Waiting List

In the morning, I could not find my key.

It was not in its usual place.

I checked the dish by the door, the desk, and my bag. All the places where it should have been.

The key was nowhere.

When I am in a hurry, everything else appears first.

My wallet, a pen, a notebook, an umbrella.

Only things I did not need right then.

I gave up and took the spare key from the desk drawer.

I had almost never used it. Its metal looked a little too bright.

As I was putting on my shoes, a notification came to my phone.

It was not one I recognized.

Sorting your lost items

Under it, in smaller letters, it said:

Currently 3rd

I tapped the notification, but no app opened.

Only a thin line, like a small queue, remained on the screen.

1st, earphones.

2nd, book.

3rd, key.

What did that mean?

I was not looking for my earphones or a book.

I needed my key.

Thinking that, I locked the door with the spare key.

At noon, I had an online meeting.

Before it started, I looked for my earphones.

They were usually in my bag, but they were not in the inner divider or at the bottom.

After a moment, I decided to join without them.

Then I noticed something in the pocket of my jacket.

My earphones.

I put them on and joined the meeting.

Afterward, another notification came to my phone.

Currently 2nd

In the evening, my train was delayed.

I sat on a bench on the platform and looked at my phone.

The battery was low.

When I opened my bag, something was caught between the clear folders.

I pulled it out.

A book.

The bookmark was farther ahead than I remembered.

I read a few pages while I waited for the train.

Another notification came to my phone.

Currently 1st

I see, I thought. Next was the key.

The usual key I had not found that morning.

At night, I walked a little faster from the station.

I stood in front of my door.

I checked the pockets of my jacket.

I opened my bag and looked between the clear folders.

Then I reached down to the bottom.

The usual key did not appear.

Instead, my hand touched the spare key.

The phone screen lit up.

All lost items have been found

I looked at the spare key for a while.

Then I put it into the lock and opened the door.

Inside, I placed it in the small dish by the entrance.

It was where the usual key belonged.

Nothing was showing on the screen anymore.

In the dish, only the spare key looked a little bright.