If I could remember all the lessons I've learned so far, I would never do what my mother asked me to. I would never lie to the social workers and tell them I was a danger to my brother. I would stop following the abusive rules my parents made to trap me in my room with no lights on when I wasn't at school. I would walk into the dining room and serve myself dinner every night instead of letting them ignore me and prevent me from eating. When they beat me, I would be stoic and I wouldn't react. I would pay attention in class and I would get a job as soon as possible. I would get on-track to be an astronaut as soon as possible and I would remind myself every day that my family has no power over who I am. I would pretend to be the perfect scapegoat for them for as long as I needed to remain a child. I would never cry again.