101.
Brooklyn, New York City
December 23rd, 2011
Steve sits alone at the kitchen table with a picture of Isabel.
He's been dreading this day for as long as he's been awake in this time, he really has. He knew it would be painful, but he underestimated the pain of the daggers repeatedly stabbing him in the heart.
A single tear falls down his cheek as he stares at the sad lonesome cupcake he bought at the supermarket, a single candle burning atop it. It's been burning so long, the wax has melted down, created a second layer of wax icing.
Steve leans forward slowly and with a gentle breath, blows out the candle.
"Happy birthday, Belle."
Brooklyn, New York City
December 25th, 2011
Steve spends his first Christmas alone. He bought a sickly little Christmas tree from the grocery store and decorated it with paper baubles like they used to. It looks sad and swallow in the corner next to his new record player. That was his Christmas present to himself. The only other present under the tree is a wrapped mobile phone from Clint, which he promised to teach him to use, and a $100 gift card for Old Navy from Director Fury. Steve thought that was nice. He hadn't expected anything from anyone.
Steve sits on the couch in the living room all alone, the record player spinning in the corner. He found a Christmas record in Isabel's pile, and the sounds of Bing Crosby at Christmas echo off the floorboards. The fire crackles softly in front of him.
He sighs shallowly, twiddling with his hands in his lap.
"Merry Christmas, Steve."