Missing Key

“Don’t forget to take the key to school with you today, Nolan. Remember it’s the day I stay late at work.”

“Okay, Dad,” I said. “I will put it in a safe place.”

Dad and I lived alone in a two-bedroom apartment. He had to work late on Wednesday nights, so I always had to let myself in and eat leftovers for dinner. Mrs. Robbins, the neighbor, always kept an eye on me so Dad didn’t have to worry. She loved it if I came to visit, and she would even feed me snacks. Her kitchen always smelled of fresh cookies, so I didn’t mind too much.

As I left for school, I placed the key in the usual spot, under the plant by the door. I then headed down the street to school.

Christian, the class bully, was waiting for me at the corner for the morning torture time. “Headed to school are you, daddy’s boy?”

I just wanted to haul off and hit him, but Dad said violence never solved a thing. “Just keep walking,” I told myself.

Christian taunted me for a few more minutes, and finally left me alone. It was useless to talk back. He would just keep being his regular bully self.

After school, I cut across the vacant lot so I would avoid getting tortured. Usually, it took about 10 minutes to get home. Today, it took five. My breathing was short, and I just wanted to get in the house. “Quick, get the key, and get in the house,” I thought.

I reached for the key under the plant. It was gone . . .