Family Portrait (With Static)

Verse 1 Dad bought a necklace at the mall today Like a peace treaty wrapped in silver chain We smiled at the food court, small talk parade Then I cracked the glass and said your name I said “Funny how memories fade so fast” When they don’t look good in the family past You said “I never said that” — classic line Like denial’s your favorite pastime Pre-Chorus Every truth I bring to the table Gets erased like a dry erase label You swear the storm was never rain Guess I hallucinated pain Chorus Smile for the family portrait Tilt your head, pretend it’s fine Static buzzing through the frame But the smiles are perfectly aligned Milestones missing from the scrapbook Ghosts between the lines we hid You say that’s not how it happened Cool — then tell me how it did ⸻ Verse 2 Brother nearly died last Tuesday night Phone call screaming through the quiet line “Kratom overdose” — ambulance lights Another chapter in the family crime Mom missed soccer, braces, first day halls Missed the years that built these walls Now there’s a grandkid on your phone screen bright Another milestone out of sight Pre-Chorus You say I chose every decision Like the doors weren’t locked in position “Move out or fix it” — subtle choice Funny how silence steals a voice ⸻ Chorus Smile for the family portrait Tilt your head, pretend it’s fine Static buzzing through the frame But the smiles are perfectly aligned Milestones missing from the scrapbook Ghosts between the lines we hid You say that’s not how it happened Cool — then tell me how it did ⸻ Bridge I’m not asking you to break down Or drown in guilt or wear a crown Just maybe try to sit one minute In the room where my memories live in But every story hits rewind And suddenly I’m losing mine Funny trick your brain can do Erase the past that embarrasses you ⸻ Chorus Smile for the family portrait Necklace shining under lights Drive back home feeling broken While I rehearse these fights Static louder every year now Truths we bury never quit You say that’s not how it happened But I remember every bit