"You're on in 30 seconds"
Butterflies burst through my body. My emotions remain in check. I hear the host introduce me to the crowd. "Justin Olivares fourty-seven year old modern Socrates knows the answer to the impossible question, what is life? Let's hear his answer."
The host walks backstage. The stage crew tells me to walk out. One of the members calls to me. "Where is your presentation paper?" "Was I suppose to get one?" "No, it's an option to write one. Everyone who presents on this show writes one". I didn't write one, nice looking out though".
I walk out looking directly into the crowd, but my eyes are blinded by the light from the followspot. I continue to look into the light distorted crowd and give a welcoming wave to compliment their cheer. I reach the podium. The followspot light fades away. The crowd becomes clear. I see every patient face.
I take a breath. "What is life, an extremely complex question deserves an extremely an equal answer. First, let's talk about....
(Flashback to 2003)
"Justin right?" "Ugh. We've been over this Andy". "Okay just making sure, I don't want to write down Justine or something else. How you feeling?" "I feel like you better know how to deliver a baby". Andy is about to open his mouth. Yěmă catches Andy, "Just shut up and drive".
His silence is temporary. "Laughing boy, that's what they used to call you. Before you found a new love to take my pla-a-ace. Sing with me babe. You know this song." Yěmă groans. Their voices unite. "Laughing boy, that's what they used to call you, you always wore a smile upon your fa-a-ace. Ha ha haha".
(Cut to Delivery room)
"Haaaa!" "Keep pushing we just need the shoulders" "Eww. It looks like you". "Andy shut up!". Yěmă grips Andy's left arm. He covers her hand with his right hand. The doctors ask Yěmă for a final push. Her nails bury themselves into Andy's skin. She bites down then pushes. Andy dittos her action from the pain in his arm and bites down. Andy looks into her eyes. His eyes are high beams of euphoria. As if he is trying to remember her face as if he would never see it again. She looks down at the doctors in major distress. Not paying much attention to Andy.
The doctors in the room huddle around her. The doctor pulling the baby out is relieved and tells Yĕmă in a soft and forward tone, "You did it". Yěmă releases her grip. They both stare at their new born. The other doctors quickly clean the crying baby. "Here, hold him". Yěmă, holds their new born son. And stares at their new born baby like Andy was staring at her. Yěmă feels the baby's face. Andy feels his tiny little hands. Both ignoring his cry.
A doctor comes over with a clipboard in his hands, "Congratulations guys". The doctor looks toward Andy, "You're the father right?". Andy raises a concerned look, "Yeah, why? Is that not my baby?". Yěmă raises an equally concerned look. The doctor laughs breaking the tension, "No, don't worry. We just need you to sign the baby's name."
(Back to presentation)
"And that's how I was born Justine Olivares. Now I see many uneasy faces in this crowd. Questioning why the fuck am I talking about about how I was born. My answer is going to be through example. Not only words can put together an answer to this wonderous question.
Now that I am done explaining myself. Let's get back to it.
