'It's almost time for me to leave Goiky.'

The raining winds fight against my umbrella. My shoes and socks are soaking wet and the grass squelches under my feet. Rain covers the trees and gray sky in a dull haze. Everything beyond my sight is hidden in the obscure fog, revealing itself as I run.

He did say he would leave. I just didn't think it would be this soon. I should've come out sooner, instead of sleeping all day. I should've talked to him sooner. I should've known. He had all his stuff packed the other day.

Maybe I can still say goodbye.

Please don't be gone just yet...

Everyday I spent here was worth it because of you.'

I should've hung out with him more. Of course he was free to leave, and I wouldn't stop him. He was always wanting to live his own life. He did things his way. But I should've been more of a friend. I can't believe what I thought of him when he first moved in.

Disgraceful.

His house is nearby. I can't see past the cliff, but his house is on the top. We sat there, with our legs hanging over the edge, eating the cherries from the trees I planted and watched the rolling waves. We talked about our favorite superheroes and tried to throw the cherry seeds into the ocean. It was fun.

Sheets of heavy rain bombard my umbrella like bullets. The ground slips underneath me; I'm freefalling, but I catch myself in time. The pounding in my chest beats harder and faster. That was scary.

I peek over the top of the cliff, and I hope his iron fence is still there...

It's not.

'Thank you for everything.'

Standing in front of the empty, dirt lot, desolate in the rain with the cold biting at my skin through wet clothes- it feels like a dramatic scene from some TV show or movie. My breath is so ragged; bumping each time I breathe, as my heart slows in my chest. My grip on the umbrella handle tightens.

The small garden of cosmos we planted is untouched. He said his fence was too mean looking. I planned to grow cosmos nearby and replant the garden around his fence. The flowers sway in tune with the wind, battered under the force of the rain.

I should've done something. He's gone now. I wasn't there for him on his last day here. Tears blur my vision. My arm goes up to wipe them away.

It doesn't help. My arm is already wet.

I didn't say my final goodbye. I couldn't...

I couldn't say goodbye.

'Your pal, Filbert.'