A weary new mom strolls through the aisles of Target, her baby snug in a carrier, hair thrown up in a haphazard bun, and dark circles betraying her sleepless nights. She pauses to admire a trendy dress on the sale rack, debating if the flowing fabric would mask her postpartum figure. “$25 feels like a lot,” she mutters, reluctantly placing the dress back. Just then, she catches sight of two women, laughing and chatting as they browse the same section, their makeup fresh and their carts filled with purchases. A twinge of jealousy twists in her stomach. “I really miss that,” she whispers, guiding her cart toward the diaper aisle, planting a kiss on her sleeping infant’s head.
