if that wasn't enough

 

What had they gotten themselves into? Mario hated to see Bren lift anything. Oh, he'd been cordial enough to her father. Of course, the man was under the weather and attached to a breathing machine. Mario couldn't have a complete conversation with the man, just yet.

"You have to take it easy," he did his best to get the extra room ready for Bren's dad. He even took out the twin bed and brought in a regular-size bed. Although, he didn't see it being enough. The man needed at least a queen size. But it was all he had time for. And he'd taken out all of Sammie's art stuff and anything else that might have been girly. 

"I wish you would have told me sooner," he knew he shouldn't have said it. It was too late to do anything about it now.

But here they were. Would they ever be alone again?

Sure her dad liked having a desk for his laptop. He could perch himself there for hours on end just watching YouTube.

"It's gonna be all right." Bren always had snacks for him. She would bring him a new container a day with treats, popcorn and drinks to have in his room throughout the day. She treated him like a spoiled brat.

"Why haven't you called that brother of yours?" Mario lit up with anger. He knew who should be taking care of him. Not Bren.

"I don't know if I really want to know him. It might upset my dad and ..and him too."

"You don't even know his name." Mario snapped. Of course, he couldn't help himself but make things worse. He'd wanted her to quit at the grocery store. She had cut her hours back. She was only there a couple days a week on a four-hour shift. Still, he thought that was too much.

"I'll go stir crazy if I'm home all he time," she told him.

"Well, better safe than sorry." He swelled a frown. "You know, we have a wedding to plan."

She sighed as if she didn't have time for it. 

"I just wish you could talk to him," Bren wouldn't look at Mario.

"What?" She couldn't be mad at him? He winced hard. "What are you trying to tell me?"

"Can't you be a little nicer," Bren was even-lipped. She looked so tired.

Mario nodded. He wanted to be, but didn't she know by now he wasn't the best actor. He did his best to smile. "I just want you to..to relax." He got up then and went to the kitchen to see if there was anything to do. There wasn't. She even had salads made in Mason jars in the fridge.

He went back to her at the dining table and told her she needed to put her feet up. "Maybe we could just listen to some relaxing music." They got up and moved to the couch. He found some music on the TV of soothing piano music, but even then they could hear someone watching YouTube from here. Mario did his best to ignore it.

He hoped that man who came to stay was really her father. Even so, Mario was giving it his all not to lose it. He cuddled with Bren hoping she might at least take a nap on his shoulder.