Need a drink? - [Male OC X Ford Pines] - Complete

21: Duck-tective

"It's completely wrong..." I said shaking my head and looking at the new counter the contractors had dragged in for my bar.

"It's exactly what you ordered," the contractor said.

"It's the wrong size," I retorted. "It's going to be too short."

"No it's not." The man motioned for his workers to keep installing my new bar top.

"Yes, it is. I practically live here. I know how long my bar is."

"Uh... Dad..." one of the assistant said. "It's ah... it's too short."

"What?!" the contractor yelled. "Who took the measurements on this? This will cost them!"

"Sir," I interrupted. "I've watched your crew for the last two weeks and you are the one who has taken all of the measurements. It's really slowed things down."

"He's right, boss," said the other young man. "You're the one who measured it."

The contractor froze, color draining from his face. Slowly he turned to me. "I'm sorry, Mr. Porter. I'll get the right size ordered and installed right away at no extra charge."

"It's alright," I said. "Just get it done. You've already missed your deadline once and I have the interior designer coming in tomorrow."

"It'll be done asap," the contractor said as he took out his measuring tape.

"Look at you," said Stan's voice behind me.

I turned around. "I've really got to get that bell back up," I joked. "It's good to be seeing you so much. I was worried having Ford back in the house would be problematic for you."

"Has he come to see you?" Stan asked.

"No, actually," I sighed. "He hasn't spoke to me since you two took me to the doctor's more than a week ago."

"I didn't think he had," Stan sighed. "He's been in the basement all week. Maybe if you came over you could talk him out?"

"I don't know Stan..." I rubbed the back of my head. "Ford and I had a moment when we saw each other again but... but I don't think he's the same man we grew up with, you know?"

"It's Ford. He's still the same guy."

"I know it's him," I said. "Trust me, we'd be the first to know if something was different. That's why I'm thinking there is. He was out in who knows where for 30 years. He had to have been doing something that entire time..."

There was a pause between us before Stan said, "And you're afraid to find out what it was, aren't you?"

I looked at him. "Yeah, a little. He was somewhere unexplored while I was here running a biker bar. I feel like... like maybe I'm not a big enough adventure for him anymore."

"You didn't sleep last night, did you?"

"What?"

"Did you sleep or not?"

I put my thumbs in my pockets. "No. "

"That explains it," Stan nodded. "You're over thinking."

"What are-"

Stan put his arm around my shoulder. "James, you've gotta calm down. I don't think Ford's changed as much as you think. Maybe you should try to approach this like it's a new relationship instead of rekindling an old one."

"Maybe you're right..."

"Of course I am!" Stan said proudly. He clapped me on the back. "Give it a shot. We may be old dogs, but age was good to you. Better than it was to me anyway, "he laughed. "You've still got a shot."