We lived just two blocks from the beachnIn a dirt floor bungalow,nWith butterflies bolted outside nThe living room window.nThe dog will chew up any shoenLeft lying on the front stoop.nLet the screen door slam nOn your way out.nnWon't be too hard to find us.nFollow the lights straight into town.nAsk anyone at all,nWhere's the Alexander hotel?nnWe grew up bookends either sidenOf the library parking lot.nFrom throwing rocks, to throwing looks,nTo throwing the bouquet.nMy mother she's a character,nAll around her cards and ginnBut watch her close, she'll teach you aboutnAnything to win.nnWe'll be finishing each other's sentencesnAnd playing euchre for pennies.nEvery friday nightnAt the Alexander Hotel.nnCharlie's worked behind the bar,nEver since we were little kids.nHe lost two fingers and an eyenIn a childhood accident.nHe told me once he wakes some nightsnHis missing fingers itching terribly.nI read somewhere that phantom painsnNever go away.nnCharlie's good for a case of beernFriday night after hours,nIf you let him come along.nStumble home in the dark.