"You're leaving today? But you just decided to go." Uncle Donald pressed his palms into the counter, watching Huey fill several empty jugs with water.
"Yes, Uncle D, today. We need to leave now if we're going to get back in time to help Dewey pack for his… trip." Huey omitted the word "college." Being down there after yelling at Uncle Scrooge was risky enough without that topic coming up again.
Uncle Donald tapped the counter with his fingers. "I have half a mind not to let you leave… after what you did."
I spoke too soon. Huey's hand froze on the faucet. Water overflowed out of the jug and down the drain. Dewey stood munching on a handful of cereal in the space between his uncle and brother. He stopped crunching and stepped out of the line of fire.
"Dewey and Louie can go, that's fine. But your business isn't done here."
Crab nuggets. I told Louie I couldn't come down here. Huey turned the faucet off and leaned against the sink, staring out the window. "There's nothing else to say, Uncle D."
"Even after you yelled at your Uncle Scrooge?"
"Look, I'm sorry about that. It just came out, okay?" Huey turned around, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
The silence that ensued made Dewey retreat to the living room.
"I don't think you realize how big the opportunity he's offering you is."
Here we go again. "Oh trust me, I get it. I just don't want it." The money in Huey's pocket suddenly felt very heavy. He fidgeted with it.
"I can't believe that." Uncle Donald sat back on the bar stool. "But even so, it doesn't warrant what you did."
"I'm sorry I yelled at Uncle Scrooge. I really am. But I'm done talking about it. I'm going with my brothers and that's that." Huey squeezed the cap onto the last water jug and hauled all four of them out to the garage.
He could hear his uncle's temper picking up speed behind him until his mom's voice interceded to stop him from blowing his top. "He's an adult now, Donald. You can't really keep him from leaving."
"But, Della…"
"Let it go, Don!"
"Ohhh, you… what do you… just… ohhh…." Uncle Donald's defeated tone faded into silence.
Huey shoved the jugs into the RV with the rest of their gear. The sooner we get out of here the better.
After another hour of getting things packed into the RV, they all met on the driveway. Huey, Dewey, and Louie faced their Uncle Donald, Mom, and Uncle Scrooge in front of the RV.
Dewey glanced between his brothers and then at their three predecessors. Huey and Uncle Donald were at a face off, both of them with their arms crossed and eyebrows so low that they dug into their beaks. Della eyed her brother and son to make sure the lids stayed on their cans. At the same time, Uncle Scrooge looked Louie over before patting his pockets.
That made Louie clear his throat and head for the RV. "Well, folks, I guess this is it. Thanks for seeing us off but we can't stick around. Gotta get a few hundred miles in before dark!" He hopped in and slammed the passenger door closed.
Great, thanks a lot, Louie… leaving me out alone with the disaster crowd. Dewey glared at him but Louie just shrugged and stuck his feet up on the dashboard.
"Wait just a minute." Uncle Donald marched himself over, but instead of going after Huey, he grabbed Dewey by the shoulder and dragged him to the front of the vehicle.
"Hey, what gives, Uncle D?" Dewey yanked his arm back and fixed his rumbled sleeve.
Uncle Donald lifted the hood. "I want to make sure you know what to do if the engine needs more oil or a tune up." He disappeared into the garage.
"What do you mean? You can't expect me to know how to fix it. Tell Huey! He went to robot science class or whatever."
Uncle D came back with a beat up old tool box. "I'm telling you. Leave Huey out of this." He grabbed Dewey by the bill and turned his head to look at the engine. "You've been learning about airplane mechanics for the last four years, haven't you? How can this be much different."
Dewey stared at the grody engine, spotting multiple safety hazards from his uncle's previous patch jobs. "Hm, let me see. IT'S AN RV, NOT A 200 TON JET!"
"Exactly! So it should be a piece of cake." Uncle D went on to explain several of the RV's "endearing" quirks… at length until Dewey felt like setting fire to the thing right there.
"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I'm bored."
"Be quiet and pay attention."
"Kill me now."
Being the only one left in front of his mom and great uncle, the stares began to eat Huey alive. He coughed, clearing his throat. "Uh, I better… I better make sure Louie doesn't eat all of Dewey's snacks before we get on the road." He darted around to the driver side door.
"Huey, wait!" Della ran after him and grabbed his arm.
Huey let go of the door handle and swallowed hard.
"Please look at me."
He forced his eyes to meet hers. Darn it. Why are they always so sad looking anymore? I can't stand it.
"I know you're angry with us… especially Donald, but you have to realize that we only want what's best for you."
"Mom, I'm not changing my-"
Della pressed her finger to his lips. "Please just… promise me you'll give it some thought while you're away. Some serious thought. That's all I ask." She smiled and pulled him into a hug.
Huey's shoulders tensed as she squeezed his arms to his sides. He froze there, trying to think, trying to understand what she wanted from him.
After a few moments, she let go and stepped back. A small smile graced her lips. "Please? For me."
Huey swallowed again. "Okay. But it won't change anything."
"It doesn't have to."
He shifted a little, waiting for her to say something more. Well I'm not saying anything… and I guess she's done? Okaaaay then. I'll never understand her. Nodding, he slowly went for the door. Ew, this is weird. She normally has waaay too much to say. This is just awkward. He climbed into the driver seat and closed the door.
Della still smiled at him through the window with those sad eyes.
Huey's shoulders hunched forwards until she finally left and walked around the car to join Uncle Scrooge. He relaxed into the seat.
"What was that about?" Louie watched him as he stuffed a handful of quacker jacks into his mouth, looking like everything around him was an episode of his favorite tv show… family drama.
Just as long as it doesn't include him. Huey rolled his eyes and sank lower in the seat. "Just Mom being Mom I guess."
"Heh heh. Who would have guessed you're the one getting everyone's goat today? You have to admit, the irony is flawless." Louie crossed his feet on the dashboard.
Huey's muscles tightened again until his jaw clenched and his shoulders ached. "Just drop it." He stood up and sulked into the back of the RV.
"What? I'm on your side! College is dumb," his brother called from the other side of the curtain.
Huey fell back onto the bench seat and stared up at the flickering ceiling light filled with dead bugs. And we want to add our dad into this mix? This trip is going to be a disaster.