Four People in the House, but Only Three Keys

There were four people in our family, but only three keys.

One for Dad, one for Mom, one for my brother.

I was the only one without.

The neighbors called me the family guard dog behind my back.

They said that every day after school I could only crouch pitifully in the stairwell, waiting for my brother to open the door.

Last month I came down with a bad cold, and for once Mom softened.

She patted my head and promised that on my birthday she'd take me to get a key cut.

I was so happy I couldn't sleep for days.