Four Last Things

Four long years Sammy put into this goldless mine. Four years he watched load after load of dull rocks dumped into the crushers and come out as nothing but smaller rocks. Four years he watched his money turn into loans.

Four years he felt his dreams slip away.

Four months ago he laid off half the miners. Four months ago his wife and little girl walked out of his life forever. Four months ago he woke up in a hospital being treated for alcohol poisoning.

Four months ago he started sleeping in his office at the mine.

Four weeks ago the last miner walked off the job. Four weeks ago he received a final notice for overdue loan payments. Four weeks ago he shredded every financial record he could find.

Four weeks ago, he bought a gun.

Four days ago the investors called. Four days ago the workers’ union called. Four days ago the bank called.

Four days ago Sammy ate the last meal of his life.

Four hours ago he turned the lights out in the office and watched the gate through the window. Four hours ago his cosigner drove into the yard and parked his car at the mine entrance. Four hours ago the man Sammy hated most in the world walked into his own grave.

Four hours ago, Sammy pushed four bullets into the chambers of his revolver.

Four minutes ago Sammy cornered his cosigner at the end of the newest shaft in the mine. Four minutes ago the man shouted at Sammy, “You’re a washed up psycho! I’m here to shut it all down!” before a bullet shattered his fourth vertebra. Four minutes ago Sammy put the gun in his own mouth and attempted instantaneous suicide.

Four minutes ago, Sammy screwed up for the last time in his life.

Four seconds ago Sammy took his last breath through a mouthful of blood. Four seconds ago Sammy clutched a rock on the wall that broke off in his hand. Four seconds ago his eyes focused on the broken end of that rock.

Four seconds ago Sammy saw the first four ounces of gold to come out of this mine in four years.