Buck sat at a table in the corner. It was near closing time and the bar was pretty empty. It was a dive, but it was the closest bar he could find. It was Chris’s first wedding anniversary since his family died. Buck snorted. Family. He’d thought he was family. Guess he was wrong. He was just Chris’s whippin’ boy. Any time he got in a mood or got his head stuck down a bottle, he’d turn on Buck. Sure, Buck was good for it. He’d always be there, right?
One of the cocktail waitresses was headed his way. She’d been giving him the eye all night. He could tell just by looking at her what kind of lady she was. She was the no-frills type. Didn’t want a permanent man. No commitments. The story of his life. That’s the only kind of woman he seemed to attract.
He smiled at her, leaving his money on the table. They left together, heading for her place he figured. She kissed him under the streetlight. She felt so good in his arms. He needed that kindness right now—even if it wasn’t real.
We walked
the loneliest mile
We smile
without any style
We kiss all together wrong
No intention
They had a few drinks at her place. A little small talk. A little music. They both knew why they were really there. This was just a game lonely people played to make it seem like it meant more.
We lie
about each other's drinks
We live
without each other thinking
what anyone would do
Without me and you
It's like I told you
Only the lonely can play
He knew real love between a man and a woman was out there. Chris and Sarah had shown him that. He’d even felt it himself. He couldn’t do this. Not tonight. He just couldn’t pretend tonight. He apologized and hurried out the door, leaving her angry and confused. He was, too.
So hold on
here we go
Hold on
to nothing we know
I feel so lonely
Way up here
He stalked the streets, too wound up to go home. Chris was wrong! Buck had been willing to turn his whole world upside down for one woman once. She didn’t want it, though. She’d laughed in his face. He never told Chris about that. She’d only wanted a good time. No hard feelings, right? Sure, Buck understood. He always understood. It warmed a cold part of him to think of her even after she’d ripped his heart out. Even now. Pretty pathetic, huh?
You mention
the time we were together
so long ago
well I don't remember
all I know is
it makes me feel good now.
He’d vowed never to feel that much for a woman again. He’d be what they wanted—a good time. But nothing more, nothing permanent. He didn’t think he had the guts to try again.
It's like I told you
only the lonely can play
Only the lonely
only the lonely can play
Maybe some people weren’t meant to have a soulmate. Maybe he was always supposed to be alone. He didn’t regret anything he said to Chris except the part about time healing wounds of the heart. Time wasn’t doing such a good job. Buck was still nursing his broken heart after all these years.
Only the lonely
only the lonely can play
Buck would be leaving in a few days. He couldn’t be near Chris anymore and still keep it together. Some days he wanted to break down and cry over the shell that was left of his best friend. Other days he wanted to beat the crap out of him. That wasn’t his friend anymore. He’d done all he could for the man and nothing seemed to help. He just couldn’t take anymore. And Chris had told him to go. Had been telling him that for a year. Buck had stupidly thought he could help. Some help he turned out to be.
It's like I told you
only the lonely can play
Buck stared up at the stars. Chris didn’t know how lucky he was. He had years of good lovin’ with Sarah. Some people never got anywhere near that.
Only the lonely
only the lonely
can play
The End
Only the Lonely
--The Motels
We walked
the loneliest mile
We smile
without any style
We kiss all together wrong
No intention
We lie
about each other's drinks
We live
without each other thinking what anyone would do
Without me and you
It's like I told you
Only the lonely can play
So hold on
here we go
Hold on
to nothing we know
I feel so lonely
Way up here
You mention
the time we were together
so long ago
well I don't remember
all I know is
it makes me feel good now.
It's like I told you
only the lonely can play
Only the lonely
only the lonely can play
Only the lonely
only the lonely can play
It's like I told you
only the lonely can play
Only the lonely
Only the lonely
Can play