The Breakfast Club

Peter Mealy

Inspired by a group a retirees who, every morning, populate the back tables of Goolricks Pharmacy, a drugstore/lunchonette near where I work. I've observed them for years as they come and as they go; playing out the cycle of life. 

The sun comes up the same old way

On the same old crowd at the same café

They meet every morning at half past six

Order their coffee on separate checks

They’re the best of friends by circumstance

Strength in numbers in the best defense

They read the papers talk the news

Count their blessings and compare tattoos

Help yourself jump right in

It don’t matter where you’re going

Doesn’t matter where you been

We’re the last chance gas Dime for a dance

We’re there for each other while we still got a chance

Old Judge Baker retired last May

and they joke about his youth cause he’s only 68

And Hannah’s still searching she says her epitaph

Will say she died a virgin and that makes Billy laugh

I know their names and where they’re all from

Cause I sit at the counter and I eavesdrop some

I sit for hours it never gets old

Cause the stories get better every time they’re told

Chorus

The sun comes up the members meet

Four people try to fill five seats

The judge didn’t make it and it’s sad but true

Even when you see it coming you’re not ready for the news

Ellis walks up his hat in his hand

He heard last night on the citizens band

A high school teacher for 34 years

He taught their children now he shares their fears

He shakes his head and says you never know when

They all looked nervous cause it could have been them

Then Hannah looks up it almost sounds like a dare

She says why don’t you join us seems we have an extra chair

Help yourself jump right in

We know where you’re going we don’t care who you’ve been

We’re the last chance gas Dime for a dance

Living out of our past

Help yourself jump right in

It don’t matter where you’re going

doesn’t matter where you been

We’re the last chance gas Dime for a dance

Were there for each other while we still got a chance