I keep thinking about her empty basket. 🧺

Moment #002

I’m shopping at Trader Joe’s. A few feet in front of me is the egg shelf, standing before it is an elderly Asian woman. There is a mass egg shortage right now because of the ongoing bird flu. The shelf is near empty, even with the high prices. The woman looks at the eggs but doesn’t reach for any. Then she takes out her phone, and I invent a story: maybe she’s calling her husband or her children to ask whether she should buy eggs.

I make myself walk away before I stare too long. I make a round to pick up what I came in for, then I see the woman again. I peek into her basket: no eggs. I finish up my shopping then check out. I get in my car and drive home. I keep thinking about her empty basket.

Winter 2024-25