What would your younger self think?

That’s always a fun writer who suggests doing that. Here you are, they might say, at the wonderful age of 50 or 55 or whatever. You ever wonder what would your 15 or 16 or 17 or 18 or 19 year old self think about what you’ve become? Imagine you went back to that old home with that cranky ceiling fan and the door with the bolt that had to be manually closed. You knock on that door and there you are…seeing yourself all bright eyed, innocent and had hair back then parted neatly with a slant. Your younger self asks you: Can I help you? Clearly your younger self wouldn’t recognize you now. It’s some older guy.

Listen pal you tell them quietly, I am you but from the future. Here’s my ID proving that I am you. Look closely, I have the birthmark just like you do. Look I can’t talk a lot but there’s a few things you need to know about how things turned out.
You can see the rising panic on your old face. You’re me???? From the future??? You have one advantage, your younger self read a lot of sci fi. To them you don’t have to explain, it’s immediately plausible. And yet the dismay…how the hell did I become that?? Yes, can we go in, I can see the sight of me bothers you, but we need to talk. Let’s go inside and stand on the balcony. Do you have any oranges in the fridge? They don’t taste the same now.

Yes ofcourse, your old self says. Come in.
And that’s the other thing, in the future, never ever trust anyone. I am you, so I can’t actually do anything to you, although I am tempted. You see, this life you have now, this is the best time you’ll have. If you die right now, you won’t miss much.
Really, that bad huh? Okay what happened?
Yep, that was me, to the point, focused, zero un-necessary talk.
After a couple of minutes, I stare back at him… oh sorry, I have ADHD.
What’s ADHD? You seemed lost somewhere.
Yeah right, my nipples were vibrating.
What?
Ah right… I forgot, yours don’t yet. All your parts work kid. Best time of your life. Quit life while you’re ahead, a different voice came out from my mouth.
What?
Sorry, I sometimes speak with a different accent. It’s difficult to explain but I’ll try. You’re not going to be an astronomer or a soldier so don’t bother. What you will be is a business man and your business will be recruiting. Don’t worry about the Physics degree, dont’ worry about grades, don’t go to that computer engineering college, don’t go for a Masters degree in Industrial Engineering, don’t go to New York to work in that porn shop, simply just don’t, don’t stress about retirement, don’t worry about making money — you will have it and then lose it all in divorce. Your entire life goes downhill. Eventually this is what you become.
That’s my life?
Not entirely, you’ll have one good thing, your daughter. Take care of her. And don’t get upset about her marriage ceremony.
What?
You won’t have anyone to guide you ever.
But you’re here, you can tell me, guide me.
No, you won’t, I will wipe this memory so you don’t recall. I just wanted that damn taste of orange.