13. Call Me When It’s Quiet

[Verse 1] TV glow on the motel wall Boots tipped under the chair Payphone cord wrapped round my wrist Leaving lines in my skin Ice water sweating on the nightstand Carpet smells like old smoke I wait for the ice machine to choke Call me when it’s quiet [Pre-Chorus] When the line breaks, I hold my breath When the cord pulls tight, I don’t let go [Chorus] Call me when it’s quiet Not when the speakers shake the floor Call me when it’s quiet When it’s just your voice and the door Call me when it’s quiet [Verse 2] Backseat hum of the tour bus Vinyl sticking to my legs Your name smudged along my wrist Ink bleeding through the sweat Drum check rattles the cinderblock Cheap beer in the sink “I’ve got five minutes,” I tell you Call me when it’s quiet [Pre-Chorus] When the line breaks, I hold my breath When the cord pulls tight, I don’t let go [Chorus] Call me when it’s quiet Not when the speakers shake the floor Call me when it’s quiet When it’s just your voice and the door Call me when it’s quiet [Bridge] The bus engine never shuts all the way off Your voice fades into the hum I say “stay on,” you say “I’m here” But the line breaks a little more [Final Chorus] Call me when it’s quiet Not when the speakers shake the floor Call me when it’s quiet When it’s just your voice and the door Call me when it’s quiet