---- In the final moments of his life, he realized the depth of his love for her-a love so profound that even after seven years, his mind, his heart, every fiber of his being, was still filled with her. He could remember every expression she had ever made, every movement of her hands. But he would never again have the chance to hold her. He struggled to reach his hand out through the shattered car window, but she was too far away. Just like that day years ago, in the hospital, when. he had reached out for her hand, then pulled back at the last moment. He would never know that if he had just held ona second longer, she would have come running back to him. Some things, once lost, are lost for a lifetime. Matej was the boyfriend of Julia, one of the employees at Nikki's flower shop. ---- Every day, he came to pick up his girlfriend after work, sometimes lending a hand around the store. Matej and Nikki quickly became familiar with each other. That evening, after they packed away the last bucket of flowers, a loud crash echoed from the street. Matej looked up. "Sounds like there's been a car accident," he said. The road ahead was notorious for accidents. Nikki had seen a few incidents there before-tragic, yet unavoidable. She could only nod and agree softly. The ambulance had already arrived. There was nothing she could do to help. So she stood there, hands pressed together in silent prayer, wishing the unfortunate driver ---- safety. Then she turned and went back into the shop. After all, no matter what happened outside, the flower shop would open again tomorrow. Life would go on.