpleasant tone.

"Now I wonder what you could possibly want to talk to me about?" William pondered, deliberately keeping Jonathan waiting on the doorstep.

"It's a personal matter regarding Martha and myself."

"A personal matter? Well in that case you had better come in. Don't forget to wipe your feet you're not on the farm now." William insultingly instructed Jonathan as he stepped aside for him to enter.

Jonathan flushed but didn't say anything. Obviously Mr. Clark had no intention of making this interview easy.

Leaving Jonathan standing in the entrance hall, William closed the front door and crossed the hall before turning and facing Jonathan. He deliberately didn't invite him any further into the house. As he stood with his feet apart and his hands in his pockets, William tried to intimidate Jonathan. However, as he was a good five inches or more shorter this didn't have the desired effect. Realizing this, William tried to regroup. "I'm extremely busy, but I suppose I can spare you a couple of minutes. What is this personal matter you wish to discuss." he inquired in a superior tone of voice.

Jonathan took a deep breath and drew himself up to his full height, "Mr. Clark, as you know, Martha and I have been dating for nearly a year and during that time we have both fallen deeply in love with each other. Mr. Clark, I've come here today to ask your permission to marry Martha. As you know, …"

Jonathan was interrupted by the sound of William's derisive hoot of laughter.

William looked pityingly at Jonathan, "You don't seriously think that I'd ever give my permission for Martha to marry you? Are you insane or merely a money hungry opportunist?"

"I'm neither, Mr. Clark. I'm a hard working farmer who loves your daughter very much." Jonathan replied evenly, remaining calm and trying not to let William's insults get to him.

"Really? So if she was dirt poor you would love her just the same?" William sneered.

"Yes. I love Martha … the person. Not her social position or her money but Martha as the incredible and wonderful person that she is. So, to answer your question, whether she was poor or rich I would still love her." Jonathan replied honestly.

"You don't seriously expect me to believe that!" William retorted disbelievingly, "Do you take me for a fool, boy?"

"No, I don't think you are a fool and although I have answered your question honestly and truthfully, I can't force you to believe me. However, it's the honest truth that Martha's money has never been a factor in our relationship." Jonathan said, trying to keep his nerve and not show any fear.

"I doubt that very much! Even if it were true, just how do you intend to keep Martha in the manner to which she has become accustomed?"

"I can't. However, I can promise you that I will always put her first and that she will never want for anything that is in my power to give her." Jonathan answered William, as his hopes of gaining William's permission to marry Martha diminished with every second.

"Do you seriously think that I've paid a small fortune on Martha's education to have her marry some redneck with filth under his fingernails, who scrabbles in the dirt for a living and lives in a converted shack? Martha will marry one of her own kind, not some money hungry lout with aspirations of grandeur. You are the last person I would ever allow Martha to marry. I suggest you go back to Hicksville and find a local tart to marry because you will never marry Martha. Now get out of my house!" William roared at Jonathan.

However, because he was so carried away with insulting Jonathan, William hadn't noticed the front door open or Anne and Martha standing on the doorstep shocked and silent.

"Mr. Clark, …" Jonathan began.

"Didn't you hear me, boy? Get the hell out of my house and out of my daughter's life. You are not welcome in either."

"William!!" "Dad!!" Anne and Martha spoke simultaneously.

"Martha, go to your room!" William barked at her.

"Dad, I love Jonathan." Martha answered, not moving.

"Nonsense! You have proved your rather childish point by dating a working class lout, but now it's time to return to your place in society. I will not allow you to see this hick any more! Do you hear me?"

"That's not fair! Jonathan is none of those things …" Martha began to reply, her voice getting louder.

"Martha."

Jonathan's quiet voice stopped her, Martha turned to him with tears in her eyes. He continued, "Sweetheart, I would never come between you and your family. Martha, I love you with all my heart, but I won't ask you to choose between your family and me. It just wouldn't be right." he said, as he walked slowly towards her.

"Jonathan …" Martha whispered, as a chill feeling of dread crept over her.

"Martha, I will always love you. I could never love anyone as much as I love you, sweetheart. " Jonathan spoke, his voice cracking with emotion.

"Oh, please! Save it for someone who cares! Just get the hell out of my house, boy." William interjected.

"William, for once in you life, would you just shut up!" Anne told him, clearly exasperated with his attitude.

"Jonathan, please don't leave me." Martha begged as she wrapped her arms around him. Looking up at him with tears pouring down her cheeks she sobbed, "Jonathan, I love you so much! Please, Jonathan."

Jonathan looked down at Martha and could actually feel his heart tearing in two, he knew that he had to go, but the thought of leaving Martha was almost too much to bear. Gently stroking a finger down the side of her face he hooked a stray wisp of hair behind her ear. "Martha … my heart is yours forever. I will never stop loving you." The lump in his throat prevented him from saying any more and as the tears formed in his eyes and slowly trickled down his cheeks he gently kissed her goodbye. Releasing her, he turned and quickly left the house before he broke down completely.

"Jonathan …" Martha sobbed as he walked away.

Hurrying after him she saw him climbing into his truck, "JONATHAN!!" .

Jonathan paused and turning looked at her, she could see his distress, "Martha … my love … I'm sorry." he said, his voice breaking with emotion, as he shut the truck door and drove off.

Martha was left standing in the driveway watching the man she loved more than anything in the world drive away. Running down the drive she stood on the sidewalk, blinded by tears and completely distraught "Jonathan … JONATHAN … JONATHAN!!" she screamed after his disappearing truck as she realized that he wasn't coming back. "Oh, God, don't let him leave … Jonathan, I love you! Please don't leave me. … I love you! … Jonathan …Jonathan …" she sobbed as her dreams shattered and her heart broke in two.