— It seems like you’re the only one bothered, — said the first woman who had spoken, crossing her arms. — If it’s really such a problem, maybe we should talk to the management about making the gym more inclusive for mothers.

The trainer, realizing he was outnumbered, mumbled something under his breath and walked away, leaving me surrounded by a group of supportive women who were now more like a family than ever before.

I felt an immense wave of gratitude wash over me. I had expected to be humiliated and driven away, but instead, I found strength and unity in the very place I feared would reject me. My son had stopped crying, as if sensing the change in the atmosphere, and was now looking around curiously at the faces smiling down at him.