Count It Twice

Count it twice
(twice)

Darnell had the handshake, I had the plan
Fifty-fifty on a napkin, two names, two hands
Three years clean, the shop running right
Then the ledger came short on a Thursday night
Eleven hundred forty, gone from the till
Same number next month, same number still
I didn't raise my voice, didn't call my friends
I just did what Mama said, counted again
Twice on the register, twice on the sheet
Twice on the deposit, twice on receipts
Numbers don't lie, they just wait to be read
I read 'em at the table while the whole house slept
Met him at the diner, booth by the glass
Slid the paper over, let the silence ask

No shouting
(no)
No scene
(no)
Just a number
In between

Count it twice (twice) before you shake (shake)
Count it twice (twice), the key and the safe
Trust is a number on the register tape
Count it twice (twice), then you walk away

Twice
(twice)
Twice
(twice)
Check it twice
Then you walk away

He didn't deny it, he just looked at the floor
Said, "Rent was heavy," I said, "I know, bro"
Bought him out that morning with a cashier's check
Shook his hand, didn't curse, didn't bring up respect
A year went by, he came to the back door
Said, "I need work, I'm not asking for more"
I gave him the apron, I gave him the keys
Gave him a drawer that I count every evening
Forgiveness is free, but the register ain't
I love him for real, but I count what he makes
He knows that, I know that, we both do fine
Two grown men and a number in a line
The shop got bigger, the trust got tight
The day I stop counting is the day it dies

No shouting
(no)
No scene
(no)
Just a number
In between

Count it twice (twice) before you shake (shake)
Count it twice (twice), the key and the safe
Trust is a number on the register tape
Count it twice (twice), then you walk away

I used to think counting
meant I didn't trust you.
Now I know
counting is how I keep
loving you
without losing the shop.

Count it twice (twice) before you shake (shake)
Count it twice (twice), the heart and the safe
Love is a number you count at the table
Count it twice (twice), then you stay (stay)

Balanced.