Donald decided he needed some time alone with Dewey. Not like a personal conversation or a walk in the park. Because everytime he tried to do something like that, there were always so many distractions, and Dewey would always prefer to join Della, Webby, Scrooge or occasionally Launchpad.

No, he needed the two of them to get together for real. No distractions, no sudden take offs for a hidden treasure somewhere in Goosestralia, no anything. Just the two of them, far from the mansion, far from Duckburg.

A day on the boat in the open sea would be great, if the engine actually worked. Or maybe an excursion, something like a fishing trip. But that required money he didn't have. He needed new equipment, money for food and accommodation, fuel for the car and most basically a car.

Maybe he could take him and visit Goofy and Max. Boy, he hadn't seen them in ages! That could work. A peaceful weekend, good friends and undeniably lots of laughter.

Sure, Huey and Louie would get jealous. They would probably want to come along and see Goofy. Thankfully, Huey had planned a field trip with the Junior Woodchucks for the weekend, so Donald had an excuse not to bring him along. And Louie… Hmm, he didn't have anything to do, but he always preferred to spend the day in the couch in front of the TV. Hopefully he wouldn't mind staying home.

"Donald! I'm so glad you called!" Goofy's voice sounded over the phone.

"It's been a while, right?" he chuckled.

"You bet! Well, I understand. Being a single father does not include much spare time. But it's always fun to talk to you. We should do that more often".

"Actually, I had an idea. Maybe I could come by your place. You know, Dewey and I are drawing apart lately and I thought… I don't know. Maybe we need some time together, away from home. And we could combine it with visiting you. Are you free this weekend?"

"Oh, Donald, that would be great!" Goofy exclaimed, a hint of sadness in his tone. "I wish that was possible. But you see, I'm taking Maxie on a fishing trip, so we'll be off town".

"That's great! Some father-son bonding, eh?"

"Yeah…" he didn't sound enthusiastic. "We're going through a difficult phase. Like you and Dewey. Oh, wait till they get older! They'll be teenagers one day and you won't even know if you speak the same language!"

"I'm already experiencing such things… Is Max okay?" the duck asked concerned.

"Well… I can't lie to you, Donald. You are one of my oldest friends. He has problems at school. The principal called me. I'm afraid he's dealing with bad companies. I'm worried about his future! What if he ends up in the electric chair?"

"Come on, Goof, now you are overreacting!" Donald tried to calm him down. "Max is a good kid. Whatever trouble he's into, it can't be that serious. You raised him well, he's a good boy".

"That's what I thought at first. But I can't risk it. I'm taking him to Lake Destiny, like my father used to take me. That will make things better, at least I hope so. I would love for you and Dewey to join us some other time, but this trip is just for the two of us. I'm sorry to-"

"No, don't even mention it! I totally get it. Thanks anyways. I hope you two come closer".

"I hope you and your boy come closer too. Call me more often. Remember what we promised? Single parents united! Ah-hyuck!" he giggled, remembering the good, old times. "Kisses to all three of them. And Della too".

"Sure. Give my love to Max. It was nice catching up with you".

Donald was happy that his friend could afford a trip for him and his son, but he felt a little bit jealous as well.

Sure, Goofy was raising a child on his own, but he was never broke. Lucky him! Not that the photographer's job at the mall was paying well, but at least he had to feed only two mouths.

"So, that's inconvenient" Donald thought and tried to come up with another idea.

There must have been someone out there who could help him! Someone luckier than him! Someone like… Oh no…

That was the last person Donald wanted to call! But then again, to whom else could he turn? Uncle Scrooge? Definitely not. Della? She couldn't help him. Launchpad? Don't think so.

Maybe it was time for Donald to let his personal feelings aside and to contact the only person who could actually help him with that trip.

"You're doing it for Dewey, you're doing it for Dewey!" he kept telling to himself as he was dialling.

"Hey, Donaldo! What is my dear cousin doing?" a cheerful voice sounded from the other side of the phone.

"Hi, Gladstone" he replied clearly not amused.

"I'm actually surprised you called. You never do".

"I hate to say this, but I need your help. After all, you owe me a favour after saving you from that hideous hotel, so you better help me now".

"Well, if I remember correctly, I paid you back when I gave you a lift from that island in the middle of nowhere. Are you thinking of growing a beard again?"

"Technically Fethry gave me a lift. You just happened to—"

"Blah, blah, blah and wadda wadda!" Gladstone interrupted him. "Just tell me what it is already! You know I'm a busy man" he sighed full of pride.

"Busy doing what? Bathing in 20-dollar bills you did nothing to earn?" Donald scoffed.

"You want my help or what?"

Donald took a huge breath and rubbed his eyes.

"Explain the situation" Gladstone continued. "From the beginning. With all the spicy details".

"Long story short, Dewey and I aren't so close lately".

"Who is D-"

"The blue one" he answered before he could finish his question.

"Whoa! If you have problems with the kid, I can't help with that. I don't know any good parenting advice" he declared right away.

"I wouldn't count on that. I just thought that maybe we should leave for a trip. Just the two of us. Away from any distractions. We need to spend some time together. I really missed it" he confessed in a melancholic voice.

"Oh, Donaldo, you can be very sweet sometimes! Of course I would like that. Unfortunately I'm very busy these days. You see, I'm invited to a V.I.P party on top of—"

"Not you and me! Me and Dewey! An excursion would do us both good. But you see, I'm going to need money for this. To buy tickets and pay the hotel… So I wondered if your unfailing luck could help me".

"Why don't you just ask uncle Scrooge?"

A short pause followed, before both of them burst out laughing out loud.

"That was good!" Donald managed to utter while gasping for air.

"I know, wasn't it?" Gladstone wiped a tear from his eye.

"Okay, okay… Now, let's get serious" Donald cleared his throat. "Can you help me with this?"

"Well, let's see… Oh, wait, I have another line. Hang on a minute".

Of course. What else did he expect? He was always too busy to help his family. It was stupid of him to call.

Maybe he should end the call. Whoever called Gladstone was without a doubt more important than Donald. And he was sure that his cousin would forget he was holding on.

Gladstone would hang up and return to his riches, V.I.P. events, helicopters and luxury cruises, as always. He could never really get him.

It was so strange. They grew up together, with the same toys, the same homemade desserts from their Grandma and everything, but now they were living so different lives!

But as Donald was about to hang up, disappointment all over him, Gladstone's voice sounded again:

"Hey, Donald, you won't believe it! I just won a two-day fishing trip for two persons in Lake Moraine!"

"I believe it" he sighed. Unfailing luck indeed! Why didn't he ever win something like that? However, it was one of the rare moments that Donald was actually glad about his cousin's luck.

"Too bad I have this gala to attend this weekend. So, are you interested for the trip?"

"Yes! Oh yes, of course!" Donald jumped upside down. "It is a great opportunity! Dewey and I will spend so much time together, we'll create special memories and bond moments!"

"Sure, whatever. I'll tell them to write your name instead, Donald Fauntleroy Duck" he said with the usual teasing tone in his voice.

"You're the worst".

"You're welcome" Gladstone said and hang up the phone.