In many ways, Billy living almost completely full time up in Burlington had become a comfort. The constant strain of trying to keep Billy happy affected me deeply, and I wasn't sure I was up to the task anymore. In his absence, I began to feel the first stirrings of happiness, not happy, but at least the potential to be happy again. It wasn't much, but every time I watched him walk out the door, I felt a weight drop from my chest, as if I had been suffocating whenever he was near.
     Soon after I was able to drive again, he started asking me to come up to Burlington to see him. But I didn't want to go. At first, it was partly resentment that kept me from going. He had turned his back on me when I needed him, and I didn't want to put in...

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