Snowed In

“Hey Bailey do you want to go to the conference that’s in Portland Oregon. It’s 2 days long and it’s for doctors who want to learn about new cultivating ideas for general surgery.”

“ Are you talking about the CME surgical and anesthesia conference. I tried to get tickets but they were already filled up. How did you ?”

“ Derek was talking to an anesthesiologist and he had an extra ticket so Derek bought it from him. It was suppose to be a surprise for me,he even set it up so I could ride with the guy. At first I was like no I’m not riding with a stranger but Derek says he’s nice and they have been in a couple of surgeries together and he is trust worthy, but any way to make a long story short I can’t go because we are still going through the adoption process with Zola and being monitored so I have to be here.”

Miranda thought for a second maybe she could get a plane ticket last minute; she wasn’t really trying to ride with a stranger and have to make small talk. All she had to do is book a hotel room. “Okay yes I’ll take it.” Miranda said holding her hand out for the ticket.

“Okay were you riding with him or. “

“ I might just drive myself. “

“ Bailey you should ride with him. He shouldn’t have to drive that drive alone because I bailed on him.”

“ Fine. Give him my address and number to pick me up from my apartment on Friday then.” Miranda said walking away.

Friday came and Miranda just finished packing her overnight bag. She made sure she had snacks for the ride just as she finished putting things into her lunch box her phone buzzed.

She read the text message.
Hey I’m outside. In a black BMW.
Miranda: okay I am coming out.

Miranda put her coat and scarf on. She grabbed her things and walked out. Miranda walked up to his car and she saw him get out to help her.

“Dr. Warren?” Miranda asked.

“Dr. Bailey.” Ben asked looking at the women he met his first day after the merger.

They started off rocky and she fussed him out, but that is what made him interested in her. She was intelligent and fiesty. Almost like a firecracker, beautiful, exciting but with all smoke and explosive.

Miranda smiled as he opened the door for her and put her bag in the backseat. “Woah, it is very cold outside. The temperature is dropping like crazy.” Miranda said putting her seat belt on.

“Yeah it’s about to snow.” Ben said pointing to the ground as he pulled out.

Ben and Miranda talked the whole time. She actually liked him. She knew before; the day she met him that it was something about him that she liked and the more she talked to him, the more she did. She found herself studdering and couldn’t think straight. He made her feel giddy and all they were having was just a simple conversation.

“Hmm.” Miranda said opening her bag of chips and holding it in his direction. She watched as he dug his hand in the bag and took some. Keeping his eyes on the road.

Miranda watched as the snow fell. The snow began softly falling when they left her house. It persisted the whole way out of the city and across the border into Oregon, ever so subtly increasing in volume as they drove closer to their destination.

By the time they found themselves in the small town of Astoria, the snow was plummeting from the sky, totally obscuring any hope of making it any further tonight.

Unwilling to slip off the road and crash, Ben pulled into the first motel off the 30 Interstate he could find.

“The Wagon Heel Motel?” questioned Miranda, reading the sign as it appeared. One of the non-functioning letters of the illuminated word ‘Wheel’ left a lot of room for ambiguity about the purpose of the motel itself and only served to increase the sleaziness.