@amily_foster on Threads

I’m a Costco cashier, and yesterday, I saw a mom break down in aisle 12—her hands shaking, her cart half-empty, and her kid clinging to her leg. She was counting pennies for a pack of diapers, whispering, “We’ll eat tomorrow, baby, I promise.” I’ve been there. I’ve felt that hollow ache in my chest, choosing between food and keeping the lights on. I scanned her stuff, slipped in a discount I wasn’t supposed to, and handed her the receipt with a nod. She looked at me, tears in her eyes,