Somebody For Me

Wonderwall

Almost a week later, Miranda looked in the mirror in her dorm room. She was getting dressed for Grandma Dorothy's funeral. The last one she'd attended was ten years ago and Uncle Jasper was practically a stranger. There had been no tears on her end. This time, she couldn't even get through ten-minute intervals without tears running down her face and onto her black dress. It didn't even make sense to put on makeup because she'd just end up rubbing it all off. When they were ready, she and Terri met William and Elena who were waiting in the parking lot. Though they'd never met Dorothy or Tony, her parents drove the three hours to be with their daughter and to pay their respects. And Miranda was so grateful.

Getting to the funeral parlor, she had plans to just sit in the back, but Ben asked for her to sit with him, clutching her hand the entire time until he got up to speak. Beneath her black sunglasses, she watched her boyfriend cool as a cucumber share a few memories of Dorothy, cracking the entire room up. When he sat back down next to her, he took her hand again, kissing the back of it. When the service was over, Terri left having picked up an extra shift to put money in her pocket for her trip. Waiting for Ben to come out, Miranda chatted with her parents outside of the funeral parlor. "It was a nice service," Elena said pulling her pocketbook strap on her shoulder. Her daughter just nodded.

"Yeah, Cotton does great work," William replied putting his arm around Miranda, kissing the top of her head. "Do you want to get dinner later?" He asked looking down at her.

She shrugged. "Maybe."

"Ben can come along, too," her mother added with a small smile.

"Thanks, mom."

"There you are!" Ben said coming around the corner of the large building with his black suit jacket blowing in the wind. He walked toward them and Miranda's stomach rumbled. She slipped from her father's arm and hugged Ben. "I love you," he whispered as they kissed quickly.

"I love you, too." She wiped the smallest bit of her lipstick from his face.

He hugged Elena before shaking hands with William. Miranda felt him lock their fingers with hers. The young couple smiled at each other. "Thank you two so much for coming. It means a lot."

"Of course, young man," William responded.

"Would you like to get dinner later?" Elena offered. "Your dad, of course, is invited, too."

Ben looked at her before answering: "Y-yes, sure. I'll go and ask him." Her parents nodded. "Coming, babe?" He asked raising a brow. Miranda scrunched up her face comically as they walked away. "You're so goofy."

"And you're so handsome," she said.

"You look good, too, babe. I love that dress." She shrugged nonchalantly leaning into him more. "I'm so glad you're here."

"I wouldn't be anywhere else." He picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. A familiar face came toward them. "Marty," she said with a grin.

"Hey, Miranda," Marty said hugging her.

"The flowers are beautiful."

He tipped his imaginary cap. "Some of my best work."

"Thanks, man," Ben said and they shook hands.

"Of course, bruh. But I just came over to say that I have to go, unfortunately, but I'll see you two later."

They nodded and he gave a wave before leaving. Miranda and Ben continued to a small group of men in which the only face she knew was Tony's. "My uncle and cousins," Ben said as his dad called out: "Miranda!" The older man hugged her as Ben jumped on the back of one of the other guys in the circle.