Chapter 1: Defiance
My teeth chattered in the darkness and I could see my breath as I clung onto myself in an awkward bear hug. I had decided to put on three pairs of socks to try to maintain warmth. I'm pretty sure I read that if you're cold the spots to get warm were behind your neck and feet. So, I also put a towel around my neck like a homemade scarf. I was huddled in a blanket and even put on a hoodie to warm my head since my short black hair didn't provide much warmth.
"Michael? Why the hell is it so cold here? Damn it, it's like a fucking fridge in here!" Lincoln yelled
I could hear the apartment door slam and his heavy work boots from the construction site come around the corner into the bedroom. The bed slumped, and I felt Lincs warm hand graze my cheek pulling down the blankets and I looked up and saw his stone-cold glare.
"Michael let's not play games. Why the hell is it so cold in here? Did you have dinner? You know its only 7 p.m. right?" He sighed frustrated
He stood up pulling the blanket off that I had safely cocooned around myself creating warmth and I sniffled, my damn nose was running. Sitting up I knew then that I was busted, that I'd have to fess up to not paying the heating bill. That'd open a whole can of worms and I knew what else would be busted by Linc if I didn't play this carefully.
"Well Michael, I'm waiting for an explanation and it better be a good one," Linc growled
I hesitated to try to find an excuse. "Linc, we needed stuff you know…..and I had to make a decision…." I sniffled
"Was the heating bill involved in these decisions?" Linc asked annoyed
I decided to sit up and stare Linc in the eyes, I could either lie or fess up. It was obvious I didn't pay the heating bill and I paused looking down from Lincs intense glare.
"Yeah, we needed food and your check doesn't pay for everything Linc." I shrugged
Lincoln roughly grabbed my right arm yanking me to my feet and I braced for anything. He turned me to the side slamming his heavy hand onto my butt. I let out a scream and waited for him to start spanking me and I started crying. My tears were creating an ice effect down my frozen cheeks because it was so damn cold.
"Don't be a baby Michael stop crying and don't be such a smart ass, you hear me?" Lincoln asked shoving his index finger into my chest.
I nodded and wondered if I'd still get a spanking for this? Linc didn't spank me as much as he used to when I was younger. I think it's because I'm almost as tall as he is or maybe because I turned 15? I didn't kid myself though because Lincoln wouldn't hesitate to spank me to keep me in line and it's a line I tried my best to stay on.
"So, Mike let's try this again. Where the fuck did the money go for the heating?" Linc yelled
I backed up slightly running into the bed noticing there was nowhere to go.
"I had to use the money to buy groceries Linc and had to get gym shoes, but I swear I got them from the goodwill. My old ones had holes in them and the gym teacher said I had to get new ones." I whined
I was hoping he'd be sympathetic towards the situation and in truth that's at least where twenty of it had gone. Lincoln grabbed my right arm again pulling me closer to him. Panic had set in and I reluctantly let him pull me mere inches from his face.
"Mike, come on stop whining okay, you know I hate when you do. Next time tell me when you need something for school I'm not an asshole, I'll make sure you get it. Secondly, don't ever lie to me again you know when I ask if all the bills are paid I want the truth. Next time Mike, I'll take my belt to you. I'm not joking, and I don't care how old you are Mikey. Now, did you eat dinner?" He sighed
"No," I whispered
Lincoln nodded, and I shivered.
"Alright, well we will go tomorrow and get the heat turned back on. I got LJ coming this weekend and it can't stay cold like this for him. Grab the blanket and head to the couch and I'll order us a pizza." He smiled letting my right arm go and walked towards the living room.
I did as he asked grabbing the old wool gray comforter and heading to the living room couch. Our old beat up green couch at least was suede, so it'd warm up, and I turned on the television listening for Linc to finish up the pizza order. After he was off the phone he came up to me rubbing my head and sitting down.
"Damn Mike, it's cold in here. You're going to catch a cold." He pulled me into him and I rolled my eyes.
"Linc, you can't catch a cold from the cold. Colds are from viruses." I sighed
"Okay, Michael. Thank you for telling me that smart ass. We just had a talk about you not being a smart ass so stop. Now, do your tired brother a favor and grab me a beer alright."
I smirked and got up going to the fridge for Lincs beer and grabbed myself a glass of water. As I walked back into the living room Lincoln gave me a look, "What?" I was confused
"Turn back around and grab a glass of milk Mike. You're still growing buddy." Linc sighed
"But, Linc I want water, not milk," I lamely replied
"Michael, turn your ass around and get milk like I'm telling you." He laughed
I decided this wasn't worth starting a war over, so I emptied my water glass grabbing the milk from the fridge. Even though I was warm with my layers of clothes I wanted to hurry to get back under the blanket. I sat back on the couch handing Linc his beer and giving the death stare to my glass of milk.
"Good boy see it isn't that hard drinking some milk." Linc smiled
I hated being chastised as if I were a dog, but I kept my mouth shut. I thought to myself now who was being a smart ass and jumped a little when there was a knock at the door. Lincoln stared at me strangely and answered the door. It was the pizza delivery man and you could see the steam radiating off the pizza because it was damn cold in the apartment.
I followed Linc into the kitchen and we got paper plates from on top of our fridge since we both hated doing dishes we usually used these. We only used the real plates when LJ was here because Linc insisted, he thought it set a good example. I'm not sure what the example was I pondered was it that we could wash our plates by hand?
Linc immediately put the pizza on our small oak kitchen table and I quickly grabbed two slices before they got cold. Linc followed suit and went to grab another beer from the fridge. We both ate in silence mainly to eat as fast as we could before the pizza became cold.
"Did you finish your homework?" Linc sighed
"I got it done, I just have a book to read for English class this weekend, but I can do that and keep an eye on LJ." My teeth chattered
Lincoln got up opening the fridge putting the pizza box in it and turned around giving me a quizzical look.
"Where's your milk?"
I shrugged.
"No Michael, go get your damn milk from the living room and finish drinking it."
I sighed overdramatically and didn't move. I just wasn't in the mood to drink it and being forced to had made me not want to drink it even more. I looked up at the clock and it was already 8:30 p.m. which was a shock. Lincoln impatiently yanked me up from my seat, "I think you've pushed me enough tonight Mike. What's going on with you? You usually don't give me so much backtalk, so why tonight?"
My blueish green eyes looked up at Lincs angry face and I wanted to spill my guts to him that I had lied earlier but I couldn't. He'd be so disappointed in me and I'd be in trouble, so I just lowered my head. "Come on kid give me a break and just do as your told. Go get your milk and finish drinking it." He sighed
He let my arm go and shoved me towards the living room. I picked up my half glass of milk and I became angry. It probably was my guilt that caused my defiance, but I walked past Linc to the sink emptying my milk into the sink. Linc slammed his fist onto our table and made his way to me grabbing my arm.
"Wrong move Michael! I should beat your ass but instead, you're going to bed!" Linc yelled
Apart of me wanted to say something but when Lincoln was this angry I knew better but I still managed to shake my head no.