"Mr. Summers Senior, if a man degrades himself to the point of sacrificing his own body for love, he doesn't deserve to live! Our bodies are gifts from our parents, and unless forced, self-mutilation is disrespectful to those who gave us life and raised us," Felix declared firmly.

"If you believe I'm a coward, so be it. I won't perform such a ridiculous act just to change your mind," he added before turning and walking out.

As the bitter realization sank in, he saw no point in staying. He had thought Curtis was finally ready to accept him, but instead, it was just an elaborate trap to humiliate him.

After Felix had been gone for a while, Xena shifted her gaze from the axe to Curtis, her eyes filled with anger. "Grandpa, this was absolutely ridiculous!"

Curtis simply pulled the axe from the table and headed back upstairs, saying, "I have my reasons. Stay out of it."

...

Later that evening, Felix sat at a local barbecue joint, drinking beer and eating. He was there purely out of