Without You
Chapter One
In a large Victorian-style house located on Victoria Grove, the Stevens family was getting ready for their afternoon matinee. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens looking clean and polished, Rebecca dazzling, Melanie dressed casually, and young James excited and running about. But James was not the only one running about; the cats were also at play. Yes, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were causing trouble at the household. But on this particular day, they didn't know what was going to happen that would change their lives forever…
"Melanie, put on some appropriate clothes!" Mrs. Stevens barked at her youngest daughter.
"But these are appropriate." Melanie replied.
"You call jeans appropriate?" Mrs. Stevens asked arrogantly.
"We're just going out to lunch." Melanie stated.
"Change into something formal right now!" Mrs. Stevens demanded.
"But…but…" Melanie stammered.
"No exceptions!" Mrs. Stevens replied furious.
Melanie stomped up the spiraled stairway with much anger. Her mother was a strict person and she wanted everyone one of her demands fulfilled. Melanie grumbled as she pulled out her formal clothes from the white, chestnut closet. Melanie put on her cream-colored cashmere sweater and her long, black skirt. She gulped as she opened up the box containing her half-inch heels. She walked back down the stairway with humility.
"Now doesn't that look better?" Mrs. Stevens asked.
"Oh, I look just keen." Melanie replied sarcastically.
Mr. Stevens was impatiently waiting in their family ford beeping the horn constantly. But before they could step out of the house, there was a loud smash that came from the library. Mrs. Stevens opened double glass doors and saw her delicate flower vase broken to pieces on the floor. She screamed with such shock.
"Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer did it!" Rebecca scowled.
After Rebecca accused the troublesome twins, they suddenly appeared from behind the desk. They walked slowly as possible. Mrs. Stevens stared at them furiously and Mr. Stevens stormed through the front door.
"What in all of England is going on in here?" He asked angrily.
"Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer broke my mother's antique vase!" Mrs. Stevens replied.
"The one from the Netherlands?" Mr. Stevens asked his disgruntled wife.
"Of course, you dunce!" Mrs. Stevens replied annoyed.
"That is the last straw!" Mr. Stevens shouted.
Mr. Stevens took the two to the confided den and locked them inside. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer started to talk to each other in the bright area.
"Do you think we went too far, Mungojerrie?" Rumpleteazer asked her brother.
"Nah! This isn't the first time we've been locked in here!" Mungojerrie replied reassuringly.
But Mr. and Mrs. Stevens were planning on what to do with the twins.
"Those two are too much trouble together!" Mrs. Stevens implied.
"I highly agree!" Mr. Stevens replied.
"I'm sure they didn't mean it." Melanie jumped in.
"No interrupting, Melanie!" Mrs. Stevens said.
"I know what we'll do…" Mr. Stevens began.
"What?" Mrs. Stevens asked.
"I say we keep one cat, while put the other up for adoption." Mr. Stevens finished.
"No! I mean, you can't do that. Twins should always be together!" Melanie said.
"Not these two!" Mrs. Stevens replied.
"Yes, and we'll let James decide which one we keep." Mr. Stevens added.
"Splendid idea, dear!" Mrs. Stevens replied obviously proud of her husband.
"So, who's your favorite, James? Mungojerrie or Rumpleteazer?" Mr. Stevens asked his small son.
James looked at the floor as if he was deep in concentration. Then he looked back up with a goofy smile and closed his eyes.
"Mungojerrie my favorite!" James replied happily.
"Well done! Rebecca, get Mungojerrie out of the den. We'll keep Rumpleteazer in there until she's adopted." Mr. Stevens said.
Melanie was completely disheartened; She was the only family member that was closest to Rumpleteazer. She couldn't believe that they were getting rid of her. Melanie wanted to shed a tear. At the moment, Rebecca walked over to the den.
"I hear footsteps approaching." Rumpleteazer whispered.
The two immediately lay down on the floor beginning to groom themselves. Rebecca opened the door and picked up Mungojerrie and closed the door. Rumpleteazer sat there, confused and worried.
"Mungojerrie?" She asked in the silence.
