This leads to a very difficult problem: why does the fossil record suggest a beginning which suggests that life had an absolute beginning. Is this another "Darwin quote," or do you take personal responsibility for it?
I'm not aware of any biologist at any time in history who has said the fossil record says anything about the beginning of life. Perhaps you could share a citation with us.
Neither am I. I didn't write it that way. The question I raised is sprinkled generously wherever there is paleobiologic speculation. The concurrence between the fossil record and the origin of life gives us a commonly accepted approximation in terms of billions. Maybe some textbook writers find the third-person syndrome helpful here.
But don't tell me your mama don't let you surf!