There were a few theatrics on Sunday when Panchito and José had to go. Huey stood back while Dewey and Louie hung on their tíos. José held Louie, who had buried his head in Zé's shoulder. Dewey clung to Panchito, begging the musician not to go.

"Don't worry, little man, I'll come visit again soon. Keep playing guitar, okay? You'll be better than me in no time."

Dewey laughed a little at that and reluctantly stepped away.

Zé set Louie down and mussed up his hair a little.

"We'll be back. And you can call us anytime."

Louie grabbed Zé's hand before he could turn away, "I'm sorry I stole your wallet." He'd said it several times this past week.

"I know, Louie, I'm not mad at you. You're a smart kid with a good heart, I know you'll do good."

Louie nodded determinedly and exchanged a look with Dewey. Their tíos expected something from them, and they didn't want to disappoint them. Panchito and José said goodbye to Huey as well, but they didn't add any expectations to the already burdened teen's shoulders.

Finally, they said goodbye to Donald, and that was, perhaps, the most tearful goodbye of all. Donald flung his arms around his best friends' necks and tried not to cry.

"Ask us to stay and we'll stay," José whispered.

"I can't do that," Donald said quietly, "You have lives to live. I can't impose on you forever."

"You're not imposing. We came to help."

"And you did. Things are so much better because you were here."

"Things are so much better because you opened up to your boys," Panchito said. Donald glanced at his kids. Panchito was right. That open communication had been sorely needed.

"Call us if you need us, any time Don."

"Thank you. I know the Cabs will always stick together."

"Through fair or stormy weather," José agreed.

"You'll always be my best friends. But I do have a lot of friends. A lot of people who are willing to help."

Frankly, it was news to Dewey that Uncle Donald had a lot of friends. Dewey had always had trouble making friends, so he couldn't help feeling a little jealous of Donald and Huey. Huey had always had friends. Apparently, Uncle Donald was popular too. When Panchito and José left, Dewey moodily went back inside to practice guitar. Guitar would be his friend now.

"Tomorrow another one of my friends is coming over to help and she's bringing her granddaughter, Webby. Webby is your age, Dewey," Donald said, adding, "And I expect all of you to be on your best behavior."

"We will," Huey promised for the other two, before grabbing his backpack.

"Hey, Uncle Donald?" Huey asked.

"Yeah, bud?"

"Can I go hang out with friends?"

"Sure. Be back before dinner. Call me if something happens."

"I will! Thanks!" Huey slung on his backpack and headed out, and when he was gone Dewey let out an annoyed sigh.

"What's up, Dewey? Are you okay?

"Sure," Dewey said.

"We said we were going to be honest with each other," Donald reminded.

Dewey let out another sigh.

"I'm just trying to figure out this chord."

"I can help with that. Anything else, Dew?"

"Maybe." Dewey glanced around and realized that Louie had gone to their room, and so he let himself be a little vulnerable. He didn't want to be weak in front of his little brother.

"You and Huey have all these friends but I don't."

"Oh. Huh." Donald had never noticed that before. He was used to Dewey being vibrant and outgoing. He hadn't realized that Dewey didn't have any friends.

"Since when?" Donald asked cautiously.

Dewey let out a frustrated snort, "I don't know! Since forever!"

"But you've gone to birthday parties and sleepovers…" That was the wrong thing to say.

Dewey's eyes brimmed with tears, "That doesn't mean anything! Parents make their kids invite everyone to those. I don't have any real friends. The kids at school thought I was stupid and poor."

Donald winced, "There's no shame in us not having a lot of money."

"I know. But there's a lot of shame in not having any friends. Sometimes people invite you to birthday parties so you can be the piñata."

Donald drew back, looking alarmed.

"Not literally," Dewey said quickly.

"Still. I'm sorry you had to go through that, Dewey. I had no idea."

"Well, I didn't tell you… It's embarrassing. I tried so hard to make friends. You told me to be myself and I did and it wasn't enough…"

"It is enough," Donald promised, putting a hand on Dewey's shoulder.

"You have me and you have your brothers. I didn't make any of my really good friends until I was in college."

Tears began streaming down Dewey's face and Donald realized that that wasn't really comforting. His eleven-year-old wanted friends now, and Donald couldn't blame him.

"You're going to make friends, Dewey. You're one of the coolest kids I know. You just need to be patient and the right people will come into your life. I'm always going to be here for you, for advice or support or anything you need."

"Thanks, Uncle Donald." Dewey wiped at his tear-streaked cheeks.

"So how can I help you?"

"Well, you can't force people to be friends with me."

"No, I cannot."

"But maybe you could help me learn this chord?"

"Absolutely. Guitar has always been my friend." And that made Dewey feel a little bit better too.


This chapter was supposed to have less Caballeros and more Bentina Beakley, but this is the chapter that wanted to be written. But don't worry! Our new friends will be here in chapter eight.