“The Neighbor Who Gave Us Time”

The silence that followed wasn’t empty.

It was loud.

I don’t remember how long I stood there before I heard it.

The low hum of a lawn mower.

For a split second, I forgot.

Then I remembered.

Steve.

I walked to the window and looked out.

He was already halfway across the yard, moving in steady lines, like he had all the time in the world.

No rush.