03 - Good at Goodbye

[Verse 1]
I was too young to know what “leavin’” cost,
Just knew something big was suddenly lost.
Dad walked out, and we stayed behind—
Four boys and a woman just holdin’ the line.

At seven years old, with a tag on my case,
She kissed my cheek and put me on that plane.
Said, “Your daddy’s waitin’,” like that made it right—
But it felt like goodbye on a Midwest flight.

[Chorus]
I’ve had a front-row seat to folks movin’ on,
I get used to the silence when the light is gone.
I hold on too long, but they still let go—
Like I’m the place they leave when it’s time to grow.
It don’t even hurt like it did that first time…
I guess I got good—
Good at goodbye.

[Verse 2]
At eighteen they said, “Son, it’s time you leave,”
Like love had an age, like roots had a lease.
Then I found a girl who made me a man,
We built a small world with two bare hands.

My brothers were always just down the street,
Poker on Fridays, their boots by my seat.
But weddings came, and the calls grew thin—
They started new lives, and I stayed in mine again.

[Chorus]
I’ve had a front-row seat to folks movin’ on,
I get used to the silence when the light is gone.
I hold on too long, but they still let go—
Like I’m the place they leave when it’s time to grow.
It don’t even sting like it did back in July…
I guess I got good—
Good at goodbye.

[Bridge] (spoken or half-sung)
Now the house is still, but the porch light's on,
Just in case someone remembers where they’re from.
But I ain’t holdin’ hope, just keepin’ the flame—
Some folks were made to stay…
I wasn't that name.

[Final Chorus – softer, but more resolved]
I’ve had a front-row seat to folks movin’ on,
Learned to smile when the moment’s gone.
I still love deep, though they never know—
I just wave as they fade down the gravel road.
And it don’t break me like it did when I was five…
Yeah, I got good—
Good at goodbye.