Keys

I.

"I don't know whose key this is," my mom told me some years ago, producing a cute little monkey-headed housekey from her purse.

"It's got to be Courtney's," I replied. "Who else do you know who would give you a monkey key?" 

"I think you're right," she said.

II.

"What is this?" gasped one of the 7th grade boys who came to my room every morning. 

"Oh, it's my new--" I started.

"I touched it first!" said his buddy, grabbing my key ring from my desk. "I touched the monkey key first!"

III.

"I can't find my house key," Heidi sighed. "I need a new one."

"How did you even lose it?" I scoffed.

"YOU told me to keep it separate from my car key in case I need to give them to the service station," she fired back, "and it must have slipped off the carabiner."

IV.

"You should get a monkey key," I told Heidi as we stood in the hardware store, considering our options. You'll love it! It's so cute and it springs to your hand when it's time to unlock the door!It is also a very substantial key—so easy to find on your ring!"

"I want the dog paw," she answered.

"That's good, too," I shrugged.