Longmire: Second Chances

Chapter 4: Reunion

IV

Two Weeks Later, Boston Logan International Airport

Vic was waiting nervously at the security checkpoint at the airport. She knew Cady's plane was on the ground, but it had seemed that hours had passes since the arrivals board showed the plane on the ground.

Through the next surge of passengers exiting the concourse, Vic caught the unmistakable flaming head of red hair that had just turned the corner. Their eyes caught each other, and both sets of eyes went wide. Cady ran forward best as she could without running over other people.

She reached Vic and they embraced in a long, tremendous, emotional hug, tears coming down both their faces, all that pent-up emotion screaming to get out. They didn't let go for several minutes, and didn't say a word.

Finally, they broke the hug, and looked at each other for a few moments

"Vic Moretti", Cady said through lingering tears. "Girlie, you look wonderful!"

"Yeah, mottled face, bloodshot eyes from crying...sexy as hell", and they both laughed.

Vic then returned the compliment. "You look fantastic, Cady. Then again, you were always the best looking woman in Absaroka County", Vic winked, causing Cady to blush. "Why don't we get your luggage and head to my place?"

An hour later, they arrived at Vic's apartment North of Boston. Her roommate was gone for the next week, and Cady would occupy her bedroom for the five days she was visiting.

Cady glanced around the well-appointed dwelling. It wasn't huge, but it looked very comfortable. She nodded her approval.

Two glasses of wine appeared a few minutes later. There was a bit of awkward silence, but they quickly go over that.

"Travis is getting pretty much back to normal, Vic", she said evenly. "He's continuing to see a therapist, and he's actually given up alcohol, at least for a while. He's really trying to clean himself up."

"That's good, Cady", Vic couldn't get her eyes to meet Cady's. "I never wanted to hurt him in any way...I was just so messed up when I left."

"Oh, he told me to give you this when I saw you." Cady leaned forward and kissed Vic on the cheek. "He said to send you his love and hopes you're doing well."

Vic's face blossomed with her wonderful smile.  "Sometime, someway, Cady, I will have to talk to him."

Cady then gently broached another subject, "Vic, have you ever considered mending fences with dad?" She held her hand up gently when Vic started to respond. "Not in any romantic way, but simply to see if you can salvage at least your friendship?"

Cady could see the rage in Vic's eyes when she mentioned her father. Clearly Vic hadn't come close to forgiving Walt for how he had treated her. But Cady needed to ask.

Vic took a few moments to compose herself, letting the anger fade from her eyes before answering, "How is your father, Cady", she said softly, but with an edge to her voice.

"He's doing OK, Vic", she said tentatively. "As I told you like Travis, he started to drink too much and stepped down from being Sheriff. The good thing is he knew he needed help, went and found a therapist, and followed through."

"As long as it wasn't Doctor Donna", Vic said with cold contempt, remembering that shrink who, to this day, Vic had felt was not worthy of Walt.

Cady smiled. "No, they're in Sheridan, and dad likes her a lot."

"Gee, maybe Walt should ask her out and pretend to like her." The venom in Vic's voice was like nothing Cady had ever heard.

"Vic", Cady said after a few moments, "you're not hurting anyone by saying this but yourself. Dad isn't here to listen to this, so for God's sake, just stop it and listen to yourself!"