Poor Mike, I just feel bad for this kid at this point. Thank you for the reviews aranow and for reading this story. Anyone else reading? Please feel free to leave a review I love feedback. Now….. please enjoy
Chapter 5: Now, so there's no later
I slowly rolled over gasping as my butt felt pressure from the mattress. Hissing I sat up rubbing at my eyes and looked for my watch to see what the time was. I wondered how long I had slept for and as I stood up, I could hear Veronica talking to Linc from the living room. "Linc, he's going to make mistakes but he's getting to old for you to spank him. He's 15 for Christ sakes and he may be small for his age now, but God willing he'll get a growth spurt." She sighed heavily. I heard Linc pacing around, "Yeah I know Vee, but what do I do? Beat the shit out of him then, to keep him safe in those fucking streets?" I heard him growl and a chair slam into the kitchen table.
I cringed at the idea of Linc punching me in the face and I had seen him do it many times when we were younger to guys in fights. "No Linc, but come on, maybe ground him? Give him extra chores?" Vee asked. "No Vee, not for this! He went and got drugs from the drug dealer that put me in jail! What about LJ? He doesn't need a drug addict for an uncle. He already has a fuck up for a father!" He yelled. My heart sunk in guilt and I walked to the door placing my hand on the doorknob but didn't turn it.
I heard Vee trying to comfort Linc, "Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. You're a good Dad and brother Lincoln. You work hard for those kids." I heard a knock at our front door and froze because what if it was Crab? "Michael?" Linc called out. I felt the door push against me and swing open hitting me in the head with a loud thunk. Tears immediately sprang to my eyes and Linc looked at me dumbfounded. "Oh my God, Mike are you okay? What were you doing standing behind the door?" Linc was panicked holding my head up to see if I was hurt anywhere else.
"Linc, stop, I'm okay." I gently pried his hand from my face and blinked back my tears. It had hurt but I was fine and felt stupid for getting hit with the door. He rested his hand on my shoulder, "Alright kid, let's get some food in you and you can tell Vee all about school." Linc smiled at me and I blinked back my tears from the pain. My forehead was killing me, and I could feel a bump starting when I ran my hand over it on the way to the kitchen.
"Mike, you okay? What happened?" Vee asked concerned when putting the pizza box on the table. I nodded my head yes that I was okay, not noticing Linc taking the peas out from the freezer. "Yeah, baby genius here slammed his head into the door when I opened it." He chuckled to himself while placing the peas on my forehead. He smirked at me turning and grabbing the paper plates out of the cabinet. "God Lincoln, do you have to be such an ass? Michael, answer me are you okay?"
"Yeah Vee, it's just a little bump." I sighed putting the peas on the table as I contemplated sitting down. I felt a hand push me forward into the table, "Sit." Linc pointed to the chair and I cringed but gingerly sat on the hardwood chair. I squirmed trying to find a comfortable position and Vee sat next to me resting her hand on my forearm. "How's school? You thinking about colleges yet?" Linc opened the pizza box and gave me a couple of slices of pepperoni, "Eat both of those Michael. No excuses that you're full, you're too damn skinny and you won't leave the table till they're both ate. Got it?"
I shook my head yes and turned to Vee telling her my plans for college. I asked her advice about which school would be best so I could become an engineer. I liked solving things and putting things together. So, when we started learning architecture in math class it felt like something I could do. Lincoln just sat listening to Vee and I talk while he ate. I, in between questions chewed my pizza and before I knew it, I finished my dinner. I kept shifting uncomfortably in my chair and randomly applying the peas to my forehead. I yawned and Vee smiled at me, "Well Michael, maybe you should get some sleep? You can call me anytime and I'd be happy to hear from you." I smiled genuinely so happy Vee was here and looked up at the clock; it was already 9 pm. I stood up, throwing my paper plate in the garbage and Vee stood up hugging me goodnight.
"Go get your pajamas on and brush your teeth. I'll be in to talk to you and get that look off your face." I kicked at the kitchen linoleum floor, "Linccccccc….." I whined out annoyed, "you said we were going to talk tomorrow." Linc stood up taking the peas from my hand and putting them back in the freezer. "Yeah yeah Michael, go on." I looked at Vee one last time and she smiled at me while I headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth.
"Vee, you staying the night?" I heard Linc ask. I peeked out into the kitchen to see Veronica kissing Lincoln. "Yeah," she giggled. I smiled to myself. It always put Linc in a good mood when Vee stayed the night which might work in my favor. I headed to my room and pulled out a fresh pair of boxers and a navy-blue sleep t-shirt that was a size too big. I quickly changed and as I pulled back the comforter, I heard the door open. I decided to lay in bed on my side, facing Linc.
Linc sat on the bed and rubbed his calloused hand over my shaved head. "Does this still hurt?" He gently touched the bump on my forehead. "Only when people touch it." I snarked out. Linc rolled me forward swatting me through the comforter. I yelped. "No Michael we're not joking around here. You're still in big trouble and I'm not happy with what you've done. Is this a joke to you?" Linc gritted through his teeth. His voice was low and terrifying. The stinging was set on fire with that swat made silent tears run down my face, "No Linc it's not, I'm just tired and today's been a long one." I sniffled.
"Well, whose fault is that? We will talk more about it tomorrow because Vee's here, but I wanted to talk to you about what happened here earlier. About the closet, and if we should call Dr. Tanner? Do you feel like you need to see him?" Linc rubbed my back encouraging me to talk to him. It felt nice that he was comforting me, but I was embarrassed. "I think I'm okay Linc, I just freeze sometimes when I think about it. It's like watching a movie play in my head about what happened, and I get scared." My voice dropped to a whisper.
"Oh Mikey, I know and it's okay to be scared sometimes. I get scared a lot more nowadays, that something will happen to you or LJ. What happened, kid, with everything in that foster home, well I would have been scared too." Linc continued to rub my back. I nodded, "But, Linc, I don't think I need to see Dr. Tanner. I'm okay with that situation and I mean, if you decide not to spank me, I wouldn't object." I shrugged innocently. Linc chuckled getting off the bed and walking to the door to shut off the light. "Oh Mike, in your dreams. Goodnight little brother." He switched off the light shutting the door as I drifted off to sleep.
I awoke to the smell of bacon cooking and laughing coming from the kitchen. I smiled to myself and searched for my alarm clock. I was surprised it hadn't gone, oh my god! It was ten a.m. and I was late for school and as I pushed myself off my bed my feet tangled in the sheets and I face planted on the carpet. I groaned as my door flung open and Linc ran in, "Oh my god Michael are you okay?! What happened?" His voice was laced with concern as Veronica started laughing and I glared up at her. She smiled and winked at me before turning around headed back to the kitchen.
"I….I'm sorry Linc, I didn't mean to miss the bus or school! My alarm didn't go off." I whined. I was in enough trouble and didn't need to give any reasons for Linc to add swats to my punishment today. I pushed myself up from the ground groaning from the impact the small fall had on my body and Linc grabbed my arms hauling me to my feet. "No Linc, please, I didn't mean too." I whimpered trying to turn away from him so he wouldn't swat me.
"Mike, I turned off your alarm last night after you fell asleep." My eyes got wide as if he'd just slapped me. "Vee and I wanted to hang out today with you and then we will get LJ tonight." I nodded my head. "But you and I kid, we're still going to talk. Vee has to head home after breakfast to grab some clothes for today and we will talk then, got it?" His face was now serious…