Try and try until I find

I couldn't cope with the demand of fresh, clean sports uniform for Cerise, 3 consecutive days a week. Always going for the easy option, albeit more costly, I went shopping for an extra set of uniform. At the shop, little did I know that I was going to run into a "friendship opportunity" only to lose it in seconds.

As you know, I am in search for a friend. My last attempt a couple of weekends ago was at a Welcome Picnic at Cerise's school where I turned up an hour late, followed Cerise around because I couldn't make a connection with anyone, felt uneasy following my daughter around when the idea was to mingle with parents so I sneaked out and sat in the car for a good few minutes and then picked up Cerise and left. Mission abandoned.

Back to the shop... the lady who served me asked for my daughter's name and upon learning I was the mother of a child she knew, her face lit up and exuded with cheerfulness and delight that was heart warming.

Lady: Oh, Cerise! I know Cerise! (me giving back a pleasant smile) I am Emma's mother. How are you?

Me: Oh, I'm good. Thanks.

I know of Emma from Cerise's stories. Not that I remember details and that may not be a very nice thing to say but that's actually a positive thing, considering I only remember details of kids who aren't too nice to Cerise. Anyhow, in that split second I got excited at the thought that this encounter might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. I wasn't going to let this chance pass so I said in a matter-of-fact tone, "I know Emma!". Alas, the reply ruined the moment when the lady turned to me, wide eyed, chin up and spoke with a tinge of arrogance, "Oh, EV-erybody knows Emma!" That's with a stress on the 'ev' of 'everybody'. I didn't see that coming. I bit my lip, lest I said something sarcastic. Instead, I nodded, forced a smile and walked away.