The Smile of Rachael Ray

Stranded here in Hartford, Christmas Eve
The snow is falling on the planes
Out on the runway
As a man sings hallelujah

Walking through the terminal
My ear against the phone
I left a message, "Hon, I'm sorry, kiss the boys
It's getting hard just getting home"

There's a line in Hudson News
Through the shirts and souvenirs
And I'm pushing through the fray
There on the shelf of magazines
Like a beacon on the bay
Is the smile of Rachael Ray

Sitting in the bar with Marguerite
She weighs her pour and gives a wink
"Hey, Merry Christmas sweetie pie
You're looking tired, what'll it be?"

And then she notices the recipe I'm reading
And the smile of the chef who looks as perfect
As a new homecoming queen
Marguerite just taps the heels
Of her tired and swollen feet

She's a million miles away
Where she could trade her sunken eyes
And her dirty strands of gray
For the smile of Rachael Ray

Rachael's gonna show us how it's done
In thirty minutes she'll be gone
Rachael never changes, never ages, never hints that
Anything could have ever gone wrong

Pulling n the driveway, 3 am
The kitchen lights left on again
I grab a beer and check the tree
But there's no presents underneath

And up the stairs, a pair of empty little beds
And by the clock she left a note
Said "Hon, I'm sorry, but I think it's for the best
And the snow is falling down by the blinking little lights

Oh, the joy of Christmas Day
Now may the season keep you warm
May your memories never fade
Like the smile of Rachael Ray