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THIS WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORIES THAT I WROTE LAST YEAR DURING CHRISTMAS SEASON SO I THOUGHT I'D BRING IT OVER

It's a week before Christmas and trying to shop where I live makes me want to run for my life. I've always been this way for the past two Christmases. I don't have a lot of people to buy for. I never knew my dad, don't have any siblings that I know of and my mom is in a nursing home in Green Meadows I had to put her in there when she couldn't live by herself anymore. I visit her whenever I can but this year I don't know if I will. When I got home to my apartment I opened my mail box and saw I had the same old mail. Bills, You have won this much money gimmicks and a letter. It kind of threw me for a loop because when I looked at the return address I didn't know it . When I got in I got greeted by my cat Juliet. I adopted Juliet from a shelter in New York called Hugs and Kisses. The lady told me that her original owner was an English professor at NYU and had another cat which he named Hamlet but he was adopted by the person who was fostering him. I opened the envelope and saw it was from a family called Sarantakos.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

I KNOW YOU'RE PROBABLY WONDERING WHY I'M WRITING THIS LETTER TO YOU IT'S BECAUSE OF YOUR CAT JULIET. I WAS THE ONE WHO ADOPT HER BROTHER HAMLET AND A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO HAMMIE NEARLY GOT RUN OVER BY A CAR WHEN HE ESCAPED FROM HIS CAT CARRIER WHEN I WAS BRINGING HIM TO HIS VET APPOINTMENT. AFTER NEARLY LOSING HIM IT GOT ME THINKING OF HIS FAMILY. I KNOW THE MAN WHO ORIGINAL OWNED HAMMIE HAS SINCE PASSED BUT THROUGH THE HELPFUL PEOPLE OF THE ANIMAL SHELTER THEY TOLD ME HAMMIE HAS A SISTER YOUR CAT SO I WAS WONDERING IF YOU WOULD BRING YOUR CAT TO THE ADDRESS ON THE ENVELOPE SO HAMMIE CAN HAVE A FAMILY REUNION OF SORT. I WOULD BE HONORED IF YOU DO

I went over to Juliet as she watched the snow fall. "What do you think Juliet you want to go meet you brother Hamlet?"I inquired. She put her back paws on my knees and licked my nose which made me giggled. "All right Juliet looks like we're going to Green Meadow to visit my mom and your brother Hamlet" I stated patting her.

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FROM VERITAS

A feline family reunion. Hmmm. That's original

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In Green Meadows Criss was helping his brothers hang out some Christmas lights. "Costa they're not straight" Criss remarked. "Criss unless you want to levitate up here and do this shut up"Costa replied. "Criss stop giving Costa grief would you. I know you're perfectinist and everything"JD stated. Criss bent down to make snow ball and threw it at JD. "Hey" as Criss laughed. JD threw a snowball but missed. "Missed me" Criss remarked in a childish tone. "Oh you're going to get it Christopher" JD replied and ran after Criss but Criss ran into the backyard leaving Costa up a ladder. Inside the ladies were talking when a snowball hit the window getting their attention. They all went to the window to see Criss and JD throwing snowballs at each other. "They never grow up do they?" Lynn said. Dimitra got her coat and gloves on and went to help her father. Dimitra got her uncle in the shoulder. "Hey no fair two against one"Criss said. "Aim for the face Dimitra"her father remarked. "Hey Costa how about some help?" Criss called out. Costa just watched from the roof. "All right all right I give I give"Criss stated as Dimitra came over and put some snow down her uncle's back.

"All right boys get Costa down and come in"Their mother called out as they went to help Costa down. When they got to the front Costa shoveled some snow down on Criss making everyone laugh. "Thanks Costa" as Criss wiped the snow off of him. "Serve you right Criss come on" and they all went in. "Put your boots on the mat I don't want puddles on th carpet"Dimitra stated. After they did that Criss started upstairs. "I feel like a popiscle"Criss remarked. "Go thaw out in the shower". Dimitra loved it when her boys came home and this time Criss told her she had him untill the day after New Years which made Dimitra's day. After Criss finished showing and changing he came down and his mother gave him a hot chocolate. "Thanks" as Criss checked the mail and found a letter addressed to him. "Hey I got a response from that person who adopted Hammie's sister"Criss replied. Criss sat down as Hammie jumped onto his lap. "I'm surprise she even responsed to your idea to let Hammie have a family reunion of sorts"Costa said. "I think it's cute that Hammie has a sister out there" Dimi remarked scratching under Hammie's neck. Criss opened the letter.

DEAR MR. SARANTAKOS

I FIND WHAT YOU WROTE VERY INTERESTING. I'D BE HONORED TO COME AND VISIT WITH YOUR FAMILY AND LET MY JULIET SEE HER BROTHER HAMLET OR HAMMIE AS YOU CALL HIM. I'LL BE DOWN THERE PROBABLY TOMORROW AT NOON WITH JULIET. THANK YOU AGAIN

"Wow that's nice of her to do that". Criss just smiled as he read the letter over again. The next day I went to see my mom at her nursing home. The nursing home loves when I bring Juliet it makes the people there happy even when they don't have family to see them. "Look who's here it's Christine and Juliet"a man called out. "Hello Mr Roger" I stated giving him a kiss. I put my carrier on the ground and Juliet came out. "So what brings you to our neck of the woods Christine?" A nurse inquired. "I thought I'd see my mom and later I'm bringing Juliet to see her brother"I replied as Juliet went in between the old people's legs purring. "Well your mother is in her room I was just about to get her". In my mom's room she was brushing her hair. "Hi mom"I stated coming in. "Christine what are you doing here I wasn't expecting you untill Christmas Eve" giving me a hug. "Well you won't believe this but I got a letter from a family that adopted Juliet's brother Hamlet and a few months ago his owner came close to losing him so his owner wanted me to bring Juliet to see her brother"I stated. "That sounds so nice where's Juliet anyway?" she asked.

"In the living room come on let's go see her"I suggested and we went into the room. As we walked to the room Dimitra and Criss walked in. "Thanks for driving me here to see Anthena"Dimitra remarked. "It's my pleasure mom I'm glad you volunteer here"Criss replied. "There she is Anthena". "Dimitra how nice to see you"my mom said as they hugged. "Is this your daughter Christine those pictures you have of her don't do her justice" Dimitra replied. "Christine this is my friend Dimitra she comes to the home any time and tells us about her famous son". "Yea Criss Angel I remember you telling me mom"I said. "Why don't we go to the living area Juliet is probably getting her tail run over by the wheelchairs". Dimitra took my mom and Criss and I stood there. "You must be Criss Dimitra's son"I stated walking over. "What was your first clue?" Criss asked. "Whenever I visit my mom always say maybe I should ask Dimitra to set you with her famous son and beside I've met her other son so I kind of took a stab at it"I replied . Criss muffled a laugh. "Come on" and we went to the living room

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When we got there Juliet was playing with a ball of yarn that one of ladies was using. It made me happy to see these people so happy including my mom as I watched her talk with Criss's mom. Criss walked over and bent down to pat Juliet. Juliet just laid still and purred her brains out as Criss stoke her. "She's beautiful I can see a bit of my cat in her" Criss remarked. "You have a cat too?" I asked sitting down. Criss got up. "Yea two a black cat and a tabby cat" Criss replied. "I find cats more fun than dogs"I stated. "I've got a couple of more pets in Las Vegas two mice, two doves, and a carney" Criss remarked. "And a partridge in a pear tree" I said snickering and it made Criss snicker too. Dimitra came over and told Criss they had to go. "Oh yea nice to meet you Christine" Criss remarked as we shook hands. "Nice to meet you too Criss" as they left.

"What a nice person Christine is" Criss said. "Maybe I should set you up with her" Dimitra suggested. "Mom we've had this discussion more than I care to admit I'm not ready to date anyone my heart is mending after my break up with Holly" Criss replied as he opened the door to his car. "I'm just saying Christopher you're not getting any younger-". "Mom I love you but I'm not in the mood to talk about this for the thousandth time so please drop it" Criss asked as he closed the door. When they got back Dimi was brushing Hammie as Costa and JD were doing some dishes. "How was the retirement home?" JD asked when he saw them come in. "Not bad Criss even met a woman there who was visiting her mother" Dimitra replied as Criss hung up their jackets. "Really!" Costa remarked. "Don't start Costa" Criss said. "Uncle Criss what do you think of Hammie I gave him a bath and brushed him so he could look nice for his sister" Dimi stated. "He looks handsome" Criss said. Then JD heard a car pull up and looked outside. He saw me coming out with a black bag on my shoulder. "I think she's here" JD said as Dimi went to the window. "She's pretty Uncle Criss". Criss looked out and couldn't believe who it is.

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Outside I made sure I had the right address. "All right Juliet time for a family reunion" as I paid the driver. "You are right Dimi she is pretty. Do you think she'd mind if I ask her out" Costa said. Criss closed the curtain. "Come on let's be nice she's probably nervous" Criss stated. I walked to the door as I looked at the curtain and saw a tabby cat with a little red bow around his collar staring out the window. Juliet poked her head out and the tabby cat at the window put his paw on the window like he was saying hi to us. "I guess that's your brother Juliet" I remarked. Juliet meowed and I heard a muffled meow from the cat in the window. I knocked on the door and a girl about seventeen or eighteen answered. "Hello you must be Juliet's owner I'm Dimitra Dimi for short". "Hi I'm Christine" I replied. "Come on in" as she opened the door. I came in and I put Juliet's carrier down as Dimi took my coat. "I see you've met my daughter I'm JD" he stated as we shook hands. "Nice to meet you I'm Christine". Then Juliet poked her head out.

"Dad look Juliet looks like Hammie" Dimi remarked patting her head. "My brothers and my mother will be right down. Would you like something to drink?" JD inquired. "Got any hot tea it feels like minus ten degrees outside" I asked as I unzippered the bag. Juliet jumped out as she cleaned her paws. "Milk and sugar all right"JD asked. "That's good" as I hung up the bag. "Let me get my uncle's cat". Dimi went to the window and brought Hammie out of hiding. She put him on the floor and Hammie walked over to Juliet. "Meet you brother Hamlet Juliet" I said. They went face to face and sniffed each other. "Please have a seat" JD stated as he gave her the tea. "Thank you". "Look there playing with each other dad" Dimi remarked as they chased a red ball on the ground. "You guys ever coming down?" JD called up. "Be right down" Costa replied. "It's just like Uncle Costa and Uncle Criss to vanish when company comes" Dimi replied as JD snickered. "They've been like that since they were old enough to walk Dimi" JD stated as I muffled a laugh.

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?"Dimi asked me. "No I'm an only child do you?" I asked. "Nope same as you only child," Dimi replied. "Grandma our guests are here". I turned to the stairs and coming down is my mother's friend. "Dimitra oh my god what a surprise" I replied giving her a hug. "I'm just as surprised as you are Christine. I can't believe I never figure it out that Juliet's Hammie's sister" she remarked. "Where's Criss?" I asked. "Hiding probably Christopher Costa you spending the day up there or what" JD called up. "Don't give up your day job JD" Criss replied. "Christopher Costa don't be rude we have company and beside this is your idea" Dimitra called up the stairs. "I'm coming" Criss said. Criss came down and so did Costa. "Hey Criss nice to see you again" I stated. "Yea this is my brother Costa" and I shook his hands. "Nice to meet you". "I see Hammie having fun with his sister" Criss said as he saw Hammie and Juliet looking out the window together. "Juliet loves looking outside especially when it snows" I remarked.

"How long have you had Juliet?" Dimitra inquired as everyone sat down. "Ten years on Christmas. I got her when I moved here from Florida. I got lonely so I decided to go down to The Hugs and Kisses adoption Center and adopt a cat. Looking at all of them I couldn't decided than I saw her rolled up looking lonely as I felt. The lady told me her brother was just adopted so she was missing him. When I took her out and just hugged and patted her she perked right up so I adopted her right there" I remarked. "I remember fostering Hammie than I got a call from the lady who ran the place telling me a family wanted to adopt Hammie. I was so heart broking when I gave him back. A couple of weeks later my mom came to visit me in Las Vegas. She told me to close my eyes so I did. When I opened them there was Hammie on my lap. My mom told me the people who wanted to adopt Hammie couldn't do it so mom filled out the paper work and now Hammie belongs to me" Criss stated. As the day wore on I was having a nice time with them and so was Juliet playing with her brother. Before I knew it my taxi came back to get me.

"Well it seems my taxi's here so it was nice to meet you". "It was Christine" JD stated . Dimi picked up Juliet and put her in the bag for me as Hammie walked over and put his paw on the carrier. "Oh look Hammie doesn't want his sister to go" Costa remarked. I said good-bye to everyone and left. Hammie tried to go but Criss picked him up. "Sorry Hammie you can't go outside" Criss said. Hammie just watched as the taxi left.

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As the cab took me and Juliet home I realized that Hammie and Juliet almost looked like twins expect Juliet had a little scar on her nose for when she got into a fight with another cat when she was a baby. At the house Criss noticed Hammie kept looking out the window. "What's wrong with Hammie?"Costa inquired. Criss got up and went over to the cat. "What's wrong you miss your sister?"Criss inquired as he patted Hammie. When the cat turned to Criss he looked at the face. "What's wrong Christopher?" Dimitra asked. Criss picked up the cat and checked something out. "Just as I thought we got a bit of a mix up here" Criss replied putting the cat down. "What do you mean Uncle Criss?" Dimi asked. "We got the cats mixed up Christine took Hammie and we've got Juliet" Criss replied. "Are you sure?" Costa inquired. "Costa I can actually tell a girl cat from a guy cat if you catch my drift"Criss replied. "What do we do now how do we trade back the cats?"JD asked.

"Christopher do you still have her address?"his mother inquired. "Yea" Criss stated. "Why don't we go to her address and switch cats?" JD suggested. "Let's go" as Criss picked up Juliet. When I got home Juliet was whining which wasn't like her she loved being carried around. When I put down the bag and opened it she jumped out like a lightning bolt. "You must need to use your litter box" I said as I put my coat and the carrier away. She didn't go to her litter box she went to the door pawing at it and meowing. "You know the rules Juliet you can't leave the apartment unless you're in the bag" I stated as I went to the kitchen. I got her some food and put it down. She walked over to it and smelled it than walked back to the door. "What's the matter it's your favorite" I stated. Then she curled up at the door which was strange for her. "All right what's going on here Juliet you trying to tell me you want to visit your brother again" as I patted her.

When the cat looked up I noticed the scar was gone. "I guess you and your sister are twins after all" I stated. A knock came to the door so I put Hammie in my room so he wouldn't get out and answered the door. At the door was Criss and JD. "I think we've got a bit of a mix up with our felines" Criss said. Underneath his arm is Juliet. "I just realized it myself a few second ago let me get Hammie"I replied. I opened the door and Hammie came speeding out. "Close the door Criss!!"I yelled. It was too late Hammie went running down the stairs like a bullet than Juliet scratched Criss and he let go of Juliet. "JD catch them before they go out the door!!". We all ran down the stairs after the cats but the cats were too quick and got out. We all ran out the door but they disappeared. "Where did they go?" JD asked. "JD go up the street Criss down the street I'll go in the alley" I stated and we all went our ways.