When I met my girlfriend, Leslie, I was upfront about Frankie and our special bond. She seemed to understand, and over the three years we were together, she and Frankie developed a trusting relationship. Everything was going well until we started discussing moving in together.

One evening, as we browsed listings for a house that could accommodate our future dreams — kids, a pool, and studio spaces for work — I jokingly mentioned how Frankie would be our practice child. She laughed but then, to my utter shock, stated seriously that Frankie couldn’t come with us. I laughed it off, thinking she was joking. However, her stern face made it clear she wasn’t.