"Pals" This was it. This was my chance to claim that huge, creamy, yellow chunk of culinary bliss that lay on top of the kitchen counter, presented on a ceramic Christmas plate. I smelled its aroma from the minute it was being made out in the barn, and when it finally came into the kitchen, my mouth watered and my nose wouldn’t stop twitching. It was bad enough that there was already gingerbread softly floating through the air, and with the Christmas ham baking in the oven, the obsession to ravage the kitchen was maddening. But, that huge, creamy, yellow chunk of Heaven was what I wanted more than anything, so all I had to jump up and get it. There was one problem, though; the fat, hairy, overgrown monstrosity that rested on the linoleum floor, his hazel eyes watching me from afar. His name was Addison. As we stared at one another, his eyes narrowed and a silent hiss escaped his furry mouth. He knew what I wanted and he knew I wasn’t going to go back into my hole until I got it. But I wasn’t giving up just because that arrogant feline threw a hiss my way. For three years he and I waged a secret war every Thanksgiving and Christmas, but this year was different. Slowly making my way towards the long kitchen counter, my eyes stayed on Addison the entire time. So far he remained still and showed no signs of moving, but he was a speedy cat despite his tubby butt so I had to be careful. “And where do you think you’re going, Max?†He suddenly called out to me. I shot him a look. “None of your business.†Addison smiled a very toothy grin, his large, sharp teeth gleaming under the florescent lights. “Well, don’t you even think of taking that last slice cheese. I’ve got dibs on that hunk of Cheddar.†I shot him another hard glare. “Look, I really need that cheese, so just go back to sleep and leave me alone.†With a big yawn, Addison made his way over to me. “Then why don’t you go through the garbage can like always?†“Because I want my family to have a good Christmas before I’m gone,†I sighed. “You know that I’ve been sick and with the kids here now, I don’t want them eating rotten food on Christmas. It’s not right.†“Family? Mina gave birth?†“Yep, last month,†I peered up towards the counter now where the cheese was. “Fourteen little ones, so it’s my job to make sure they have a great first Christmas and that cheese is a start.†Standing next to me now, Addison looked up at the cheese as well. “Agreed, which is why I want it. Tuna fish and cat food isn’t a fitting meal for Christmas so what should we do?†“My family needs it more than yours.†I glanced towards a nearby curtain. “You and Annabelle get spoiled enough.†Leaping up onto the red fabric, I quickly ran up, swung my body, and then landed onto the counter next to the plate of cheese. “So what?†Addison hissed. “Your family isn’t any better than mine, so don’t touch it!†“Buzz off, fur ball!†I cried. Grabbing the large chunk of cheese, I tried with all my might to break off as much as I could, but all I managed to claim was a small piece no bigger than a marble. Trying again, I now bit into the creamy goodness but for a second time came away with a small amount. Addison snickered. “Mice will never learn,†He now jumped up onto the counter. “So I think it’s time you did.†I pulled the cheese to me. “You don’t understand how easy you have it! You never have!†“Stop it.†Addison reached out with one huge paw and batted the cheese off the plate. It hit the ground with a soft thud. My eyes went wide. “No!†“Go home. I’ll be there shortly.†Picking up the cheese in his mouth, Addison then trotted off. Totally confused now, I did as he said and ran back to the mouse hole. My wife Mina looked at me with worry. “What’s wrong?†“Nothing, I think.†I sighed. “But we’ll see.†Addison showed up a few minutes later at my door with cheese in tow. When I peeked out, I was also greeted by his wife, Annabelle, and three small kittens. When they all looked at me with curious eyes, I wasn’t sure what to think. “Round up your family,†Addison said to me, “it’s time we did this anyway.†“Did what?†I asked cautiously. “Be at peace.†Addison began clawing at the cheese. “My family agrees, so get the kids.†When I looked at Mina, her expression was one of confusion and dread. Looking past her and into the mouse hole, I saw all of my children watching as well, and their fear was just as apparent. Should I trust Addison? After all this time, was our feud coming to an end on Christmas? “And this isn’t a trick?†My eyes met Addison’s again. “You and Annabelle can annihilate us all in no time, so I’m weary about this.†“No worries,†Addison continued to claw away at the cheese, making many small pieces. “Me and Mina are too old to keep chasing you and Mina, and with your kids in the mix, this is the right thing to do. Besides, there’s going to be Christmas ham later, so dig in.†Thinking it over for a few, I then decided to trust this old cat. I was tired of running, he was tired of chasing me, so once I had the kids and my wife gathered, we sat down with Addison, his wife Annabelle, and their three kittens. Looking over my piece of cheddar cheese I inhaled its wonderful scent, smiled, and then sunk my teeth into it; realizing that this was the best Christmas ever. word count: 999 words