A Ring of Keys

The quiet inside has lasted several days, prompting me to look toward the door. I crossed the hallway floorboards and climbed the sturdy leg of the low wooden shoe bench near the entrance. Resting on its slatted surface was a heavy iron split ring holding three house keys, tilted awkwardly over an unlaced sneaker tongue. With measured leverage, I braced my legs and nudged the heavy ring flat onto the polished pine slats. Moving it clear of the sneaker edge, the metal settled in quiet alignment, ready for whenever the door opens.