Phantom Pains

Christine Fellows

We lived just two blocks from the beach
In a dirt floor bungalow
With butterflies bolted outside
The living room window

The dog will chew up any shoe
Left lying on the front stoop
Let the screen door slam
On your way out

Won't be too hard to find us
Follow the lights straight into town
Ask anyone at all
"Where's the Alexander hotel?"

We grew up bookends either side
Of the library parking lot
From throwing rocks, to throwing looks
To throwing the bouquet

My mother she's a character
All around her cards and gin
But watch her close, she'll teach you about
Anything to win

We'll be finishing each other's sentences
And playing juke for pennies
Every Friday night
At the Alexander Hotel

Charlie's worked behind the bar
Ever since we were little kids
He lost two fingers and an eye
In a childhood accident

He told me once he wakes some nights
His missing fingers itching terribly
I read somewhere that phantom pains
Never go away

Charlie's good for a case of beer
Friday night after hours
If you let him come along
Stumble home in the dark