Goofy was sleeping soundly in his bed, snoring loudly enough to drown all noises coming from outside. At 6 a.m. someone drove a car to a screeching halt just outside his window, and one hour later Mr. Figgis flipped over a garbage can as he left for work, but Goofy just slept on, a silly smile on his lips. It wasn't until his alarm clock went off that he finally stirred, and it took three minutes of ringing at an increasing volume before he woke up completely. He had always been a heavy sleeper.
He rubbed his eyes and threw his long legs over the side of the bed. It took him yet another minute before he got up and walked to the bathroom. He looked at his reflection in the mirror and frowned. I need to shave, badly. But first I have to take a shower. Goofy did just that, and when the ice-cold water hit him, he suddenly felt very alert.
Completely awake and, consequently, in a good mood, he got himself ready for work in a flash. He kept humming to himself the entire time, only pausing to eat some cereal and brush his teeth.
-
At 8: 30 he was already sorting through the mail at work, not a care in the world. He went on his round through the office earlier than usual, and was in such a good mood that one co-worker suspiciously asked if he was feeling quite right.
"It's Friday, and I'm feelin' fine!" was his only reply.
And he had every reason to feel good. He'd get off work an hour earlier than usual, and then he'd meet up with his friends for a weekend of fun together. Yes, things were starting to work out for Goofy. Everything is perfect! Everything…except the threat of losing my job…and the fact that the most wonderful girl in the world just sees me as yet another customer. Oh.
§§§
Carla did her best to keep a positive attitude, she really did. Unfortunately, it didn't work for more than a couple of minutes after she'd dragged herself out of bed. She didn't have to go to work on Fridays, and she was glad that she didn't have to be around any customers this particular day. That way, she wouldn't even have to pretend to be cheerful.
Just worrying about Goofy was bad enough, but with the added stress of her plummeting grades, she was definitely feeling down. It didn't help that her apartment had been in need of a good cleaning for weeks. She knew that she would have to do it today, and that was not a happy thought.
I just want to sleeeeep, she sulked. Unfortunately, her sense of duty forced her to eat her breakfast and get herself ready for some serious housework. Carla's day of fun is ready to begin, she thought sullenly as she took in the state of her messy home. God, I wish I had a housekeeper.
She worked like a woman possessed for several hours: dusting, vacuuming, mopping, doing several days worth of dishes and laundry, and even tidying her closet. While rushing back and forth like a tornado, her mind had worked even more thoroughly than her body, not letting her worries rest for even a moment. That was just the way she was, physical labour made her think. And when she thought too much, she got depressed. Problems that usually resided at the back of her mind were analysed in all ways imaginable, only to make her worry more about them.
…I shouldn't have let my feelings get in the way of my studies, that much is clear. If only I could be so cool about it when he actually looks at me. I'm such a loser, falling for him, he doesn't like me like that. Martha says that he does like me in the sense of him wanting to…you know, but no, why would he? I'm just another waitress. I mean, look at me! Frizzy mud brown hair, no sense of style or grace, bad skin, and I'm fat. …Well all right, I'm not that fat, but I could still stand to lose a couple of pounds. And to get a haircut and a manicure and some better clothes and…No, I'm only making myself feel worse like this, I need to think of something else. What else, that is the question. To be or not to be… Right, school. Let's see, when I'm done with this I'll get started with the assignment, and maybe I'll even finish it. Hmm, what if I…
It was no wonder that at 3 p.m, she sighed with relief at the sight of her next-to-spotless apartment. Now she could concentrate her thoughts on something besides worrying. Plus, she wouldn't have to do a thorough cleaning for another few weeks.
She made herself a cup of coffee and a sandwich, gathered her books and pencil, and made herself comfortable on her daybed. It was time to get to work. Taking a sip off her still steaming coffee, she started to read.
§§§
Time was moving so slowly that it might as well have been static. At least that was how Goofy felt as he sat on his chair, idly staring at the clock. Being finished in record time had its drawbacks, namely that he ran out of work earlier than usual. He wanted the workday to end so badly he could taste it. He would be meeting his friends at Joe's as soon as he got out of the office, but right now, that felt an eternity away.
The clock ticked unbearably slow, and Goofy watched the hands move. 18 more minutes, 15, 11, 8, 6, why did they have to move so slowly? Finally, much later than he'd wanted, he was free to go. He heaved himself out of the chair and strode out of the office and to Joe's.
Giddy with excitement he spotted them, sitting right beside the entrance. For a moment he just stood there, savouring the feeling of finally having the old gang together again.
"Hey, Goofy! Over here!" Mickey waved him over to the table.
Goofy was there in mere seconds, and greeted his old friends with a big grin on his face.
"Hi guys, how are you?"
"Oh, just fine. Mr. Grouchypants over there threw a tantrum when we got stuck in traffic, but he cooled down when the nice police officer gave him a ticket." Mickey smirked and winked good-naturedly at Donald who scowled at the memory. Daisy was not going to be happy when she found out.
"Darn, there was nothin' to it, and he gave me a ticket…"
"Oh, Donald, you really need to control your temper better."
"Aw, phooey!"
Goofy couldn't help but laugh at that. Everything was the way it should be. Mickey was still a friendly rascal, and Donald was…well, Donald. He had really missed hanging out with them.
"A-hyuck! Gawrsh, I'm so glad to be with you guys again."
"Aww, I've missed you too you big goof, and so has Donald."
"Yeah, I've missed havin' you around."
The big goof in question beamed at his two friends and asked: "How's everythin' in your lives?"
"Well, me and Minnie have decided to get engaged."
"…"
"Hey, there's no need to look so surprised, guys, we have been dating for 10 years now, so it's only right."
"But, but, why now?" Goofy asked him with some confusion.
Mickey had the decency to look embarrassed, and he squirmed in his seat while he tried to find the right words. Donald on the other hand snickered loudly and obnoxiously, and answered the question for him. "Haha, she bullied him in to it, that's what happened."
"She did not!" Mickey shouted. He blushed, but continued. "We just…talked about it. She loves me, and I love her, so we got engaged." He shrugged.
"Gawrsh, Mickey that's amazin'. Have you set a date yet?"
The mouse's blush deepened. "Uh, well, um…I…She…No, not yet. There's no need to rush it."
"Haha, in ten years perhaps?" Donald teased him.
"Shut up, it's not like you're the one to talk! You and Daisy, it's been what, seven years now?"
"Oh, yeah? That's different, and you know it, you darn meddlin' mouse."
"That's not different at all, you deluded duck."
"Yes, it is."
"No, it isn't."
"Yes. It. Is."
"…Not."
"Oh yeah! Take that, you darn, double…" Donald was getting agitated, and because of that it was impossible for his friends to hear exactly what he thought about Mickey. Being used to his flaring temper, they just shared an amused look, and let him wear himself out jumping up and down on his chair, waving his arms around.
A few minutes later he was calm, and they continued their discussion until a waitress approached them.
§§§
A/N: First of all, thanks for the reviews. It really means a lot to me. Two of you have noted that Goofy had a child as early as in the fifties, and I just wanted to let you know that I'm aware of that fact. I think of that as a totally different set of canon, though. The Goofy of those cartoons was too normal to be the goof that I know and adore. If anything, he could very well be the current goof's father. Regarding Max's mother; I'm not sure whether or not her death is canon. Some sites seem to suggest it, whereas others (including the official Disney site) don't mention it at all. I haven't decided what to do about it yet, but she will indeed disappear from the picture eventually.
Secondly, I want to apologize for the delay. I didn't intend for this story to be a WIP, but I have to post it as I progress in order to get feedback. Sorry about that. It'll be completed eventually, don't worry about that.
Thirdly, the exclamations used by Goofy are taken from the screenplay for A Goofy Movie, so they should be right. I'm just mentioning this in case anyone is wondering.