The Accordion in Lost Property

Ms. Okoye works in the lost-property office at the station. On Tuesday a conductor brings an old accordion case. It has no name. She smells the case. It smells of the sea. She finds three grains of rice. She finds a torn label from a repair shop. She phones the shop. "It is Mr. Welka's accordion," the man says. His granddaughter's wedding is tomorrow. Ms. Okoye takes the last train. At eleven at night, Mr. Welka hugs the case.