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Tony’s birthday party this year would be a little different from the ones in the past. This year, he’d have a big blowout with music and lots of guests, but he was actually including a few real friends on the list. Even his sister was in town. And he wasn’t dying, so that was an improvement.
“Buon compleanno, fratello.” Joey kissed Tony on the cheek and sailed into the penthouse.
“Grazie, sister. You’re looking festive.” Joey wore a wide-legged pantsuit with brightly colored tropical plants on it and a wide pink belt. “How long are you going to be here?”
“A week or so. What are you planning this year? Something big, I suppose?”
“Pepper said not too big,” Tony pouted. “But I might have invited a few extra people.”
Joey arched an eyebrow. “Some things don’t change, eh, Tonio?” He followed her into the kitchen where Bruce was finishing a cup of tea.
“Dr. Banner, good to see you again. Are you looking forward to this party of Tony’s?”
Bruce shook his head. “Tony knows I’m not a party goer.”
“You have to come for the cake,” Tony insisted. “And you deserve a drink or two.”
“You know the big guy doesn’t like it when I drink, Tone.” Bruce took a last sip of his tea and then held up his cup. “This is as wild as I get.”
Joey laughed. “What about a dance? I’ll save you a slow song.”
JARVIS interrupted to inform Tony that a package had arrived. He hurried off, leaving the other two in the kitchen together.
Joey quirked her lip expectantly at the scientist. “Are you sure you want to risk your feet?” he asked, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m not much of a dancer.”
“I’ll take the risk if you will,” she said.
Tony came back carrying a big box. “What’s that?” he asked.
“Bruce was promising me a dance tomorrow night.” Joey turned to make herself a cup of coffee.
Tony turned to his friend. “Nice job, Jolly Green.”
“What’s in the box, Tone?”
“Let’s find out.” He pulled a pocketknife from his pants and slit the box open. He pulled out a pair of cowboy boots. Tony started laughing. They were black with red flames inlaid in the leather, with a pointed toe and stacked heel. Tony laughed so hard he dropped the boots.
“Try them on!” Joey urged, smiling broadly.
Bruce was grinning now. Tony sat in the nearest chair and pulled the first book on. His pants were too tight so he had to scoot his pants up. Once he got the second boot on and stood up, stomping around the kitchen.
“Do they fit?”
“Who are they from?”
Tony wiggled his foot around a bit. “They fit pretty well. Maybe a little tight across the foot.” He stretched his legs. “How do they look?”
“Definitely you.”
Bruce chimed in. “Yeah, looking good, Tony.”
“I think I’ll wear them to the party tonight. That reminds me, I better go check on the band.” He set the box down and stepped out onto the balcony where the musicians were doing a sound check for tonight.
Joey set her empty coffee cup in the sink, then turned to Bruce before leaving. “I’m going to hold you to that dance, Dr. Banner.” Then she headed for the elevator, swinging her hips a little extra as she went.
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Tony’s party was underway. Despite Pepper’s pleas, the Tower was packed with friends and celebrities, acquaintances and a few politicians. Stephen Tyler from Aerosmith had owned up to sending the boots before taking the stage to play a set. Tony was still mostly sober though, so that was progress. Joey got her dance with Bruce, then he slipped away to his lab. After another hour or two, most of the guests had gone, leaving the residents of the tower and Joey for the after party.
When even the caterers had packed up and gone home, Joey found her brother nursing a whiskey out on the balcony.
“Hey, fratello mio, I brought you a gift,” she said, handing him a large flat package.
Tony cocked his head and smiled at her. “You didn’t have to, kid.” Setting down his glass, he undid the ribbon and the paper.
Inside was a framed picture. It was a sketch Joey had done of them both as children. Tony was his gawky teenage self, balancing toddler Joey on his shoulders. Her face was full of delight, obviously caught in the moment when she was mid-laugh. Tony had a broad grin on his face too.
She cleared her throat. “You know that photo Jarvis took of us that summer? Before you left for MIT? It got lost somewhere, but I remembered it.”
Tony couldn’t speak for a moment. Then he said in a thick voice, “I remember.” Then he set the picture down and hugged her so hard her feet almost let the ground. “Thanks, kid. Thanks for everything.”
“Anytime, big brother.” And she meant it.