I Wanna Be Around

She was sitting a ways down the bar from me. I could tell she was about my age, and I tried not to stare even though she was very attractive.

I focused my attention on the baseball game playing on TV.

She startled me when she asked if she could use my lighter. It felt good when my finger tips brushed against her hand as I passed my lighter to her. I would have lit her cigarette for her, but I am damned clumsy doing that kind of thing.

I was still thinking when her guy came into the bar.

That night I dreamt I was talking to Tony Bennett and telling him how much I liked his songs, which I do.

The next day the Tony Bennett song with these lyrics preyed upon my mind.

I wanna be around to pick up the pieces
When somebody breaks your heart
Some somebody twice as smart as I

A somebody who will swear to be true
As you used to do with me
Who'll leave you to learn
That mis'ry loves company, wait and see

I mean, I wanna be around to see how he does it
When he breaks your heart to bits
Let's see if the puzzle fits so fine

And that's when I'll discover that revenge is sweet
As I sit there applaudin' from a front-row seat
When somebody breaks your heart
Like you, like you broke mine

I Wanna Be Around, Sadie Vimmerstedt and Johnny Mercer