“No! No! NO! I will not! I will not allow it!” Barbarossa shouted at the top of his lungs. Then there was a tremendous crash as he overturned his bedside tray, sending food, trays and implements scattering. Tyr stood aside as Barbarossa's body servants rushed in. Barbarossa was fit to be tied.
Yesterday evening, Sudas and Chanakya had given Tyr a primer class on how to care for their charge. Tyr was both surprised and shocked to find that his father had to be tended to just like his sons. The saying “Once a man, twice a child.” resonated in his mind, as Barbarossa's body servants consoled and reasoned with him. They sounded as if they were trying to get a child to eat his veggies.
“I said NO! NO! NO! I don't want my son to see me like this, let alone care for me! I'm NOT A BABY!” Barbarossa shouted and flung pillows at Sudas who just happened to be closest to him. Both men were lucky he had nothing else to throw at them but bedding.
“Father! Stop it!” Tyr roared. Both Sudas and Chanakya stopped what they were doing and stared. No one had ever spoken to the Arch Duke of the Kodiak Pride in that manner! Not even one of his own sons!
“So the prince-ling has come to challenge the king for his throne?” Barbarossa asked.
“Father, I only wish to help you.” Tyr said.
“Why?” Barbarossa demanded. Tyr wanted to answer but couldn't. At least not in the presence of Sudas and Chanakya. Both men immediately took the hint and beat a hasty retreat.
“Because I love you, Father.” Tyr said, once they had left and were properly out of earshot.
“Humph! Where are my other sons? Why haven't they done this?” Barbarossa demanded.
Victoria had informed Tyr that his brothers had indeed made attempts to care for their ailing father. But due to his often violent and uncooperative behavior they were reluctant to continue for their own safety. Victoria was left with no choice but to hire Sudas and Chanakya, who were licensed nurses and knowledgeable in caring for the elderly. Clearly Barbarossa had no recollection of this.
"Did you throw things at them too?" Tyr asked.
“Humph!” Barbarossa huffed. Tyr had his answer.
“Dad. Aren't you hungry?” Tyr asked, changing the subject.
“Starving.” Barbarossa replied.
“Then why did you . . . . . . . .?” Tyr asked.
“I was ticked off and I'm tired of those two. Don't get me wrong, they are both nice and helpful kids, but there's nothing like family.” Barbarossa replied and smiled.
“Then give me a few minutes and I'll prepare breakfast for us.” Tyr said.
“Can you please do me a favor Tyr? Can you please make me two poached eggs? Victoria won't let me have them because of my heart problems. But, I've been craving them terribly.” Barbarossa said.
“Anything else?” Tyr asked.
“Sausage, couscous, buttered pumpernickel toast, apple juice, Chai . . .” Barbarossa continued.
“Wait a minute. That was NOT what I saw on that tray you discarded.” Tyr said as he frowned.
“Oatmeal and sliced fruit. Pah!” Barbarossa said with disgust. “I didn't just toss that tray merely for theatrics. I'm sick of eating that crap! I want something with taste!” he continued. Causing Tyr to shake his head and laugh.
“Oh and please bring something for Snowball.” Barbarossa said. Indicating the cat sitting next to him. Tyr did a double take at the cat.
“The cat is blacker than a black hole and Father named her what? Snowball . . . . . .?” Tyr thought and blinked. Now, it was Barbarossa's turn to laugh.
“You should've seen your face, Tyr! I deliberately named her that to befuddle people, and you fell for it!” Barbarossa said. Obviously there was absolutely nothing wrong with the man's sense of humor.
“I suppose you would name a pure white cat Midnight.” Tyr said.
“I don't see why not. Tyr, we've got to learn to be a little more like our cousins, lighten up a bit and enjoy life. Now, go make my breakfast. I am starved!” Barbarossa replied. As if to emphasize Snowball sat up, fixed her green-eyed gaze on Tyr, and meowed.
“Three breakfasts, coming right up.” Tyr replied.
SNOWBALL
NOTE TO READERS: when Nietzscheans mention the word "cousins" they are referring to whom they were originally genetically engineered from: Human Beings.
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