Inspired at first by a story I heard told by an advocate for domestic violence victims, I was already working on this song when my day job introduced me to a mother who and her 3 young children who had actually lived through this story.
Lyrics
Chocolates and Roses
She’s packed a lunch and a change of clothes
for herself and the kids -
barely anymore.
She’s got a plan: while the man is gone,
just before the dawn,
they’ll be out the door.
Gas in the car - just enough to make it
across the bridge
to the other side.
Out on the street on their feet,
they search for somewhere to rest,
for a place to hide.
She’s combed the streets,
trying to find a shelter with room
that will take them in,
willing to take the kids and the extra risk
that will come with them.
For there’s a man with a gun,
enraged and on the prowl,
set on finding them.
Each darting headlight and each screeching
break in the night
will be reminding them.
Ooh . . . and all we can say is
Ooh . . . and all we can say is
Ooh . . . and all we can say is
“How come she keeps going back?”
Rain’s coming down. They’re getting soaked,
huddled on a bench
in a city park.
Been on the street on their feet all day.
They haven’t got a place to stay,
and it’s getting dark.
The kids are hungry and cold. They’re crying.
And their mom’s afraid.
She begins to wonder if things aren’t even worse
than if they had stayed.
That’s why it feels like a rescue car coming into sight.
The driver rolls the window down.
He’s got a box of chocolates, a dozen roses,
a list of promises.
They like the sound . . .
So warm in the car, they feel relieved to be deceived.
It will comfort them.
His friendly familiar face just wants to be believed.
And they all get in.
Ooh . . . and all we can say is
Ooh . . . and all we can say is
Ooh . . . and all we can say is
“How come she keeps going back?”
Copyright 1998 Jim Vick