The Importance Of Lies In Mike Lupica's 'Heat'

Have you ever been caught in a lie? Even if it is about unimportant things, not telling the truth sadly has become a part of everyday life for many people. From a young age we are taught by our parents that lying is wrong, but that does not stop us from telling white lies from time to time. Often in literature we run into characters that disregard their moral teachings and lie for either convenience or necessity. Though maybe insignificant at the time, these small dishonesties can later prove destructive to relationships and can alter one's values, ultimately pushing others away. Throughout Mike Lupica’s book Heat, the main characters Michael and his brother Carlos are trapped in a web of lies trying to stay together as a family because of

For example, Carlos lies to Michael about the bills and expenses and this makes Michael worry about their financial welfare. Lupica writes: “Michael looked over and saw him at the counter, opening an envelope, making a face, tossing it in a drawer… ‘don’t tell me what we can and can’t afford’”(Lupica 10). This is important because it shows that Michael witnessed his brother snapping under the pressure of paying the bills and supporting the household. Carlos’ reaction to the bill tells Michael that they are not financially stable, and adds one more thing for Michael to be worried about. In addition, Michael says that he is “filling up” particularly due to the stress that the lies have now placed on his shoulders. Michael explains: “He started to feel himself filling up again. It was happening a lot lately, when he started to think about everything and feel like he was Chicken Little in the bedtime story Papi used to read to him, about the sky falling”(Lupica 136-137). Readers can infer from this quote that Michael is feeling weighed down by all of the troubles in his world, caused by the lies and the struggles that he is facing. This is important because Michael’s mindset has now become one of helplessness and despair and he feels like everything he knows is falling apart. The stress of the lies has greatly affected the Arroyo brothers, especially

For instance, the coach of the Clippers, Mr. Minaya, begins to wonder why there is never someone to drive Michael to the games. He calls the Arroyo house and says, “Mr. Arroyo, you don’t have to get right back to me, but once we get to the playoffs we are going to need parents to drive to the game...unless of course Mr. Arroyo isn’t home and I’m talking to Michael or Carlos...just tell your dad to give me a call, if he ever does come back”(Lupica 14). This shows that Mr. Minaya is suspicious of the boys’ lie that their father was just visiting their uncle. Because he added, if he ever does come back, it shows that Mr. Minaya suspects that Papi will not come home at all. Secondly, Mr. Gibbs becomes skeptical about the boy’s living situation and begins to question Michael on where Papi really is. He asks Michael, “Where is your father really?...I see parents running out all the time..if he’s gone you gotta tell me” (Lupica 111 & 114). Mr. Gibbs is suspicious of Papi’s true location and has already pieced together that he is not living with the boys anymore. Because of this, Michael is having to try extra hard to cover up the truth and paint a fake picture for him, telling more and more lies that he will have to remember. Since the lies are occurring more frequently, Michael has to work harder to cover them