Bernie Mandelbaum was proud of his job. Sure, a furniture salesman wasn't such a glamorous thing; you never heard about them in the papers, nor were they invited to all the fancy parties, but it wasn't something he would complain about. He opened up this store in 1972, back when he was 25, and has never looked back. Leslie helped out with the paperwork and serving the customers until she got pregnant, then looking after Max was her full time job, followed by Margaret. Sometimes they would come and visit, talking to the locals that would stop by.
Bernie had lived in this town his whole life, as had his parents, and their parents. When the Richardsons finally finished building their house, it was Bernie they went to and custom ordered their furniture. Their daughter Jackie was left their bed once the both passed on. Parents brought their kids in to his shop to choose their first desk to study on; then they would bring their kids to do the same. There were times when he was pressured to start selling the flimsy furniture that seemed to be all the rage, but refused, preferring to take pride in the solid wood and leather furniture that he was known for. Sometimes things got a little tight, but he and Leslie would just tighten their belts a little more and tough it out; things always got better in the end. Bernie had been around to see generations of families pass through the town, and would always stop when walking down the street to see how people were. He was proud that he had become such a fixture in the community.
He had been working hard lately, and his age was starting to catch up to him. Liam, the new assistant, was a godsend, but even with his help the paperwork was piling up and the bills were getting harder and harder to pay. The more he looked at it, the closer he came to the realisation that he couldn't just wait it out this time. There was a tightness in his chest as he realised that his time was up; selling the store was the only option left. He covered his face with his hands, glad that he had sent Liam home early; he didn't want the boy to see him like this. The tightness in his chest grew, and by the time he realised it was more than just emotions it was too late. He collapsed on the floor next to the desk, scattering the papers around him.
Liam walked into the small office, looking for the book he had left, and stumbled over the mess surrounding Mr. Mandelbaum's body. After he realised what happened he tried to get Mr. Mandelbaum breathing again, but there was nothing to do. He sat there in shock, looking at the old man who he had known his whole life lying on the floor in front of him.