The sun is just rising above the horizon and Tom is huddled over the window sill halfway through his cigarette. He hasn't slept all night, has yet to finish his first cup of coffee, no cream, no sugar. Listens to the birds sing and watches the wind push the flowers just outside his window...

It was beautiful, to say the least. The view, the sounds. Everything. This is the most relaxed I've been in years. Go ahead, tell me that it's my fault for being a workaholic. Pfft. You don't even know me. I don't think I even know myself.

The past few years have been littered with disappointments and tragedy.

My grandfather passed away when I finally graduated from college. I was close to him. With my parents being divorced and always busy with work, he was the only person who I could trust and talk to. Never met my grandmother, she passed a few years before I was born. Maybe that's why we got along. He never left the house so I was the only one he could talk to. Plus he used to say that I was very much like my grandmother.

The birds tweeted as they flew past, tiny twigs in their beaks. Must be going back home to fix their nest up. His house is fixed from time to time. But only because of the hired help. He brings up his coffee and takes a little sip of it. Hot, but not the kind that burns off your lips.

The following year, my girlfriend of 5 years suffered a car accident. She survived, but she was paralyzed from the waist down. I wish I could've known how to treat her. Maybe if I did, everything could've gone differently. In order to pay the bills, I had to take extra shifts at work. Those hospital bills were the real killers. Nearly left us in debt. But because of my excessive addon of work, I grew distant from her until she had enough and left me. I still help her financially.

I was doing a bit okay after that. Felt very lonely, but I could manage. Then, my friend and partner were shot and killed in the line of duty. Right in front of me. Still have the blood stains on my shirt to prove it.

Tom looked down at his shirt and suffered some flashbacks. They were so bad he had to grip the table to stop himself from falling out of the chair. The coffee on the table shook and tipped, spilling its contents everywhere. Tears streamed down his face. It was too much.

He shouldn't have died. He didn't want to work that day, but I convinced him to come. To earn a bit more money for that vacation he wanted to have with his wife and daughter. It should've been me. MEE!!

He broke down. Started crying as he leaned onto his open palm. He didn't care anymore about the spilt coffee. Even as it soaked up into his clothes.

I met someone new after though. Tall, beautiful. Golden eyes, red hair. Perfect white smile. Perfect figure. She even had a personality that complimented me. She knew about my tragedies. Accepted me as I was. Workaholic and all.

I did find a way to make time for her though. No way was I going to make the same mistake twice. At least, that's what I thought.

The weeks that went by were great. So were the months that followed. But there was a problem. The universe hates me. And it didn't care who it had to go through to make me suffer. She was diagnosed with stage III Breast Cancer.

I watched her wither away in a bed. Went from a strong beautiful woman to a weak, frail, shadow of her former self. Yet, I loved her through it all. Stayed by her side. Never for more than a couple of hours at a time. And only then it was to only get something to eat. Then it was back to her side. I was lucky enough to get paid leave during that time.

She died a few months ago. She fought long and hard. She was a fighter. A warrior. She deserved Valhalla. She deserved heaven, reincarnation. Whatever paradise any religion had to offer.

Tom stood up. Eyes red from tears. It was time to go. She was waiting for him. Crystal was going to be buried right next to his grandfather. It was what she deserved.

At the funeral, he gave a lovely speech. One that moved Crystal's family and friends. The only people to be there. Tom didn't have anyone anymore. No point in having any if the universe was going to be like that.

"...She always wanted to be a mother. It was her greatest wish. But it wasn't meant to be. She was great with kids though. I've seen it with my very eyes. Just like you guys have. She will live on in our hearts. All her love that she gave will forever be preserved in our memories. This is to Crystal, my wife."