"Happy birthday, Lightning!" It was the first time the twins had said anything even remotely useful, in Doc's opinion. "We love you!"
Lightning's smile never wavered, though the twins' well wishes seemed to stiffen it a little.
In a true portrait of the media, the surrounding reporters pounced upon this new piece of information.
"Do you have any plans to celebrate your birthday, McQueen?"
Even from a distance, Doc could see Lightning slap on his signature plastic smile. "Well, Kori, I consider winning the Piston Cup tonight a celebration in and of itself, and I look forward to another great year of racing. Thank you."
Making a slow but steady escape from the press, Lightning joined his crew, still riding high off his win.
"Lightning!" Luigi gushed, slinging an arm around his friend. "You were fantastic! Guido, he think you are amazing!"
"Thanks, guys," Lightning replied, a touch of that cocky attitude lacing his tone. "It was pretty great, if I do say so myself." Turning to wink at Guido, he added, "Though, nothing can ever be more amazing than your pit stops, buddy. Blows me away every time."
Doc, for his part, studied the kid, who was handing his flowers off to Fillmore now that he'd escaped Luigi's embrace. "So, it's your birthday?"
The kid stiffened at this, even as Luigi and Guido's smiles widened tenfold. "Yep."
A grin widened Fillmore's face. "It's your birthday? Hey, happy birthday, man."
"Thanks, Fillmore."
But Doc wasn't finished. "And I never knew this, why?"
Lightning shrugged. "I don't really advertise it. I get enough fan mail as it is, but I guess the twins advertised it for me."
"It's a crime not to tell others about your birthday," Luigi insisted, backed up by a nod from Guido.
"Yeah, man," Fillmore added. "We could've bought you a cake or something."
With a smile Doc couldn't quite read, Lightning shook his head. "Really, guys, it's not a big deal. I don't even like cake, so don't worry about it. Now," he clapped his hands together, "does anyone know where Mack is? He said he wanted to see me after the race."
"Thought I saw him hanging with your sponsors," Fillmore said, jerking a thumb at the Rust-eze tent in the distance.
"Thanks! Hey, I'll catch you guys later."
As Doc watched the kid dash off, he felt Sarge come up beside him.
"Well, that was a load of bull."
"You think so, too, huh?"
The veteran shook his head. "Kid couldn't even finish decorating that Founder's Day cake with Sally without taking a bite out of it."
Doc nodded, lips pursed in silent contemplation. It was just another one of the many mysteries about the kid he'd yet to unravel. Times like this served as a stark reminder of how much he didn't know about his prodigy.
And that realization never sat well with him, no matter how many times he'd had to face it in the past.
Luigi interrupted his musings. "Do you think it's too late to buy him a gift?"
Slowly, Doc shook his head, the beginnings of a plan taking shape in his mind. "No, I don't think so. I'll be back in a minute. I need to make a call."
Not waiting for a reply, Doc put some distance between himself and the rest of the group.
Speed dial was a lifesaver, and she picked up after just two rings. "Hey, Sally. I just found out it's Lightning's birthday today… You didn't know that either? Well, glad I'm not the only one… "We'll be home in a couple days, so do what you will with that information, but I'm hoping to see some sort of celebration in the works when I get back."
"The gears in my mind are already turning, Doc. It won't just be in the works when you get back, it'll be finished."
The determination in her voice was typical and it warmed Doc's heart. "Just don't wear yourself out… All right, see you soon."
As Doc flipped the phone closed, he took a quick look around for the kid before going to inform the rest of the team. No doubt, they'd have his head if they weren't included.
Lightning might be fine brushing himself off like that, but Doc was decidedly not. While he appreciated the selfless heart the kid had uncovered within himself during his first stay in town, Doc was beginning to see a fine line between that and self-depreciation.
Besides, everyone deserved to be remembered on their birthday, and he had the sinking feeling that not many people had remembered Lightning's for quite some time.
Doc only wished he had thought to ask about it long before now.
"Okay, so I was thinking of switching up my strategy."
Doc kept his eyes on the road, glaring at the blinding sun through his aviators. "If you've got a good thing going, ride it out until it doesn't work anymore. I think you have a pretty good strategy set up right now."
"Sure, but I know I can make it better, so here's what I was thinking…"
The kid launched into a new plan of attack for the next race, but Doc's mind had been elsewhere all morning. Sally had been sending him a few texts, updating him on the party status. Apparently, it was going to be a surprise held at Flo's. Flo would close down the cafe so only Lightning's close friends could attend.
Good. The last thing the kid needed was a bunch of strangers sending him well wishes they didn't really mean.
When they arrived, Doc would suggest they stop by and grab a bite to eat since they were both starving—Sally stressed that they should lay off the food on the way home to ensure Lightning would be hungry enough for all the food she and Flo were making.
"Doc?" The kid waved a hand in front of his face, one Doc promptly pushed away.
"I'll count that as impairing the vision of a driver," he huffed, "and I'd say it's against the law."
"Hey, you weren't answering," was Lightning's best defense. "Were you even listening?"
"Sure, kid. Of course, I was."
"Okay. So… what do you think, then?"
"When's the last time you celebrated your birthday?"
He finally glanced over at the kid to find Lighting rolling his eyes. "You're still on that? Come on, Doc, it's not a big deal. It's over now, anyway."
"You celebrated my birthday," Doc countered. "I can't celebrate yours? I wasn't aware that's how things worked these days."
"I just celebrated yours because everyone else was doing it, too."
"Hmm. I heard a different version of that story, one that included you practically begging Sally to let you plan my celebration."
"Which was awesome, by the way."
"Best I've ever had, but that's not the point. The point is, you have friends who care about you. Don't rob them of the chance to show you a good time just because you have some sort of vendetta against the date."
"I don't have a vendetta," came the grumbled reply.
"All right. Where'd you get that jacket?"
To his credit, Lightning was doing a good job of keeping up his nonchalance, even as he adjusted the sleeves on his new red and white windbreaker. "Oh, uh, Mack gave it to me."
"For your birthday." It wasn't a question, but Lightning gave an answer nonetheless.
"Yeah, he's sorta been doing that for a while…"
"So, it's all right for him to celebrate your birthday, but not us?"
"I never said that! Look, it's just a day that tells the county that I'm a real person and I'm old enough to drink. It's nothing special. And I couldn't stop Mack if I tried, and I have tried."
"Everyone's entitled to their own opinion," Doc said with a sigh, turning back to the road. "Even if that opinion's wrong."
"Ha ha. Funny. Well, you celebrate your way and I'll celebrate my way."
It took every ounce of self-control Doc possessed to keep his poker face intact. Oh, I plan to, rookie. I plan to.
Doc eased the Hornet off the road, claiming his favorite spot in front of Flo's.
As Lightning hopped out, he glanced around, doing nothing to hide his confusion. "Where is everyone?"
"Probably doing their own thing. And how many times have I told you not to slam the car door?"
The kid shrugged, not bothering to answer. "We haven't been home in a while. Usually, Sally's here, or at least Mater."
"We made good time." Silently, Doc waged a war between his growing excitement and the urge to roll his eyes. "They might not be expecting us just yet."
Lightning's face made it clear he didn't like this answer, but Doc didn't know what else to tell him. There were only so many white lies he could spin before stirring up any unnecessary suspicion.
The sight of Fillmore's mini bus parked further down the road sent waves of relief through Doc. Despite what he'd told the kid, he'd made sure they had driven slow enough to give the rest of the gang a head start.
"Hey," Lightning said, jerking a thumb at the messy vehicle. "How'd they get here before us? I thought you said we made good time."
"And they made better time. Come on, rookie, my stomach's been fighting me since the interstate. How about we grab a quick bite to eat?"
In his mind, the plan played out perfectly, every piece coming together without a hitch.
He hadn't counted on the kid's stubborn streak.
"You go ahead," Lightning said, stretching his arms. "I'm exhausted, and I think I hear a bed calling my name."
"Tired already? You barely did any driving."
The kid painted his face in mock offense. "Being a passenger is hard work! I have to keep you entertained so you don't fall asleep."
"Your bed can wait. Besides, I have the keys to the house."
"I have keys, too, you know."
"Huh. Thought you lost them."
"Well," Lightning shot back, cheeks coloring slightly, "just because I don't know where they are currently doesn't mean I don't have them somewhere."
Sure, kid. "Come on." Doc waved a beckoning hand. "You can tell me more about your new strategy."
Lightning seemed to perk up at this. Bingo. "You actually gonna listen this time?"
"Cross my heart."
"Fine. Let's go, I'm starving."
Doc arched a brow. "I thought you were exhausted."
"Hey, can't I be both?"
Adrenaline and anticipation kicked in as the kid led the way to the cafe. Doc could only hope that Sally and the rest had everything ready. Of course, she had texted him that Plan Give Lightning the Best Party ever was a go, yet that feeling that something could go wrong at any moment clung to him like velcro.
Before Lightning could even reach a hand out, Doc opened the door and all but shoved the kid inside. Every party decoration in the county hung off the walls and ceiling, and Doc was certain the amount of streamers that flowed would span longer than the Mississippi if lined up one by one.
The collective shout was more deafening than forty-three racecars, but none of the smiling faces seemed to mind.
"Surprise!"
Shock grabbed hold of the kid's features, and for a brief moment, Doc feared Lightning might have some sort of heart attack.
Sally swooped in from nowhere and gave Lightning a peck on the cheek. "I heard a rumor it was your birthday, Stickers," she said, eyes sparkling. "I hope you like surprises. If you don't, well, it's too late now."
The kid seemed to get over his initial shock, wrapping an arm around Sally's shoulders. "I love surprises."
"Yeah!" Mater exclaimed, joining the group at the door, party hat just shy of the center of his head. "Like that one time, I snuck up behind ya and scared ya in front of Flo's? And the time after that, when I did it again, and you still fell for it!"
"Not those kinds of surprises, Mater," Lightning said, unable to hide a chuckle. "And I knew you were there the whole time."
"That's what they all say…" came Mater's airy reply. "Here! I got ya somethin'!"
After slapping a party hat on Lightning, Mater proceeded to pull him toward the center table, covered in gifts and desserts.
Doc glanced at Sally. "Thought I told you not to wear yourself out."
"This?" The young attorney smiled. "This was nothing. It's all we could throw together on such short notice."
"Seems to me you outdid yourself."
She shook her head. "Red, Ramone, and Mater did most of the decorations. Flo handled the cake. I just organized it all."
"Well," he said, putting a hand on her shoulder, "it's wonderful. Thanks, Sally."
"Anything for you, Doc."
A smirk tugged at his lips. "Anything for me? I'll remember you said that…"
"Doc!"
"Come on, we both know who you really did this for."
Their gazes shifted to Lightning, who had somehow gotten trapped in one of Red's bear hugs.
"You think he likes it?"
Doc took a moment to study the kid. "I think he loves it. Now, come on, you deserve to enjoy the fruits of your labor."
Exchanging grins, Doc followed Sally, joining the others at the table.
"All right!" Flo clapped her hands together, practically glowing as she turned to Lightning. "Blow out the candles, honey, before they catch the whole table on fire!"
"I told you not to light them before he got here," Sarge grumbled, but the subtle joy on his face couldn't be missed. "This is a fire hazard." He eyed Red. "I feel like you should've done something about that."
The fireman just shrugged.
"Wait," Fillmore countered, throwing a hand between Lightning's face and the cake. "Don't you remember? We have to sing first, man."
"Oh, that's all right, you guys don't have to…" A cacophony of voices joined together before Lightning could finish. "Or, yeah…" He shrugged, flashing a defeated smile. "Okay."
Doc chuckled, clapping Lightning on the back as the kid patiently waited for the dirge-like song to end.
"All right, son," the sheriff said, eyes smiling. "I'd say it's safe to blow 'em out now."
As Lightning prepared to extinguish the candles, he shot a quick glance at Fillmore, waiting to get interrupted again. When the tree-hugger made no move to stop him, the kid knocked out every candle in one breath.
No sooner had he done this than Flo had the cake whisked off to the next table over, cutting each slice with practiced ease.
"Open mine first!" Mater shouted, shoving a gift into Lightning's hands. This earned him a whack from Lizzie.
"Respect your elders, boy!" Turning her attention to Lightning, she swapped Mater's gift out for her own. "Just a little something special, dear."
Doc watched with an anticipation he couldn't quite understand as the kid opened everyone's presents. He found he was just as curious about everyone's gifts at Lightning, and the laughter and smiles filled him with a warmth he hadn't felt in years.
Or, at least, a warmth he hadn't felt before Lightning and the tie-breaker race in Los Angeles.
Told you, kid. People care about you.
You just gotta let them.
Luigi had just finished explaining how to work whatever sort of new technology he and Guidi had gifted Lightning when Doc saw the kid's eyes moisten.
"Guys, I really appreciate this, but it's too much." No one seemed to notice, but Doc caught the underlying emotion that clouded Lightning's voice. "Really."
"Actually," Sally stepped in, entwining her hand in his, "it's not nearly enough. If someone would've just told me when his birthday was instead of saying it's not important every time I asked, I would've had longer to plan."
"Yeah," Lightning pressed, "but it looks like you guys put a lot of work into this when you could've been doing other things and—"
Sally put a finger over his lips. "Would you shut up, please? Thank you. I think I can speak for everyone when I say we've been waiting a long time to do something like this for you."
"It's about dang time," Mater added.
"So, right now," Sally concluded, "you're going to sit back and enjoy it, and maybe next time, you won't be so secretive about dates that aren't only important to you, but to us as well. All right?"
Blinking a few times, Lightning nodded. "All right."
"Good, now, I haven't given you my gift yet and—" Sally's brows took a sudden dip. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, dude," Ramone said with all the sympathy in the world, "are you crying?"
Lightning just shook his head, blinking and swiping at his eyes as if they had personally wronged him. "Sorry, just… Sorry, I just… Just give me a second," he managed, trying to hide a choked sob beneath a chuckle. "Sorry, it's just… Well, it's been a long time since someone's done something like this for me and, well, meant it, you know?"
Though Doc was sure Sally had a dozen arguments and words of encouragement flooding her mind, she surprised him by pulling Lightning close without a word and hugging him tight.
"Happy birthday, Stickers," he heard her whisper. "Happy birthday."
Flo took a few swipes at her own eyes before closing her arms around the couple. "Happy birthday, sugar."
The following moment found Doc battling a swarm of well-wishers as they gravitated toward the group hug like magnets. Squished somewhere between Ramone and Luigi, Doc managed to free a hand long enough to give the kid's hair a quick ruffle.
Told you, kid.
Told you…
Certain an eternity had gone by as they all stood there, the group finally disbanded, allowing Lightning to breathe once more.
"Thanks, guys."
Sally just grinned at him, taking both his hands this time. "Come on. I haven't given you my gift yet."
Doc got a short wave and a heartfelt smile from his kid before Sally whisked him out the door, where they both climbed into her Porsche.
Glancing at Flo, Doc asked, "What's her gift?"
"Oh, you should've seen the way she deliberated over what she was gonna give him! Ever since she hung up from her call with you, that's all we heard about! She finally decided that she's gonna drive him to the bridge by the falls, then put on the radio and ask him to dance with her."
Ramone leaned into the conversation. "After that, they'll probably sit on the hood of the car and make out." A whack from his wife was the result of this particular comment. "What? I'm spitting facts and you know it!"
"Well," Doc said, arms crossed as he watched Sally's car disappear down the road, "that had better be all they do."
The whack he received from Flo was a very toned down, almost playful version of the one she'd given Ramone. "Come on, Doc, you know Sally."
"I also know Lightning," came the cynical reply. He'd painted himself as a ladies man the second Sally walked into that courtroom.
"Oh, I'm sure they'll be good."
"They'd better be." Despite his gruff pretense, Doc was glad everything turned out—better than he'd planned, in fact.
Lightning confirmed this when he tiptoed through the back door late that night, poking his head into Doc's room just long enough to whisper, "You know this means I have to work even harder for your next birthday celebration."
"Why?" Doc inquired, not even trying to keep up the false appearance of sleep.
"Because," Lightning replied with a grin, "it's going to be really, really hard to beat the one I got today."