First Impressions
Inter-species relationships can be very complicated...or not!
"Look. They're going to love you. You'll be fine, Sue." The wolf reassured his girlfriend.
"I know, Alex! I'm just _so_nervous about meeting your parents!" Sue replied. The doe's hands were clenched into fists that she shook nervously in front of herself. The curious couple stood outside the front door of a modest suburban home.
Alex put his handpaws on the sides of her arms and squeezed them a little. "I've told my folks all about you...all about us, so just be yourself, okay?" He said, looking into her eyes.
Sue closed her eyes, took in a deep breath, and held it for a moment. She exhaled slowly. "Okay. I'm ready." She replied, opening her hands.
"Great. Here we go." Alex smiled. He reached for the door and opened it. To his surprise, his mother, also a wolf, stood inside waiting.
Alex did a double-take. "Mom?"
"Oh, come now, son!" she said, waving a handpaw down at Alex. "I couldn't help buthear you kids chatting outside!" Her eyes brightened upon seeing Sue. "And you must be Sue! Come in, dear! Come in! We're so happy to have you for dinner!"
"Th-thank you, ma'am." Sue replied. "I'm happy to be here for, um...dinner." She took a few uneasy steps inside and was followed by Alex, who closed the door behind him and placed a hand on the small of her back, calming her slightly.
"Oh, don't be so formal, sweetie!" The matronly wolf smiled. An annoyed look then came over her. "Where is that husband of mine?" she pouted. Turning around, she cried: "HENRY!"
The sound of someone walking down stairs could be heard. Henry reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped to adjust his tie. The middle aged wolf loudly asked: "Is that dinner, honey? I'm starving!"
"Dinner?" Sue gasped, her eyes widening.
"Yes, Sue. Dinner." Alex solemnly said.
The deer frantically looked around the room. "This is a joke, right? Right?"
Alex locked the door.
END.