Chapter 2: The Truth

I felt Lincoln tug my right arm and spank me so hard my toes lifted, and the sting was immediate, and I yelped. I should have expected it but then again, I hadn't expected to shake my head no.

"You want to defy me, Michael? Because I can drag you in the room and really light your ass on fire if you want! Now, don't give me any more shit and take your ass to bed!" Lincoln screamed. Tears rushed down my eyes and I walked towards my room I was miserable. I stopped looking back at Lincoln. "I'm sorry Linc, please don't hate me." I softly said. Lincoln looked up at me, "Mike don't be ridiculous. I could never hate you, but you're still in trouble. Get ready for bed." Lincoln ran his hand down his face

I went into our small bathroom daring to brush my teeth with the cold water and trudged back to my room trying to find another blanket in my small closet. As I pulled down another comforter there was a crash on the floor from a box under it. A few things came tumbling out and I cursed crouching down. I picked up a familiar gold frame and a photo of our mother was looking back at me. I felt like I couldn't breathe and sat on the floor.

I hadn't seen this photo in so long, we had put it away because it was too painful to remember she wasn't here anymore. I felt tears stinging at my eyes and I blinked them back. "Michael damn it! I asked if you're okay?" Lincs hands ran over my face and arms checking if I had been hurt by the tumbling box. I clutched the photo close to my chest and even though there was a sting from sitting I was okay. I blinked up at Lincoln noticing him for the first time and startled by his appearance.

"What do you have their Mike?" Lincoln pulled the photo from my hand sitting next to me

"Oh, she was beautiful, wasn't she?" Lincoln declared I nodded my head, "She was, and I really miss her." I said sullenly

"Me too man but everything worked out eventually. I know you had to endure foster homes but as soon as I turned 18 I got you away from them." Lincolns voice laced with guilt

"I know Linc, it's not your fault what happened, and I am happy you found me." I smiled

"Alright enough about our feelings lets get this cleaned up Mikey so you can get to bed." Lincoln offered a smile back

I got to my feet and gathered everything back into the box as Lincoln put the muddy brown comforter onto the bed. I walked to the bed and planned on getting right in but Lincs hand on my shoulder stopped me. "Jeans Mike." I turned towards him suddenly afraid that his plan the whole time was to punish me before bed. I made a pathetic whimpering noise because any time my jeans came off I knew I was in for it.

Lincoln stared at me a moment then busted into a deep belly laugh, "Haha Mike, I'm not going to spank you, even though you've given me plenty of reasons to tonight. I just don't want you to sleep in your jeans kid. You need to put on some sweats or pajama bottoms alright?" He pulled me into an embrace, "Your punishment is your ass is going to crawl into that bed and go to sleep. Even if it's only 9 p.m. you will sleep Mike and if I need to come back in here because the lights on or I hear you, then I'll give you a reason to sleep on your stomach. If you get what I'm saying."

I shook my head, yes, letting out a breath I had been holding in. We ended our embrace and Lincoln walked toward the bedroom door and paused, "You get five minutes Mikey that's it then lights out. Get those pajamas on and try to stay warm. Good night." Lincoln left softly closing the door

I got on a pair of gray sweats that use to be Lincs and crawled into bed trying to regain some warmth from the new comforter. I closed my eyes and sniffled as my nose ran from the cold and maybe even a chill ran through me in anticipation of tomorrow. I knew I wouldn't be sleeping comfy tomorrow after Linc found out what I had done, and I felt my stomach clench.

I was awakened when there was a loud knock on our front door, I grunted rolling over glaring at my alarm clock. It was already 8:00 a.m. and I rubbed my eyes not even attempting to answer the door. Linc would get mad if I did, since the neighborhoods not that safe I'm not allowed to open the door if Lincs home. Instead, I headed to the bathroom and splashed water on my face. It was still freezing in the apartment, but my body had gotten used to it. I felt something slam into my right leg startling me, "Unca Mike!" and childish laughter.

"LJ, hey buddy." I picked up the three-year-old and held him. I carried him into the living room to see Lisa yelling at Lincoln about how it was cold in the apartment. How this wasn't good for LJ and I saw Linc was already dressed. Lisa gave me a stare and I felt instant nausea because of my guilt. I placed LJ down and he ran to Linc. He looked so much like Lisa with her platinum blonde hair, but he had Lincs greenish blue eyes.

"Hi buddy, Mike go get dressed let's go get this heat turned on. Then we can come back and have breakfast." Lincoln sighed "Daddy, can we's havsa pancakes with lotsa syrup?" LJ asked excitedly "Yeah, buddy we can make some. Mike, where are you? You ready to go?" Lincoln yelled down the small hallway.

I searched my room for my blue jacket and felt out of control; my hands started to shake as I looked down at them. I counted to ten and breathed in trying to spare myself the panic attack. "Mike…..you okay? What's going on?" I screamed jumping back from Lincs touch. He had startled me, and I got my emotions under control. "I'm fine, you just scared me. I'm ready when you are." I whispered. Lincoln looked at me and I felt his hand under my chin, so I'd look him in the eyes. "I know you kid, there is definitely something going on. It's better if you tell me now, I hate lies Michael." Lincolns voice stern

I didn't have the guts to tell him the truth, "Its fine Linc, where's LJ?" I looked over his shoulder to the bedroom door, but LJ was nowhere in sight. "Mikey, I know you're hiding something…" before I could move I felt Lincoln give me a warning swat. "If I find out you're lying that's a preview of what I'll do to you," Lincoln said too calmly for comfort

When we walked out Lisa gave me a sympathetic smile and said bye to LJ rushing out the door. We left a minute after she did, out into the graffiti hallways of our apartment and down the rickety old brown stairs to the bright sunlight of Chicago. It was really cold, and I grabbed LJs small hand in mine as we walked with Linc to the bus stop. The utility company was downtown, so we had to take a bus and as we got on I scanned the people on the bus. There were some older people, but the rowdy crowd was in the back, so we sat in the front near the bus driver.

"Unca Mike, wheres we going?" LJ asked looking up at me

I looked down at him and his little face a wave of guilt hit me. "Well buddy, ummmm." I pondered what to say. Just then Lincoln took LJ off my lap onto his and explained we had to go get the heat turned on. That it was my fault the apartment was so freezing but Daddy was going to make it all better. I looked at Lincoln my mouth pursed and eyes burning holes into him because he painted me as the bad guy.

Lincoln hit the button dinging the driver, so he'd stop, and we got off in front of the utility building. As we approached the building Linc picked up LJ handing him to me, "Listen LJ you have to listen to Uncle Mike while we're in here. This is a quiet place, so we use our inside voices. We don't run around either, Daddy just has to pay then we can go home to make breakfast. If you don't listen, then I'll have to give you a spanking." Linc explained

"Oh, okay Daddy, I'll be good." LJ smiled I kissed the top of his head and put him down. Lincoln started walking. "LJ just hold onto my hand and be good." I looked down at him sympathetically because I knew this place would be boring. Lincoln walked up to the small window as LJ and I stood behind at a small table and I knew this was the moment.

I wasn't sure how Lincoln would react once he found out about my misdeeds, we were in a public place, but I had never done anything this bad before. Lincoln was a lot of things but usually, he reacted first and asked questions later. As Lincoln approached the window I looked down and let go of LJs small hand when I heard Linc scream, "What do you mean we owe 200 dollars? Our heating bills only 50 a month!" Linc yelled

"Sir, please calm down and don't yell at me. Let me see, it says you haven't paid the bill in 4 months. We sent calls and notices to your address on file and its noted on here we spoke to a Michael Scofield. He told us it'd be paid, and we filed extensions for you, but it's been months, so we shut the heating off." The lady sassed

I didn't dare look up, but I could hear Linc swearing under his breath and then a moment later I heard giggling. I looked up and didn't see LJ, damn that kid! I started to search and for a moment Lincs eyes met mine. His face was red with fury and I turned my attention to around the corner. LJ had found the water fountain and was splashing water everywhere.

I took long strides reaching LJ in a minute and he was shocked as I snatched him up spanking him hard. He let out a cry and started to hyperventilate as tears streamed down his pale white face. Luckily no one was around so I bent down eye level, "Didn't Daddy tell you to stay with me?" I sternly asked, "Ugh Unca Mike you hitted me!" LJ screamed I felt my face turn red and tried to breathe counting to ten. Suddenly LJ bolted behind me and I turned to see him run into Lincs arms. He started crying again dramatically, "Daddy Unca Mike hitted me really hard! I….I….." he cried

I could see Lincs angry eyes staring me down and I quietly walked towards them. I stood an arm's length away from Linc and waited for him to say something. "Did Uncle Mike hit you LJ or did he spank you?" Linc rubbed LJs back waiting for him to calm down and answer him. LJ didn't answer but shook his head yes and continued to cry. "Well, then buddy Daddy will talk to you at home about what happened. Uncle Mike's been bad too, so I'll have to talk to both of you."

"Unca Mike gets a spanking!" LJ declared loudly, and my face turned red as a tomato. Yeah, let's announce to the world I'm going to get my butt beat at 15. Lincoln chuckled and confirmed we'd all talk about it at home. Lincoln looked up at me pointing to the spot in front of him and I found myself walking backward. Lincoln snapped his fingers thinking it'd get my attention and pointed the spot in front of him again. I just wanted to stay in this spot and not go anywhere near Linc, but I knew this was my fault. Before I could move Lincoln walked up to me grabbing my arm, "Big mistake Michael Scofield!" Lincoln whispered in my ear

He held LJ in his arm and dragged us into the men's bathroom to the handicap stall. He slammed the door shut putting LJ down and still holding my left arm in his hand. He didn't say anything turning me to the side slamming his hand onto my butt followed by a heavy swat after heavy swat. I began crying as the swats started to burn and LJ started crying too. I'm sure the echo of the spanks startled him. Linc got in 6 swats when we heard the bathroom door open. He got close to my ear his hot breath, "That's for not obeying me when I told you to come to me. That isn't even a preview of what's coming. You're in serious trouble, you're going to stop that crying and get your ass moving. Do you understand?"

"Y…e…uhheees." I managed to cry out

As we exited the stall an older gentleman looked at us and softly spoke. "Its good you're keeping youth in line. That's what's missing nowadays a heavy hand." He nodded Linc nodded back and I held onto LJs hand wiping my tears on my blue jacket sleeve as we left. We made it to the bus as it was getting ready to leave and as I sat down I winced at the sting in my backside. "Unca Mike, no cry, okay." LJ hugged me around my neck trying to comfort me and I held him for a few minutes.

Lincoln dinged our stop and stood up grabbing LJ from my lap and I just appreciated the comfort because I knew when we returned to the apartment I'd be in trouble. We quietly walked back as we were walking I just noticed the fresh snow on the ground for the first time. Linc was right, I needed to pay more attention to my surroundings. A therapist a few years back told Linc I had a condition called, low latent inhibition I tend to get hyper-focused on solving the why's. He explained it but Lincoln shrugged it off, as long as I brought home good grades and watched LJ he was happy with me. He wasn't happy with me now though and we passed a kid I knew from school sitting on the brownstone's stairs. I was surprised when he said hi to me. Maybe he felt bad because he could see my splotchy red face and swollen eyes from crying.

"Hey Mike, whatcha up too?"

I turned my head and looked at the blonde kid, he looked familiar and I think we were in the same English class. I think his name was Jasper, but everyone called him Jazz, and I replied, "Nothing, just headed home." I shrugged. "All good, have a good winter break." He waved goodbye turning into his stoop and heading in. Since I had stopped to answer Jazz, Linc had stopped walking to looking at me impatiently.

I started walking again, "Mike who's that kid? Is he a fucking drug dealer? Is that where my money's been going?" He scoffed. This infuriated me because I wasn't a druggy and I tried to keep my voice calm, "No, I don't do drugs Linc, I'm not like you." I sighed loudly. This landed me a slap behind my head, "Keep being a smart ass and digging your grave Mike. Keep at it and see where that gets you!" Lincoln yelled

I rubbed the back of my head and walked up into our apartment and I knew I'd rather be anywhere but here. Lincoln put LJ down and went to the thermostat to turn it on. I turned to head to my room, "Michael, don't you go anywhere because first, we're going to have a chat. Sit your ass on the couch and you to LJ." Linc barked out.