The wind blows in uneven gusts. It makes loud whirs as it hits against the window. Paper and other items left by the day's travelers scoot along the sidewalk. People walk buily as if nothing were new. Children run down the sidewalk in a race on their way to school. Cars rush down the street; each on a separate destination. Everything is as it's always been: normal. Life is as it always is in the City that Never Sleeps. All seems the same, but it isn't.

I continue to stare out the window watching the world go by almost expecting something to change. Everything seems pointless at this time. Work seems trivial. Conversations seem superficial. What's the point?

My friends try to reach me, but I dodge the subject. I just don't know how to move on from here.

I'm constantly distracted. Everytime the door opens, I look up. I expect to see him. He's going to show up any moment. That door will open and he's going to enter, like always.

I've seen him around. He's been on the street and in the coffee shop downstairs. I know I've seen or sensed him here; when I go to the coffee machine or to the break room. I feel like he's right behind me.

He's going to walk through that door. Then he will go to his desk and things will continue as normal.

I tell myself all of this and I really want to believe it, but I can't. He is not going to show up. He's not just late. I haven't seen him on the street or at the coffee machine. He will never walk through that door again.