Sandra Baisden, a manager at Access Self Storage in Queens, says that Campis’s predicament is common in the storage business. "We do not just serve as customer service, but also as counselors," she says. There are countless customers who store materials following deaths of loved ones or painful divorces. Many of them will talk to her about what developments led them to her storage facility. "You just listen," she says.

Joseph looks through his brother's belongings for the first time in eight years.

The loud clanging of metal echoes through the barren hallways of Manhattan Mini Storage as the padlock releases its hold and the door swings open. Campis pauses in front of Richard’s neatly piled belongings.

"Nine grand to finance this stuff that I have never used," says Campis, staring into the unit. He estimates that is the approximate total he has paid to Manhattan Mini Storage. Over the eight years, the rates have jumped from $68 to their current $112 per month.

Images and memories from the past.

Several white dress shirts are hanging in front of a pile of boxes and shopping bags. He no longer remembers what is in the boxes, so he reaches down and grabs the closest object to the front, a thin, long carrying case. He opens it up and discovers some large black and white photographs taken by his brother. "I completely forgot about these," he says. He takes a few minutes to leaf through them, all the while praising their aesthetic qualities.

Campis decides that he has seen enough for the day. As he secures the lock back in place, he talks of plans to return with physical and emotional support. "I will need some help from friends to get rid of it, because left to my own devices I will leave it there until the day I die."