the birthday story

twenty two years ago

daddy told brother that

" 'little sister decided 

to come into the world

13 minutes 

after we got mommy 

to the hospital.'

'were you speeding, dad?'

'no, son, i couldn't make the car

go fast enough.'

'did you run any red lights, dad?'

 'no, son, i didn't see a-one.'
because you were coming fast!"

through the cellphone,

i follow along, predicting

the exclamation in his voice,
the expression in his face,
the certainty of this
birthday tradition
 and smile, as we savor
 our story together.