Three years ago, Ryan contracted the influenza virus with a fever spiking to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. I rushed him to the hospital and cared for him tirelessly.
Then I fell ill, too. At its worst, I'd sit by him with my own IV drip still in, keeping watch.
That was when Ryan was at his most difficult, only obeying his parents when it came to taking medicine or injections.
In one week, I lost a visible amount of weight.
Later, I learned that during that same week, Andrew had accompanied Maeve on an international fan meet-up tour.
When I confronted him, his response was cold and unyielding. "She's an old friend. How could I say no? Can't you handle one child by yourself?"
He stared at my pale, sickly face without a word of concern.
Devastated, I had my first emotional outburst, weeping
