Well, what do you think? (I used New York law for kids in bars.)

Ouch, poor Lois. She's having one helluva night! Hope she doesn't have school in the morning (I've lost track of what day in the week it is in the story). And Lois going out at 2am - either Sam is still at work, or even with her living right under his nose he's not very attentive. Good grief.

You're really diving into some tough issues with this set of stories. I don't think I've seen anyone else portray Ellen with this type of alcoholic behavior - it's usually been pretty sanitized. This is all too realistic, and scary to think of her daughters being exposed to all of this.

I see Clark has built up quite the reputation on the streets! Maybe one of those guys should go give the football team a tip.

Don't worry, Lois, I think you just stumbled onto one of his big secrets too - at least you'll be even!

I love that just one look at Clark is enough to send those jerks running!

And it does seem like Lois and Clark have mutual blackmail material, now. I can hardly wait to see the coming conversation!

Poor Lois, having to deal with her alcoholic mom.

over the gangs reaction to Clark, though.

So are those the same guys whose truck was knocked over in the previous story? No wonder they're afraid of Clark!

So each of them has something that they didn't want the other to see, and the other has seen it. Hopefully this will bring them closer together.

BTW, can Clark drive Ellen's car home? Or will they have to leave it at the bar? Or will they come back to get it and L&C can talk in the car on the way to pick it up?

It looks like someone remembers Clark. :p I love how fast they ran away.

I'm looking forward to finding out what happens between Lois and Clark following the secrets they just found out about each other.

I'm with Colleen — this fic is really breaking new ground by exploring issues like homelessness and alcoholism so realistically. It's really well done.

Next up: mutual confessions?

I feel bad for both of them. Some things are meant to be shared, some aren't. An understanding friend is welcome support. An acquaintance in this kind of situation is awkward at best. I think Lois is learning she can trust Clark--I don't know about Clark yet.

Wow, I've never pictured Ellen as a down at the bar kind of drunk, more of a sneaking drinks at home alone kind of drunk. This is a scary life. Poor Lucy. Poor Lois.

I'm kind of surprised that Sam hasn't taken on Lucy as well, but then again Sam is a bit self absorbed and probably doesn't want the extra burden of a daughter he might have to actually pay attention to (unlike independent Lois). Sam doesn't seem to know or care that Lois is coming and going from their home at all hours of the night and day. (He'd care about what happened to her car, but not to Lois herself? Typical.) Is having these parents any better than having no parents and having to fend for oneself? (Not that Lois isn't fending for herself, already.) What will happen to Lucy when Lois heads off to Ireland? Move in with Uncle Mike, I suspect.

My guess, that guy in the bar has nothing to do with the group of guys in the truck. It's probably more of a coincidence that they both happen to be Latino. When the door shut behind Lois and Ellen, I was afraid that Ellen had left her purse or car keys in the bar.

on how the gang has learned to avoid him. The last thing Clark needed was to get into another fight that night.

Yes, Lois's secret is out, but so is Clark's. I doubt he'll drive Ellen's car anywhere. My guess is that he doesn't have a license. It's another one of those places where they require a birth certificate. Who knows if he's ever formally learned to drive, either? Although, I don't see that as stopping Lois from asking him to help.

I think "the badly battered truck" is the same one from the last story. I'm surprised it's still drivable!

You've now connected Lois and Clark at a deep level very quickly. It will be interesting to see how this turns out. Perhaps, unlike Lois's other friends, Clark will have some concrete advice for people to talk to to get Ellen into rehab.