My keys thunked to the floor. Not clattered, not jangled. Thunked.
My back caught and I froze, mid-bend, predicting the pain. Use your knees. I lowered myself more carefully to grab the fob on my keyring.
I rose cautiously, smoothly, keys more solidly gripped.
I shifted my grip carefully from the fob to the big flat key next to it, holding it tightly between my thumb and index finger. I unlocked the door successfully this time.
I opened the door and dropped my backpack inside. A little sharp pain in my lower back, but not the catastrophe that could have been.
There’s a pillow on my chair to cushion my thunk.