Your Coat's By the Door

Lyrics

[Intro] You called twice, I watched it ring Had a whole excuse ready [Verse 1] I kept your coat when the rain let up Left you waiting by the corner store Said, “I’m five away,” from my own front room Then I let that little lie grow legs and run You learned my coffee, I learned your tells Still made every hard day about myself When you brought me the truth in a paper cup I took one sip, then I changed the subject [Pre-Chorus] I know how to ask for your patience Like it’s something you owe me for free I keep calling it fear, keep dressing it up But it’s me, it’s me [Chorus] I’m selfish when I’m scared you’ll leave I take your hand, then pull it back to me You give me room, I fill it with my needs I hate the way I make love sound like “please” I’m selfish, and I know it now I hear your quiet when the words run out If you’re still here, I won’t ask you to pretend I’ve got to change before I lose you again [Verse 2] You told me your sister was sick last week I said, “That’s rough,” then I talked for an hour You kept your eyes on the chipped blue mug While I made my mess sound bigger and louder I want the comfort, the call back fast The soft “it’s okay” when I’m hard to hold But when you need me to sit and stay I find some small reason I have to go [Pre-Chorus] I know how to ask for your patience Like it’s something you owe me for free No more dressing it up as a wound I can see what I do when you’re near me [Chorus] I’m selfish when I’m scared you’ll leave I take your hand, then pull it back to me You give me room, I fill it with my needs I hate the way I make love sound like “please” I’m selfish, and I know it now I hear your quiet when the words run out If you’re still here, I won’t ask you to pretend I’ve got to change before I lose you again [Bridge] No grand speech, no clean escape Just showing up when it isn’t my day Let you finish, let the silence stay Learn your side without turning away [Final Chorus] I’m selfish, but I can name the thing And naming it won’t fix anything So I’ll listen when you tell me what you need And give you love without collecting a fee I’m selfish, and I know it now I hear your quiet; I won’t drown it out If you’re still here, I won’t ask you to pretend I’ll do the work before I lose you again [Outro] Your coat’s by the door; I’ll bring it by No big excuse this time