Two Seventeen

Two Seventeen

Motel balcony, vending soda
City humming under us
We keep calling this a stopover
Like that makes the night less much
You lean against the metal railing
Ask what time the lobby shuts
I say probably after two
Neither one of us looks up

The elevator keeps arriving
Nobody wants to get inside

Two Seventeen, still standing by the door
Two Seventeen, we could leave but ask for more
You came back for the jacket and stayed for me
Two Seventeen, what are we trying not to see

Two Seventeen
Two Seventeen

You finally walk toward the elevator
Then turn around halfway there
Say you left your jacket on the chair
Though it's hanging on your arm right there
We both notice, neither mentions
You laugh, I look down at the floor
Sometimes one bad excuse
Is a better answer than before

You didn't forget the jacket
I didn't miss the clue
You came back for the jacket and stayed for me
That vending-machine soda held the answer

Two Seventeen, elevator closes slow
Two Seventeen, this time neither one will go
You came back for a jacket you already wore
Two Seventeen, stay a little more

Two Seventeen