"CLICK"

It all happened so fast. Albert knew the store was not doing well financially but the closing of Atco Hardware still took him by surprise. He was the manager of the store but Peter, his partner and the owner of Atco, kept a lot of the financial details to himself. All the signs were there. He hadn't ordered any stock for months and the number of customers crossing the threshold was at an all-time low. Still, when Albert finally got the official call from Peter, it took him by surprise.

It had been 2 weeks since Peter decided to close the business. It was time to cut his losses and start fresh. During the last couple weeks the store had a massive 50% off sale which culminated in a one day 75% off clearance sale. If you want to make enemies into friends......mark your hardware down 75%. It amazed Albert how people came out of the woodwork to take advantage of the sale and Albert. There were a few customers that were sincere in their sadness but a large majority were there to take advantage of Albert & Peter's misfortune.

So now Albert stood in a nearly empty store. The echo was disconcerting. The empty aisles and paper-littered floors reminded the ex-manager of a miniature ghost town. Albert had left the store many times over the past four years but this was going to be the last time. This was going to be it. One last click and he would never have to come to the hardware store ever again. Peter was being transferred to Massachusetts and Albert would join him once he secured the farm and made arrangements for the animals. By the end of the month he should be in a completely different place both physically and mentally....ready to start fresh, as if the last four years never happened.

Albert walked to the back door, opened it and stepped through for the last time. the door closed solid behind him. He slipped the key into the metallic orifice and turned it. "CLICK".

*****************

Six months ago Barry never imagined he would be where he was right now. Six months ago he was happily married, gainfully employed and had the respect of his community. So much had changed since then and it was because of two faggots that blew into town. Before Albert & Peter he had a pretty good thing going, and so did Barry's friends. As assistant Manager, Barry was in charge of ordering, shipping and receiving and inventory. No one would ever miss the items he helped himself to or that he gave to his friends. Not to mention the petty cash he pocketed as he needed it. Barry deserved these perks. Albert & Peter were lucky to have him. The inventory he took home was a small price to pay to have Barry run the store. Besides, the new owners would never miss it...or so Barry thought.

After Barry was laid off it became apparent that inventory and cash was missing and that Barry had helped himself to well over $30,000 in cash and stock over the last 4 years. When it all came to the surface Kelly had taken Tyler and left to stay with her family. Barry & Kelly had lived their lives as Christians and when the truth about Barry came out, Kelly could not stay married to him. She filed for divorce which would be final in 90 days. In addition, the days of Barry being a "local hero" on the volunteer fire department were over. Barry had been forced to resign given the problems he had at the store. Kelly was living in the house that Barry built and he had been living in a single room in a guest house in Albieville. Fortunately, his former bosses had decided not to press charges but the outcome had been the same. Barry was living in his own prison without the support of his family, friends or the community. He did not leave the room he was renting very often but when he did he could feel the eyes on him and see the disapproving looks. All because of the faggots.

Barry had started to drink on a regular basis and spent most of his time either inebriated or sleeping it off. Kelly wouldn't let Barry see his son because of his new hobby which made Barry drink even more. He heard that things would get better once he hit bottom but Barry had been waiting for some sign of improvement with no changes on the horizon.

Barry basically left with the clothes on his back.....and his guns. He always thought of suicide as a cowards way out or the act of a mental case but lately it was a pretty appealing option. Barry just wanted out. One "CLICK" and this mess could all be over.