Thank you guys so much for the reviews! I was worried no one is reading this and if I should continue the story. Aranow: I know Mike is in some serious trouble :/ Neenee75: Thank you for reviewing and I appreciate the encouragement.
Usually, I write my stories in completion then edit and publish but this one I got anxious to publish so I'm still writing the ending. Hopefully, this will hold you over for a few days
Chapter 3: Saying it aloud
I picked up LJ and gingerly sat on the couch yelping, the stinging was intense from the swats earlier. It instantly started to warm up in our little apartment, so I took off LJs jacket and he sat on my knees. I looked up at the clock, it was 9:30 a.m. and I was already sporting a stinging butt, we hadn't even had breakfast yet. My stomach was hurting from all the stress and Lincoln pulled a kitchen chair to the front of the couch. Lincoln looked at LJ and me with a look of disappointment painted on his face. It was hard for me to look into his stormy green eyes, so I looked down at our dingy brown carpet and my shoes. I felt good about the fact I didn't lie to Linc about one thing these damn shoes the coach at school requested.
"LJ, why did Uncle Mike spank you?" Linc asked
LJ looked up at Linc, tears rolling down his cheek and his bottom lip protruding. He started crying and I rubbed his back trying to calm him down. "LJ, tell Daddy why I spanked you buddy." I tried to coax the toddler to answer. "Unca Mike you got angary n hitted me," LJ answered. I couldn't believe this kid, it was like he wanted Linc to kill me. "Michael, what happened?" Linc sighed giving up that LJ would be able to describe accurately what had occurred.
I paused looking up at Linc, "Well we sat at the table waiting for you and I let go of LJs hand for a second and he ran off. I found him a second later at the water fountain splashing water everywhere. I went up to him and spanked him because you told him to stay with me." I rushed out. Linc sighed and got up picking up LJ off my lap. He sat down in the chair with LJ on his lap, "Mike go get breakfast started while I talk to LJ. You and I will talk after breakfast when LJ takes his nap."
I got up and walked to the kitchen grateful Linc believed me and happy I didn't have to see LJ get a spanking. Linc would only swat his bottom a couple times too scared to hurt him and considered that a spanking. "LJ Uncle Mike didn't hit you, buddy. He spanked you because you were naughty, and you know what happens when you misbehave right?" Linc asked gently
I started mixing the pancake batter and turned the stove on with oil bubbling in the skillet. I felt bad for LJ and knew soon enough that'd be me. I heard LJ cry and sniffle out an answer for Linc, "Daddy spanks me an I havta says sorries to Unca Mike." I heard Linc land a couple swats and LJ cry loudly. My heart was literally breaking, and I felt a tear escape my eyes but quickly wiped it away. I had managed to fry up all the batter and put the pancakes on the table. Linc walked in with LJ in his arms rubbing his back and LJ turned to me, "Im weeally sorries Unca Mike, I wonts be naughty agains."
Linc handed LJ to me and I sat him in his highchair and gave him a pancake as Linc poured him syrup. "I know buddy, I forgive you. Eat your breakfast and then nap time." I smiled. For that moment I forgot I was in trouble until I sat down on our hard-wooden chair, reigniting the pain from my earlier spanking. When I looked up at Linc he at least looked less angry, but I didn't dare speak. I just pushed my pancake around my plate my stomach was too upset to eat and a part of me knew if I'd get a spanking the food wouldn't stay down anyway.
"Michael, stop playing with your food and fucking eat it. You're too damn skinny for a kid your age!" Linc nagged
I looked up at Linc catching his stone grey-green eyes and seeing the anger behind them. "But…Linc I just I know you're going to spank me after breakfast. I don't want to get sick you know." I dared to whisper. Linc stared at me for a moment and surprisingly gently put his hand on my gray cotton covered forearm, "Mike, I'm just so disappointed in you and yes you'll be getting a spanking with my belt. Not until tonight though because I am too angry Mikey. So, eat your breakfast and enjoy it because it'll be one of these only times in the next few days you're sitting comfortably." He sighed "No but Linc it's not what you're thinking!" I screamed
Linc slammed his hand down on the table and I knew I shouldn't have said anything. I looked up to see LJ's face look terrified he really hated loud noises. I offered him a week smile, "It's okay LJ just eat your breakfast and then I'll get you ready for your nap." Lincoln took a deep breath in, "We will talk about this when LJ is taking his nap then we will discuss your punishment, but I've said plenty of times your ass is getting my belt. Don't think I'm going to let you off easy no matter what your excuse is Michael. Now eat your food and not another word!" Linc yelled
I slumped in my seat forcing myself to eat my pancake the syrup sticky on my tongue and tears involuntary escaped my eyes. I felt Lincs hand on my forearm again trying to comfort me and I knew he hated being the bad guy. I'd hear him on the phone with Vee after I'd get in trouble and he'd always say how bad he felt when he had to spank me. Linc was all I had, and it sucked knowing I disappointed him, and his hand rubbed my arm before he got up putting his dish in the sink.
"Get LJ laid down for his nap, I'll be back." Linc left grabbing his jacket on his way out the door. I put our plates in the sink and lifted the baby from his highchair. We walked to my room and LJ was half asleep already. "No sleep, i's not tired." I gently rubbed LJs back and positioned the pillows on the bed so he wouldn't roll off. I laid him down and he protested by kicking his feet and it occurred to me maybe his stinging butt hurt laid this way. I gently rolled him to his side and he settled down. "Sleep well, and I'll wake you up in a little while baby." I rubbed his back one last time and walked out.
I went into the kitchen trying to earn points with Linc by doing the dishes, but I knew there were no such things as points with my brother. There was no scorecard just the crime and punishment, but it couldn't hurt to maybe change his mood. I washed the dishes drying them and putting them away. I cleaned off the table and heard the door unlock looking up as Linc walked in. He hung his coat on the rack as I washed my hands and I headed to the couch.
"The baby asleep?" Linc asked gruffly I nodded my head yes and was so nervous my stomach started cramping. I defensively put my arm over my stomach rubbing it trying to comfort myself.
"Michael, Jesus fucking Christ don't make yourself sick over this shit. Let's talk and then I'll decide your punishment. You know I'd rather die than hurt you buddy, but I've never punished you without a reason. So, tell me what happened? Why haven't you paid the heating in 4 months, Mike? Why have you been lying to me when I asked you if all the bills were paid for? Hmmmmm?" Lincoln sighed heavily
I felt myself wipe my sweaty palms on the suede of the coach and look down at my shoes. How was I going to explain this and not feel like the biggest jerk? It was technically my ass on the line, but it felt like my loyalty was on the line as well. I didn't know what to do and as I pondered it Linc grew more impatient.
Linc grabbed my chin so I was looking up at him and I still managed to just gaze at him. I didn't have an answer because I wasn't sure who would hate me more if I did answer. I put my hand on Lincs wrist pushing it off my chin and looked down again. I didn't want the guilt to come through my eyes, so I hid them. I didn't expect Linc to just leave me alone, but I had wished he would.
Linc had always been a physical person and was aggressive when he was angry. That's usually why he'd take walks first before punishing LJ and I. I think it was to smoke some weed but that was just an unfounded theory I had. I saw Linc from the corner of my eye grab a wooden chair from the kitchen and he sat in front of me. "I don't like to go back on my word Mike, but your defiance is not being unnoticed. If you don't talk I'm going to have to take you over my knees like damn little kid and spank you. Do you want me to treat you like LJ, a damn three-year-old?"
I felt my stomach clench at the threat and I looked at Linc, "I just thought I was doing the right thing Linc. Why is that wrong?" Linc paused for a moment. "Mike, it was wrong because after all I've given up for you all the long hours I work, 7 days a week and staying on a straight path to avoid jail, you stole from me. I'm so disappointed in you and all I'm asking is why?" Linc answered calmly and I just at that moment wanted to die. I betrayed my own brother and he hated me now. I burst into tears bringing my hands to my face as I struggled to catch my breath. He didn't want me anymore and I was alone in the world, I might as well pack my things now. I whispered that I could be out in an hour if he could just give me an hour. That I was sorry that I stole from him, but suddenly I felt Lincs arms around me. He was hugging me and rubbed my back which was a shock, but I took in the comfort. He pulled away keeping his large hands on my shoulders.
"Michael, we've had this talk before there isn't anything in this whole world that could make me hate you or stop loving you. You're my brother and that's a forever thing. But, when you're miss behaving or do something bad it's my job to make you understand there are consequences for misbehaving. I know you're 15 but make no mistake when I take my belt to you, it's so you'll learn that there are punishments. Just like when you turn 18 and commit a crime like stealing Mike they can throw you in jail. So, this time better be the last time you steal and before you think to do it again you'll think of me belting you. Maybe that'll make you not want to steal again, and you don't get to just run away when faced with a consequence you don't like Michael." Linc calmly whispered out
I wiped my tears on my gray sleeve sniffling, "But Linc I promise I didn't steal it really." Linc huffed, "Ok, then where did it go Mike? Money doesn't just disappear and yes, I already know you got shoes for school. Where's the rest of it?" Linc shrugged I didn't want to answer him, but I wasn't sure what would happen if I didn't. I struggled to find the words to explain why I had taken the money.
"Michael Scofield!" Linc yelled getting up from the chair grabbing my arm and lifting me up from my seated position. He put his right leg up on the couch bending me over, "Are you going to stop playing games and spit out the truth? Or should I spank you and then you'll talk?" I felt nausea wash over me as my stomach cramped up over Lincs leg. I wasn't sure if I'd be telling the truth or vomiting. I started spitting up clear saliva onto the carpet and was immediately standing up straight again.
"Damn it, Mike!" Linc cursed "Are you fucking sick or are you making yourself sick?" Linc sighed I rubbed my stomach again and knew it was because I was so stressed about everything happening. I shrugged my shoulders and that through Linc into a fit of anger. He grabbed my left arm turning me and spanking me so hard I swung into the air an inch. I screamed out, Linc never gave me a warning swat this hard before. I knew I was pushing my luck because my brother would rather die than hurt me, but I wasn't sure he was seeing things clearly. I started crying unable to catch my breath, "Lincoln….. paaahleeease stop, don't hurt me." I threw my hands back defensively, hoping to avoid another stinging swat.
Lincoln looked at me letting me go, "Michael I'm in control, but my patience is wearing thin buddy. I don't want to hurt you, you know that I would never do that, but spankings are meant to sting. You need to be upfront with me about what is going on. I know you're loyal, so I've already decided you're covering for someone we know. I'd guess LJ but he's three and I don't think he needs a couple hundred dollars." Just then I felt my eyes get wide as if I was losing in a poker game giving up I had a full house. Linc looked at me as my guilt began to tear me apart from the inside.
Just then as Linc opened his mouth LJ came running in crying, right into my legs, I picked him up and snuggled him into my chest. "Unca Mike, I hads a bads dream," he reached up to my tears wiping them away on his sleeve. "you hadsa bads dreams toos?" I smiled feeling myself calm down. "No buddy, I'm just tired, what was your dream about?" I could see Linc just stare at me than getting up heading to the bathroom. I rocked LJ against my chest trying to coax him back to sleep because he needed at least 2 hours to be good the rest of the day. "Theres was scweems and cwies. Den I wokes ups." He cried "Its ok baby, just a dream." I lied and rubbed his back. I heard his breathing even out and knew he had fallen back asleep. I carefully walked him back to my room laying him on his stomach. I tucked the covers up to his back and kissed his forehead.
I walked out leaving the door cracked and returned to the living room where Linc was and he walked up to me hugging me. I felt safe in his strong arms and laid my head of his black cotton thermal. A look of sympathy was on his face and I knew he felt bad for scaring me earlier. I was exhausted from all the crying and guilt, so I decided to tell the truth…