With one shot it will be over
He let everyone down including his lover

He doesn’t want to do it, but he’s tired of hurting
With this one shot he won’t be returning

Tears are dropping from his chin
He turns and sees a picture of his kin

It’s him and his kids, having fun at the zoo
He picks up the picture and remembers other times too

He knows he shouldn’t leave them all alone
But his mom did it to him. He hears a ring, but ignores his phone

Still thinking of his kids, he smiles through the tears
He hears past laughter and consoling them through their fears

He puts down the one shot and picks up the phone
He reaches his oldest, she answers, “Dad! Hello?!”

He tells her of his hurt and how he misses her
She rushes to the car to hug her father

He didn’t take the shot and years later is thankful
He thought the glass was empty, but his kids showed him it was always full


She’s awaiting a phone call, it’s late
She tells herself, “After all, why would they?”

She’s been wanting to work there since a child
Striving for this while married, misfortune forced her husband to file

On this quest, she’s given up a lot
But it doesn’t matter now for this is her shot

It’s not like she doesn’t deserve it
She might be alone, but at least she has this

Still waiting by her phone with her hands on her temples
The clock ticks, her eyes are closed. Her phone begins to tremble

It’s ringing. It’s them. She answers with veiled confidence
She’s hanging on every sentence and working to maintain patience

They tell her she’s happy she applied, but have some bad news
Her throat tightens, her breathing quickens and her heart sinks to her shoes

They say they are happy she applied, but the issue is about pay
Due to her qualifications and all that she brings they say

It would only be right to overpay her original ask
For such a large company, really an easy task

They hang up and she can’t believe
How the fruits of her labor are more than she could conceive

As she ventures to the bathroom, she’s crying tears of joy
Looking at her reflection she says, “Oh boy…

“All of those years…you didn’t think it would happen
But you are worth it…even when it was maddening!”

She wipes the tears with a towel and smiles wide
It certainly wasn’t easy, but she’s glad she stuck by HER side


He’s been sitting there long enough to grow cobwebs
He takes another shot of whisky thinking how lonely it feels crawling into his bed

The ancient medicine prevents him from remembering how long…
How long he’s been married to a cheater or their wedding song

He wants to leave the relationship, but it’s unfamiliar
To fight for his peace with no prisoners, not even her

She doesn’t respect him anymore and only wants his packed wallet
Did she ever want me or my wisdom? He can’t call it

He sips more medicine, he glances at the game being played above
“Did I miss something? Did I not do something with enough love?”

He doesn’t realize that it was doomed from the start.
He didn’t read her fine print…especially the small parts

She wants veiled success, but he offers wisdom and wealth
He doesn’t like how this is impacting his health

How will he know who wants him for him or those many commas?
Why is wealth met with so much drama?