“Melissa and Brian lived in Indiana,” he said. “They were eighteen years old, seniors in high school, not married, and had no money saved. But Melissa was pregnant. So they decided that abortion was their solution. They went to the abortion clinic, ready to abort their child. But to get into the clinic, they had to pass the pro-life protesters praying for them, trying to get them to change their minds. As Melissa was walking in, she heard one woman tell her that her baby had ten fingers and ten toes.

“As she sat on the table, ready to abort her child, she remembered what that woman had told her. And she realized that her baby was special, and that her baby was real.

“So she left the abortion clinic and choose adoption. And that’s how I’m here. I was that baby nineteen years ago.”

When David finished, the organizer introduced another speaker. David walked into the crowd and Melissa found him and gave him a huge hug.

“That was just awesome,” she said. “I don’t know how you speak in front of people and stay so calm like you do.”

“Believe me, I was nervous. But every time I tell my story, it gets a little easier. I mean, I don’t want to get up in front of a lot of people and talk, but when I do, I think of you.”

“What do you mean?”

“It took such courage for you to get up and walk away from that clinic. So I just draw on the courage you had and I tell my story.”

Melissa hugged him again. Then she hugged his parents and they moved away from the crowd to talk.

Reese walked up to him, holding her baby and smiling at David.

“How’s little Jackson doing?” David said.

“He’s doing well. Nate was his first babysitter, did he tell you?”

“Of course,” David said. “I have no memory left on my phone because of this little guy. Nate’s taking pictures and sending them every day.”

Reese looked down at Jackson. “Did you know that his middle name is David?”

David nodded.

“I’m going to kill Nate—he promised he wouldn’t tell you.”

“Thank you,” David said. “It’s an honor for him to have my name.”

Reese looked up at him and tears rimmed her eyes. “I don’t think he’d be here if you hadn’t told me your story.”

“I wasn’t sure you were even listening that day when we talked,” David said.

“I heard you. I was just trying not to. And then I snuck into Nate’s room while he was gone one night and pulled up the video he’s been working on. It was different watching it than just listening to the audio through the wall. I cried when you and Melissa met for the first time.”

“We’re hoping a lot of people see that video.”