The dress slithers over your fingers like cool water, and you press your nose to it, inhaling the dying scent of her skin.

Years ago, you felt her body warming this silk. Years ago, you could've run your fingers through her blond curls, stared into her blue eyes, opened your heart.

You needed courage. She needed patience. Both needing forever, but time slipped away.

You waited too long, then everything was too short. You had each other, but it wasn't enough. You had each other, but now she's gone.

Extra years in your past probably wouldn't have changed your futures.