I used to love someone that I didn't like. I know that sounds weird. I'm not really sure I understand it, myself, but it is the only logical explanation that I can come up with.

We used to want to break up every other night. It's because of her that I always thought relationships were supposed to be stressful and that pain was just an inescapable part of happiness.

That is, until I met Catherine.

***

"So just how badly did you get burned?"

"Burned?"

"By your ex. The reason why you never allowed yourself to open up?"

"It was...messy, to say the least."

"Define 'messy'."

"Do we have to do this now?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I'm curious and you don't want curiousity to kill the cat."

"Of course not."

"So? How messy was it?"

"We argued about everything. She hated how much I loved my work. I hated how much she loved hers. We never really agreed on anything, I don't think. It was messy."

"So why did you stay together?"

"Well ultimately, we didn't, did we?"

"So if she was that horrible, why did you allow what you had to affect you for so long?"

"It's hard. She was the first woman I ever loved. Everything I believed in was because of her."

"That's sad."

"It was but it's not like I still allow her to dictate what I feel. I haven't for a long time."

"Really?"

"Of course. She may have been the source of my beliefs in the past, but Catherine, you're the source of my beliefs now. You are why I believe in what I believe in."

"Are you just saying that because I'm sleeping naked beside you?"

"No, that's just an added bonus."

***

So you see, it's been a long road but I know the truth now. Relationships don't have to be about breaking up every other night. They don't have to be stressful. And happiness? It doesn't have to have an element of pain. It can just be about being happy.

And now if you'll excuse me, my wife and our bed awaits me.

*THE END*