Between Stations

County line slipping under the tires One hand loose on the wheel I turn the dial through names I don't know And wait for something real

Then a boy's voice comes through the hiss He says my name like a dare I know that cracked and stubborn sound I left him standing somewhere

I thought the years would make it right I thought you'd disappear But every mile I put behind me Brings your voice a little nearer

I hear you in the space between stations Asking what I did with our life I don't have a clean explanation I only have this road tonight If I could turn and face you now I'd say I know I let you go But you were never gone You were the voice I couldn't own

The gas stop clock says half past two Cold coffee in my hand Your old red jacket's on the seat Still shaped the way you ran

I thought the years would make it right I thought you'd disappear But every mile I put behind me Brings your voice a little nearer

I hear you in the space between stations Asking what I did with our life I don't have a clean explanation I only have this road tonight If I could turn and face you now I'd say I know I let you go But you were never gone You were the voice I couldn't own

I was afraid of the things you wanted Afraid you'd see what I became So I kept driving past the answer And called the distance by another name

I hear you, clear as the miles are turning No more pretending I don't know I can't return to who we were then But I can stop abandoning you now If I could turn and face you now I'd say I know I let you go But you were never gone You were the voice that brought me home

The dial goes quiet, the road unwinds I let your name stay on my mind