He just moved in the house in front of us in December, but I had known him for years.

I didn’t care for him. He was cocky. He was twenty years old.

If we talked it would just be a simple hello, what’s up, or a smile.

We had gone to parties together a few times and exchanged a few words.

We weren’t close, nor were we strangers.

He was also athletic, loved to run. I’d see him almost every morning out jogging.

He graduated last year. He was twenty years old.

He had one goal. To run 30 miles.

He only made it to 27 miles.

He passed away today. He was twenty years old.

I look over to his house in distraught, thinking he’s gonna go off to work any time now.

It’s weird how people who merely had anything to do with your life can affect you.

Life is short and his memory will live on.

Rest in peace, Ben. I’ll miss seeing you running around.

goodbye, neighbor.