Bridge Over Troubled Water

Bridge over Troubled Water

Bridge over Troubled Water


"What'll you have, Rick?"

"A Guinness, Steve...thanks."

"You're dressed a little nicer than usual tonight. What's the occasion?"

"Thirtieth high school reunion. Hard to believe it's been that long."

"That is quite a while. If you don't mind my asking, since you seem a little down, didn't it go well?"

"It went okay, except... There was this girl I liked my first year of high school. Sandy. She was a fellow member of the symphony band, an oboist by trade. Being your typical, dorky sixteen-year-old, I was fairly smitten with her and had no idea how to express my feelings in anything resembling a cool manner. I knew where she lived, and took the opportunity to drive by her place a couple of times as part of the larger mission of getting something from the store or retrieving my younger brother from some after-school sports activity." Rick noted Steve's look. "The drive-by thing didn't seem at all creepy back then, as it might these days. We were classmates, after all, and there was that section of The Brooklyn Bridge's Welcome Me Love: "...and I send a special prayer up to the room on the second floor. For my mind is in there with her, but my body takes me home...".

"Anyway, I wrote her a poem and eventually got up the courage to present it to her. I have no memory of what it said, although it was a couple of steps up from "Roses are red,...", but I clearly remember her response: "Thanks, but I already have a boyfriend." That was something I hadn't known, since my shyness had kept me from expressing my feelings for her before then. I'd talked myself into thinking she needed a 'bridge over troubled water'. I was sure someone would have to pour water all over me. I was so hot from blushing, I thought I was about to burst into flames."

"Man, that's tough. With your red hair and fair skin, I imagine it was quite a sight."

"Yeah. Well, we lost track of each other after I moved here to Denver. She was there tonight, so we got to talking, catching up, you know? I told her about my earlier life in the Merchant Marine and oh-so-exciting job as a manager in an insurance office. She ended up marrying the boyfriend, but it was a mistake. He treated her pretty badly—physically abused her, to be blunt—and she eventually divorced him. I told her he was lucky I wasn't there to punch his lights out. She's been alone and on her own over twenty years."

"That's a real shame, Rick."

"Yes, it is. But," and he smiled a little, "she gave me her number. Looks like I may have another shot at building that bridge."


[WC: 466]

Lyrics ▼

When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all.
I'm on your side
Oh, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down;
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.

When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you.
I'll take your part
Oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down;
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.

Sail on silver girl
Sail on by.
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way.
See how they shine
Oh, if you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind;
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.