Runnin' Out of Fools

As soon as the wind hit her face, Miranda felt so much better. She rounded the corner of the lounge, still visible in a lighted area, but giving her some privacy amongst the crowd. The night had chilled and she embraced it. "Hey, I found you," Val said hugging her. "You're good?"

"Yeah, I'm just thinking."

She took out a joint and before Miranda could object, she said: "It's legal now. Avert your eyes." She lit it, offering it to her older sister with a grin.

Miranda declined. She wasn't a smoker, but a piece of her could have used it to soothe her soul. She hadn't "dated" Ben yet, but it was coming and her stomach felt like steel. What if he'd met someone else who he liked better? "So, um, have you met any future Mr. Baileys?" She asked distracting her nerves.

"Um, one. Maybe two. They're all okay. Definitely a better crop than last week. You?" Miranda shrugged and shook her head. "Liar. What about the guy you were talking to earlier?" Miranda shrugged though she knew exactly who her sister was referring to. "Ben!"

At the mention of his name, a smile slipped from her lips. How did he have such an effect on her so soon? "What about him?" Val gave her a look, waiting for her to continue. "Did you see how Dani jumped down my throat? And then she was all over him when I saw them together," she said remembering how her sister had practically thrown herself into the man's arms.

"So?" There was no way that Dani had Ben to herself for four minutes and he hadn't fallen for her. Miranda repeated her inner thoughts to Val. "Mandy, you're doing it again."

"Doing what, Valerie?"

Val took another pull of her blunt. "Chris Simmons."

Miranda shuddered. "This is not that."

"How is it not, Miranda?"

All she could say was: "That was a completely different time and age, it was just… different." Maybe because she was older now and the decision was hers and not Dani's or the guy's. "I really don't want to fight Dani over some man we all just met."

"Fine." They were quiet as people shuffled around the outside of the building. "All I'm saying is that he might be worth the fight. Roll with it, shoot. That's what this whole thing is about." Miranda waved Val off, looking at the time. She was sometimes too damn smart for her own good. "Plus…" She inhaled, puffing smoke toward her older sister with a wink. "I dated him and it went really well."

"Oh, God, you like him, too?" What kind of voodoo did this man have on the Bailey women?

Val laughed. "No, of course not. I told him all about you."

"You did?"

"Of course."

"Danielle's not gonna like that."

"She'll deal."

Miranda hugged her sister, beaming. At least she had one person on her side. "You're my favorite little sister." Val hit her playfully and the two of them giggled. "And you should put that away. It's time to go back in."

"No, it's n—"

Ding!

"I hate you," Val said blowing into her joint, extinguishing it as they went back into the lounge, laughing. They passed Dani who gave them a confused look laced with jealousy. Miranda knew she'd try to grill Val about what they'd talked about, but for now, it was good to see their older sister seething.

After the break and her talk with Val, Miranda found some energy to persevere. Heading to the bar, she grabbed another drink before returning to her table. "Alright, single pringles, round two will begin in forty-five seconds," the emcee announced and Miranda cheered inside. Meeting new men had been fine in and of itself, but she was more than ready to get home. It had been a long day and an even longer night.

Miranda massaged her face, getting ready for some more fake smiling. The first group had been all over the spectrum. On her paper, she ranked them tentatively, writing lightly. Aside from a few select names, the others were in an almost random-like order. Miranda decided to take Val's advice and set her sights on Ben. Simply thinking of his smile kept her focused.

Even while her mind was on her new friend, Miranda still managed to have a good time. Her next few dates were all really respectable guys and good-looking enough. In reality, she was much more receptive this time around. She at least acted interested when asking or answering questions. Halfway through the second half of the event, a guy sat down across from her, smirking. He stuck his hand out for her. "Hey, I'm Allan."

She raised a brow and took his hand. It was cold and sent a chill up her spine. "Hi, Allan, I'm… Miranda," she said not wanting to give him her name even though it was written on her very visible nametag. The two of them chatted for a while and Miranda felt her eyelids flickering several times, heavy.

"I actually find you really alluring," he said in a voice that he probably thought was sexy. At this point, she wasn't surprised by anything weird that came out of a man's mouth. Most of them seemed filter-less. A taut smile was the only thing she had to offer to the comment. How long were four minutes anyway? Maybe she should diagnose herself with some kind of phony illness. "Which is funny because I don't usually go for women like you, but—"

Her eyes danced to Dani and, for a second, she wished the older Bailey were here for backup. "What do you mean by that?" She asked Allan.

"Uh, I just meant that I like my woman a, um, certain kind of way. And you're a bit more… plush… than what I'm used to. But it's fine. I can work with what you got." Miranda scowled at the brown-skinned man and felt like ripping his skin off. The look on her face had him backtracking. "No, don't get me wrong. I just prefer my woman a little…"

"A little…" She said leading him to the shit that he was so adamant about stepping into.

His hands made a vertical, wavy motion. "Smaller, er… thinner. Like Halle Berry. But you know, you'll do."

That's where Miranda lost it. Her laugh rang out across the room and she felt several eyes zip to her, including Dani's. "With all of the sane men in this venue, why would I even think of picking you?" He began sputtering and Miranda kept going: "And as if you could pull a Halle Berry. Ha!" She took out her phone for the last minute, not bothering to listen to his excuses and apologies. The bell ringing almost made her forget where she was. Allan stood up wordlessly. "And you need to see your primary care physician, your hands are way too cold."

He shook his head, looking down at them. "Yeah, thanks."

When he was gone, she wished she had incense to burn to get rid of his icky aura. Her next few dates were okay. It had taken two events and 30+ guys, but she finally got the hang of speed dating. The conversations were still meh, but Miranda had done more networking and that was good enough for her. She took a gander at her list again. There were some nice, attractive guys on it even without having seen Ben just yet.

The next guy, Tevin, a botanist, was very kind and he made her laugh. The bar was kind of low, but he seemed cool; so Miranda added him toward the top of the list. She took a deep breath trying to power through the last couple of dates. But exhaustion was winning. Miranda yawned. "Ooh! Excuse me," she said to herself.

"I know you can't be tired of me already," said a very recognizable voice.

Her heart was in shambles as she took in Ben's face. Somehow, over the course of the night, he'd gotten even more handsome. "Hey. Don't I know you?"

"Do you now?" He sat down, his smile permanent. "And what do you know?"

"I'll let you know," she said bashfully.

"Uh, should we reintroduce ourselves?" He suggested rubbing his hands together.

"Good idea," she said exhaling. As much as she'd been thinking about these four minutes, she still wasn't prepared for the moment. "Uh, I'm Miranda."

He held out his hand and she shook it for a second time. "Ben." She picked up her glass with shaky hands and sipped some of it slowly, careful not to spill any. "So, uh, how were your dates?"

"I had fun," she admitted. That wasn't how she thought she'd be describing the event, but she wanted to be truthful. Part of her wanted him to let him know that she had some options if he was looking elsewhere. "You?"

"Everyone was pretty… chill."

"Good, good, good. That's good." There was an awkwardness that hadn't been present the last time they talked. There was no witty repartee that made her smile or pet names that had her wondering if things could go further. Maybe the magic they'd had in those few minutes was gone. Her mind spun thinking of questions to ask, but nothing came out, nothing seemed right.

Ben picked up his drink, peering at her over the rim. She avoided his gaze. "Marcel told me that you're a firefighter," she said at the same time he was asking: "What's your favorite TV show?"

"That's your first question?" She inquired.

"Yes. And I am." Their eyes met and Miranda bit her bottom lip as he smirked. "Wait, what's wrong with my question?" He asked feigning defensiveness.

"It's a little odd, no?" He shook his head. "You're not going to ask me about my career or family or where I see myself in five years or anything like that?" Now, she was confused. She'd gotten those questions so many times tonight, it was damn near a routine. In fact, if the sight of him hadn't made her freeze up, she probably would have asked those questions herself.

"If your answer is good, then I'll eventually learn all of that other stuff, but if it's not…" He inhaled sharply.

"Wow," she said putting a hand to her mouth. "You're putting our entire marriage on my answer?"

Ben laughed genuinely and she gave herself a mental pat on the back at the fact that she could get him to make such a pleasant sound. "I didn't say that," he countered.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. But, um, my favorite show has to be, without a doubt, hands down, bar none…" She let her imaginary speech bubble linger for dramatic effect. Minute and a half left. His eyes were locked on hers. "Though I haven't seen it in a long time... Quantum Leap."

He nodded. "Okay, okay… I've heard that was good."

"Heard?"

He closed one eye. "I've never actually seen it."

Miranda chuckled at his goofiness before noticing that he wasn't joining in. "You're kidding? Say you're kidding." Ben scrunched up his face more. "Well, there you have it. We're completely incompatible. Have a nice life," she said shaking her head in disbelief. She faked like she was about to leave, but his fingers enclosed her wrist, slipping to her hand.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." he laughed. "Give me another chance. Please."

"I guess," she said lazily, trying to put on airs as her heart threw itself against the walls of her chest. Miranda had expected him take his hand back, but he didn't. His fingers trickled against hers, exploring her skin in a way she hadn't allowed him to do before. "But you have to promise me you'll watch it."

His free hand went to his chest. "I promise." She gave him a smile that had his shoulders dropping. "What's yours?"

Ben tapped his knuckles against the table. "A Different World." In jest, she rolled her eyes. "I know. I know. It's cliché, but it convinced me to go to an HBCU. And it's just so good."

"That it is. It's perfect," she agreed. If "Quantum Leap" wasn't a Sci-Fi series, their answers probably would have been the same. She told Ben this who listened, nodding.

"So Sci-Fi is your jam?"

Miranda grinned. "I'm a little obsessed."

"Right. So obsessed that you became a doctor. Excuse me, a surgeon."

Him knowing that she was a surgeon meant that Marcel must have told him that. He'd probably asked about her! "Exactly," she said letting her fingers mingle with his.

"I see you, girl." The timbre in his voice rattled her bones. She wanted to hear more. Never wanted him to stop talking. The clock ticked away the last four seconds. Ding! "Shit. That's it?"

"Yeah, that was four minutes."

"It felt like five seconds." The feeling was mutual. Their date had been her favorite. And it wasn't because he had the most perfect smile or had made her laugh, although she loved those things. It was the way he looked at her, like he'd never seen her before this and everything she had to say was important and remarkable. The men around them began to change seats again and Miranda realized that their fingers were still glued together. She pulled her hand away slowly. Ben blushed. "Sorry," he whispered though she was sure the look in his eyes contradicted that statement.

"Forgiven."

Her next date came over. "Aye, my man. It's time to switch," he said. "Didn't you hear the bell?"

"Hold on a second," Ben said staring at her, forgetting about the date ahead of him and the impatient man looming over them. "I'll see you after, Miranda?"

"Perhaps, Benjamin."

He winked at her before turning and bumping the guy slightly. As he walked to his next date's table, she released the breath she'd been holding. Relax, she thought to herself. The impatient man plopped down, shaking the table. "What a bozo." Miranda kept silent as her body chilled now that Ben was away. "Okay, you have four minutes—go!" The dark-skinned man crossed his arms so she couldn't even read his damn name tag. Ask me anything you want."

"Excuse me?"

"Time's ticking, sweetie," he told her gesturing hurriedly.

"We're supposed to be getting to know one another," she reminded him, pointing from herself to him.

"Well, I already found a woman I like, so this is just a formality at this point," he said.

Miranda tilted her head to the side. "And this is me getting up and going to the bathroom until the person across from me has good damn sense," she said. In the bathroom, she fumed for exactly 2.5 seconds before cursing the nameless man before using the restroom. While looking in the mirror, she heard the chairs scraping against the hardwood again and rushed out.

"This is it, people, make this one count!"

The last man was a really good guy and had seemed to like her, just like a few of the ones before, but all she recalled was the firefighter who'd held her hand. "Uh, it was nice to meet you, Louis," she said waving to the schoolteacher who returned it courteously.

"Alright, alright, take a few moments to get those names together and then bring your cards to the front. If you wait around, you can see who you matched with. If you don't want to wait, we'll email you."

Thankfully, Miranda's table was at the back of the lounge and while the other women made their way to the front, she hesitated. She hadn't cared the last time, but this time she was thinking that she actually liked a couple of these men. Shuffling the names took a little bit of time. Because she already had Ben's number, she didn't write his name at all. So, Eli was, in essence, number one followed by Tevin.

Most of the guys in the middle were just fillers and she couldn't really distinguish one from the other. At the bottom of the list were the men she remembered well and wished she didn't.

Then, there was Marcel. Even if things didn't go anywhere with his friend, she didn't want to go there. In theory, they could have gone on a few dates and had some good chats; so she put him in the middle somewhere as a consolation. Finished with her list, she got ready to hand it in, scanning the room for either of her sisters. Spotting Dani across the room, she stayed put, she wasn't ready to talk to her just yet. As she was about to head to the bar, the chair in front of her moved again, catching her off-guard. "Hey, Miranda."