Lorraine Feather - The Veil lyrics

I’m sorry for the times I was impatient,
And you would hear my voice begin to crack,
When you had disappeared around a corner,
And I couldn't bring you back.

We watched a crazy lady roaming through the restaurant,
Becoming ever harder to ignore,
The waitresses all running interference,
Trying to steer her out the door.

I stared down at my salad.
I’d made you change your order,
Explained again why even one would be too much.
I know that I seemed rigid,
And possibly unfeeling.
It's horrible to crave the thing you mustn’t touch.

The veil drifted down and clung,
Back when your world was still so young.
Manhattan parties, in the style of Nick and Nora Charles…
The crowd was jovial and gay,
And a few would stay that way.

You had a knack for spotting the good-hearted,
A trusty plan for not appearing shy,
A tolerance for those you pegged as climbers.
You were whimsical and wry

You had a laugh that people hear in my laugh,
An ear for fine musicians who were lesser-known.
Your Holiday impression was outstanding.
You'd do it now and then,
When we were all alone.

I’m sorry I was angry.
I know how hard it hit you,
To find what you’d been living for was simply gone.
The endless missed appointments,
And cancelled reservations,
All spoke of an unwillingness to carry on.

The nurse was gentle when she said, “Your mother
Has traded in one problem for another,
But doesn’t understand why she is here.
I think you need to come collect her, dear.”

You nodded as we sat there in the restaurant,
Thought every new suggestion sounded great,
The Ojai trip, the Yoga class for seniors.
It was clearly not too late.

A fresh new start was fitting for your birthday.
By Labor Day, why, you'd be mean and lean.
Meanwhile, the crazy lady held the patrons hostage,
With nothing but the mere idea she’d make a scene.

The veil came to mask your wit,
Your lovely looks, the slightest bit.
I’d go to see you,
Always vowing not to get upset
By dark allusions to my past.
In the end you'd hold me fast.

Your room was near Reception.
Your arm was shaking slightly.
In disbelief, I found the veil no longer there.
I wrote a lengthy letter,
With vehement instructions.
At that point they were moot.
I really didn’t care.

I’m sorry, more than I could ever tell you,
For certain things I felt, or didn’t feel.
You were the only one who asked the waitress
If you could buy the crazy lady a meal.