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“Did ya see that, unca’ Donald?! Did ya see?!” Shouted Huey from the road. He had been the first of the three ducklings to roll more than 10 feet on Max’s skateboard without falling on his behind.
“Nice work, squirt! You’re a natural!” Max approved as he helped Huey off his board.
“I saw it! Don’t get too cocky now!” Donald yelled back from the porch. The triplets half acknowledged him with some ‘okays’ before quickly turning their attention back to their ‘way cool’ surrogate cousin.
“Aw shucks Donald, they’re in good hands. Maxie knows just how to handle em’,” chuckled Goofy before taking another sip of his pop. “Perfect way to spend the evenin’, ain’t it?”
Donald could agree on that, at least. Between the sunset, the cool evening summer breeze, and the echo of their kids having fun, it was a lovely evening. But his mind was somewhere…different. Somewhere far. Goofy soon noticed the speedy rapping of Donald’s fingers on the glass bottle of pop. Goofy was aware of Donald’s more uptight nature when it came to raising his nephews, but he seemed a bit distant tonight.
“Somethin’ on your mind, pal?” The dog asked in earnest. Donald’s tapping posed for a moment, and Goofy thought he might’ve bridged just a bit too far before Donald sighed a rather tired sigh.
“Be honest with me Goof…do ya think I’m a good uncle?” Donald asked, staring ahead at the road where his nephew’s clamored over who got to ride the skateboard next, oblivious to their uncle’s plight.
Goofy went quiet for a moment, he too looking ahead at the road, at his son happily playing with the three younger ducklings. Before he could respond, Donald continued,
“I just…I don’t know. Part of me wonders if I’m doing this right. If I’m doing right by her.”
Goofy knew exactly who Donald meant by her. His dear sister, Della. In all honesty, he hadn’t known her much. She’d passed before the triplets had even hatched, and for a moment he wondered if he should give any input at all, but quickly realized the dilemma Donald was in, and he was more than willing to reassure his best friend.
“I’ll be honest, I didn’t know your sister well, Don, but if yer askin’ me, I think you’re doin’ more than enough for your boys. You and Daisy both.” He answered.
Goofy donned a grin as he continued, turning to look at his best friend and laying a hand on his shoulder. “I can see how much you worry about em’, and trust me, only the best parents stay awake at night wonderin’ what could happen to em’ and wonderin’ if they’re doin’ this all right.”
Donald finally turned to meet his friend’s gaze, and saw the sincerity in his eyes. Despite his self-doubt, knew Goofy was the last person to lie when it came to comforting someone in need.
Donald finally grinned—in turn making Goofy grin even wider—before turning to look at the boys playing in the road again, watching as they laughed, happy as could be.
“…I guess you’re right, Goof. I guess you’re right…”