Mercy Rule

[Verse 1]
The November sun's too warm on the asphalt at the fire hall.
I can see your granddaughter's crayon drawing taped up to your wall.
You ask about the nursery, if the hemlocks have come in.
I lie and say they're beautiful, and we both try to grin.

[Pre-Chorus]
And the air gets thin and quiet like the moment 'fore a storm
And I'm pulling at my collar just to keep my anger warm

[Chorus]
This is the mercy rule, ain't it? A kindness to the weak.
My god, I love you so damn much I can barely stand to speak.

[Verse 2]
A cracked phone screen, a wilted plastic poppy on the dash.
A half-empty bottle of Aleve, a little pile of ash.
From the cigarettes you swore you quit back in two-thousand-nine.
Your bible with the highlighted lines that were never, ever mine.

[Pre-Chorus]
And the air gets thin and quiet like the moment 'fore a storm
And I'm pulling at my collar just to keep my anger warm

[Chorus]
This is the mercy rule, ain't it? A kindness to the weak.
My god, I love you so damn much I can barely stand to speak.

[Bridge]
Remember the quarry pond? You said, "Don't be scared of the deep end.
It's got room enough for everyone." Is that what you still pretend?

[Chorus]
This is the mercy rule, ain't it? A kindness to the weak.
My god, I love you so damn much I can barely stand to speak.

[Outro]
The line inches forward.
I watch you check the box.