Appreciate the good things in life

 Bren felt she was in a lull of some kind. Yes, she and Mario finally took the plunge, and yet it felt as if they were almost back where they started. Naturally, she had plenty of time to mull it over as she ran the cash register at work.

Possibly, this was like any other relationship she'd ever had. Did she know nothing about timing?

There were friends who knew the moment in high school who they would marry and somehow could make it a long-drawn affair til the very end of finding that fantastic job in the real world after the university. Of course, she did have one solo friend who was still waiting for that dream job. 

She knew it wasn't fair to compare herself to others, but she couldn't help it. It was like they harbored a great secret they could not share.

"Stop being so hard on yourself," Liv told her when they were home and vegging in front of the TV. "Just enjoy the now."

Bren smiled back. Yes, she wanted to. She should.

"But maybe I am too easy," she knew. 

"But  you want to be with Mario." Liv reminded her.

"Well, you haven't fell off the wagon," Bren looked at Liv as if she knew how not to let anyone get the best of her.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, you are still young and noble. No one has come along and rocked your world. And even if they did, you might snub them just because you can." Bren hugged herself as if she was certainly beneath a life like that.

"I never thought about it," Liv was even lipped. "I don't know things about romances and relationships. I've seen how my mother's been treated by my father and brother and I know that's not what I want. I have to watch out for me. I have to love me first."

Bren knew Liv wasn't selfish. For the first time, what Liv said made sense. Why hadn't Bren thought of that?