Table for Twelve

Table for twelve
Table for twelve

Closing sale at one a.m.
Bags too big for what I bought
New shoes, coat, ridiculous lamp
Little proof I made it through a lot
I spent a year counting every dollar
Now I'm counting who showed up
Friends in aisle nine making jokes
While the cashier folds the paper up

I thought freedom had a price tag
Then I looked around

Table for twelve (twelve)
Put it all on mine
Bags in the trunk
Twelve plates on the table tonight

One, two (for the crew)
Three, four (and more)

Four friends who didn't hide that year
Plus their kids and Tino's mother
Rudo's husband with the loud laugh
And the neighbour who lent us the cooler
At the register I added one frame
Five ninety-nine, scratched on the side
For the photo from the worst year
When these same faces stayed by my side

I thought freedom had a price tag
Then I looked around

Table for twelve (twelve)
Put it all on mine
Bags in the trunk
Twelve plates on the table tonight

Tino's mother stands up with her glass
Says, "Don't forget the lean years"
I hand her the frame from the checkout
And the whole table goes quiet

Table for twelve (twelve)
Nobody leaves tonight
Bags in the trunk

Three, four (and more)

Table for twelve (twelve)
Twelve plates on the table tonight

Table for twelve (twelve)

Table for twelve