The Key Caper

Is it too pathetic to say that as this story was unfolding, I was thinking about how I going to blog it? Don't answer that.

Last night, I went to burn some calories at the gym. Right before I left the house, I asked my mom if I could take her car so I wouldn't lose my parking space. See, we have this parking space battle in our neighborhood. Each house gets two numbered spots. And then there is this coveted "visitor" spot which is the subject of a turf war. I had conquered that spot for the evening and wasn't about to give it up to my little pipsqueak neighbor.

Mom says yes, so I grab her car key and head out. She has a key ring that weighs about 24 pounds, containing 718 keys, so I always take only the car key with the keyless entry remote. [Hm. If I carried her entire key ring while jogging on the treadmill, I might burn more calories. Interesting thought.]

After an uneventful workout, (unless you count how happy I was when the really smelly guy next to me left!) I put my jacket on and walked out to the car. When I reached into my jacket pocket, the key was gone. I tell myself, "Okay, no big deal, I'll just go back in and find it." 20 minutes of searching and a frantic phone call to mom later, the key remains missing.

And now, there's a bigger problem. That was the only key mom had for her car. The hot water gets hotter. More searching. Still no key. I was on one treadmill and one elliptical machine-- how far could the stupid key have gone? Scenarios of theft, mom being stuck at home (or worse ME being stuck at home while she drives MY car!!), huge towing & re-keying bills, and a seriously upset father flit across my mind.

We finally gave up and went home. I must be honest and admit that I prayed about it and was able to sleep fine. Not sure about the 'rents, especially the dad who prollie had dollar signs spinning in his mind. :) Don't get me wrong, I felt really bad, but in the end, what could I do? I left my name and number with the gym people. I even called the police and told them, "Hey, there's a possibility that this car might get stolen if, by chance, someone happened to steal the key and find out which car it belonged to."

So, here are the multiple choice answers for The Moral Of My Story. Which would YOU choose?

- Always drive your own car.

- Never drop your keys.

- Don't drive at all-- if you really need exercise, walk!

- Buy a house in a neighborhood that has plenty of parking spaces.

- A spare key is good.... 14 would be even better.

- Drive an old clunker that no one would ever think of stealing so you can leave your key in the ignition.

- Don't go to the gym.



Oh, you want the ending to the story, eh? Mom came down this morning to tell me the gym people found the key and she had brought her little car back home, safe and sound. And yeah, she already went to the locksmith this morning to get a spare key made.

- Julie -