Grandma Werner died in fall of ninety two Sweetest lady, would do anything for me and you Everyone came to town, dressed in black and looking right The service was nice and appropriate Unlike her grandsons' behavior that night

Uncle Jim said, "Load The Bounder, boys, we're going to the game!" Garber High was terrible, but we yelled all the same We restocked beers on the road, feeling reckless and fun Barney played great cheered on by everyone

Dale said, "Boys, let me show you my Northwood frat" Didn't know his house had neon lights like that Cover charge got paid for Deja Vu that night Uncle Larry circled Essexville in panicked fright

Beth knew of the Vu and tired of Larry's rants She made the call, ruining Eric's first lap dance An oath of silence was sworn, sealed tight as a drum But they hadn't accounted for Marge's mischief to come

She grew up by the river, Bay City nights Youngest one watching, learning when to fight Fast on the track, ball in her hand Point guard vision, always had a plan She laughs like thunder, same as her dad Breaks the room open, best sound I've had Doesn't say much till it matters most But when she does, man, she doesn't coast

She's seen me before I was cleaned up nice Seen bad decisions, seen good advice

She built her life with calloused hands Steel and numbers, gears and plans Twenty-five years, no shortcuts taken Left on her terms, nothing forsaken We didn't meet in some movie scene We met at work, brake dust and machines She stood at my wedding, I stood at hers Life ran circles before it turned

No fairy tale, no rewrite Just two grown people getting it right

I crossed a line with a stupid joke Thought I was clever, turns out I choked Room went quiet, I knew I'd blown it Words don't rewind once you've thrown 'em So I hit the store with my tail tucked in Found a card that told the truth I was in Porcupine staring, needle grin Said Sorry I was a prick Yeah, that was it

September 7, I still recall Jeff, you came and changed it all An "It's a Boy" sign grandma made Scott had his best friend that day

A cute little guy with eyes of blue And a winning smile too. Your pure white hair was a keeper Then came the nickname… "Whitey Weefer." Your nickname followed you through school, It even stuck at MSU. A shortened version, known as "Weef" Is used by many friends like "Grief."

Having you home was always fun Your friends were like sons to us I saw that mischief in your eyes But I never worried about you guys

Those tailgate parties on Saturdays Those Spartan games at State It wasn't just the games and beer It was time we got to share

You know I love to hear your voice Your phone calls would always be my choice Every time we say, "Goodbye" I thank God you special guy

I love Weef and there's no other Except, of course, his older brother Another thing that warms my heart Is that your sister is a part Of your loving sibling role You keep in touch soul to soul.

The house still sounds the same at night Same chairs, same TV light But there's a space we don't ignore An empty place that says much more We talk about him like he's near Some days it almost feels he's here But every laugh just makes it clear There's something missing every year

He never raised his voice too high Never had a mean reply The kind of man who'd take the hit Just to keep the peace a bit That cost him the bigger chair Truth is, he just didn't care You won't find a single soul Who'd say one bad word at all Even folks he didn't like Still felt welcome in his life That was just the way he lived More than most would ever give

Trips to Mayo, chasing hope Detroit nights at Karmanos Every door was worth a try He walked through, head held high Never heard him curse his luck Never saw him come undone He never chose this path at all Still, he faced it standing tall

One last Thanksgiving for us to share The five of us were all together there Plates were full, but no one spoke We all felt it in our throats We ate and talked like families do Tried to act like nothing's new But every glance kept drifting back To the weight we couldn't crack Jeff said he'd head back home Something said "don't leave him alone" So he stayed, and that was right We still think about that night

Saturday around three AM Everything got quiet then We held his hands, we gathered near Said the things you never hear He couldn't breathe, we saw the strain And what it cost him in that pain So we told him he could go That we'd be alright somehow Four of us standing by his side Talking gently as we cried "It's okay, Dad… you can go" Hardest words we'll ever know

I had to wait till number three To get my little girl But waiting wasn't the hard part It was learning that new world We brought Sherri home to Jeff and Scott They didn't need much time They fell in love with their new sis Like it was by design

Raising up a little girl Was different from the boys Everything felt bigger somehow From clothes to all the toys But she had a way about her Even from the start A quiet kind of confidence And a steady kind of heart

Dance class at just three years old And you never let it go Every step just pulled you in More than you could know Garber High and cheering crowds Standing tall out there Senior year, that crown you wore Just felt like it belonged there

You graduated with honors Then headed off to school Central Michigan ahead of you Ready to make your moves And even as the youngest one You never drifted far You've always kept your brothers close That's just the way you are

Scott, at six you were full of words Smarter than most kids I'd heard Forward and backward you'd repeat Like your mind wouldn't sleep

Garber High School came and went We dropped you at GMI in Flint Watching you walk away Knowing you'd be okay

You moved out on your own To the other side of town You could always come back home "I'll be okay, Mom, I'm fully grown."

I watch your life from where I stand See you and Kats still hand in hand And now, through all you do I still see my little boy in you

Two separate paths, no reason to cross Different lives, different thoughts Aunt June said, "You two should meet" Not like we could disagree

You were in Flint, I worked those nights At St. Mary's, building my life Didn't take long, I just knew Something in me leaned toward you

Nineteen sixty-six, we started out Small-town living, just figuring out Paycheck to paycheck, side by side Building something we called our life

Then came the kids, and just like that Our quiet world grew full and fast Tiny voices, sleepless nights Somehow everything felt right

Werner holiday, don't be late White house waiting, one eighty eight Red pistachios, Frankenstein on the wall Every single holiday, winter, spring, summer, fall

Grandma on one side, Grandpa on the other Picture window splitting the view Old console stereo humming low Ernie Harwell talking Tigers through

Grandma in the kitchen, flour on her hands Building dreams in frosting, bigger than she planned Rockets, football fields, Barbies too Whatever you ordered, they'd bring it to you

Grandpa built that house with his own two hands Measured every line, followed every plan Blood and sweat in the South End dirt Long before birthdays, plates, or shirts He didn't say much, just worked all day Let the hammer do most things he'd say Then he filled it up with family And called that work his legacy

The Werners and the Bammels came through the door The Williams with their big van brought eight more The Embreys and Weisses would never be late It was always a Werner holiday

Grandma was so kind Made you feel you were the only one Just give her a call 895-5821

Grandpa in his chair again Radio low, opinions loud World was wrong, he'd set it straight Never cared who was around

Years rolled on, some moved away Some stories stayed, some faces changed House went quiet, but I swear You can still feel everyone there

Black and white picture on the living room wall Two little girls that looked the same and all Same smile shining in their eyes Born together under Bay City skies St. Joe's classrooms, Sunday clothes Whispering things only a twin knows From day one it was plain to see They never planned on not being "we"

Central High lights, homecoming night Two nervous girls all dressed up right Hearts were racing… names were called Standing together in front of them all Nursing school in Saginaw town White caps on… never backing down Long night shifts and healing hands Side by side just like they planned

Church every Sunday, front row seat Faith and family made them complete Never lived far… always close Same hometown roots that matter most People still laugh when stories get told Something Elaine believed dead cold Said jackalopes were out there for real Still ain't lived down that deal

Dan and Ron have been gone over ten years I'd bet they're somewhere having beers During the week they fly with angel wings By Friday they're looking for devilish things Dan laughs loud, Ron just smiles Two great guys, just different styles

For their whole lives they followed the rules Went to church, toed the line, they were no fools After a lifetime of behaving, heaven was the prize But that first weekend there… where were the guys? Dan got there first, started asking around He was told about Friday's elevator down

Dan got the table, cards, and chairs Beer on ice, Betty's snacks to share Had it rolling smooth each Friday night Like he'd been running it his whole life He got the word Ron was coming down Dan's basement party was humming loud By then their kids were getting tight Ron got an instant invite Friday night

Now Dan and Ron were partners most nights Hit it off fast, played the cards right Dan's belly laugh filled up the room Ron kept it steady, calm and cool Every now and then when the game got tight Dan tried those signals they worked on all night But Ron couldn't hide it, gave it away They'd get busted… Ron would start to pray So Dan would laugh and call Pat in From the bullpen to cover for him While Ron went off just shaking his head Working on that poker face instead

It's Christmas at Mom's in twenty-fifteen First one without Dad on the scene Bay Valley condo, tree lights bright Whole damn family there that night Brady got a hoverboard that year Black and chrome with flashing gear Rolling circles all around Like some damn circus clown I'm on the couch with Aunt Jan Talking about nothing much, man Socks on my feet — that never occurs I'm usually the guy with shoes indoors Christmas beer had done its job Weef was acting like a knob He grabs that board with a crooked grin Says "Hell… I'll give this thing a spin"

Next thing I know he's rolling by Drunk as hell and riding high Then he rolls way too close And damn near amputates my toes Goddamn Weef! Pain shot up like lightning strikes Thought every toe was broken twice Weef goes down with one big boom Hoverboard flies across the room

I jumped on him mad as hell Dropping words I shouldn't spell Whole room froze mid-air Nobody sure what happened there Pain faded fast, anger too We laughed it off like brothers do But I told him right there and then Don't ever pull that shit again Two grown men on the Christmas floor Fighting over a hoverboard Scrub's kid Josh is right up front Dying laughing at this stupid stunt

Hawkins, Embrey, Dent, then Sloan Norma had many lives she called her own All those names and history But she was always Grandma to me Bay City born in the decade that roared Had Ron out in Nebraska during the war Didn't stay long, came back from out West Then Jan came along, she was next

When the kids were teens, their dad would scream and shout She'd had enough… he agreed to move out Business school taught her the trade Worked at the bank… and that's where she stayed

Got her kids through school whatever it took She showed them the value in cracking a book When her grandkids became part of her life She lit up… you could see it in her eyes She loved being grandma to one, two, and three But she wasn't the kind to just let life be George Dent showed her the fun parts of town They lived and loved… til his body broke down

Her soprano voice would fill the room Church choir was opera on Sunday afternoon At the Village Inn out with her family She grabbed the mic… sang like she was meant to be Bridge Club at night and scotch poured strong Jeopardy on, she's playing along Sunday crossword, pen not lead She figured it out before it was said She'd jump on a plane to Florida each year Never one to sit still… that much was clear Matt saw her at church… he couldn't live without her They got married… weren't getting any younger

I'd walk in the bank with a birthday check No account or ID… just Grandma, what the heck They'd call her up, she'd give me the clear Walked out with cash just like last year I wanted a job at her best friend's store She told me, "I got you an interview… nothing more" Forty years later, I still hear that call She opened the door… but made me stand tall

New Year's Eve back in '84 Yan-Aye and I headed off to the store Mom and Dad felt overly nice Let us stay out till two that night Getting underage beer was no cause for alarm Rock mag fake IDs worked like a charm Just enough money to buy all our stuff Some beer and smokes for Yan-Aye to puff

My kid brother Jeff, everybody called him Weef Freshman year and dumb beyond belief Said, "Can you grab me and my buddy a six?" A simple request with a dangerous mix Then Fat Bill showed up wearin' that grin Planning the trouble he'd get us in Pourin' cheap whiskey into Weef's beer Laughin' his ass off from ear to ear

Yan-Aye and me got home alright Stumbled downstairs and safe for the night Dad looked suspicious but gave us a pass Little did I know he'd start kickin' my ass Then my bedroom door flew open wide Dad came stormin' in, nowhere to hide Yellin' and cursin', raisin' some hell And I knew things weren't goin' too well

There was Weef upstairs worshippin' porcelain Pukin' whiskey foam and Old Mil again Somehow through all of that physical pain That rat bastard still knew my name "Scott bought the beer!" was the dying cry Like a mob informant about to die Face in the bowl, soul leavin' his skin Still found time to turn me in

On the Middle Grounds in Bay City's South End Scotty Causley welcomed strangers and friends A guitar was waiting by the stage For young musicians finding their way He built his businesses with pride And always kept friends by his side From tugboats working on the bay To songs and stories every day

Scotty's Sandbar came alive at night Deck parties rolling under the lights Musicians always rocked his stage He gave local bands a place to play He played with The Burdons through the years Then The Last brought songs and beers He cheered musicians young and old And helped them find their own road

Behind the drums with that big grin You knew you were among your friends The kind of guy who'd pull up a chair And make you feel like you belonged there The river rolls and the seasons change But his influence still remains Every chord and every song Carries a piece of him along

Kathleen filled her flower box with colors bright and bold Petunias, million bells, and sunshine yellow gold A new little drip line runs up and down the row Keeping those thirsty blooms putting on a show

Kathleen did the hard work first Planting flowers, hauling dirt Now keeping her flowers watered won't be a chore The timer takes over when we walk out the door Now she's got a little timer To keep her babies looking finer When hot dry summer days come through They'll still miss her green thumb too

Down by the Kawkawlin River shore There's a place folks all adore Deck is open, drinks are poured Good times hit you at the door That BBQ is in the air You smell it before you get there Come for one, stay half the night Castaways just feels right

Colleen's got an Irish smile Best drinks poured for a million miles Matt takes care of everyone everywhere Lori knows we're handled there Carrie's got it all in line Keeping everybody feeling fine Hannah's got that Updog line Still gets people every time

Regulars watching Tigers ball Acting like they know it all Calling pitches from their chairs Managing from everywhere Karaoke and crab leg nights Keep the party running right Good food, good friends, cold beer too There's always something there to do

We met Gary and Joyce at ten-thirty that day "First thing in the morning," fishermen always say Coffee wasn't happening, cold beers were instead Bad ideas were already filling our heads We sat in the shed telling stories and lies Talking big fish and imaginary size Gary said, "Boys, I got spraying to do" Fields need attention, got a list of shit I gotta do We said, "Gary, that farm ain't going nowhere" Cracked another beer and pulled up a chair Ten beers later we'd changed his whole plan Farm work can't compete with fishin', my man

Kats packed the cooler and loaded the boat But Gatorade got cut, there was no vote Eleven a.m. and my throat got dry Started looking around with a desperate eye No Gatorade or water could be found in the boat Then a much better idea came to mind no doubt Cracked open a beer and accepted my fate Some say less filling, but I said "tastes great" We dropped our lines and waited around Twenty whole minutes, not one fish found Gary said, "The fish are further south," like somehow he knew Fishermen turn scientists after beer number two

Big waves and wind had us bouncing around Whitecaps beating with a miserable sound Gary's next idea was to head for shallow water With no fish in the boat, Joyce's comfort was all that mattered Gary cracked a Miller Lite, now something felt right Then a rod bent over almost out of sight First fish of the year and we all lost our minds Twenty-one and a half inches hanging on the line Gary watched planer boards all through the day Every little jiggle would make him yell, "No way!" "BOYS THAT'S A GIANT!" he'd shout with a grin Walleye fever took over again and again

Photocopied flyer, black-and-white lie Five-dollar keg and a weeknight high Didn't know the host, didn't know the street But the beer was cold and the floor was sticky Hadder said, "Buddy, we can't miss this deal" So we drank like seniors with no appeal Party was a blur, lights went soft Memory left somewhere around keg three… or four

Keys in my hand, terrible plan Mom's little car says "do what you can" Manual brakes, steering's a guess Engineering marvel of poor decisions

"I'm wasted," said Hadder, proud and loud I said, "Same," like that helps us now "What should we do?" pause of the year Then wisdom fell like a drunk philosopher's tear "Well I smoked weed, so I'm probably fine" Logic airtight, science divine "You drive," I said, "I'll navigate" Two idiots sealing their fate

Down Madison Road, main drag home White knuckles gripping styrofoam Foggy dash, numbers unclear This speedometer's drunker than we are, I fear

Somehow we're back at another house Headbutts attempted, dignity doused Floor becomes bed, lights go out Dreamin' of torque we never had doubt Next morning Dad says, calm and wise "Why's the car parked… kinda sideways?" I said, "Just testing you, raising the bar" He stared at the Chevette. Then stared at me. Then the car.

It was '85, Bay City night Bench seats, bad plans, zero insight Linus at the wheel, grinning wide I'm riding shotgun, beer for the ride Jay's in the back with a Swisher Sweet Passing that thing like an Olympic feat Windows cracked, smoke in the air Weef and Grief both rode back there

Then I smell fire, hear the vinyl cry Seat starts sizzling, sparks start to fly I say calm, I say please, I say don't be dumb That's when Jay says the words that made it come

I said, "Jay, put the cigar outside" He said, "Relax, man, I'm still alive" I said, "That seat's my parents' pride" He said, "One more puff," with a drunk-boy smile Weef laughed at this crazy show Passing the beer, enjoying the glow Back seat chaos, front seat dread Cigar burning through Detroit thread

I saw my future grounded for life Mom asking questions, Dad with a knife I chose violence. Brief. Efficient. True. The cigar learned how windows work too.

Started in dirty factory noise Chasing breakdowns with the boys Steel-toed boots on concrete floors Marching through production wars Concepts started as bar napkin sketches Boxes, arrows and beer fueled guesses Sold those concepts to the whole damn room Acting like we knew what to do Spent all day to find one part Twenty bucks could stop the start Calling favors late Sunday night "Can you machine this thing just right?"

Recovery plans from fantasy dates Built around supplier delays Parts we'd never laid eyes on before Showing up wrong at the loading door Shipping our lines to brand-new plants Rare days off when you get the chance Bad Wi-Fi, no AC Expense reports killing me Hard hats and high-vis vests Steel toes putting feet to the test Sore backs and picnic table relief Stealing moments from the grief

We spend our lives playin' it safe Sixty-five is retirement age Work all week, save every dime Too scared to quit before the perfect time Buy the cheap seats every year Swallow stress and cry in our beer Always waitin' for that day somehow Never thinkin' that day is now

We save for our golden years Prayin' we're healthy when it nears One friend got sick, one never woke up Another retired and just ran outta luck That'll change how you look at life When you see the years are flyin' by Money ain't worth shit in the end If you didn't live while you had it to spend

Kats said, "Let's go snowmobilin'," I said, "Baby, I'm in." Then I priced out all that winter gear, Said, "Let's rethink this plan." Didn't know what we were doin', Didn't like the gear we saw, Three things came in crystal clear, Man, it's cold and I'm not that dumb.

MBS bar, Captain and Coke, Double shots for three bucks more, Met some ladies headin' east, Talked like we'd done this before. River view at the Langham, Dropped the bags, went straight back down, Oscar pourin' conversation, Spanish words, tequila sounds.

House of Blues across the street, Girls got sent one way, we went in deep, Waiter said, "Nineties party's on," Kats said, "Son, we were that scene." Old white blues man clickin' time, Tongue beat where the drums should be, Ate our dinner, nodded heads, Felt just right to me.

Rossi's quick, Delilah's loud, Kats bought shots for half the bar, Ten new friends, no questions asked, Birthday rules apply so far. Kingston Mines was locked up tight, Weather said, "Not tonight, son," So I called Buddy's place myself, They said, "Eighty-five gets you in."

Eighty-nine years old and smilin', Buddy walkin' through the crowd, Security yellin', "Back it up," I snapped that picture anyhow. Kissin' couple next to me, I said, "Hey now, keep it clean," Half hour later he tapped my shoulder, Said, "You're worse than me."

Beaver hat lady, fast new friend, Cowboy hat upstairs on Mama's head, She said, "Howdy," deadpan serious, That's the best damn thing she said. Uber laughed the whole damn ride, Didn't charge enough for that, Eight hours deep with a blues legend, Man, I'll drink to that.

Lou Malnati's fixed the damage, Museum cooled the brain, Some kid asked, "Why you kill for power?" I said, "Son, I need a drink again." Spanish talk at Bub City, Victor showed me pictures I regret, Saw a Speedo I can't unsee, But somehow kept my dinner yet.

Blue Chicago, birthday shout, Pulled us up to sway around, Met some boys from way out west, Wales got the blues too, it turns out. Portillo's late, fries came free, Kats said, "Man, you're gone," Five-hour delay at O'Hare, Chicago laughed and moved on.

In twenty sixteen, Red Wings ran dry Twenty-five long years… then we said goodbye Pavel Datsyuk walked, took his magic too We'll never replace what he could do Then twenty seventeen, the ground gave way Mike Illitch died… everything changed Son Chris took over, now he runs the show His dad would be pissed… glad he doesn't know

Sittin' here now at LCA Tryin' to remember when we could play Used to wear shorts to the games in June Now the Wings are golfing… or in Cancun

By twenty eighteen, captain couldn't go Henrik Zetterberg said "my back says no" Then twenty nineteen, another one gone Kronwall was done… moving on Same year, hope came walkin' in Steve Yzerman said "let's start again" Then twenty twenty hit, team was weak Seventeen wins… worst in the league

Come twenty twenty-two, they said "time to spend" New deals signed, thought we'd start to mend Compher got paid, Copp got signed Guess our talent scouts are freakin' blind Then twenty twenty-four, thought we'd break on through Playoff race lookin' almost true March went cold, April shut the door Same damn ending we've seen before

Same damn thread, same damn crew Roll call chaos, nobody's true Since the 80s we've run this game Different jobs, same dumb names Mikey the Geek is the league we claim Still talk trash like it means a damn thing Fantasy kings in our own damn minds Golf swings worse but we still talk shine

Show up late or don't show at all You're still gettin' dragged through every call Don't matter if you're here or gone You're the punchline all weekend long

You yell "Hey Mo!" when I arrive at your place Insults start flyin' soon as you see my face I'm mostly retired, left the grind behind… No filter at all… same as last time

Same old crew, same dumb jokes That's the kind of shit that keeps me goin', folks

Chigas walks in, target's set Didn't say a word and we ain't done yet Shoes, swing, shirt, the way he stands Man gets roasted from all sides, man When the sky gets dark, he gets the itch Thinks karaoke's gonna make him rich We pile in cars, no plan, no stars Chasin' down trashy-ass karaoke bars

Ted rolls in Friday, right on cue With a roll of bills for Deja Vu Says "this redneck town ain't really my pick"… But I've loved these guys since '86 Freeman rolls in lookin' like he's still in school Rest of us just stand there lookin' like fools Time moved on, he never aged What the hell's he drinkin'… man never changed Diegel finally got married this year Thirty-five later, let's raise a beer Key West legend, always a good time Now we remind him… she keeps him in line Wayne's our lawyer… or so we thought Turns out he's the one gettin' us caught Can't count on him to keep things clean We all know he's a party machine

Gonzo stops at Wendy's on the way Like John Wayne ridin' to save the day Guy in the stall couldn't pull up his pants Gonzo busted in… doin' the Rerun dance Pull up Friday, fight for beds Callin' dibs like kids again Lights go out… we try to sleep Then Beef starts talkin'… loud and deep

DT swears he's Batman now Got it all worked out somehow "Almost there"… yeah right, dude He should still be assistant kitchen steward Catlin's out, livin' high and fast Retired VP with that buyout cash Too damn rich for this kinda scene Still catchin' hell like he's next to me Teev, Shewchuck, Willie, Lou Dodgin' this trip like you always do We'll talk shit about you when you're not around And send you the bar tab when we hit the town

Mickey ran the frat back in the day Still runs this crew in his own damn way Biggest smart-ass, loudest laugh But he'd give you the shirt right off his back Ten years strong, same damn place He's the glue holdin' this mess in place

I was born where the river bends lazy and wide Bay City breeze and a Dukes-blue pride Learned real quick with a wrench and a plan If something broke… I was the man Engineering school tried to break my brain Seventy percent was the Hall of Fame Twelve weeks class then twelve weeks grind Just trying not to lose my mind

I met a girl where the factory roared Brake dust romance on a shop floor Kats laughed loud, said "you're kinda strange" I said "wait till retirement… I'll really change." Now the spreadsheets say the math works out So I mostly just wander about I'm a trophy husband, living carefree And a semi-professional comedian, apparently

I've embarrassed my kids their whole damn life Bad dad jokes and too much advice I'll start a conversation anywhere With strangers who didn't ask to share My kids would hide when I'd walk in Knowing I'd talk to their friends again "Dad please stop," they'd beg and plead But making new friends is a hobby of S-R-E

Keno tickets stacked in a row Certain tonight's the night they'll blow Detroit Lions break my heart each fall But next year's the year… I swear that's all I show Kats AI videos I made She just sighs and walks away "I'm heading to the gym," I confidently say Then somehow never make it there that day DIY plans start simple and small Next thing you know there's holes in the wall Three trips to Home Depot later that day "Pretty sure this is the right way…"

Regulars leaning on barstool chrome Six cold drafts and a whiskey poured strong Lottery tickets by the neon light Chips in a basket, fish on Friday night Maybe it's bright, maybe it's dim Maybe the chairs rock back when you sit in 'em Top shelf liquor or bottom shelf glow Don't really matter when you know

New and shiny or older than dirt Family-owned in a faded T-shirt TV glowing with the hometown game Different name but it feels the same

Cute young servers or seasoned queens Daytime drinkers and small-town dreams Morning crowd in by half past nine Gone by lunch, right on time Trivia night and neon light Grease in the air every Friday night High school banners and local pride Game on TV with the volume high

Friendly faces or rough around the edge Old bar rail soaked in laughs and tears Doesn't matter what the sign out front showed It's the one close enough to call home

If there's beer on the map you'll find Chigas there Talkin' beer tech stuff before we hit a chair Ranks every flight on the big black board Soon as he pulls up in that big old Ford Fixin' his trucker hat like it's life or death Wrinkle his flannel he'll hold his breath Microbrew selfies for the whole world to see Mandatory business for C-P-C

We were brothers in Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity Now he spends his whole paycheck down at Eternity Already tellin' strangers 'bout the W4 show Only guy in Michigan thinkin' he's a pro

At Chi-Chi's for forty minutes I pushed my luck All he could mutter was "What the fuck?" "Hey Chigas… how you doin?" again and again Chigas damn near throat punched his good friend

In a Boston bar drinkin' blueberry beer Bartender smirks "You boys queer?" We laughed so hard we could barely stand Still text him every time one's in my hand

Sun comes up on the Kawkawlin River, Coffee on the deck, it couldn't hit us better, Garber grit in my backbone still, Kathleen's John Glenn heart, stubborn will. From her kitchen window, clear and wide, Saginaw Bay shining on the other side, River holds steady, calm and true, Every day starts right with this view.

No malls, no rush, no endless lanes, Amazon boxes in the rain, Nut House candy just down the road, Past Jake's Corner Lounge, sweet overload. Snow stacks high, wind off the bay, We hold our ground, wait it away, Then July hits, boats drift through, "Watch your wake!" yeah, we yell it too.

Gary and Joyce stopping by, Coffee at Nancy's picnic table outside, Gabe on the other, same old view, Jackie across the street waving too. Crack a beer, share a laugh, On Kawkawlin River Drive we're set, We watch the river from our deck, It's a front-row seat to this life.

We showed up thinking two weeks was smart Little sunscreen, little rest for the heart Room 6417, balcony throne Pool on the left, ocean our own Slept till ten like retirees No alarms, just Caribbean breeze Breakfast turned into lunch somehow Nobody asked us to leave… so wow

Golf course shimmering, ninety-five Somehow we both came out alive Kats in bunkers more than the green Ground crew MVP of the whole damn scene My ball rolled close to a gator's face I said "Leave it, let nature take its place" She grabbed it quick like it was no big deal Saved three dollars and my fragile ego appeal

I don't need fame and fortune But I have enough to get by Don't need to be a big shot Before it's time for me to fly I want to roll over and feel her there Hair messed up like she don't care Front yard flowers starting to bloom Ain't no reason to get up soon

Brand-new shoes that fit on first try My tape measure's there when I need it close by A project that actually goes as planned My contractor showing up just like he said Pole position spot at my regular bar My favorite bottle full up on the wall Without asking the bartender pours my drink That's how a good night starts I think

I want my friends to laugh at my jokes Or to shit on me loudly the times that I choke Laughing with some strangers I won't see again Are nights you look back and say remember when I want my phone to ring on a quiet day One of my kids just calling to say hey Hear a brand-new song that stops me in my tracks Or an old one I forgot that somehow brings me back Someone remembering me I never thought would care Just simple proof I mattered somewhere

I try to be nice, but I like to drink Just having fun, don't care what you think I'm really just a regular guy Always thirsty, not asking why

Some of us drink a lot, some now and then But when we get together, the night won't end As long as there's an ice-cold brew Yeah, it's gonna be a good night for me and you

Beer drinking is a summer sport Every day on the deck is our own resort You can't golf without a beer in the cart Going without just ain't that smart Tiger games ain't quite the same If you ain't yelling loud through the game "BEER DOWN HERE!" with your hand in the air Then a big "Wooo!" like Ric Flair Fishing boat pulling off land Line in the water, beer in my hand Not sure if I'll catch dinner But I'll sure work out my liver Fishing and beer just go together Like Forrest and Jenny… together forever

Some of us drink a lot, some now and then But when we get together, the night won't end As long as there's an ice-cold brew Yeah, it's gonna be a good night for me and you

Who goes to a summer concert without beer? Don't do something you'll regret all year Pregame drinks in the parking lot sun Refill between bands just to keep it fun

We're all bitchin', nobody's clean Anonymous opinions, dumb and obscene We hate rich guys, we hate the poor But we need attention like a digital whore We post selfies with a stupid-ass quote "Be kind to all"… then we cut somebody off We're all saints till the Wi-Fi drops Then it's middle fingers and F-bomb shots

We all think we're right, we all think we're deep Shit, I can't even think without a screen

Broke as hell but we post like we're rich Same fake smile Son of a Bitch Livin' my best life, that's what we say Cry in my beer at the end of the day Everybody's perfect till the iPhone's dead Under my cowboy hat it's my bald head

They can't do without you 'til suddenly they can New management rolls in with a whole new plan Low-cost country or a new ass being kissed Adios motherfuckers you won't be missed

NVIDIA chips write songs while you sit on your ass Type make me a hit and it spits it out fast No soul, no scars, no barroom fights Just blinking servers chasing clicks and likes

I used to think I could do anything I was never exactly Chuck Norris Now my list of shit I can't do Is heading straight toward enormous My birthday candles start house fires I'd be the hero with an extinguisher before Now I just watch it burn I can't do that anymore

I can't sneeze without scaring my wife Never was exactly quiet I tell her that it can't be helped No way she'll ever buy it I can't say what's on my mind Without somebody going to war Used to be my flow was harmless I can't do that anymore

My working days are done every day is Saturday Except Sunday that's NFL and trash takeout night Ask me what day it is the rest of the week I don't give a shit and that's alright Was a slave to all the emails Meetings from eight to four Now I wake up when I feel like it I don't do that anymore

Bay City was a four-bridge town Sold off two when they broke down Counties crossed but paid no share Townships said we're not paying there Politicians couldn't make a deal Held secret meetings nothing real Now we're stuck here with the bill Half the town is fit to kill

City stalled and counties balked Townships watched while lawyers talked Bridge folks smiling at the take Guess who pays for that mistake

Three weeks out of high school… Straight to the grind Dropped in Flint… While our friends stayed behind We started at eighteen… On our own Learning real quick… How to stand alone Roger & Me… on the evening news Didn't matter, we had work to do "Same thing down here…" through cafeteria steam That voice still echoes… in my dreams Pike Fluids Lab… blew out the doors S-A-E Hat Night… shook the floors A-T-O Welcome Back… mid-summer sweat Frat Row nights… we won't forget No damn mercy… that was the rule Miss the mark… you're kicked out of school

Twelve weeks class… twelve weeks plant Back and forth… that's how it went Every three months pack your bag What the hell's a goddam Wag?

Books stayed open past two AM HP clicking… again and again Mountain Dew stacked by the bed NoDoze buzzing… inside our head Fluids… Statics… and Vibrations Four hours sleep… hallucinations Diffy Q and Thermodynamics grind Numerical Methods… blow your mind Plugging numbers… I'm fucking beat Seventy's mercy… not defeat Week twelve basement, AB hall SS numbers on the wall Finger sliding… hold your breath Seventy flat beats academic death

Twelve weeks class… twelve weeks plant Back and forth… that's how it went Time again to pack my bag Tryin' to maintain my fuckin' Wag!

Where the hell is my goddam phone Swear to God I just had it I thought Somebody must've moved it when I turned around Cause it sure as hell ain't my fault Same damn thing with my keys last night Wallet disappeared last week Every time my life goes sideways There's a pattern that I see

Where the hell is my screwdriver It was sitting on the desk You must've hid it while I blinked You're really a pain in the neck Tape measures are always missing Whenever I go to use em I started buying bright red ones Still somehow manage to lose em

Where the hell's my cheaters now Swear to God they just were here Already checked on top my head Stuff don't disappear The remote always hides I'm just trying to find a show Found it next to the liquor bottle That ain't my fault you know

Why the hell do I hurt so bad I wasn't doing a crazy stunt Didn't run… didn't fall… didn't crash Now I can't move without a grunt Sleeping… sitting… even walking Nothing reckless… nothing wild Just trying to live a normal day That'll hurt for a while

Gotta stretch before happy hour Think things through before I try One wrong move or sudden motion That'll hurt for a while

Joined a gym to get ahead of aging Thought I'd whip myself in shape Five minutes in I felt something tear Now I pay for that mistake Can't sit down… can't stand up straight They tell me I should work my core Tried to fix what time was breaking Now I'm worse off than before

Found some slip-in Skechers Browsing down the Velcro aisle If I had to tie my shoes again That'd hurt for a while

New pain cream… miracle stuff Worked so good it made us smile Lost it drunk on St. Patrick's night That'll hurt for a while Tore the house up like detectives Searching every room and pile Two grown adults in full-blown panic That'll hurt for a while

Throbbing pain won't let me sleep Staring holes into the dark Every time I start to drift Something fires up and sparks Got a drawer of leftover pills Like a doomsday stash on file No sane man throws that stuff away That'll hurt for a while