It's A Good Thing Jack Can Talk

Monday, it snowed and I worked from home, because... why not? The Honda had been in need of new tires for a while, and the van was covered in snow. Tuesday I took the van so that Dave could get new tires on the Fit. That means I was the last person to use the van key. That's singular folks: as in key. We have one key.

So when Dave called me at work on Thursday because he wanted to drive somewhere and did I know where the van key was? I had to just heave a huge sigh because no. I didn't. I looked in my purse and pockets and then started lamely suggesting places to look, all obvious, all places Dave had already looked. But wait! What was I wearing on Tuesday? Check in those pants. Never mind, those were the pants I was wearing that day too. It's OK - he didn't really need to run that errand, but I was going to need to find the key because I was the last one that had it.

When Dave mentioned it Friday, I started to look in "the drawer" (you know the one) and Dave said, "It's insulting that you would even look there. I said, "What? I'm looking for chapstick. I can't look for the van key with chapped lips. Oh good! Here it is. Now I can apply some chapstick and then look for the van key." But really, I had to start there. I have a system when I am looking for something. Drawer, tray, desk, nightstand, bathroom, dresser, drawer, tray desk, nightstand, bathroom, dresser. I just have to keep repeating that pattern and praying to St. Anthony until I get an inspiration and find what I am looking for. Like when I found the ibuprofen in cabinet with the wine glasses. Nothing Friday, but I started to have a memory of Jack playing with the van key. Maybe I left it on the counter... etc.

Saturday, Dave said, "Where's the van key?" And I said, "Jack had it last. 5 days ago." And Dave said, "Where's the van key, Jack?" And Jack said, "I put it in the bench."

Dave and I raced to the bench and started rummaging through hats and coats and mittens and there it was.