CHAPTER TWO
"Dad, I'm home," LJ said as he entered the door. Linc looked up from the newspaper and said angrily, "Told you to bring an umbrella. See how wet you are!" "Guess he needs a change of clothes," Sophia said when she entered from the kitchen. She was always good to LJ. Unlike Lincoln, she was more understanding and kind. It was only a little more than a week since LJ and Sophia first met. But LJ began to like this woman. He even hoped that she could be his mother one day.
LJ gave Lincoln several glances when he wondered whether he should tell his father about Michael. Lincoln could sense his glances. LJ quickly looked away and began to go back to his room. Lincoln asked, "What happened?" "Well … nothing," LJ lied. "I look at you and I knew something happened. What is it?" Linc asked again. Lincoln was not a perfect dad but he knew his son after all. Are all fathers like that? LJ wondered. Do they all pretend that they don't notice anything even though they actually know everything?
Lincoln got up from the sofa and looked at his son straight in the eyes. "You know you're a lousy liar, son," Lincoln said. LJ didn't want to lie to his father, but he didn't want to betray his uncle too. So, he tried his best not to lie and not to tell the truth at the same time. "Well, something did happen. But it's okay now," he replied, hoping that Lincoln would drop the matter. He pretended that everything was cool and began to walk towards his bedroom once again.
LJ knew there would be 99% chance that Lincoln would push him to tell him exactly what happened. Could he blame his father for being so nosy? Because of what they had been through, the Fox River incident, the conspiracy and the kidnapping in Panama, Linc became much more alert to the events happening around him. "Sometimes, you just can't be too careful," he would say.
"So, what happened then?" Lincoln persisted as predicted. To be honest, he was worried about what LJ might tell him. It was not long when they finally settled down. The truth was it was actually a week. He just wanted to be normal. He wanted no business with the company anymore. It was so tiring to have to look over the shoulders all the time. All he wanted was to have a quiet life with the ones he loved. That was all he cared about.
LJ understood that his uncle Mike always made the right decision, the best decision for him and Lincoln anyway. He knew that his uncle told him not to tell Lincoln about their encounter for a reason. The reason might be just beyond his ability to understand. That was why he didn't tell him. "But it wouldn't hurt to tell Dad that you're alive, right? He's worried you sick!" LJ thought, recalling how many times Lincoln checked his cell phone every day.
"I saw Uncle Mike," LJ said finally.
"Michael? You saw Michael?" Lincoln suddenly became really nervous and continued, "Is he okay?"
"He looks fine."
"Where is he?"
"I don't know."
"What? What do you mean that you don't know?"
"He just left and told me not to tell you."
"And … and you just let him walk away?"
"I … I thought …" LJ suddenly felt he might have done something wrong to listen to his uncle.
"Don't tell me just watch him go away!" Lincoln said. When he saw the innocent expression on his son's face, he couldn't help but shouted, "Damn stupid!"
Sophia heard enough of their arguments. She came in and tried to soothe Lincoln. "Calm down, Linc. You're scary," she said softly.
"How the hell can I calm down? Michael is here. And he just tells my son not to tell me about this!" Lincoln said angrily.
"It's not like that," Sophia stated, "I guess he has a plan. Remember you tell me that he always has a plan. Don't worry about Michael. I think he'll show up when the time is right."
Lincoln took a deep breath and continued, "Why is it not the right time? Is the company going after him? Is he hurt? Does he need help? I've only got one brother, Sophia. I cannot stop worrying about him. You don't know Michael. He cares too much about others and so very often he … he …" Lincoln couldn't continue as he thought about how he ended up here instead of the electric chair in Fox River.
"He doesn't care about himself," LJ finished the sentence for his dad. "I'm sorry, dad. I was really stupid. I thought he had … I didn't … I didn't know he was pushing me away." LJ now understood why Michael asked him to go away. Michael was afraid that they might get hurt. And if Lincoln and LJ might get hurt by being with Michael, then Michael was in trouble.
"I wasn't there for him," Lincoln sighed heavily. Sophia put her hands on his shoulders, giving him some comfort. LJ looked at his father but all he could think of was his uncle who was soaking wet wandering on the street; facing the dangers all by himself.
