Missing Keys

[u/Madennetic]

I breathed out hard, putting all my effort into my final rep. I pushed my legs out and came down with a crash of weights. Bright white lights, my face hot, legs lightly shaking. I stood up slowly and got a paper towel to wipe the machine down, grabbed my things, and moved to the leg curl. Sitting down, I moved to put my phone and wallet in a cup holder when I noticed something inside, small and shiny. A pair of keys.

I looked around the gym: dumbbells rising and falling, heavy grunts, everyone focused on themselves. I scanned the gym one last time for anyone who looked like they lost something, but seeing nothing I started my set. By the time I finished still no one had come. I grabbed my stuff and the keys and went to the front desk.

"Excuse me," I said.

"Yes?" replied the staff member.

"I found some car keys that someone left, I was thinking I could leave them with you?"

"Oh, yes, I can take those. Thanks."

I nodded at her and went back to my workout, keeping an eye out for anyone searching for something. I stayed another twenty minutes, not spotting anyone, and I finished my workout. I grabbed everything and started to leave. In the entranceway I saw the same worker vacuuming the floor. Stepping out of the revolving door, I paused and looked at her, half expecting her to look up and say thank you or tell me that someone took the keys. She kept vacuuming.

Just outside, I started up the staircase, the gym being in the basement of a mall. I was only three steps up when I heard someone, in an urgent voice, speak to the worker. I looked back and paused. I couldn't make out what they were saying, but it was clear: he lost his keys and couldn't find them. She nodded and said something, then a moment later was back with his keys. I stood there, staring, my mouth half-open as if to say something, I found the keys, but I closed it. A small smile came to me then, and I went up the stairs.

[u/DisastrousProblem408]

One day, you'll feel it constantly. When your kids decide to do whatever against what you told them, then dare to yell at you, while every bite of food they ever put in their mouth was all provided by you.