Oreo’s Misadventures
Peter and I had gone to visit Kelly and the rest of the family in Los Angeles. We stayed with my parents in the Valley while my sister and brother lived in the city. One evening, after being out late with my sister’s family, we ended up sleeping over at their two-bedroom condo.
Going back in time, I remembered my niece, Renata, had a white and brown mouse named Oreo as a pet. Oreo had his own accessories, like a bow tie, collar, and leash, accompanying Renata’s outfits. Despite being fancy, Oreo was still a rat, which made my skin crawl. But to my sister’s family, he was a beloved pet with the freedom to roam around the house.
During our visit, my brother’s wife brought their privileged dog, Mr. Theodore, who was treated as part of the family, even having his seat at the dining table. When Mr. Theodore and Oreo had an unexpected encounter, chaos ensued as Gilda, Antonio, Renata, and Ariel tried to calm the situation with a jar of jam for Oreo.
Later that night, as we settled on the hard living room floor for sleep, my fear of mice and rats kept me awake, especially not knowing where Oreo was lurking. Despite Peter and Kelly’s reassurances, I couldn’t relax. In the early morning hours, a prank involving a tennis ball made me scream in terror, causing a stir in the household.
The stress caused by Oreo’s presence led me to decide that future visits to my sister’s place would be limited. After returning to New York, I received news that Oreo had met an unexpected end in the freezer, bringing a mix of condolences and relief as I could now visit without the fear of unexpected encounters.
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