key holder | [Vasco Magdalena Mayor Blitz]

V A S C O

Most of the others had gone to help set-up for the speech, which I’d stayed back to edit and re-edit again. I’d been parsing out what to say for weeks now. It’d started off as a thank you to anyone who’d supported me, and the items I’d take care of in the next few months following the election. But the words felt small on the page and speaking in front of the mirror just as flat. Looking myself in the eye had convinced me that even if I’d faced opposition that I needed to speak out – that someone needed to say the quiet part out loud – and started drafting a fiery call to action.

So when the day came you had to imagine that my nerves were more than a little rattled. I’d put on my best pair of slacks and a button-down shirt, fumbling along as Emma took Yani to get a spot in front of the stage before it got too crowded. Other folks had wandered in and out of the house, prepping for a one-sided election but still upbeat and cheerful as always.

And then there was Magdalena.

She’d been left behind to help in case I needed it – to which I’d asked Emma if she remembered who she was assigning to this task – but didn’t press. I was too busy getting ready for what felt an even bigger speech than one I’d made five years ago.

“Have you seen my keys?” I muttered in the kitchen, and Magdalena had offered up the pantry as an answer. I must’ve forgotten them there when I’d gotten out the coffee this morning, even if I couldn’t remember.

As I stepped toward the back to grab the pair of keys sitting next to a bowl of sugar, I heard the door close and the room go quiet. A little click followed.

“Magdalena?” I whispered at first. I turned to the door and tried the knob in vain. “Magdalena. The door is locked.” I gave a few knocks. “Magdalena the door is locked and I’m stuck here – hola? Magdalena?”

V A S C O

I love all of my nieces and nephews the same, really. There’s the ones that offer up to help with Yani, those that can tell a wry joke while helping me out around the house, and then those that, bless their hearts, still had some growing to do.

Magdalena chided that I should’ve known who locked the door. Of course. She’d gone and decided on one of the most important days was the time to make it even more stressful than it needed to be. Why not? But I needed to stop and take a breath. This was all in good fun, and surely she’d let me out in a few moments. I just needed to make sure that I didn’t get too flustered.

“Ja, ja, ja…” I mustered up the least fake of a laugh as I could while I tried the door handle again. “Magdalena, I’m going to be late. I’m the only candidate so there’s no one else set to speak…”

She mentioned if something were missing. I turned to look around the pantry and found it looking as it usually did, all the spices and dry goods that we had. A few cans here or there. What was she talking about? Oh.

I knocked at the door again. “Magdalena, if you let me out now, we can talk about this on the way to the square. We can figure out whatever is missing and I’ll… figure out how we might be able to get you some.”