[ WP ] Write a story that ends with a phrase `` I was wrong '' and this phrase explains everything

Oh man, this has so much potential I'm gon na write more than one. 
 *** 
 The sheriff lifted the tape and stepped into the crime scene. It was around a house, a crack house by the looks of it. The sheriff the stepped through the door, and was instantly hit with the potent scent of death. He turned left, walked into the small living room. There he was. A man, in a chair, the TV on with the news blaring, and a silver revolver on the floor. The sheriff took it all in while the newscaster spoke in the background. 
 
 *'' Furthermore, there has been no more forward progress on the trial of the NASA scientist convicted for treason, more news on that at 11:00. Back to you, Gretchen...'' * 
 *** 
 The man behind the desk had been awake for 57 hours. He did n't even notice it anymore. Not many people could stay awake that long, and therefore not many people knew what it felt like. He thought of it kind of like pain during a workout, how you slowly get used to the intensity and you feel better at the sets go on. Of course, he did n't want to stay awake for another minute. But, it was all just part of a day's work for James Howard. 
 
 James had been assigned orders from the top. No, the top of the top. He had been living in an apartment three weeks ago, but three days ago he was in a conference room with the president of the United States. He never thought that his intellect would bring him here, doing math on trajectories and fixing complications for the most important mission in the history of mankind. In about 4 days, the *Bruno I* would be making a touchdown on Mars. It was astounding to look at how far humans had come. Terraforming was no easy task, but they had done it, and now the first ship of 25,000 would be landing and building a large community near one of the many large lakes that dotted the no-longer-red planet. 
 
 But, of course, there were always complications. 
 
 While traversing the vast expanse of scary darkness, the *Bruno* was struck by a moderately sized asteroid at an unknown speed. Two of the eight landing gears had been broken, as had multiple over parts of the ship used for storage. *Bruno* was still capable, but adjustments had to be made for landing. And James had been tasked with making sure this ship could land. 
 
 Hours dragged on. Complicated problems that only a few people on this planet could understand felt like second grade algebra to Howard, measurements were taken, that pretty girl that interns for the interior design for *Bruno II* delivered pot after pot of coffee, accompanied by the occasional sentence. And, 76 hours, 8 pots of coffee, 6 sentences from that girl, 19 broken pencils, 3 calculators to check and double-check his work, 4 phone calls, 0 seconds of sleep, and 1 tired man later, *Bruno I* would land safely. 
 
 James made another call, arranged a meeting. It would be on July 18, 2163, the last day that humans exist solely on Earth. World leaders gathered, speeches were written, and ceremonies were planned. A large screen was to be placed behind the podium, facing the expanse of guests, and a drone with a camera would fly behind the *Bruno* to live-stream the landing. Everything was in place, and James was finally asleep. 
 
 The ceremony was extravagant. Everyone was jovial, and a clock counted down to the time of landing. Presidents made speeches, people laughed and cried and drank, until the clock struck ten minutes. The United States president, Brandon Verunt, formally introduced James, the youngest in the room by far, the 29 year old among the seasoned politicians. James gave his speech, and then the live-stream began. Verunt put his hand on James' back and they turned to gaze at the screen. 
 
 The ship descended beautifully. Everyone was in awe. Except for James. 
 
 Something felt off. Something small, something that no one would have caught, something that only someone who had been awake for 71 hours, 36 minutes, and 15 seconds would do. James was fading fast, but a lot of lives were on the line. He carried a seven, divided by the speed of light, even though velocity was already calculated, he still had to figure out how to land the thing. And at that time, James hit a 5, instead of an 8, a simple mistap, but it sealed the fate of thousands when he moved on to the next part of the project. 
 
 James watched, helpless to stop what he caused. And there, miked up, in front of an expected audience of 1.2 billion people, three words escaped his mouth. 
 
 `` I was wrong...'' 
 *** 
 Submission 2 
 *** 
 Ironed shirt, check. Jeans on, check. Did you brush your teeth? Yes, I did, thanks Matt, always looking out for me. I ended the mental conversation with myself and grabbed my keys. I had a date at seven and I needed to make sure I was n't late. 
 
 I felt confident about this one. I was ready to take on the world with someone new. Tinder had been good to me. Anna was tall, red hair that really worked with her face, a body like an hourglass and eyes like emeralds. She was impossibly out of my league, and a huge *Star Wars* fan, read all the books and everything. I checked my wallet. I had $ 75 to make sure I could afford both of our meals. I was ready for this one. 
 
 I got into the car, started the engine, and put on my seatbelt. Just as I was backing out, I got a phone call. I picked up, expecting it to be some kind of sales call. But nothing could have prepared me for what came next. 
 
 `` Matthew Trice?'' 
 
 `` Speaking.'' 
 
 `` Mr. Trice, it is my sincere regret to inform you that it has been two years since you started your plan with ANIA. You will need to renew your policy with us by providing evidence that you still need the cash injections, or we will be forced to terminate our contract with you. Have a good day.'' 
 
 The phone went dead. I turned the car off and walked back into my house. Fuck ANIA, I do n't need your goddamn insurance anymore but fuck you for making me have a fucking panic attack. I ca n't do this, not tonight, you bastards. Army/Navy Insurance Agency, federally funded, just another time my government has fucked me over. Why tonight, of all nights? 
 
 I went straight to my bedroom, drew a binder from under my bed. Upon opening it, the familiar pictures greeted me once more. Matt and Kate, unbreakable, they are gon na get married some day. The pictures reminded me of all the times we shared. Like that time I could n't make her birthday party in seventh grade for a baseball tournament, and I thought she was gon na break up with me, but she did n't. And the time we went to Colorado for winter break in eighth grade, and I though she was gon na kiss me on New Year's Eve, but again I was wrong. I tried my best to know her, but sometimes I just did n't. 
 
 Like when she turned down her acceptance letter to Duke to go to Navy. 
 
 And how I stood in the airport watching her leave. 
 
 And how I thought she would come back from Afghanistan. 
 
 And how I was wrong.
