Put Your Heart Into It

Amazing Marlie

Last summer my ex-husband announced he would no longer co-sign our children’s college loans. I wasn’t in a position to come to the rescue. I’m remarried, and Barry and I have six kids between us—we still support a household of four. Luckily my son had moved in with us a few weeks before the distressing announcement, allowing him to commute and finish college on a cash-as-you-go basis.

Marlie was another matter.

Two years ago, as I prepared to move south to Charleston, my second yo...