I stand in the entrance to the store, staring. The merchandise is sharply divided down the center, half pink and half blue. It’s all so vibrantly opposite. I didn’t intend to come in here, not really. I wanted to just check out some prices on things so I could really look at the budget Nicole put together for me.

But here, in the baby store, faced with the reality of everything, I feel like I’m going to pass out. Maybe it’s my blood sugar. I pull out ...