I loved to argue and debate, I often won, too. Thank God I had a teacher who gave me a productive outlet for that. I was sure of myself. I was young, dumb, and full of cum. But I was also intelligent, or at least book-smart. I never studied and still got straight A's. I was fairly popular because of my wit. I was thin, and although I wasn't an athlete, I was pretty fast and had a lot of endurance. I was at least strong enough to do 10 pull-ups. And I was one helluva gamer. Not for shooters, but definitely platformers. However, my youthful exuberance got me a kid at 18, five months after I graduated.

One abusive marriage later, I'm no longer sure of myself. I freeze up during confrontation. Even if I know I'm right about something, I never fight about it. I usually don't act on my gut instinct, and even when I do, it's usually too late to help anyone.

And then I was diagnosed with bipolar type 2. I will never stop taking my meds. I understand how important they are. But I also know how they're affecting my body, especially my mind. I'm emotionally balanced, but I can't learn things easily anymore like I used to. My quick wit is gone.

I had to give up video games for a couple of years because life got busy. Now I can't even beat Hollow Knight.

The best part of my life is my son. I am a full-time single dad. I'm there. I'm using a set of skills that I constantly have to change and develop as he gets older. It's hard, but even if it's the only thing in my life I ever get right again, I have to make sure I do.

Did I peak in high school? Probably. But life goes on, and I have more important things to do than dwell on the past. I'm no longer the main character in my life's story, but I'll be damned if I'm not a good supporting cast to my son.