Evan found a wallet by the laundromat door Two hundred cash and an address on the card He had a rent notice folded in his coat And a mother waiting on a borrowed car He walked three blocks past the grocery sign Practiced reasons like a salesman in his head Then he pictured someone searching every pocket For the last small chance they had left There’s a good hand and a restless hand Both reaching when the pressure starts One wants out, one wants to understand How a person carries two hearts I could be the thief or I could be the stranger Who brings back what the world forgot I could feed the fire, I could face the danger Of becoming more than what I’m not When the easy road is calling my name And the room gets quiet inside I’m not made of mercy, I’m not made of blame I’m the choice I make tonight At the corner store, his old friend said, “Keep it No one gives a damn when you’re down” He laughed too loud, then stared at the ceiling While the owner’s number burned on the card He saw his mother counting coins at midnight Saw his father leave without goodbye Saw the part of him that loved the shortcut And the part that couldn’t stand the lie There’s a locked door and a shaking key There’s a reason and a consequence You can call it fate to stay asleep Or wake up underneath it I could be the thief or I could be the stranger Who brings back what the world forgot I could feed the fire, I could face the danger Of becoming more than what I’m not When the easy road is calling my name And the room gets quiet inside I’m not made of mercy, I’m not made of blame I’m the choice I make tonight He found the address in a tired apartment A woman opened with a trembling hand She said, “My daughter needs that money by morning” He said, “I know how a bad night can land” She tried to give him twenty for the trouble He shook his head and turned toward the stairs He still wanted what he’d left behind him But he left with something heavier to bear I could be the thief, and part of me remembers How easy it would’ve been to run I could be the stranger, not a spotless savior Just a man who faced what he’d become When the easy road is calling my name And the room gets quiet inside I’m not made of mercy, I’m not made of blame I’m the choice I make tonight Tomorrow brings the rent notice back Tomorrow brings the same old fight But tonight he knows the darkest road Can still turn underneath a single light
