"Oh, you don't need to apologize," she laughed, coming around the table to straighten a pile of blankets."Are you shopping for a baby shower gift?"I looked down at the tiny white socks resting in my trembling hand.I could just say yes and avoid any awkward questions.I could pretend I was buying them for a pregnant coworker or a distant cousin.But the lie felt wrong and bitter in my mouth.For the first time since the clinic doctor gave me the impossible news, I wanted to claim this child out loud."No," I said, my voice barely above a quiet whisper."They are for my baby."The woman stopped fixing the blankets and gave me a wide, genuine smile."Congratulations," she beamed, resting her hands on her hips."Is it your first?""Yes.""Do you know what you are having yet?" she asked, leaning in a little closer."No, I don't know yet," I answered honestly."Well, white is a great neutral color to start with," she said, pointing to the socks in my hand."And you are going to need a lo
Last Updated : 2026-09-02 Read more