In a flash, I was four.

The thing I looked forward to most was my parents coming home on the weekend.

My health was still as fragile as ever, and Grandma's dark hair had turned completely white from the stress of caring for me.

One late autumn night, the air was cold, and I spiked another fever.

This time was worse than before; I quickly lost consciousness.

Grandma was terrified and kept calling my mom.

On the other end of the line, Mom's voice was full of irritation.

"It's normal for kids to get sick. If she doesn't feel well, take her to a doctor. I'm not a doctor!"

Grandma didn't give up and called my dad, but his tone was just as annoyed.

"Mom! We both have to work in the morning. Stop bothering us with every little thing!"

After that, Grandma couldn't get through to either of them.

She scooped me up and ran frantically out of the house.

She had injured her leg doing farm work when she was younger, and even on a good day, she walked with a limp.

The autumn rain was freezing cold, and even though Grandma held me tight in her arms, I couldn't feel any warmth.

There were no cabs on the street, and Grandma started to cry, calling my name over and over.

The rain soaked through her clothes, and she was running so fast that she tripped and fell headfirst into a puddle.

Grandma just held me tighter, sobbing in despair in the pouring rain.

Eventually, a kind stranger found us and drove us to the hospital.

Luckily, it was just a febrile seizure, and I was fine after they put me on an IV drip.

Two days later, we got home, and Mom was there.

I was so happy. She must have heard I was sick and come back just to see me.

I thought that, deep down, I was still her flesh and blood, a bond she couldn't sever.

But her first words sent my heart plummeting.

Mom's face was flushed with anger.

I looked down and saw the little dog whimpering at her feet.

He looked so pathetic, his back was bald and covered in shiny blisters.

"Why didn't you put the hot water away before you left?"

"If I hadn't worried that no one was feeding my baby, he could have been boiled alive!"

Mom's lips were trembling, and tears of heartbreak streamed down her face.

She gently picked up the dog.

"Don't be scared, baby, Mommy will take you to the doctor."

Then she glared at Grandma.

"Apologize to him."