lincolnlogsmusic

[lincolnlogsmusic]

via @defineyourgrind

[lincolnlogsmusic]

It’s a Risk

Muff Potter had a heart attack at 3 AM. Cold Springs High School no longer had a football coach. 

“Hey Lincoln, it’s Coach Jeff. Can you come in to the high school tomorrow? We’d like to talk to you.”

It couldn’t have been more anxiety-producing for Lincoln. Coach Potter had been a staple of the Cold Springs High football community for a very very long time and all of the sudden, he was gone. Lincoln had mourned in his own way, taking out all of his old gear, even raiding his parent’s house for items he’d left there. But a call from the assistant coach was not really what he expected. 

His leg bounced anxiously as he sat in the chair outside the locker room office. He rubbed his face and tried to calm himself, but he had no idea what this was about. 

After ten minutes or so, Coach Jeff came out, “Come on in, Linc,” he said, waving Lincoln into the office. 

Lincoln walked in and saw one of the new assistant principals and Mr. Jackson, the head of the P.E. department. “Uh... hi everybody.” He smiled, albeit a little awkwardly. “What’s going on?” 

Mr. Jackson stepped up first. “Lincoln, have a seat,” he motioned to the bench next to the desk.

Lincoln sat and consciously prevented himself from fidgeting with anything. He knew how to act professional when he needed to. 

Coach Jeff closed the door behind him and took a seat in the desk chair. He leaned forward and looked to the other two for support. “Now, Linc, I suppose you heard Coach Potter passed away earlier this week.”

Lincoln nodded slowly. 

“We no longer have a football coach.”

Lincoln nodded again, not getting it. 

Mr. Jackson sighed. “Mason, we haven’t had our team go to state since you were on it. That group of guys was magic together. You, Tay Gordon, all those guys. It had something. You worked together.” 

“Thanks, Mr. Jackson, I appreciate that,” Lincoln nodded, scratching his shoulder absently. 

Coach Jeff sighed. “Linc, we want you to take the coaching job.” 

His mouth dropped open. “Seriously? I have no experience!” 

“I’ll help you. I’ve been doing this awhile and with Potter,” Coach Jeff said. “And we have some time to prepare before training starts. I think it’ll be great.” 

Lincoln was still in shock, but he found himself nodding. “I don’t know if I can take the team to state. I’m just... I’m only 25. I’ve never coached.” 

The room laughed and this time the assistant principal spoke up. “Let’s just say, someone has faith in you,” she smiled a little. 

“Wow... um...okay.” 

And suddenly Lincoln had a huge weight on his shoulders, but it was fine, because he’d started working out again. 

[lincolnlogsmusic]

“There is no intensity of love or feeling that does not involve the risk of crippling hurt. It is a duty to take this risk, to love and feel without defense or reserve.” - William S. Burroughs (via quotemadness)

via @quotemadness

[lincolnlogsmusic]

Work Hard, Play Harder

It was the hardest thing in the world: walking back into the gym. Lincoln pulled off his hat and jacket and tossed them on the passenger seat of his truck. It wasn’t like it was going to get any easier. He knew he’d lost muscle, even though he still looked pretty toned. Climbing out, he rubbed his forehead self-consciously. 

He walked in and the door buzzed like it did with every entrance. 

“Welcome to- Oh my god, Lincoln Mason!” 

Lincoln looked up to see Josh Pruitt coming to give him a hug. Josh was almost 50 now. He was big, burly, and had a heart of gold. 

“Hey Josh,” Lincoln grinned, but felt a little bit sheepish. 

“How the hell are you?” Josh clapped him on the back. “We haven’t seen you here in ages! We miss you!” He looked around and shouted to his wife. “Katherine! Lincoln’s here!” 

Katherine was with a client, having them do bicep curls, a clipboard held out in front of her. She grinned and waved to the two of them. “Hey, Linc! Good to see you!” She went back to her client. 

“So, what can we do you for?” Josh asked. 

“I was going to re-open my membership,” Lincoln’s jaw set. “It’s been awhile. It’s time to be back.” 

Josh studied him for a moment. “You’re serious about this, Mason?”

Lincoln nodded firmly. 

“How would you feel about working here then?” Josh offered. It sounded so offhand, Lincoln startled. “We just had a staff member leave for college. You know working here gets you free membership, plus a shake after every shift.” 

For a second, Lincoln didn’t know what to say. His eyes roamed over the cracks in the tile. It was a commitment for him. A business and boss he cared about would mean actually working hard. 

“I....Okay, Mr. Pruitt.” He held out his hand for Josh to shake. 

“Cut that out, Linc. It’s still Josh. I’m just writing your checks. Now go workout and hit the showers. When you’re done, get behind the counter.” 

Adrenaline surged through Lincoln. He’d made a big decision and he didn’t regret it. 

[lincolnlogsmusic]

You said you wanted to see me play music

[lincolnlogsmusic]

If you want to do it... Coming Soon

[lincolnlogsmusic]

Champion

Present Day 2010

Lincoln woke up in a haze. He was on the couch in his tiny studio apartment. Why he hadn’t made it to the bed, he still didn’t know, especially since the bed was right behind the couch. He rubbed his eyes and realized his head was pounding. It felt like he’d been hit by a semi. Hungover again. He glared at the partially cracked blinds letting the sun in and groaned. 

I'm calling you from the future To let you know we've made a mistake There's a fog from the past that's giving me, giving me such a headache

Blood pumped through his legs as he charged forward. He rarely felt so powerful as he did in this moment. The crowd roared in his ears, but his gaze was focused in front of him. Ten yards. Eight. Five. His hands were sweaty but they gripped the football with practiced security. He was not going to let this one go. He felt bodies, running near him, almost next to him. 

He rolled off the couch and and closed the blinds. It took more effort than he would have liked. The upright movement caused everything to slosh down in his stomach. He knew this feeling and ran, covering his mouth until the last second when his knees hit the tile in the bathroom. 

“Touchdown!” the announcer called. Lincoln slammed the ball down and jumped into the air, almost flailing his legs. He felt a rush as his teammates crowded around him, crushing his body with their’s. “Yeah, Mason!” “Sick run, man!” 

And I'm back with a madness I'm a champion of the people who don't believe in champions I got nothing but dreams inside, I got nothing but dreams

Lincoln grinned up at his girlfriend, Megan, as he strummed the final chord of “Wonderwall.” It had taken him all of 5 minutes to learn, but it was totally her favorite and he knew it. 

“Link! I can’t believe you did that for me!” she grinned and pulled the guitar strap off of him so she could take it off. Planting herself firmly in his lap, she put her arms around his neck. “You are, like, so talented. You could be a musician OR a football player. How are you going to pick?”

“I don’t know, Meg. I guess whatever feels right!” he leaned in and kissed her. That definitely felt right. 

That was definitely worse coming back up than usual. Someone had let him at the whiskey last night, clearly. Nothing fucked him up more the next morning. “Shit,” he groaned, rolling over onto the cold floor. He pulled out his phone to look at the time. Noon. At least he didn’t have to work at the coffee stand today.

I got rage every day, on the inside The only thing I do is sit around and kill time I'm trying to blow out the pilot light I'm trying to blow out the light

He walked across the graduation stage to a huge round of applause. Not just from friends, but from community members, family. After all, he did bring the team to state for the first time in 5 years. He deserved it and let himself bask in the glory for a minute. Sure, he didn’t have a college lined up, but that would come. Any day now. Recruiting was a little behind this year, so he could hear back soon. He was sure he’d get a call, if not multiple. 

If I can live through this If I can live through this If I can live through this I can do anything

The gig that night was going to be incredible. Lincoln had this new idea for a cover of an old 80′s pop song, but with their 90′s rock spin. Most likely, Judd would shoot it down for tonight, be he could always try. Maybe Anderson would back him. That being said, he did wish they played more originals. 

As expected, Judd denied the idea. At least until they practiced it. “Killjoy,” he murmured under his breath affectionately. Judd was a good kid. A good guy. Weird to remember Judd as a high schooler. He’d been so tiny compared to how Lincoln had felt at the time. But since then, they’d become close friends. 

“Ready?” he called back into the dressing room. 

Judd’s reply was eager and intense. They both felt the rush from performing. 

As he stepped on stage, for just a moment, Lincoln thought he heard the crowd roaring. How many people were out there?

His ears cleared, and he realized it was more of an enthusiastic cheer. 

I'm just young enough to still believe, still believe But young enough not to know what to believe in Young enough not to know what to believe

[lincolnlogsmusic]

Lincoln Logs

They were my favorite toys. I expected I wouldn’t have to share, because they literally said they were mine. Fucking liars. 

25| Barist-MAN at Cold Springs Coffee Works| Bass/Guitar for Icarus

Lincoln was “the man” back in high school. He was on the football team and was considered the MVP his senior year, bringing the team to state for the first time in five years. He dabbled in music, but only to impress the ladies. He was very social and did okay in school, but not great. He always figured that he’d go to college on a football scholarship. Unfortunately, though he did get an offer from U Mass, he broke his leg over summer break. The doctor said he’d be fine to walk, but after it healed, he never really ran the same. U Mass pulled his scholarship and Lincoln was stuck in his hometown. He spent his entire recovery learning to play guitar and bass, since he couldn’t stand much. He still hasn’t figured out what he’s going to do instead, so he’s currently a barista at Cold Springs Coffee Works.

Mom- Anne Mason, Dad- David Mason, Older Sister- Angela Mason