The Story of Tiberius

Chapter 63

Fortunately for Tiberius, he had managed to snap back into reality. Fast as lightning, he regained his grip on the branch. Pulling himself up, he grumbled, "I'm gonna kill that idiot myself now." A tiny squeak of fright came from Rosa when she heard that. Shaking herself, she stated, "His name is Rufus. And you realize that he's basically a part of our family now, right?"

"Rosa, why would you do this to yourself?! I guarantee ya that your dirt bag in shining armor is going to insist that you move in with him now!" Tiberius growled, his feathers bristling in agitation. Her head bowed, Rosa mumbled, "I could ask him if he wants to move in with us..."

"If that's the case, I'm gonna be the one moving out!"

"Tiberius, please don't talk like that-"

"And did you consider how Alfred would feel about all of this?! Or Mom and Dad?!"

"I have! But the one thing I considered the most is how you would feel about this!" Rosa retorted. Her words had a sharp sting to them that caused Tiberius to keep his beak shut. Shaking all over, his little sister went on, "All my life, you've been looking after me. I figured that you'd at least be there for me in cases like this!" Turning her back towards her big brother, she whimpered, "I thought you'd at least be happy for me and the new additions to our family. But now... I guess I was wrong..." Tears running down her face, she reached down to get her chain off. However, she struggled to do so with the angle of her head and foot.

Sighing heavily, Tiberius muttered, "If you're gonna go looking for that idiotic boyfriend of yours-"

"His name is Rufus. I know you know this by now you son of a-"

"Don't interrupt me when I'm talking and you should really watch your language before you say something you're gonna regret later. Look, you're gonna need all the help you can get to find him." Without another word, Tiberius reached down and unclasped the chain on Rosa's left foot. His little sister, surprised at first by his actions, returned the favor and got the chain on his right foot off. Giving her brother a warm hug, she whispered gratefully, "Thank you. You're the best brother in the whole wide world."

"Yeah, no problem Rosa. Now get off of me, I'm not a hugger," Tiberius grumbled.