They stood up one by one. Said you were always there. First to arrive. Last one home. Said you could fill a room. Make strangers stay. Make one more drink look easy. Your mother smiled. Someone said you never asked for much. Someone else said you always gave more. Heads nodded. Like they knew you. You never said no. You never backed out. You could take a joke. You could take a hit. You stayed when it hurt. You went when they called. They said your name like all of this was love. You guys disgust me. They loved that you kept going. Three nights awake. Still laughing. Four in the morning. Phone rings. You answer. Another round. Another favor. Another thing you could handle. Pain was something you worked around. Anger was something you swallowed. Need was something you kept to yourself. And every time you crossed another line, someone called you a good man. You never said no. You never backed out. You could take a joke. You could take a hit. You stayed when it hurt. You went when they called. They said your name like all of this was love. You guys disgust me. Someone near the back said, "He never knew when to quit." A few people laughed. You never said no. You never backed out. You could take a joke. You could take a hit. You stayed when it hurt. You went when they called. Now you're lying there and they're still calling it love. You guys disgust me.
