Locked Out and Keyless

I never forget my keys and this time was no exception. The issue was that I remembered them after I closed the locked door behind me. The two and a half inches of whatever doors are made of kept me from being able to grab my keys that were-at most-three feet away from where I stool. Life was funny but at that moment it was down right hilarious.

After going through the 5 stages of grief in record time and then praying this would be resolved and I wouldn’t be fired for being late, I tried in vain to find an unlocked window. I know there wouldn’t be one because I was the kind of person to check and double check everything was locked and safe, but still I tried.

After checking each one, and doubling checking a two, I moved on to the old card-the-door-trick. The only cards I had on me were my ID and credit card so I had to settle for plastic covered cardboard from the shed. Again I knew it wouldn’t work, especially without the proper tools, so my attempt just ended with wasted time and ripped cardboard.

I realized that at that point I had no choice but to make some calls. First to landlord, no answer, then work to let them know I would be awhile coming in. Maybe it was time to call a locksmith but I knew they could take awhile. I’d try the landlord again. Someone answered and after stammering out my plea I found I had the wrong number. My husband was at work all day and didn’t answer my texts. How could I not have either of the Landlords numbers? Checked again and called a second number. He answered and gave me his wife’s number to call because he was out of town. She answered and said she would be right over. People are so nice sometimes. Now time to wait.

The dog has been staring with a confused look on his face watching this entire time. I understand his confusion because again I am so close but so far and he doesn’t get why I’m just standing outside and why he can’t come too. He just stares through the window and wags his tail occasionally. If only he could unlock the door for me then it would be so much easier and I wouldn’t be just waiting there.

Since the day was still young the air was chilly in the shadows. I decided to lean against the tree in the yard to get some sun. It was strange just to stand idly when I had not only work but house chores to do as well. Being stuck outside my own house limited what I could do and it was a strange feeling. At least I had a charged phone or I really would have been lost.

Still determined to be productive I tried calling my sisters. The first didn’t pick up and I gave her a bit to get back to me. After a few minutes of gazing around to take in the quiet morning I called my other sister. She answered and as soon as we started talking a car pulled into the driveway. I realized I waited too long to make the call and tried to explain what was going on to her quickly. Either because I was talking too fast or that the reception wasn’t good in the area she didn’t understand my explanation to I just said I would call her later.

The landlord was very understanding as she unlocked the door and passed off a spare key. “Everyone gets locked out sometime” she said with a kind smile. Again I thought people really could be so nice.

With the door now open and keys in hard, I was back on track. It was like my life had been on pause but now the play button had been pressed and things could move forward again. So much to do that day but my mind went back to those quiet moments of my forced morning escape.