Inside the small flat where he lived,

amongst the scattered bin bags, old shoes, broken electronics,

we found his watch.

It was placed face down on the radiator.

His bed was overflowing with dirty clothing, papers, trash, and carrier bags.

Clothing was hung over a drying rack. On the coffee table, in the living room, were two mismatched women’s earrings and one little pendant.

The flat stank of stale cigarette smoke.

He left suddenly and completely

The police came to tell us.

“I’m very sorry to inform you…” the officer said.

“People were with him in his flat but then they all left suddenly,” said the neighbour who sometimes used to bring him dinner.

Someone named Simone contacted my husband. She wanted details for his funeral.

“She was the one” said the neighbour. “She was the one who was with him that day.

The toxicology report will be provided in 12 weeks and we will know what poison…what fumes or narcotics caused this sudden departure.

The departure that was final. The one where we didn’t get to say goodbye and I love you.