Hi guys,
Sorry for the short chapter I've been sick. I'm not sure if anyone is reading this story but if you are hope you enjoy this next chapter.
Chapter 4: Talking
Linc let me go pulling me back so I was looking in his eyes and rubbed my shoulder one last time. "Alright,kid let's talk this out before LJ wakes up again. Listen I don't want to have to give you a pre-spanking Mike, but I will. This little game you're playing is getting old and you know you're too old to be throwing this tantrum. You're not LJ, you are not a baby Mike, so man up tell me what's going on." Lincoln sat back in the wooden chair.
I eyed the couch as if it were a torture device thinking of my stinging backside making contact. I looked at Linc who patted the couch in front of him as a peace offering and I sat down carefully. I felt my breath quicken and tears sting my eyes daring to come down in a blink. I hurriedly wiped them away on my sleeve and took a shaky deep breathe in.
"Uhhh ummm a few months ago Lisa came to drop off LJ and she was crying. She looked so upset and you were at work. So, I asked her what was wrong….." I sighed pausing looking down again. I felt myself losing my nerve.
"Alright, then what happened?" Linc tried.
"She had told me that she lost her job and was having trouble with gas money and food for LJ. She was just really upset Linc….." I started to cry. I had known Lisa for a few years after she got pregnant with LJ, her and Linc had tried to work things out. They just didn't make sense together and eventually broke up a couple years ago.
"I felt bad, so when she asked if I could help with gas money I told her of course. I went to the bill money and gave her 40 dollars. She was so grateful and said she'd pay us back so when I sat down to pay the bills I just figured not paying the heating bill would be easiest. It was still warm a few months ago and she said she…..d pay us…. back." I stuttered out
I could see Linc scuffing his black work boots into the carpet and it was obvious he was angry. I didn't want to see the anger on his face but after a few minutes of silence I looked up. Lincs face was a hot red but his features were frozen like stone and he was staring at me. His brawny arms were crossed over his chest. I didn't know if I should continue to speak or just be quiet, I was sure Linc was contemplating my murder.
Lincoln let in a huge breath and finally spoke, "And…."
I felt tears rolling off my cheeks and tried to gain my composure because it didn't seem like Linc was going to let me off the hook for this. "Well, then she would come every month and promise she'd pay us back but didn't." I rushed out
"Was there a reason you didn't tell me what was happening?" Linc asked
I looked up at him, "She asked me not to and she thought you'd get mad at her. I know last month she got a new job Linc, so I just thought she'd pay us back before you found out." I regretted the words as they flew out of my mouth.
"So, you fucking thought lying to me Mike was the right thing to do? I can't believe you Michael and you know better! When have I ever let you go hungry or my son not get what he needs?" Lincoln was screaming inches from my face. I trembled back and put my hands up to my face bawling.
"Oh, you're crying now Mike just because I yelled at you. Well, you're going to be howling at the moon tonight when I lite your ass up with my belt! Did you really think that just because it was Lisa it was the right thing to do? You better fucking answer me if you don't want a nightly spanking for the week kid!" Lincoln yelled
I sucked down my sobs and tried to catch my breath. I didn't want a nightly spanking and I knew Lincs threat wasn't empty. "I juuust thouuught I was dooo….ing the riiight thing. She's family and I trussst…ed her."
Lincoln got up from the chair and put it back at the table. He walked over to where I was sitting and tugged me up by my right arm. "Here's what's going to happen Michael and listen good. You will stay here and read your book for school and watch LJ today. I am going to Vee's house because I seriously am so angry with you I just want to beat the shit out of you. But, when I get back tonight we will have dinner and get LJ to sleep. Then you're going a few rounds with my belt and every time you try to sit the next few days, you will remember lying and stealing won't ever be tolerated around here!" Linc sighed
I looked Linc in the eyes, "But, I didn't steal Linc." I cried
Linc grabbed the back of my neck touching our foreheads together growling out, "You did Michael Scofield and if you don't see that yet then tonight we will talk more about it!" "But…Lisa shhhe useeeed me." I choked out
Linc let me go and looked me in my grayish blue eyes and I saw a moment of sympathy. "She did Mike and I'll be having a talk with her too. She'll pay me back and I just," Linc let out another heavy sigh running his hand down his face, "you surprise me sometimes. You're so fucking smart but so gullible in other ways. Last time I had to spank you, what was it for? Hmmmm, Mike?"
I racked my brain thinking back to when that was and was hoping Linc would tell me, but I didn't want to anger him. "I ummm, used my lunch money to buy a book I wanted at the bookstore." I cried
"Then what happened, Mike?" Linc urged
"I fainted because I wasn't eating all day until I got home." I huffed out
"So again, you stole my money to get something you wanted instead of feeding yourself. Then, I felt bad for you Mike and I gave you a hand spanking. Vee talked me out of using my belt, but I should have Mike because then maybe we wouldn't be here. Maybe you would have at least told me you gave Lisa money instead of trying to hide it! Think about that while I'm gone and don't make yourself sick over this. Get your shit together and do what you need to do." Linc started walking towards the door.
He turned to look at me as I crumbled to my knees on the carpet. I felt devastated and my stomach hurt. I let my brother down but still felt conflicted about everything. "Michael, stop get up from the ground. Go wash your face and calm down you'll scare LJ. I still love you Michael and it'll all get worked out." Linc came up to me tugging my shoulders so I was standing. He embraced me kissing my forehead.
"I'll be back in time for dinner and I'll bring something with me. Just do as I'm telling you to Mikey." Our embrace ended, and I watched as Linc grabbed his olive-green jacket leaving and the door locking. I walked into the bathroom splashing cold water on my face looking in the mirror at who I was. My eyes usually blue were gray and my eyes were swollen from the crying.
I wanted nothing more than to take the last few months back and to not betray Lincs trust, but I still believed that I had done the right thing. Family first, at least that's what Linc had always said. I splashed more cold water on my face trying to alleviate the red splotches and get ready to watch LJ. He'd watch cartoons and I'd do my school work. I could concentrate on something else. I knew I'd drive myself crazy if I thought about tonight I knew Linc had his mind made up and once he did it was set in stone.
I gently picked up LJ who started to fuss a little that I had awoken him and rocked him until he was fully awake. Going into my backpack I pulled out the English book, "To Kill a Mockingbird" I recited out loud to no one. I got LJ a snack and sat him down to watch cartoons while I laid on the couch reading my book.