*DISCLAIMER* Although there are facts in this story it is completely fictional.

Mark Temple works in a corporate office; he has for 15 years. His work has escalated him high up in ranks of the company not to mention that his office is very high up as well. He works in a tight cubicle on the 96th floor.

It takes him about 10 minutes to ride the elevator from the main floor to his office. He doesn’t mind the lengthy ride when Marissa Davidson is on the elevator with him.

Mark has had a crush on Marissa since she started working for the company some 11 years ago. She has been around nearly as long as he has. Mark sits adjacent to Marissa’s cubical. During the workday he will occasionally look up at her and smirk a small smile like a trouble-making kid in elementary school.

Mark has made small talk with Marissa before, but nothing too deep. He has told himself for years that she is way out of his league and there is no real reason for him to try and talk to her. This day was different though.

There was talk around the office the day before about having some bad weather because of Hurricane Erin. When Mark woke up at 7:30 a.m. the sun was just coming up and it was a calm and clear summer day contrary to what he had heard in the office.

His confidence grew as he walked into the building and saw Marissa in the lobby waiting for the elevator. He walked up to her and smiled. She smiled back. Mark began to mildly blush.

They were the only ones in the elevator because they were both slightly behind schedule trying to make it to work at 8 a.m.

Time seemed to pass so slowly in the elevator for Mark. His body tingled with the urge to just start the conversation with Marissa. He couldn’t think of how he wanted to start it. He was worried he might come off as stupid unless he said the right things. He began to talk but the words would not come out. It was as if they were stuck in his chest. Then the elevator doors opened.

He had missed his opportunity for now but he was determined. This was the day his life changed. He needed to talk to Marissa and he had a plan to win her over.

He sat down at his desk and did some of his work to combat his nervousness. He tended to fidget when he became anxious. He looked up at the clock and it was 8:30 a.m.now.

After some brainstorming he came up with a plan. At 9 a.m. he was going to go over to Marissa and just tell her. He was nervous but he was determined to know if there was even the slightest chance he could be with her. He continued working to calm himself.

Then the clock struck 8:46 a.m.

Mark never got to talk to Marissa. Mark didn’t do anything after 8:46 a.m. because at that time a plane smashed into his company’s building.

That plane was American Airline Flight 11. The date was September 11, 2001.

If you want something don’t hesitate.