RIP Barney's dad

[Drunk Monk]

I don't remember his first name.  I think I only met him once at Barney's wedding. Barney is a longtime friend, an RM vol, until he got married.  We still keep in touch over fb.  He was the only person I've ever known that was a demolition derby driver.  srsly.  His family had an expansive plot of farmstead property out in Livermore.  There was a massive barn-like warehouse in back, like the size of my current bungalow.  Barney's dad kept his train set there.  It was huge, the largest most complex train set I've ever seen, and took up the entire space.  

I just heard it was suicide.

The funeral is Monday in Livermore, but I can't really get away from work for that, especially after just taking time off for Shirley's funeral last Friday.  Next week is rather busy too.  Today is our submission deadline and next week is doing all the crap I've put off to make this deadline, plus I've got two concerts lined up.

[Drunk Monk]

Barney called me this morning. We talked for almost an hour. He’s a wreck. The suicide came as a complete surprise to everyone and the note wasn’t coherent. He shot himself, but called the cops so his family wouldn’t discover the body. He was a retired fireman so a fire truck was present for the bell toling ritual.