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[av_heading heading=’MY LIFE AS ART ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY PETER SOLIS NERY
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XXXVIII. WIN
Life is strange, unpredictable each day. Out of nowhere, we receive good fortune. But like a dream, there is nothing we can cling to. If life is a dream, is someone the dreamer?
*
As announced the night before, the results of the singing competition were posted on the public service board after lunch on the following day.
Dulce was convinced Matt was a sure win, so after visiting Mercedes’s grave, they went to check out the list of winners.
Matt was shy about going, but Dulce insisted.
What have you to lose now?
Matt thought, Nothing! He also thought, I have already won you.
*
But mostly, he thought that he was so used to failure that it probably wouldn’t matter anymore if he lost this small island’s singing contest.
People always tell me that I have a wonderful voice, he said, and still, I don’t get the breaks that I need for show business.
I was once approached by a decent looking guy, who totally misrepresented himself claiming to be a record producer.
*
We met several times, had dinner, a few drinks.
He even brought me to his hotel room, gave me some really nice shirts.
For days he talked, talked, and talked.
Promised me this, promised me that, but in the end, all he ever wanted was to get into my pants.
It was traumatic for me. Disgusting.
I mean, is sex the only way to achieve my dreams?
Sometimes, I wonder, how much talent do I really have?
*
Quite a crowd had gathered around the posted list so Dulce agreed to check the results while Matt kept the baby in the shade.
She squeezed herself into the crowd that swallowed her whole, craned her neck for that one special name, and came squeezing herself out again, with a triumphant smile.
You won!
You won it, Matt! she shouted with glee.
Somehow, Matt knew it in his heart, because last night he felt different, but he had serious doubts about winning contests.
Experience has, instead of making him sure, often made him doubt.
*
Dulce ran to Matt with fire on her feet.
You did it! That’s a five thousand pesos cash prize!
Matt was beside himself, gave the baby to Dulce so he could jump for joy, and, like a boy, cried, Ya-hoo!
She hugged him.
He felt nice. Very nice.
They ran to join the crowd again to see his name beside with the words “First Prize.” (To be continued)/PN
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