My 17-Year-Old Son Shaved His Head for His Sick Girlfriend—The Next Day, Her Mother Called Me and Said, “You Need to Come to the Hospital”

was too much to speak through. He was the steady, calm anchor in her storm.

“You’re going again today?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.

“She’s having a rough week,” Aaron said, zipping the bag shut. “I told her I’d be there by four.”

“Tell Diane I said hi. I texted her yesterday, and she barely wrote back.”

Aaron paused, his hand on the pantry continue reading …