Girl on the Payphone

[Verse 1] Cold payphone in my hand Quarter pressed to steel Highway miles still on my clothes Motel soap I never steal [Spoken Interlude – dry, natural speech, no melody] "Hey, Dad… yeah, it’s me." I clear my throat and try again “No, nothing’s wrong.” "I just— "Yeah. I couldn’t sleep." [Pre-Chorus] I keep my voice even I won’t let it crack [Chorus 1] Girl on the payphone Trying not to cry Girl on the payphone Holding on the line [Verse 2] You pass the phone along Little sister says hey Asks me when I’m coming home I don’t know what to say TV low in the background Chair legs on the floor I close my eyes to see our living room once more. [Pre-Chorus] I keep my voice even. I won’t let it crack. [Chorus 2] Girl on the payphone Trying not to cry Girl on the payphone Watching time tick by [Bridge] You ask if I’m eating If I’m getting rest I say I’m doing fine Like I do best Part of me stays there Part of me leaves Pressure in my chest When I breathe [Final Chorus] Girl on the payphone Trying not to cry Girl on the payphone Listening to every line [Tag] Girl on the payphone Voice getting small Girl on the payphone Hears it all