[Verse 1 ] There's a chair across from me, Too small for the man I've grown. A boy sits there in a Sunday shirt, With both hands folded like stone. He watches every door and hinge. He counts each footstep in the hall. He learned to disappear so well, He thinks being seen will start it all. [Verse 2 ] I know the way he holds his breath, The careful angle of his eyes. I know the smile he learned to wear Whenever grown-ups needed lies. He asks me, "Did I make them angry? Did I make the doorway shake?" I feel the old room fill my chest, But I don't turn my face away. [Pre-Chorus ] I move my chair a little near, Slow enough to let him choose. He looks at me the way I looked At anyone I thought I'd lose. [Chorus ] Sit down, little boy, This time, somebody's listening. You don't have to hide the thunder Or dress the hurt as discipline. What happened wasn't normal. What you felt was not a lie. Sit down, little boy, You were only trying to survive. This time, somebody's listening. [Verse 3 ] I don't ask him for the names Or make him open every room. I don't turn his scars to evidence Or drag his childhood into view. I say, "You never owed them silence. You were never born to bend. A child should never have to read The weather in a grown-up's hands." [Pre-Chorus 2 ] He asks if I can change the past. I tell the truth: I never can. But I can stay until the shaking Leaves his shoulders, leaves his hands. [Chorus ] Sit down, little boy, This time, somebody's listening. You don't have to hide the thunder Or dress the hurt as discipline. What happened wasn't normal. What you felt was not a lie. Sit down, little boy, You were only trying to survive. This time, somebody's listening. [Bridge ] I did not come for vengeance. I did not come to make them kneel. I came because no one came then. I came to tell you it was real. You were not difficult. You were afraid. You were not broken. You were betrayed. And none of it— None of it— Was your fault. [Final Chorus ] Sit down, little boy, This time, I am listening. You don't have to earn my kindness. You don't have to disappear. What happened wasn't normal. You deserved a safer life. Sit down, little boy, I will stay here through the night. This time, I am listening. [Outro ] The chair across from me is empty now. The room is quiet. I stay.
