Box of Little Shoes

[Verse 1]
Key card clicks
red light
"Access denied" in my face
Boss said, "Pack your things"
whole future erased
Cardboard box with my mug
and that cheap desk plant
Thought I'd die on that floor
turns out the company can't
Parking lot gray
phone heavy in my hand
Scrolling to your name
like I'm sinking in sand
Practice the speech
in the rearview glare
"My hours got cut"
but that's not even fair
[Chorus]
I'm driving home with a box of little shoes in the back
Trying to breathe, but this weight's sitting sharp on my back
How do I say "I lost it"
and still look strong to you
When the only thing I didn't lose
is the love for you two
Yeah, the only thing I didn't lose
is the love for you two (oh)
[Verse 2]
Garage door groans
and the house smells warm
Baby cry on the monitor
like a tiny storm
You walk out in socks
hair up, eyes bright
"You're home so early"
kiss my cheek light
I feel my throat close
as I hang up my coat
You hand me the baby
little fingers round my throat
He grabs my collar
like "Don't let go"
How I make a promise
when I got nothing to show
[Chorus]
I'm standing here with a box of little shoes in the hall
Trying to tell you that I tripped, but it felt like a fall
How do I say "I lost it"
and still be strong for you
When the only thing I didn't lose
is the love for you two
Yeah, the only thing I didn't lose
is the love for you two (for you two)
[Bridge]
Maybe I'm broke in the bank
but I'm rich on this floor (yeah)
Rocking you both in the dark
hearing tiny soft snores
If I gotta sweep every street
till my knuckles turn blue
I'll be empty and aching
long before I stop for you
[Chorus]
So if I shake when I tell you
what today put me through
Just hold my face in your hands
like you always do
I might have said "I lost it"
walking out of that room
But the only thing I didn't lose
is the love for you two
Yeah, the only thing I didn't lose
is the love for you two (oh)

rap, Dusty East Coast boom-bap with live upright bass and mournful blues guitar licks; verses close-up and conversational, kick and snare hitting hard but slow. Choruses open up with gospel-tinged male harmonies and organ pads swelling behind the hook. Vocal delivery raw and cracked at the edges, ad-libs low and intimate like talking through tears., blues, strong