Just Like You

You could cut the tension between Scrooge and Donald with a knife. Nobody moved, Huey was trying to persuade his brothers to exit the room so they could talk but they wouldn't budge. Louie and Dewey were invested in this clash between the Uncles and they weren't going to leave until they were told. Rain aggressively pounded on the roof of McDuck manor and lightning flashed. It was as if the weather was controlled by their unsolved feelings.

"This isn't the time Donald." Scrooge finally said, he looked at the triplets and quickly refocused his attention on his angry nephew. "You need to calm down-"

Donald slammed his fist onto the table next to him. "I'm not going to calm down until you answer me! Did you or did you not bring my boys on a dangerous adventure that almost cost Louie his life?"

"He didn't die-" Scrooge tried to answer but Donald cut him off.

"He didn't die? HE DIDN'T DIE?! That's the first thing that comes out of your mouth for an answer?" Donald yelled angrily. He got up in Scrooge's face and looked him dead in the eye. "He didn't die but what you did was careless and irresponsible!"

Scrooge stood his ground. He met Donald's glare head on but with a tinge of sadness in his eyes and a quivering lip. Emotion was swelling up inside him but he didn't know what he could say to justify what happened to his Great-Nephew.

"You know. When I was their age, I wanted to be just like you. An adventurer and treasure hunter that traveled the world that people knew and respected. I was so happy when I was made one of your partners with Della when we grew up! But after she-" Donald stopped short of saying the rest of his rant after realizing his nephews were still in the room. He took a deep breath and turned on his heel away from Scrooge.

Scrooge could feel the gap growing between him and his Nephew and there was nothing he could do about it. He turned his head towards Huey, Dewey, and Louie. "You lads need to go to bed now. We have a lot talking to do-"

"We're not talking anymore tonight. I need to get away from you." Donald said as he walked towards the door and ushered the kids out with him. "We'll talk later."

Scrooge was left there in a room only lit by a blazing fireplace and his shame. The rain continued to pound on the roof of McDuck manor and it reminded him of that horrible day many years ago that broke his connection to his Nephew.