#73 WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE?
#73 WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE?
(Americana)
(DEMO)
(Full Arrangement)
"What is she doing here?"
Maggie asks the girl beside her,
I'm standing in her back yard.
Best yellow sundress,
Holding a bright blue card.
Her mom says "Baby girl, your whole class was asked."
Maggie rolls her eyes, says "Super mistake!"
Keep to myself, twist on a swing,
Scuff my feet, eat some cake.
"What is she doing here?"
Yelled on playgrounds while everyone plays,
Muttered in lunchrooms, cold winter school days.
Mom asks "How was the party?" Not like I planned,
Blue card -- now with grass-stains -- tight in my hand.
Years later, conference room, rainy morning,
Boss turns from me, leans towards Blair.
Points at George, "What is he doing here?"
Open my laptop, shift in my chair.
Blair whispers, boss catches my eye,
Open my mouth, close it, then freeze.
Grab at my mug, slosh some coffee,
Everyone turns, looks right at me.
"What is she doing here?"
Whispered side-eyed at the store,
Shouted at the edge of the dance floor.
Bathroom mirror, grip the sink, hair's out of place,
Pass in the hall, can't look George in the face.
Smoking, kitchen table writing my speech,
Tap ashes in Sarah's painted flower pot.
Pencil breaks, now stuck with a red crayon,
"Will do better" over "Can?" Worth a thought.
Back of the crowd "What is she doing here?"
"Wasting time, not a player."
Step up and smile, pretend I didn't hear,
"I want to be your next mayor."
Another church basement,
Two months after I lost the election.
My head down, drinking bad coffee,
Hoodie up, try to avoid detection.
But then someone asks it softly,
The question meant for close ears.
I stand, look at all the tired faces,
"My name is Alice, and I haven't used in two years."
"Mom, what is she doing here?"
Sarah points, girl in green smock,
Birthday party, paint your own pottery store,
Later that night we have a talk.
Grape popsicles, right before bed.
Sarah says "Some people are just odd."
"But you once thought Gretchen was weird."
Licks her popsicle, then she smiles and nods.
Across town, another girl walks into a bar,
Waves at her pals, gets a beer.
One of her friends whispers
"What is she doing here?"