Never Say Goodbye or A Love Story in Hellos

Nine.

Her hands are sweaty. Sasha wonders why Nia has not pulled her hand back yet but she is probably just as nervous. Holding hands makes it bearable.

The way from the drive in to the front door seems endless. Sasha does not even know why she is so nervous about this. About meeting Nia´s parents.

They are both out, Nia and her, and she even had a few quick chats with them over Skype. It will not be first introductions for them but it still feels that much more important. Is that much more important.

She swallows and looks over to Nia. Nia who looks back and smiles encouragingly, even if a little bit wobbly. Suddenly, she pulls them to a stop. Ten more steps to the door. Nia rests her free hand on Sasha´s waist. Squeezes their hands.

“Let´s do this,” she says with determination, “They already like you anyway.” She does not wait to hear Sasha´s doubts. Just drags her the last meters to the front door and does not even hesitate before she rings the doorbell.

She has a key but she would rather get the formal part over with right in the doorway.

A few seconds later, they can hear soft footsteps on the other side of the white door. Then the door is pulled open and Nia´s dad is smiling at them. “Hello, ladies,” he greets. “Hey, Dad,” Nia says back. Sasha can feel her relax.

“This is Sasha. Which you know obviously. But yeah-”, she gestures to Sasha standing at her side, “Meet my girlfriend.” Sasha finally spurs into action. “Hello,” she squeaks out. It is embarrassing.

But Nia´s father just smiles. Warmly. And holds out a hand. Sasha lets go of Nia´s and takes the offered one. “Pleasure to meet you,” she finally manages to croak out.

Pleased, Nia´s father steps back from the door and waves them in. Sasha steps over the threshold after Nia, attached to her back. She does not want to be shy but this. This feels like a big step, ironically. Intimidating.

Nia turns around, sensing her girlfriend´s discomfort. She smiles and offers her hand again. Sasha gladly takes it. Lets herself be lead through the hallway, past floor to ceiling shoe racks. It is finally clear where Nia has got her passion about shoes from. Sasha has to bite back a grin at the thought.

And then they enter the kitchen. It is open and light with big windows. She can see the autumn leaves falling from the trees outside, in the garden.

Orange and yellow and red.

A woman is sitting at the table in the middle of the room. At the sound of their steps, she looks up. She looks exactly like Nia. And they smile in the same way.

Nia´s mother stands up. Pulls Nia into a hug without a word and offers Sasha a hand. “Hello,” she says, “nice to finally meet you, Sasha.” Her voice is warm.

Over her shoulder, Nia smiles at Sasha, her eyes shining.