Raising a child alone was hard, but my family made it possible. Steve, who couldn’t have children of his own, adored Maddie. He spoiled her rotten, taking her to the park, buying her toys, and often insisting I take a break while he babysat. “Go out with your friends,” he’d say. “I’ve got this.”

Around her fourth birthday, Maddie developed an “imaginary friend.” She’d have long, animated conversations with empty spaces. Mom and Steve found it charming, a normal part of childhood development. Sherry, however, did not.