I was so proud of . Running her first game on her Geekday. She did really well. Big brother hugs all around.

* * *

On my way home, I realized it was someone else’s anniversary, too. I picked up the phone and called her. Born 27 years ago. We had a polite conversation that reminded me of how we used to talk until three in the morning with no sign of stopping. When I was done… I wasn’t as sad as I thought I’d be. Maybe because I’ve finally figured out it’s okay to be me without her in my life.

And while they weren’t entirely appropriate, these songs came up after the conversation. So, I had them on my mind all night.

<b>GUILTY</b>

Yes, baby I’ve been drinking
And I shouldn’t come by, I know
But I found myself in trouble, darling
And I had nowhere else to go

Got some whiskey from the barman
Got some cocaine from a friend
I just had to keep on moving
Till I was back in your arms again

I’m guilty
Baby, I’m guilty
And I’ll be guilty all the rest
Of my life
How come I never do what I’m
Supposed to do?
How come never that I try to do
Ever turns out right?

You know — you know how it is with me, baby
You know — you know I just can’t stand myself
It takes a whole lot of medicine
For me to pretend that I’m somebody else

<b>I’LL BE HOME</b>

I’ll be home
I’ll be home
When your nights are troubled
And you’re all alone
When you’re feeling down
And need some sympathy
There’s no-one else around
To keep you company
Remember, baby, you can always count on me
I’ll be home
I’ll be home
I’ll be home

I’ll be home
I’ll be home
Wherever you may wander
Wherever you may roam
You come back
And I’ll be waiting here for you
No-one else will love you
The way I do
I’ll be here
To comfort you
And see you through
I’ll be home
I’ll be home
I’ll be home

<b>I WANT YOU TO HURT LIKE I DO</B>
I ran out on my children
And I ran out on my wife
Gonna run out on you too, babe
I done it all my life

Everybody cried the night I left
(Almost everybody did)
My little boy just hung his head
I put my arm around his little shoulder
And this is what I said:

Sonny, I just want you to hurt like I do
I just want you to hurt like I do
I just want you to hurt like I do
Honest I do
Honest I do
Honest I do

If I had one wish
One dream I knew would come true
I’d want to speak to all the people of the world
I’d get up there — I’d get up there on that platform
First I’d sing a song or two
(You know I would, baby)
Then I’ll tell ya what I’d do
I’d talk to the people, and I’d say:

It’s a rough, rough world
A tough, tough world
Well, you know that
Things don’t always go the way we plan
But there’s one thing we all have in common
Something everyone can understand

(Sing along now)

I just want you to hurt
Like I do
I just want you to hurt like I do
I just want you to hurt like I do
Honest I do
Honest I do
Honest I do